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Processing Conviction

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“Simon” comes from the greek interpretation meaning hearing. “Peter” comes from an Aramaic term for rock.

He was one of the first to confess that Jesus was the Messiah, and was also known to be read as one of the first ones to deny him also. It reminds us that even though we often idolize those we read in the scriptures, that they were indeed human and we are able to begin to obey God just as all did that we read about!

Luke 14:26-27

[26] If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
[27] And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

There are many times that we think that conviction only bears the purpose of bringing others to Christ; however, it goes much further than that if you allow it to. It can begin to show you every single day things that need to begin to change in your life. The big things, the small things, all the things that are a hindrance in your walk with God!

Psalms 51:4

[4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

When we allow it to happen, the spirit of God will begin to produce conviction through our willingness to listen. It allows us to draw closer by removing all the parts of our lives that seem so hard to deal with. It separates us from sin, delivers us from temptations, and doesn’t allow the enemy to win the mental battles that are so often won without as much as a fight!

Luke 22:31

[31] And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

John 15:20

[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

We have to learn to follow the leadership of God when He begins to speak to us, to be careful to hear and follow what is instructed. After hearing what we do, we must BEGIN to follow through on that. We must not wait! We have to begin to move forward and remember that as we read that “If they have persecuted me” (being Jesus) that you will face sufferings, but through Christ you will come out victorious!

Psalms 51:10

[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Conviction should produce contrition. It should make me begin to cry out to God in a brand new way. I should learn to acknowledge my problems and shortcomings, for God knows far more about our lives; the present day and far ahead of what we can even begin to comprehend!

Luke 22:32

[32] But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Conviction should produce confidence to help others! The body of Christ when in a stable established walk with God should get to a place where you are able for people to bear of the fruits of the Spirit of you (peace, joy and love). If we are bringing everything else of the world, they cannot be drawn by that, and people cannot be changed and walk in a new person, a new creature.

Galatians 1:16

[16] To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

“Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood” tells me not to lean on my own understanding, but to learn to trust the spirit of God. It will not fail you or forsake you. That’s the only thing that will prove to be consistent in your life AND in your churches of today. A spiritual church is an active church. A non-spiritual church is a church not performing in outreach, but simply performing. People need help and need us to follow conviction once more!

Acts 8:22

[22] Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Matthew 19:21

[21] Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.Come and follow me

We have to learn to heed to the voice and command to move to what the spirit would want us to do. People need to hear from our experiences and words that are given, for that is life to others. We often question that, but if we surrender and come willing God will prove Himself true and people will be changed! You can guarantee it!

Luke 22:54-62

[54] Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.
[55] And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
[56] But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
[57] And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
[58] And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
[59] And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.
[60] And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
[61] And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
[62] And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

This was a result of conviction in Peter, but this was not the end of Peter. Remember to walk in the confidence that Jesus spoke about that “upon this rock I will build my church”. Jesus was talking about the part of the person that believes. Let that part of you be strong!

Don’t Miss Supper

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Luke 14:8-24

[8] When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
[9] And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
[10] But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
[11] For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
[12] Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
[13] But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
[14] And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
[15] And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
[16] Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
[17] And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
[18] And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
[19] And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
[20] And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
[21] So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
[22] And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
[23] And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
[24] For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

Sit not down in the highest, sit down in the lowest

In other words, learn to be humble and to prefer others to be helped and be “above” your priorities and needs when it comes to being in church. You will be rewarded for it!

That he may say “friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee”

We have to enter into the presence of God together, and enter into that higher place together, and partake of the same Godly fruitful things together! When all those pieces fall together, you have wonderful moves of the Lord!

We need to encourage and lift up those, and in the process, worship with them!

Call NOT thy Friends, brethren, kinsmen, rich neighbors (lest they bid again and they recompense thee)

People that are comfortable with others and are used to things being full and fulfilled will often times be spoiled and not care about the fact that they have wonderful circumstances, and we need not ever get to a place where we only worship with ourselves or just a few around us that we like.

When you dine in the flesh (so to speak) with those that exalt themselves, they will call (depend) upon YOU and not God for their feel-goods and pats on the back. I know that sounds harsh, but it is the reality of today. We all want a positive perspective, but life isn’t always that way.

Call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and thou shall be blessed!

Remember, some people won’t be able to pay you back for your efforts in the services, but don’t hold it against them; God will recompense you for your efforts!

Excuses, ALL in one accord!

They all in one consent began to make excuse (that’s sounds a lot like us today)

  • One bought a piece of ground, and had needs to go see it
  • Another bought 5 yoke of oxen, and had to go prove them
  • And another married a wife, and could not come

It seems like anymore that we have every reason in the world why we shouldn’t be obedient to God now, versus the reasons why we should be. What does that tell us? Who are we really listening to? Who are we really serving?

You Are One In A Million

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I write this blog today, not as one that we can really learn something from, but more as a word of encouragement to all of you out there, that might feel small or insignificant sometimes. Because at some point and time in our lives, we all get to that stage. So I hope that this is a blessing to you, just like it was strength to me when i was composing this.

When I hear the phrase, “One in a million“, I think of quite a few things.

First, I consider the fact that there is no one else in the world like me. There might be many that have similar traits and features, but there is not another that is JUST alike. God made us in his image, and though there are many great things in the world, just like the verse reads below, there is just something about us that is special.

Deuteronomy 4:32

[32] For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?

So when I read this, I realize that even as I sit here, am unique. I have a special place in the world. I have a calling for something in other words. Consider this:

1 Corinthians 1:26

[26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

There are many people that could try to be what God has called you to be, to do what God has called you to do, but only YOU can truly do it. God made you to be that special singer, teacher, praise and worship leader, etc. Anything that you have that is unique that God has given you, that separates you, that makes you who YOU are, and abides in Holiness according to his will, is what defines that inner you that will make you grow to find that happiness we all search for.

I constantly see people out there on their journey of life, trying to do this thing on their own, trying to “find their self” out there, essentially trying to find the meaning to their life. The truth is, they already have the unique gifts and tools right there, and often times don’t want to use the great assets they have. Sometimes the reason is by fear, or by rejection.

I want those of us out there who are strong in the Lord to get a hold of these verses:

Matthew 18:12-13

[12] How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

[13] And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

We, that are on the path, who know the right from wrong, and know how to be leaders for Christ, should not be satisfied with just the 99. Don’t be satisfied knowing that there is one that is out there that needs help. They just may be the one in a million that could save the nation. They might be the person that writes the next Amazing Grace.

I encourage all of you, those of you readers out there, to know that you are special, in every single way that God has made you. In your life, in your mind, in your body, everything; nothing about us is terrible. We are the only reason we think so. We are our worst critic, and we often times beat ourselves down into depression, when in reality, if God was the one that made us, then we are in the image of the God of victory.

We were built to be victors! We were not built for failure! You are not a failure!

In closing, I speak on a more personal note as a testimony to myself to say that I can honestly say that I feel like one in a million. I count myself as one of the few that beat drug addiction, delivered solely and completely by prayer and the Holy Ghost. I wasn’t in a church; I was in a living room. I can honestly say that I also had given up college and hopes for a decent life, and God pieced my life back together, and got me back in school, graduated, and I am happily married and employed today. God even got me a job close to the church where we wanted to go.

And all the times where I thought I was forgotten, I totally laugh about it now. God never forgot about me. God left the 999,999 to come find me; I’m one in a million! Everything is possible if you put an honest life before him, pray hard, have faith, and never give up on God. Be encouraged this day!