Friday, December 31, 2010

The Jesus Multiplier
John 6:9

Take what you have and give it to Jesus.  That is the lesson of Jesus feeding the large crowds with only enough food for a boy’s lunch.  It is the fallacy of tithing.  If you give only ten percent of what you have to Jesus you severely limit the work of Jesus in your life.  
Those who do not give everything to Jesus are like the farmer who only plants ten percent of his seed on ten percent of his land.  He may be blessed, but how much more richly would he be blessed if he gave it all for the planting!

The multiplier effect of giving what you have to Jesus is beyond calculation.  Did the boy himself get to eat of the food that Jesus multiplied?  Of course he did.  The meal was the first recorded “all you can eat” buffet.  When you give what you have to Jesus the blessing washes back over your life as well.

But never be confused by thinking that giving to Jesus is simply the best investment.  Remember that the blessings that Jesus gives to you are not just what you want, but rather what you need.  If your faith needs to be strengthened He will give you life situations that demand greater faith.  If your love needs to increase He will provide you with those who need desperately to be loved, even at great sacrifice to you.  If you need patience you will see the need for more patience every day.

Check your heart and see if you have totally given your heart to Jesus or if you are still tithing your heart.  Remember you are not walking on water if you still have one foot in the boat.  

Sunday, December 26, 2010

War is Hell?

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road to the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearby; for God said, "The people will change their minds and return to Egypt if they face war."

Exodus 13:17

Sometimes the most commonly accepted realities are proven to be deceptions. General William Tecumseh Sherman is credited with the first utterance of the phrase “War is Hell” in 1879. That assessment has been accepted as truth, really without contradiction. President Harry Truman did contradict it in 1945 when he said “Peace is Hell.”

Frankly, I hate to agree with President Truman instead of a famous Civil War general, but if you dwell in Hell you will not be at war. There will be no possibility of victory, no overcoming the situation. In Hell the torment and suffering will have no solution or resolution.


Spiritual Warfare is the struggle against Hell and that can only be waged by those who are still alive here on this earth.


As in any war there are those on the winning side who become casualties. The fact that you have read the end of the Book and we win does not mean that you cannot become a casualty of the war! Yes, Satan and his hordes of Hell will not win the war. Jesus sealed the fate of Satan when He died on the Cross. But there are battles yet to be waged. In fact, there is a battle to be waged in your life today. Satan wants you to let down your guard and give in, even a little to his call to turn stones in to bread!


If you know the plane will make it safely through the storm, you still fasten your seat belt. Truthfully, all wars on this earth are shadows of the cosmic war that still rages throughout the expanse. When you accepted Jesus and made Him Lord of your life you also enlisted in the Lord’s Army.


When God led the Children of Israel out of Egypt into the wilderness He kept them from going to war too soon. So it is with you and me. God keeps us from the intense battles until we have walked with Him, sometimes for years.


But the battles do come and the fight is fierce. Remember that when the war begins to rage around you as a follower of Jesus, God has decided that you are ready for the fight. Pick up your Sword of the Spirit and engage the Enemy!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Spiritual Jibberish!

"For God sent Him, and He speaks God's words, since He gives the Spirit without measure."

John 3:34

We have missed a fundamental principle when it comes to becoming a spiritual man. When a baby learns the language of his parents all he does is to repeat back to his parents the words he hears. Everything else is jibberish and must be abandoned in the process of language learning.


When you learn the language of God you must speak only what you hear from Him. Everything else you say is spiritual jibberish. It means nothing and it of no use in your Christian journey.

Listen to what God says and say that back to Him and to others. You will not only learn to walk in His light but you will truly become a man or woman of God.

Monday, December 6, 2010

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

Ephesians 2:4-5

Death is separation from God. We were separated from God by our sins. When Jesus was raised from the dead He brought us to life as well. Until you know Jesus you are dead. When you come to know Him you are alive even as He is alive.

Since you are alive, don’t act like someone who is dead. If you are alive in Christ Jesus everything is possible.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Prophecy and Preparation

"I still have many things to tell you, but you can't bear them now.  When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.  He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you.”

John 16:12-14

The Holy Spirit will declare to Christians “what is to come.” Preparation is the natural result of prophecy. When you know something is going to happen you prepare for it. It is as simple as knowing the bridge is out so that if you go down that road you will not drive into the river.

The Holy Spirit not only declares to us “what is” but also “what will be.” It is an incredible advantage. Knowing history is important, but knowing the Holy Spirit is the ultimate preparation for the future. If you know history you know what will happen if history repeats itself. If you know the Holy Spirit you will know what is to come even if it has never happened before.

Listen for His voice!