Saturday, April 30, 2011

A Delusion from God!

“For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe what is false, so that all will be condemned-those who did not believe the truth but enjoyed unrighteousness.”

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

What is a delusion? Here is one dictionary definition: "a persistent false belief held in the face of strong contradictory evidence, especially as a symptom of a psychiatric condition."

The truth of God's reality is everywhere in the world. The smallest flower screams of a Creator. The highest heavens declare the Glory of God. It is indeed delusional not to believe in God with a whole world full of evidence of His existence.

God sends a delusion to those who reject the overwhelming truth of Him. They laugh at and deride "believers" for their "blind faith" while they look at the undeniable body of evidence of God and dismiss it altogether.

They do all this because they enjoy unrighteousness!

Here is the delusion God sends. He touches their minds so that they "won't know what is in the bill until they pass it!" It is just one small example of how God rules over even common sense.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Passed Away!

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed.

Revelation 21:1

"Passed away" is a gentler way of saying "died!"  I remember when I was a small child and someone fainted in church.  I apparently was old enough to have learned the term "passed away," so when my mother told me that a man "passed out" in church I though he had died.


The first heaven and earth will not pass out, they will pass away.  Ever since the beginning of time the "stuff" that made the chair you are sitting on has been here on earth.  Every brand new car is made of matter that is as old as the world itself.


The new heaven and new earth will not be a remodeled or renovated version of the current one.  It will be new!


The same thing is truth with my life.  My life in Christ is not a "cleaned up" version of the old man.  It is new!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

The Open Door

Listen to this blog.


“I know your works. Because you have limited strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name, look, I have placed before you an open door that no one is able to close.”

Revelation 3:8

The essence of spiritual warfare is the struggle which goes on as Satan tries to close the open doors that God places before you.  According to this verse no one can close the door that God opens for me. 

What then keeps me from walking through the open door that God has put right there in front of me?  Usually it is fear.  I am afraid of what is on the other side of that door.

If somehow God appeared to you right how and offered to take you to Heaven in the next minute, how would you respond? Would you immediately say, "Ok let's go?" Or would you try to negotiate the perfect time to leave this earth so that everything here would be in order?  Would you put him off simply because heaven may be wonderful, but "I really want to stay here as long as I can?"

When God places an open door in our path Faith steps up to the threshold of that new place and walks right in!  If you see more than one door, then you must first determine which door is the one put there by God.  That is why daily communion with the Father is essential in the walk of Faith.

Some believers are still standing in front of the first door that God put before them trying to decide whether or not to step into the next place God wants them to go.

If it is God's open door then you can with all confidence take that step of faith to go to the other side of the open door!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Persistent Discipleship

"Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”

Matthew 7:7

I think every parent has spoken the words: "If you ask me one more time, the answer is NO!" As a parent this is not a Godly characteristic. God does not become annoyed by our continual asking, knocking and seeking. In fact, God rewards us for being persistent.

Everything of real value in life comes only with persistence. No young man ever won the heart of a young woman by proposing the first time he takes her to dinner. No boy ever became a professional athlete without spending hours and even years of practice and disciplined exercise.

So often someone will turn their heart to God and then pursue Him no more. Seeking God is not a one time experience. It is a "rest of your life" daily walk. There is something new for me to hear, know, and learn of God today. There is a new step to take, a new sunset to see, a new mountain to climb, and a new quiet time of intimacy with Him.

Determine to knock, seek and ask again today! God will be pleased.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Everything I Need!

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”

Matthew 6:33

God promises food and clothing to those who seek His kingdom first as well as His righteousness. I need to think about that promise more. So many people spend their lives trying to provide food and clothing and then laying up treasures beyond that. The life philosophy of the world can be simple stated in the somewhat satirical sentence: "When this life is over the one who has the most toys wins."

If I am seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first in my life I will seem rather strange to those who are not. As I go after God's kingdom I will work to encourage, enlarge and otherwise benefit the kingdom. As I seek His righteousness in my life I will run every proposed thought and action through the filter of God's Word.

I will be consumed with knowing the One who died for me. I will come to trust Him daily for everything I need. As a child of God I will depend on Him for everything and know with great certainty that He will never forsake me!
Every contrary thought to the provision of God is step one in sin! I need never question His faithfulness!

Monday, April 4, 2011

The Signs of Summer!

"Learn this parable from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.  In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that He is near-at the door!  I assure you: This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place.”
Mark 13:28-30

After a very long winter and a colder than normal spring the signs of summer are very important.

There is a message board in front of a small eating establishment in our town that declares "Spring has lost it's way!"

No matter how cold it is today I can confidently say that warmer weather will arrive, the grass will grow again and summer will be here. And I can know for sure that it will not be long before the flowers fill the field. I see the signs!

The coming of Jesus Christ and the culmination of all things on this earth is as certain as the coming of summer. He will come and those who love Him will go to be with Him forever!

Will He come today? No one knows, but this is certain: Jesus will come and every knee will bow and acknowledge Him as Lord!

Today you don't have to look very hard to see lots of leaves on the fig tree! Get ready for summer!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Where Are Your Prayers?

When He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Revelation 5:8

Some things are not what they appear to be. I remember as a child when I first went to a local TV station and saw a live show. On TV it looked very neat and orderly, but when I saw what was behind the camera it was totally different. There were lots of wires, lights, TV screens and large cameras rolling around on wheels.
When you look behind the scenes of heaven, according to this verse it is frankly mind boggling. There is a massive scene of praise and worship going on before the throne of God continually.  It is glorious beyond anyone’s comprehension and it is really happening right now as you read this.  When you pray, that prayer is deposited in a golden bowl held by one of the 24 elders who are always before the throne of God and then it comes to the attention of God like incense.  My simple prayer is inserted into that majestic scene.
Sometimes I pray without being aware of that reality. I suppose I have never prayed while fully aware of what I am doing in the Throne Room scene of praise and worship!
May the Lord help me to know what I am doing when I pray.