His Teachings

I felt a strong urge to begin re-reading the Book of Exodus the past few days. It is always amazing how scriptures we read while studying the Bible can minister to us in different ways, no matter how many times we read them.  I have read Exodus before, but there are many things I noticed this time that I may not have paid much attention to before. Exodus is when God really makes Himself known to His people , instead of individual men as before.  He introduces Himself to the Israelites with signs, wonders, and precious promises. It is not a sugar-coated account either because you can see many sides of Jehovah in the book.  He is Jealous for His people.  He is vengeful towards their oppressors.  His anger is kindled more than once when they try Him and refuse to believe Him.  He shows His power to deliver, to heal, and to set free.  He also shows His power to kill, to chastise, and to keep His word about disobedience. 

After the monumental decision by the Supreme Court to allow same-sex couples to marry, I knew it was yet another inch closer to the days Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24, and His imminent return. Let me first say that this post will not attempt to sway you in your views about the Supreme Courts ruling. It would be a waste of time as those who belong to God know and understand the sanctity of marriage and how it originated already. I want to discuss the rainbow and its true meaning. The rainbow is one of those wonders that God created in the Earth that not only reminds us of Him, but also reminds Him of us. The true meaning of the rainbow comes from the Bible. Genesis 9:13 says: I set My bow [rainbow] in the cloud, and it shall be a token  or  sign of a covenant  or  solemn pledge between Me and the earth. (Amplified version)

When the children of Israel sent twelve spies to the Promised Land, there were 10 that came back with what the Bible calls "an evil report," while Joshua and Caleb reported that they were well able to conquer the land. It is intriguing that the twelve spies went to the same land, saw the same giants, and spent the same amount of time surveying the land, yet only two had a good report. Numbers 13:32-33 says: And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it,  is  a land that eat up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it  are  men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak,  which come  of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.   The Bible calls the report of the other ten spies evil because it was contrary to what God had already told them. ...

Living in our present time of instant gratification and instant results has in many ways been a hindrance and a bit misleading. It doesn't take a Believer in Christ long to realize that GOD does not do many things instantly. GOD is more concerned with the quality and completion of the work than the speed.  James 1:2-4 says it like this: My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into diverse trials; knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

I was meditating on a few things this morning and thinking about the wisdom of GOD. There are countless times when I have made a plan and what I planned just did not work out that way. No disclaimers, my plan simply failed. This has not always been the case. There are a few instances where I can actually recall my plan working out just as I planned - but this is the exception, not the rule. Why do our plans fail? How can we have peace when they don't come to pass? Proverbs 16:9 says: A man's heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps. My best explanation for plans failing is based on the fact that we as humans do not have enough information to actually make plans. Think about it: We do not know the future We have no way to plan for the unexpected circumstances that might occur

God as we know Him has always been and always will be. He has no beginning and no end. His wisdom is shown throughout the cosmos and our home, planet Earth.  When Moses was called by God to go deliver the children of Israel, he asked God who should He say sent him?  God replied, "I AM." He further explained that He was " I AM that I AM." Seems kind of weird for a name, right? After the Israelites were delivered, they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. During this time, I AM revealed who He was by what He did.  God revealed who He was by what He did.  If you feel lost, confused, or struggle with unbelief, please use this as a reference. Call on The Lord and watch Him show up. He knows your heart, so you don't have to be fancy with your words or know what to say - simply call out to I AM and watch Him become what you need! Keep pressing. Your labor is not in vain. 

We all have them, and we all wish that they would go away -- forever. I'm talking about trials and tribulations. As the people of God, we must endure trials and tribulations. The world goes through their own as well. However, the purpose behind ours is unique. These detested things offer hidden blessings and provide lasting wisdom that will help us and others as we continue to travel the narrow road, on our way to the strait gate.

When we feel deserted by God, or that we are being tested beyond our limits, we can be assured that there is a purpose.  Sometimes tests reveal areas within us we are unaware of, or think we've "mastered." We find ourselves responding in ways that even shock us.  At these times, we must simply ask for forgiveness and work on that area. God is faithful to forgive once we confess our sins.  More importantly, we must humble ourselves and seek His face. He knows more about us than we do yet still loves us.  So don't be discouraged if you fail a test (in your mind), because sometimes GOD is not testing us on what we think, rather testing our hearts and willingness to repent and move forward.  This race is not given to the swift or strong, rather to those who endure and keep going.  We can overcome. Our righteousness is not of ourselves.  

The children of Israel were tried, proved, and taken into the wilderness. This time in their lives was not permanent, but most of them had the mindset that it was. This caused them to prolong their time in the wilderness and delay their promise. The Lord never intended for their transitional period to become their home for 40 years.  How many of us get stuck in transitions? We must understand that our promised land includes all of the promises that we are seeking from God but have yet to possess. Possessing our promises requires diligence, obedience and war. Joshua led the children of Israel in many battles. But we also see the children of Israel losing battles where there was disobedience towards God.  There is a purpose in the battle.  So many times we want to possess financial freedom, healing, strength, joy, peace, and all the other promises given to us through Jesus Christ; but these promises come with a battle. We battle our forme...

This morning I woke up to a CNN alert about a Canadian Pastor who was being held in North Korea after an aid mission. Yesterday, I went to lunch with a girlfriend who needed godly counsel about a personal situation that was unfair. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 Seems like every time we turn around as the people of God, we are being targeted and unfairly accused or mistreated. This is definitely NOT FAIR! 2 Timothy 2:12 (NLT)  If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. But, let's look at 1 Peter 4:16 (KJV): "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." Now, it is easy to read this scripture and just dismiss it as another scripture, but let's apply it to our daily lives. Circumstances where we as Christians are targeted and falsely accused and / or mistreated for the sake of Christ: You may be the o...

There was a time in my life when I was searching for something, some practice, some routine for relaxation and exercise. I began to do yoga because I was unaware and ignorant. But the devil does not care how ignorant we are. In fact, the Bible tells us: "Me people perish for lack of knowledge." Hosea 4:6 Thankfully, I had a pastor who was not afraid of telling me the truth. When he first told me the truth about yoga and its true purpose, I rejected it. I did not want to accept it. However, I prayed and asked God for confirmation and sure enough - it is a very demonic and a deception the devil is using to yolk people to demonic powers. It is rooted in Hindu worship and the poses are used as a form of worship to Hindu deities. 2 Timothy 4:3 - " For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ...

Do not allow the enemy to back you down or make you feel that you cannot win. He is a liar and you have the victory. There is purpose in the process and you can overcome if you DON'T GIVE UP!