A Spiritual Examination (Part II)

Greetings.  This is a continuation of the previous post in which an addressing of some serious questions transpired.  They come from a link found on Steve Quayles site which is mentioned at the top of the previous post.  The dangers of drifting have been on my heart much lately.  Two reasons come to mind as to why.  First, I was backslidden for a number of years; a process that began in such seemingly insignificant fashion that I never noticed it until it was undeniable.  Second, the year ahead may be one of incredible change and it’s impaertive that we be in close to the Lord Jesus and not wandering.  My desire is to see everyone who should come across this post in the new Jerusalem.  As in the previous post, I’m writing them as they appeared in the link.  For the sake of convenience, here’s the link again. 

www.stevequayle.com/News.alert/07_Prophetic/071015.a.word.1.html 

Just a heads up; these questions will cause serious pondering and the next one, mentioned below, is huge. 

( 6 )  Do you spend all your time on the cares of this life…your work…your sports….your hobbies…anything you spend most of your time devoted to….This is idolatry. 

The way that I look at it is “what do we fit around what?”  For example, do we set aside time for prayer and schedule other things around it as much as is possible or do we squeeze in prayer time when everything else is done.  Indeed some things, such as going to work have a schedule that will not bend to our desires.  Yet we will make time for the things which are important for us.  In my case, I have a crazy schedule, and yet I find time to blog; sometimes too much.  This next verse should warn us all to be mindful of what it is that we’re pursuing. 

II Timothy 4:10  “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Cresans to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.”

Demas loved the temporal world and it was reflected in the choices that he made.  This is a daily wrestling for all of us.  When I get home from work, I can turn on the tv, or spend time with the Lord in prayer.  We must constantly make decisions which reflect what we consider to be important.  Where we go, what we talk about, and what we spend money on.  As the old saying goes, “You can’t hide what’s inside.”

( 7 )  Do you worry about money…things…possessions and chase after such things?  This is rebellion, unbelief, and idolatry.

I have a somewhat backwards situation regarding worry but it shows the grace of God and how he keeps us in perfect peace when we simply trust him and love not the present.  When I lived in Virginia, I worried about everything; bills, income what have you.  I was single and living with a family from church.  I was “free as a bird” from a physical perspective and yet I became all bent out of shape at the slightest complication. 

Fast forward to December 2007.  I’m married, have four kids, one of which has autism, I work in a factory which will someday be in Mexico, we could lose everything that we own with the slightest bump in the road, and yet I have perfect peace; the likes of which defies explanation.  If we truly 100% believe that the Lord knows what we have need of and will meet those needs, we’ll be at perfect peace.  Even when the bottom falls out of everything that we’ve ever known.  It’s so imperative to get the word of God in our hearts, and trust him with childlike faith. 

( 8 )  Do you worship on Saturday or Sunday and then on Monday sin and carry on with life as usual?  This is rebellion and hypocrisy.

If we are in Christ, it should be evident at all times.  If we’re reflecting the world during the week and then on Saturday or Sunday we “put out saved face on” we are deceiving ourselves.  This would be a form of honoring God with our mouth while our heart is far from him.  When we are in Christ; when we know and love him, we’ll desire to live for him.  Many look at a life of holiness as burdensome, but when the joy of the Lord is in our heart, the baser elements of this world simply lose their attractiveness.  His commandments are the ways of life and peace.  They are most certainly not grievous or oppressive in any way.  This next passage is so telling.

John 10:10  “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

( 9 )  Do you commit little “sins” thinking that I will overlook them just because you say “sorry?”… and then continue to do them?  This is iniquety and rebellion.

This would refer to one who says sorry; not out of a sincere repentance, but rather to satisfy their conscience so that they don’t feel so bad.  They don’t want to change, but they don’t want to feel bad about not striving to either.  All of us have things that we wrestle with, but some will allow sin to go on without even a desire to be delivered.  I remember a person, over twenty years ago, who, when contiplating something that was wrong, stated, “I’ll just repent later.”  This is a very dangerous attitude.  I hope that the person was goofing around, although I wouldn’t even joke about something as serious as this. 

( 10 )  Do you spend hours debating doctrines and trying to win points over others just for the right to be right?  This is pride which is rebellion…which is also witchcraft.

Endless gnat-straining and contentions over trivial matters.  This is not to say that we should embrace erroneous teachings, but I’ve seen schisms develop over the most insignificant things that one can imagine.  There are some people who just like to argue.  Perhaps I shouldn’t go here, but this post is already on the “blog dangerously” list, so here it goes.  We had an awesome fellowship on my ship when I was in the navy.  It was as close to a community as I’ve ever been part of.  One person came in with a particular pet doctrine and scattered it for a short time.  Focusing on doctrines of his church and refusing to see the bigger picture of what was taking place there.  We hit the streets in Torremolinos Spain for the purposes of soulwinning and the problem seemed to intensify as he was preaching a doctrine and not Christ.  In all fairness to this brother, he was young as we all were; both naturally and in the Lord. 

When we love Jesus, and we meet others who love Jesus, such instances should not come between us and if a disagreement is in the air, a prayerful searching of the scriptures is always profitable.  This is another area where pride is like a spiritual atom bomb as folks will set out to defend their doctrine instead of searching the scriptures.  So important it is for us to allow the Holy Spirit to teach us and mold us into the image of Christ.  One more question, and the remaining five will have to wait until January.  (Although they can be found on the above link) 

( 11 )   Do you fill your bellies on food that is bad for you…full of chemicals and sugars and other stuff that you know to be bad for your body?  This is idolatry and gluttony.  

Maintaining a common sense diet is….well….common sense.  There’s a post early on in this blog called “Divine Sustinence” that deals with the bad diet that most of us have simply because that’s primarily what’s on the market.  In other words, we should do what we can to eat responsibly, but with all of the genetically modified foods and tamperings of man who thinks that he can improve on what God has created, we’ll just have to walk in faith and be mindful of Mark 16:18  (While it mentions “drinking” any deadly thing, I think that eating may apply as well.  Unless one is doing so as to tempt the Lord)  As for sweets and whatnot, I’m convinced that moderation is the best route.  (My diet needs some work, however, I “just dont like celery!”)

Well, I have to go.  This has taken longer than I thought and I now have three unfinished series of posts.  In reading these questions, discernment is also a must as this is something “found on the internet” where one can find almost anything that they desire.  Nonetheless, it’s good to examine ourselves and this is causing me to do just that.  I have a lot of growing to do.  So until next year (I always like saying that) I wish to all a most blessed time in Jesus. 

A Spiritual Examination (Part I)

Hebrews 3:12-13  “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.  But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” 

As I was typing this verse, the words “living God” seemingly jumped off the screen.  We indeed serve a living God who created all that is and is eternal.   Whenever we allow something to become more important to us than our relationship with him, we have, in effect, exchanged the living God for a non-living god.  Our priorities will reveal to us what we esteem to be important and what we place on the back burner.  It is imperative that we continuously examine ourselves as to not allow drifting to transpire.  The following is a link to a report that appeared on Steve Quayles site back in October which has in it some very revealing questions concerning where our heart is at.

www.stevequayle.com/News.alert/07_Prophetic/071015.a.word.1.html 

The posting is written as prophetic and begins with a warning that a cleansing is coming that will sweep through the church.  It goes on to ask a number of very thought provoking questions; some of which are hard to ponder.  I’m writing these questions word-for-word as they appear on the link.  (except for one typographical error in the first question where the word “than was spelled as “that”) 

( 1 )  Do you spend more time on TV and entertainment than with me your Lord?  This is rebellion.

I know firsthand how dangerous a television can be as do most of us.  It’s so easy to get tied up in a program and vegetate while the hours pass by unutilized.  Even programs which are “informative” can be a snare.  (I should get rid of the History channel because it’s a real distraction at times)   With an ever complex display of eye candy, television keeps the masses glued to their comfort zone and causes the brain to go numb.  Serious; I’ve found myself, in front of a television until a numbing sensation transpires.  It’s a weird feeling and is one of the reasons that I dont spend much time there.  (Among others) 

Entertainment could be described as ”something that captures ones attention in order to keep them amused while they’re busy doing nothing.”  I heard an interesting report recently (I think it was on the history channel lol) concerning music.  For thousands of years, music was a part of life and almost everyone in a society engaged in it.  About 500 years ago, the arrival of concert halls and orchestras created an environment where some performed while most sat by passively and listened.  Fast forward to December of 2007 and we find a culture that obsesses over celebrities and seeks to be continuously entertained. 

( 2 )  Do you spend so much time in your ministry that you don’t spend time with me alone?  This too is rebellion and idolatry.

Oh…where to start.  Perhaps with myself.  I will confess that I blog too much and it sometimes creates the very problem addressed in this question.  It’s something that I need to address.  One problem is the old thought “well, I can pray anytime but this needs to be done now.”  It’s imperative to spend time with the Lord whenever we can and just giving him the last moments of the day when we’re nodding off doesn’t cut it.  He needs to be truly first in our lives.  (I may not be blogging much longer.  Seriously.)  As I was writing out the above question, this passage came to mind:

Acts 6:4  “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

It’s interesting that prayer is mentioned before ministry of the word.  We need to keep our fellowship with the Lord Jesus strong and intimate as we can do nothing in and of ourselves.  Back when I used to post daily, it was as though I was running on empty upon many occasions as this forum had taken on a life of its own.  One more verse just came to mind and then I’ll move on.

John 12:26  “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.”

To lift up and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.  Not a denomination or a ministry, but the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending.  Pastor Greg made a good analogy recently.  He stated that “suppose we had several people up here and we we’re going to pray for individuals to be healed.  One guy is a well known preacher and the rest are my college buddies.  We would see a huge line behind the famous preacher.”  The truth is that the prayer of faith shall save the sick, not the praying of a famous preacher.  It was a good illustration of “I’m of Paul and they’re of Appolos.” 

( 3 )  Do you spend all  your time chasing signs and wonders that you fail to let me make your heart clean?  This is rebellion.

Last week at work, I was pondering the things which the Lord has placed on my heart recently.  It was after lunch and I was somewhat dazed by the monotonosity of the job that I was on when the words “you have to go forth in power” came forth concerning the activities soon to transpire.  The gospel of Jesus Christ should come forth not in word only, but in power.  Miraculous deliverance and revelation should be commonplace in the life of every saint as we are called to do the works that Jesus did. 

Matthew 10:7-8  “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”

It is, however, possible for a person to simply follow after miracles without desiring to become increasingly like Jesus.  I think this is the problem being addressed in the third question.  In fact, I’ve been guilty in the past of allowing spiritual pride to enter in because of certain churches that I fellowshipped with.  Pride is one of the most stubborn and destructive ailments that there is. 

( 4 )  Do you gossip about others and about other churches and ministries?  This is rebellion and slander. 

Again…where to start.  I think of how Paul stated that he rejoiced that Christ was preached; even if one was preaching with a contrary motive.  If we’re truly concerned with someones situation, the best thing to do is to lift them up in prayer; not share with everyone about how messed up we think they are.  If someone is preaching another gospel, we must bring the error to light and then pray for that person; that their eyes would be opened to this error.  If we have time to talk about someone, we have time to bring their name before the Lord who can open the blinded eyes and heal the broken hearted.  This falls in line with loving our neighbor as ourselves. 

( 5 )  Do you willingly harbor resentment and unforgiveness to any who have hurt you be they in the church or in the world?  This is rebellion and bitterness.

This one is huge.  Our forgiveness is tied directly with our forgiveness of others.  This isn’t always easy if someone has seriously wronged us or harmed someone whose close to us.  I still remember the amish community in Pennsylvania; how they completely forgave the gunman who assaulted their school.  I cannot imagine what it must be like to go through such an ordeal.  (I tend to become agitated when Morgans drama-queen acquaintances do something hurtful to her.)  Nonetheless, we must not harbor any unforgiveness in our hearts as we have been forgiven all of our trespasses.  When we ponder just what the second great commandment entails, we realize all the more that we need Jesus every minute of every hour.

Well, there are several more questions to go and so this will have to conclude for now.  I’ll finish up when possible, however, the final installment will probably be done after we return from Florida.  There are 16 questions total, and they can all be found on the link at beginning of this post.  Until the next time, I wish to all a blessed day in Jesus. 

Run Around in Circles

II Peter 3:3-4  “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?  for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”

     

The perception of stability in the physical realm has to rank as one of the greatest.  Folks tend to observe history and notice the passing of one age into another, however, will live their lives as though the present reality on the ground will go on and on.  We tend to reach adulthood, plan out our career path, marry, raise families, retire, move to Florida, and play shuffleboard.  (Sorry; I couldn’t resist the cliche)   While we may acknowledge, verbally, that change is an ongoing part of life, we tend to live as though the present status quo will be in place for the duration of our days under the sun.  Thus we fall into a predictable pattern of life without pondering the possibility that tomorrow could find everything under the sun, that we have placed our confidence in, vanished.  (The last day, prior to the flood, was almost identical to every other day prior to the flood)

Job 3:25-26  “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me.  I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.”

Job was a man who sought the Lord with all of his heart.  He was aware that things could turn on a dime, even before the trial of his faith.  When that which he feared was made manifest, he was distraught, however, he knew the difference between that which is eternal and that which was only for a season.  Despite the loss of all physical property, offspring, and health, coupled with the discouraging advise of a wife who didn’t know what to make of the sudden turn of events, he remained faithful to God.  When his physical world was turned upside down in seemingly every way possible, he never questioned God.  This next passage, I have mentioned more times than I can count, but it shows where Jobs heart was at.  (This passage also “transformed” the way that I look to the future)

Job 13:15-16  “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.  He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.” 

Job had determined in his heart, long ago, that he would hope in the God of all that is, regardless of what came his way.  While he had great abundance, his hope wasn’t in the stuff that one carries around with them while they abide in the realm of atoms.  When all of the stuff vanished, his faith remained intact.  I wonder to myself, if I have the the same resolve as Job.  I’ve never been faced with anything even remotely comparable to what Job went through, and yet, we may awaken tormorrow and find that all of the wood, hay and stubble that people place their hopes in has vanished.  It’s imperative to have our hearts set on that which is eternal and not the things which have an expiration date. 

Revelation 1:8  “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

“Running around in circles” is something that we’re really good at.  When things are running smooth, we tend to fall into a holding pattern of doing the same things day after day, and year after year.  The holiday season is a prime example of this.  Each year, many folks will display the same configuration of decor as every other year because “that’s just the way we’ve always done it.”  A guy at work whose house I drive past daily, has been using lights to write “Merry Christmas” on his fence for years and years.  (If it were me, I would occasionally misspell it, just to break up the monotony.)  We fall into predicatble patterns and become stuck in a rut as familiarity becomes an attempt to keep uncertainty at bay.

When calamity hits, people do what they’ve been practicing for years.  “Run around in circles.”  Only now it’s a “what am I going to do?” circle of confusion.  Any catastophic event, such as massive flooding, hurricanes, or what have you will be followed by reporters interviewing survivors.  Most of them will ponder “I don’t know what I’m going to do!  Everything that I’ve worked my whole life for is gone.”  It’s a natural response when person doesn’t have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and their only goal is to reach retirement so that they can enjoy their “golden years.”  For those who are born of the Spirit, it’s imperative to not place undue confidence in this world; not only for our own selves, but for those around us who will undoubtedly want to know why circumstances don’t affect us.  When the unexpected transpires, it’s a great opportunity for others to see firsthand that our God is real and their god is not. 

Most will remember the recent outbreak of wildfires in southern California.  In the midst of the usual news coverage, one reporter was talking with a lady who had lost everything and was probably expecting the usual “what am I going to do” kind of interview.  Instead, this lady replied, “Well, we lost everything that we’ve been working for.  To be honest, it’s almost like a cleansing; most of the stuff wasn’t that important anyway.”  I can’t remember the exact phrase, but this is the basis and to be honest, she seemed to better grasp the temporal nature of things here than many christians. 

Psalm 18:30  “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.” 

We have a sure foundation in Jesus and should be apprehensive about nothing in the natural realm.  This runs contrary to the old nature, and as such it requires hiding the word of God in our hearts and abiding close to him in prayer.  These are things that most of us are well aware of, but always good to be reminded of.  Almost every post is on a topic that I need to hear about as well.  That we would keep our eyes on Jesus and not become sidetracked by the plethura of distractions in this world.  He is our life and peace.  Christ in us; the hope of glory.  Until the next time, I wish to all, a most blessed day in Jesus.

      

The Return of Jesus (episode II)

I Timothy 4:1-3  “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”

A very sobering passage and it ties in with Jesus first warning concerning the final moments of the age. 

 Matthew 24:4-5  “And Jesus answered them and said “Take heed that no man deceive you.  For many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”

When answering the question posed by his disciples of “when shall these things be” the very first warning is to beware of deception; primarily that of another gospel.  A person who is born of the Spirit and has even a nominal understanding of scripture, should not be sidetracked by the exotic.  In other words, buddhism, islam, or the like will pose no real threat to them as these belief structures require one to “disregard scripture” in order to embrace.  The real danger comes in the form of christianized deception which uses christian terms, biblical verses placed together in a manipulative fashion, and is often presented by its messengers as a “more complete truth” than others.  Early on, I learned that when a church proclaims to have a more complete understanding than most, a “heads up” is in order. 

This is not to say that someone is proclaiming error just because they make such a statement.  It’s simply a warning to be alerted to the fact that they perceive their doctrine to be “above the fray” thereby possibly placing more emphasis on their doctrine than an a prayerful searching of the scriptures.  Over the years, I’ve fellowshipped with a lot of churches and have seen this play out to varying degrees.  Upholding a doctrine and fitting the scriptures into that doctrine.  One church that I was in fellowship with came to an impass until finally one of the brothers stated “well, I’ll contact Dr So and So to see what this means.  I don’t even remember what the controversy was over, but their handling of it was alarming.  It had the appearance of placing undue confidence in a man instead of being mindful of Acts 17:11. 

Another gospel.  It looks like a duck, and sounds like a duck, but in some cases it’s “not a duck.” There are two trends which cause great alarm.  One is the “repeat after me and you’re saved” problem.  This entails well-meaning people who lead others in a sinners prayer without adequately explaining to them what this means.  It may lead a person to place their hope in having said this prayer than truly repenting and asking Jesus to save them.  They may go on, even get involved in a church and “look christian” but they’re trusting in a performance that they went through as opposed to truly trusting in the Lord Jesus.  In past posts, Phil has addressed this issue very thoroughly; far better than I can.

Whenever this topic comes up, I find myself pondering my own conversion.  I came to understand that I didn’t have a relationship with the Lord during the summer of 1983. The moment when I gave my heart to Jesus transpired in the living room of my parents house in September, while listening to an evangelist.   I can remember intently listening to every word as I “knew” that I was lost and undone.  In my spirit, I “knew” that it was time and in all sincerety, I repented of my sins and asked Jesus to save me.  It wasn’t an emotional event, but I meant every word and it was the point in my life where everything changed.  Afterwards, I began getting into the bible and it actually made sense; even the “thee’s” and the “thou’s”  I found myself fellowshipping with the Lord for extended periods of time.  It wasn’t ritualistic “this is what I’m supposed to do” prayer.  It was authentic fellowship from the heart. 

Nobody else in my family was a christian and I didn’t have a church home at the time.  My sister was (and still is) a mormon and tried to steer me into that way.  Less than three months later, I was off to San Diego for boot camp.  In June, I was off to Norfolk Virginia and for two months, had no contact with any other saints at all.  Finally, in August of 1984, I ran into bro mark.  Shortly thereafter I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost.  Looking back, it’s truly a miracle that I came to true repentance and faith in Jesus.  It’s equally a miracle that a permanent derailing didn’t transpire as pitfalls were everywhere.  (Although the season of rebellion was dangerously close.)  It’s kind of like a seed that falls into a crack in the sidewalk and grows, despite the inhospitable climate. 

Philippians 1:6  “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

Another trend that is incredibly dangerous is the prosperity gospel.  This troubles me more than most things because of the subtle nature of it.  It contains all of the evangelical terminology, but causes folks to place their hearts upon the things of this world.  It appeals to the flesh and causes well-meaning saints to pursue worldly gain as opposed to storing treasure in heaven.  The simplest (and scriptural) way to figure out what’s in a persons heart is to listen to what they talk about.  When a person spends a great deal of time focusing on the accumulation of wood hay and stubble, this is where their heart is.  Kind of like the preacher who lives in a three million dollar house, but tells everyone “it’s not about money.”  The easiest way to pack out a church and justify endless building projects is to tell folks how to obtain things which feed the flesh.  This passage says it all:

Philippians 3:18-19  “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 

Once again, it’s the contents of a persons heart.  When we are in Christ and our affections are 100% in heavenly places, it won’t matter to us if we dwell in a mansion on the lake or in a ratty apartment on the wrong side of the tracks.  This next statement will sound like pure bologna, but I think that I would prefer to be in the ratty apartment on the wrong side of the tracks for the purpose of having more people with whom I could share the gospel.  Nonetheless, we should be about our Fathers business regardless of where we are currently situated.  No place in this world is home and “there’s no place like home.”

My heart is in the realm of the everlasting and I look at things here from an evangelistic perspective.  My thoughts and desires are the furtherance of the gospel; not the accumulation of stuff.  I guess this is why the thought of the plant closing and even foreclosure in the future doesn’t bother me.  As for my family, all of whom I love dearly, I cling to Psalm 37:25 and pray that, when the moment arises, I’ll not be shaken.  In fact, material demise may be the very thing that brings them all into the household of faith.  This would be worth far more than all the treasure on earth.  Material abundance blinds a person to the things that truly matter, which is why the prosperity gospel is so troubling and dangerous.

Well, just like the series on the other blog, this one is going to take a while as today, only two verses were covered.  This one, however, is a biggie.  Deception is so…well….deceptive and we need to be atuned to the Spirit at all times.  Deception is more dangerous than all of the earthquakes, diseases, warfare, and climatic upheaval that we’re likely to face in the days ahead.  In the next installment of this series, these other issues will be talked about.  Until the next time, I wish to all a blessed day in Jesus.