13th July, 2008
Moving Into His Solutions
The beginning of all blessing must come by the premier activity of “belief”. I really like the fact that Hebrews 11:6 just puts it all into perspective:
But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].
We truly serve the God of solutions. We praise the God of possibilities. We worship the God of promise(s). We are living in a day of great turmoil and absolute doubt of a caring God who is the answer to life’s difficulties. That same God is willing through grace to abolish all doubt by activating the miraculous through those who would just believe.
Ponder for a moment that your ears would hear the solution and not problem. Ponder also, that you do not have the answer to your problem but you could find the solution through a relationship with a Holy God! Ponder now that even though life’s difficulties may arise at the most inopportune time you would have the faith to be the overcomer and have the “more than conqueror attitude”.
When you look into the Word of God you will find that every difficulty had a solution from the Creator of the heavens and the earth. From the moment of Adams and Eve’s fall in the garden to the moment that is passing you by right now God has the solution for your difficulty. He is able, yes, exceedingly abundantly more than able to take care of all that we ask or think! (Ephesians 3:20).
I really like the story of Abraham who was as dead and Sarah had a womb that was dry, yet, God spoke to him about being a father of many nations with descendants! Instead of denying that miracle he embraced the God of miracles and believed! He grew strong in faith and gave glory to God! He gave respect to the promise of God! (Romans 4:17-21).
Now activate your faith and believe right now that God will perform in you that which He has promised.
Best
Dennis
Posted at 11:40 pm | Comment (0)
19th June, 2008
Evolution vs. Revolution
What do we have here? A real revolution that may change the face and the direction, diction and distinctiveness of the Church of God or an evolution that is bringing the same results? The question presents some depth and internal searching for reference to a revolutionary stage at General Assembly or a evolution that will be embraced. If a revolution then so be it and it should be respected and heard. It is really only a revolution of words and ideals and maybe some ideas that can turn the tide of that which resembles a monument about to become a mausoleum. Could this deeply be the birthing of a “new” church within the “old” guard assuming the posture of submission to the Holy Spirit. New wine being poured out into new wine skins? Evolution would be a better approach and a great way to shed the “old” wine skin! It is the natural flow of things you understand? The thought of a penned revolution ticketed for discussion that may change the pages of a book entitled ”The Minutes” to a reference book of spirituality. This mentioned “bible” of political aspirations and controls that empowers men to run ahead of the finger print of God! How wonderful this would be! Men and women able to say what they feel and be heard without being “closed” by the “chair” whom just may not agree with the revolution or even the evolution. Can such things happen in this 21st Century when “change” is being shouted from the board rooms and Starbucks! If we cannot evolve past this insensible deterioration of spirituality and gravitate to a level of a spiritual church then the revolution must start now and be penned in passion, deeply engraved into the hearts of those willing to “fight” for truth and spirituality.
This could become two churches with similar distinctive pentecostal beliefs!
One being young and full of “new” vision and flowing in what has been created as new and pertinent to His “now” call! The other existing on foundations built from “old” bricks, such as, the walls lining farms and plantations, still keeping out what may be able to bring life?
What do you want it to be? Revolution or Evolution in the Church of God?
Best
Dennis
Posted at 10:58 pm | Comment (0)
3rd June, 2008
Hope That Lasts
Each day people bustle around looking for something or someone to share their life with. Often in the midst of their busy agenda they sense a lack of hope! Hope has a real uniqueness about its terminology and its results.
Hope is defined as:
(1) Desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment
(2) Someone or something on which hopes are centered.
Hope, in the Bible is the anticipation of a favorable future under God’s direction. It should never seem that hope does not exist or is intangible to a Christian. Faith, Hope, and Love are the three basic characteristics of a Christian. “And now abide faith, hope, love,…” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NKJV). When difficulties come and it seems that there is not answer, hope is the answer. Hope is the anchor of the believer’s soul. “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,” (Hebrews 6:19, NKJV).
Hope brings us into the presence of the Almighty God. The testimony of hope needs to be shared with all. Again and again this hope, which belongs to the family of God, should be exemplified and magnified through the believer’s life. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” (1 Peter 3:15, NKJV) The Lord will never let you down! He will always deliver and save His children. God is faithful toward all that call unto Him. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23, NKJV) The hope a Christian has is unique and one that draws the soul to an ultimate trust in the Lord. Those that do not know the Lord do not have the same hope. “that at that time you were without Christ,…having no hope and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12, NKJV) Your hope is an everlasting hope, one that is good and prepares your steps each day. Walk in faith and hope, loving the life God has purposed for you to live. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV) Share this hope and joy of knowing Him who has promised you eternal life. Look around throughout each day and find someone to share your hope with. In you is the hope that others, who do not know Jesus, need. Jesus is in you and so is that hope which shouts “Glory”! “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27, NKJV)
Think of it this way hope is the glue, nails, and screws for the bridge of faith you are upon. This bridge of faith held together by hope leads to a timeless relationship with God. “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13, NKJV)
Best
Dennis
Scriptures used in this blog post are from The New King James Version. 1982. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Posted at 9:58 pm | Comment (1)
17th January, 2008
Inspected By
Have you ever wondered who “13″ is or “554″? You know what I mean don’t you? When you buy a new clothing article and in the pocket you find a loose tag. That tag usually has these words: “Inspected by (’a number’)”. I have often thought who is this person? Since a child I have found these tags. I would be really impressed if someone came forward and said I am the one who has inspected all these clothes for all these years. I am sure it would be a bunch of people, however, who are they?
So lately I have been trying to tie this into the scripture in some way. I found a great word from Peter instructing us on how to live amongst the unbelievers of this world. Oh yeah, also the unbelievers that attend church and act as though they are believers!
Conduct yourselves properly (honorably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that, although they may slander you as evildoers, [yet] they may by witnessing your good deeds [come to] glorify God in the day of inspection [when God shall look upon you wanderers as a pastor or shepherd looks over his flock]. (1 Peter 2:12 AMP)
Thank God, He will be doing the inspecting and not men! Also, it is really cool to know that we know the inspector! We are tagged (sealed) by His Holy Spirit! (Ephesians 1:12-14). No one can come along and say “Hey, not this one or that one, no not at all, I have inspected them.” the Lord Himself will inspect us, as He inspects us everyday. The Word shines deep into our hearts. Each day we wake the Holy Spirit bears witness in our hearts that we are the children of God. (Romans 8:14-17). When reading further into the Word, we find in the Old Testament that the Lord sent Nehemiah to inspect the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:10-16). No one knew he went out to inspect either! Yes, there were men that did not want the walls to built nor inspected. Just like today! There are people that do not want to know who the inspector is and they do not care. They just want to leave everything broken and in disrepair. How wonderful and magnificent it is to know that God has sent His Holy Spirit to rebuild the walls of our lives and to restore that Church on the foundation of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. Yes, the nay sayers and the scoffers do not want it done, nor do they want you to be faithful.
The best wisdom I have for anyone is this: Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation], (Proverbs 24:3) AMP)
God is the inspector of your life and your thoughts. Your sealed and free to build with wisdom and with knowledge (understanding) it (your life, family, home, church, ministry) will be fulfilled.
Peace
Dennis
All scriptures used in the blog article are The amplified Bible, containing the amplified Old Testament and the amplified New Testament. 1987. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation. Links are BibleGateway.
Posted at 12:45 am | Comment (1)
18th December, 2007
Stuck In Survival Mode
It is really easy to get stuck in survival mode! It can be addicting emotionally also! Relying on others and waiting impatiently for something positive to happen. Knowing along that deep within the corridors of your heart there is a thought, a near revelation, that something could be better. Stop! Look around and see that so many people in the world are there. But what is worse so many are in church worshiping God with a survivors approach. Worshiping from a platform of fear and doubt. Asking for something they have construed which will work for them if they can just get a little! Oh well, I guess they see God on the dashboard of the car and believe that He really rides along there. Here is good example to start this short but pertinent subject of moving from viewing God as a fellow survivor to seeing Him as He is, the King of Kings and the One who blesses your very being.
The man at the Gate Beautiful!
“[When] a certain man crippled from his birth was being carried along, who was laid each day at that gate of the temple [which is] called Beautiful, so that he might beg for charitable gifts from those who entered the temple. ” (Acts 3:2, AMP)
Yes, at the Gate Beautiful in survivor mode. Now I am not going to write you a sermon here (which I could do) but what I am doing is sharing my thoughts, so get on board here. He was sitting in survival mode, at the door to the inner courts and coming from Solomon’s Porch. Going from wisdom to blessing and getting stuck there in survival mode. To be continued….
All scriptures used in the blog are The amplified Bible, containing the amplified Old Testament and the amplified New Testament. 1987. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Posted at 10:35 pm | Comment (0)