Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, my God and Creator, my source of strength and provision, lover of man’s soul…I come to you today to pray on behalf of my country, my home, and the people who make up this nation. Oh how we need your help! Please have mercy upon us. I’m sorry for my failures and ashamed of the sins of this nation. May all that is good and every person who is called by your name bow before you in repentance and rise up to follow you as shining lights and examples of your love. May we live godly lives and be pleasing to you. May we look to you for our answers, for our help, for guidance. May we lift up the name of Jesus and proclaim his saving grace. I pray for our nation’s leaders, that they will seek your face and make their decisions based on biblical values and that you will protect them in their daily lives and often overwhelming duties. I pray for our Christian leaders, that they will receive wisdom and anointing for the day as you give them power and protection from harm and evil. I pray for families, that they would pull together and support one another—with Christ at the center. I pray for individuals, that we each will take responsibility for our thoughts and actions, that we may allow you to minister to others through us and do great and mighty things according to your will. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). May we stand together as your children. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Second Step to Holiness
In the first step I saw that repentance, brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit, made me aware of the magnitude, wickedness and folly of my ways. Then I gladly turned to Christ for forgiveness and He graciously responded with love and irrevocable forgiveness. This is redemption, for He paid the price of my sin by shedding His blood on the cross for me. I am then saved. Hallelujah!
The second step is the submission of my will to God’s will. Paul talks about this in Romans 7
: 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members.
Paul realizes something is wrong, he cannot do what he knows he ought to do and he does what he knows he shouldn’t do, and he cries our as many of us have:24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
His own will is dominant so he does what he wants instead of what he knows he should do. But he knows who has the answer: I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
So if our will is not surrendered to the will of God we are walking in the flesh and not in the Spirit!
Jesus not only died on the cross to forgive our sins, but, sent the Holy Spirit as my counselor and guide with power to tame my will and let me submit (surrender) to the will of God.
We see this also in chapter 6: 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We know Sin is death to the sinner, but here he is talking about the Christian who still sins because he has not surrendered his will to God’s will. But we can be made free in Christ. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Hallelujah!
Don’t be deceived, there are those who think this verse means God won’t condemn us if we do sin. They don’t read the rest of the verse. It says “who do not walk according to the flesh!
In the first step I saw that repentance, brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit, made me aware of the magnitude, wickedness and folly of my ways. Then I gladly turned to Christ for forgiveness and He graciously responded with love and irrevocable forgiveness. This is redemption, for He paid the price of my sin by shedding His blood on the cross for me. I am then saved. Hallelujah!
The second step is the submission of my will to God’s will. Paul talks about this in Romans 7
: 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members.
Paul realizes something is wrong, he cannot do what he knows he ought to do and he does what he knows he shouldn’t do, and he cries our as many of us have:24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
His own will is dominant so he does what he wants instead of what he knows he should do. But he knows who has the answer: I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
So if our will is not surrendered to the will of God we are walking in the flesh and not in the Spirit!
Jesus not only died on the cross to forgive our sins, but, sent the Holy Spirit as my counselor and guide with power to tame my will and let me submit (surrender) to the will of God.
We see this also in chapter 6: 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We know Sin is death to the sinner, but here he is talking about the Christian who still sins because he has not surrendered his will to God’s will. But we can be made free in Christ. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Hallelujah!
Don’t be deceived, there are those who think this verse means God won’t condemn us if we do sin. They don’t read the rest of the verse. It says “who do not walk according to the flesh!
Friday, April 3, 2009
We Were Bought With a Price !
We were bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus; therefore I will glorify God in my body and spirit, which are God's.
I will not use any part of me to do my own will but allow God to have his will in all my life.
I not let Satan or sin to possess, barrow or pollute my body, mind or heart, for I am God's.
Jesus is mine; the Holy Spirit is in control of every thought, act and relationship.
God is love. I Know God, He knows me; therefore agape love will be my aim and attitude.
Christ accepted me, and I accepted Him. I'll not allow any division or separation from Him.
This is my commitment to Him, for he gave his life for me, and His Spirit to me. Amen.
I will not use any part of me to do my own will but allow God to have his will in all my life.
I not let Satan or sin to possess, barrow or pollute my body, mind or heart, for I am God's.
Jesus is mine; the Holy Spirit is in control of every thought, act and relationship.
God is love. I Know God, He knows me; therefore agape love will be my aim and attitude.
Christ accepted me, and I accepted Him. I'll not allow any division or separation from Him.
This is my commitment to Him, for he gave his life for me, and His Spirit to me. Amen.
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Armor of God
The Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-20
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
We have a BIG Mighty God!
11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
The protection and weapons God provides, so you can be “More than conquers”
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
We need every one of the tools God has for us.
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
Truth—Knowing the true Gospel of Christ.
with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
Righteousness—That means cleansed from sin.
15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Peace--At peace with God.
16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,
Faith—Having confidence and ruthless trust in our mighty God
with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17Take the helmet of salvation
Salvation—God’s provision for our forgiveness, restoration, holiness, and heaven.
and the sword of the Spirit,
Spirit—The indwelling Holy Spirit our guide and counselor.
which is the word of God.
Word—The source of wisdom and truth.
Now, with all this preparation what is our duty?
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Prayer—Our communication with The Almighty.
19Pray also for me,(Interceed) that whenever I open my mouth,
Intercession--For help for The Church and its leaders.
words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains..
Speak—Bold and fearless.
Should we leave all the speaking to the present leaders?
Why can’t we do something for God’s kingdom too? We have the tools!
Ephesians 6:10-20
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
We have a BIG Mighty God!
11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
The protection and weapons God provides, so you can be “More than conquers”
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
We need every one of the tools God has for us.
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
Truth—Knowing the true Gospel of Christ.
with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
Righteousness—That means cleansed from sin.
15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Peace--At peace with God.
16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,
Faith—Having confidence and ruthless trust in our mighty God
with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17Take the helmet of salvation
Salvation—God’s provision for our forgiveness, restoration, holiness, and heaven.
and the sword of the Spirit,
Spirit—The indwelling Holy Spirit our guide and counselor.
which is the word of God.
Word—The source of wisdom and truth.
Now, with all this preparation what is our duty?
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Prayer—Our communication with The Almighty.
19Pray also for me,(Interceed) that whenever I open my mouth,
Intercession--For help for The Church and its leaders.
words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains..
Speak—Bold and fearless.
Should we leave all the speaking to the present leaders?
Why can’t we do something for God’s kingdom too? We have the tools!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
In the Begining , God!
In The Beginning, God
An atheist said recently: "All the Bible does is raise unanswerable questions".
Do you suppose he is starting with the wrong first assumption?
All truth flows from our first assumption and postulation, "God is".
The book we have called the Bible or God's Word begins that way.
The first words John wrote in his gospel: "In the beginning was the word and the word was God and the word was with God.", shows that he was in line with Moses whom we suppose wrote the first book. The writer to the Hebrews says in his treatise:
'We must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him'
The Psalmist wrote:" The fool has said in his heart there is no God".
We know that our finite minds cannot possibly answer all the questions life throws at us. But when the basis of our quest is belief and trust in an infinite, almighty and all knowing God, there are no unanswerable questions. We do not know all the answers, but God does, and because He is also a loving and caring God He gives us all the answers we need to know in his Word. John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
2 Peter 1:3
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
An atheist said recently: "All the Bible does is raise unanswerable questions".
Do you suppose he is starting with the wrong first assumption?
All truth flows from our first assumption and postulation, "God is".
The book we have called the Bible or God's Word begins that way.
The first words John wrote in his gospel: "In the beginning was the word and the word was God and the word was with God.", shows that he was in line with Moses whom we suppose wrote the first book. The writer to the Hebrews says in his treatise:
'We must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him'
The Psalmist wrote:" The fool has said in his heart there is no God".
We know that our finite minds cannot possibly answer all the questions life throws at us. But when the basis of our quest is belief and trust in an infinite, almighty and all knowing God, there are no unanswerable questions. We do not know all the answers, but God does, and because He is also a loving and caring God He gives us all the answers we need to know in his Word. John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
2 Peter 1:3
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
Friday, July 27, 2007
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit,
The Proof and Power Of Our Salvation.
1. Jesus proved to us by His virgin birth, His sinless life, His matchless teaching, His sacrificial death, and His miraculous resurrection, and that He indeed was God's Son, and at some point we have, or will have believed on Him and will have become a Christian.
2. At this time we have become God's children, heirs with Christ, receiving the Holy Spirit, which He promised us. Paul calls Him the "Earnest". He is our birth certificate. "His Spirit witnesses with our spirit". We now can call God our Abba! The Spirit is our engagement ring we "now are espoused to Christ". He is our passport; He opens the Gates of Heaven to us. He is our debit card to all the riches of God's grace credited to our account in Glory!
3. Not only all of that, He fills our hearts with Love, comforts us in our trouble, guides and directs our every step if we listen to His voice. And produces His fruit in our life.
4. Have we welcomed Him in? Or have we resisted Him, grieved Him, disobeyed Him, or polluted His temple with sin? He is very tender and holy!
5. Do we walk in the Spirit and thereby fulfill the law if Christ?
The Proof and Power Of Our Salvation.
1. Jesus proved to us by His virgin birth, His sinless life, His matchless teaching, His sacrificial death, and His miraculous resurrection, and that He indeed was God's Son, and at some point we have, or will have believed on Him and will have become a Christian.
2. At this time we have become God's children, heirs with Christ, receiving the Holy Spirit, which He promised us. Paul calls Him the "Earnest". He is our birth certificate. "His Spirit witnesses with our spirit". We now can call God our Abba! The Spirit is our engagement ring we "now are espoused to Christ". He is our passport; He opens the Gates of Heaven to us. He is our debit card to all the riches of God's grace credited to our account in Glory!
3. Not only all of that, He fills our hearts with Love, comforts us in our trouble, guides and directs our every step if we listen to His voice. And produces His fruit in our life.
4. Have we welcomed Him in? Or have we resisted Him, grieved Him, disobeyed Him, or polluted His temple with sin? He is very tender and holy!
5. Do we walk in the Spirit and thereby fulfill the law if Christ?
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Trobleshooting
Troubleshooting
How are you doing spiritually?
I see and observe many Christian people who don’t seem to be very well satisfied with the spiritual life they are living. I know that God did not intend for a Christian’s life to be boring or frustrated or disappointing. He promised us peace, joy and satisfaction. His call to us was to abundant life, full of blessing and praise. Recently in my reading of the Word and the writings of people like Chuck Coleson, Ann Graham Lotz and Brennan Manning I have discovered some principles and exercises that may help you find out what is wrong with, and how you may correct the shortcomings of your religious experience. Peter tells us that God has provided us with everything we need for life and godliness. Among these I am sure are plenty of the sunshine of His love, a grand sufficiency of living water, and the wonderful nourishment of His word. Then why are we not flourishing? We know that “God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory.”
Let’s do a little troubleshooting. OK?
This may seem elementary, but my first question is:
How is your faith?
Faith is basic. No one can have a Christian life without faith. In Hebrews it says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God. If we are not in position to please God how can we expect to have a joyful life? “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” To believe God’s word, we must. “Believe that he (God) is and that He will reward those who diligently seek him. What I am getting at here is: Do you really trust God’s promises of salvation? Do you truly honor him as your creator and the creator of the universe? “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” When you truly believe God, His Spirit will witness with your spirit that you are his child. Then you know without a doubt that God is real, for you will feel it in your soul. Say from your heart: ”God said it. I believe it. And that settles it!” Jesus told us that if we have faith as a grain of mustard seed we could move mountains”. It doesn’t take much, but we must have it.
When Abraham believed God it was counted to him as righteousness. When we exercise our faith in God, we become spiritual descendants of Abraham, and are heirs of the promise of God.
Abraham’s faith was tested when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, his only son and heir. Abraham’s response was: “ I believe God will raise Isaac from the dead or do whatever it takes to keep his promise.” And went ahead and prepared to sacrifice his son. Is your faith like that? It can be!
Faith in God must have three facets:
- Faith in the person(s) of God. Believing that he IS. Believe that his nature is love and justice. That he is everywhere. That he is the powerful creator and the source of all things.
- Believe in his precepts. Believing that his word and his will are the ultimate wisdom for life.
3. Believe in his provision. Knowing by faith that the gift of his Son, Jesus, for our salvation, is the proof that he will give us everything we need to live a worthy and productive life here and life eternal with Him.
MORE To Follow. Love, Howard. Email: howarddimmick@juno.com
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