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Take a Stand!

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Ephesians 6:10-14

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

When you are doing the best you can and are being hung out to dry it is hard to keep a smile on your face. When you feel alone in the struggle and no one hears your cry on earth it is easy to feel abandoned by everyone. It could be your family, your friends, your church members, your coworkers, and your closest companion. My reminder to you is that when your armor has been tested and you are standing when no one else will to continue to stand until God has the final say. If you give up before your breakthrough then all of your endurance was for the enemy to have glory and say “look what I did to this one”. If you walk away before your appointed time then you may miss out on the blessing that was meant for you at the end of the trial.

Stand, my friends. You are not alone. You have someone with you who will not give up. You have someone that will be with you where you are and will open the door to the next exciting chapter of your life! God will be with you as you take your stand!

Living To Overcome

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1 John 4:1-4

[1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
[2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
[3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
[4] Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Overcoming our adversaries and obstacles

Spiritual adversaries are always active

  • Speaking through false prophets
  • Walking in the spirit of the anti-Christ

We face 3 main types of enemies that the devil uses to attack:

  • Spiritual adversaries
  • Recurring anxieties
  • The world’s temptations

These adversaries are deceptive and powerful, using things unaware to our flesh to provoke it

Ephesians 6:11-12

[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

You do not overcome by fighting in fear, you overcome by a perfect love and great faith.

John 4:18

[18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

  • Responding to God’s love brings faith
  • Fear and faith are opposites
  • Knowing that we are loved makes us unafraid

How do we overcome?

John 14:16-17

[16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
[17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
[18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

The one we have is greater within us then the one within us that tries to bring fear

We have the Holy Spirit which is not only our comfort and teacher but our weapon to spiritual wickedness

It will not only dispel fear but also help us to rebuke the world’s appeal and keeps us from lowering ourselves to that level

1 John 5:1-5, 13-15

[1] Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
[2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
[3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
[4] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
[5] Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
[14] And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
[15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

We can overcome the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life by faith.

We have faith given by God to receive his love and comforter that by this love we lose our fear and gain faith to use the weapons of our warfare not against flesh and blood but to the pulling down of spiritual wickedness!

Fight For Your Mind

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II Corinthians 10:1-6

[1] Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
[2] But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
[3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
[4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
[5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
[6] And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

How do we revenge our disobedience? Being willing to face the conflict! When you have a stronghold in your life only you can deal with it. People that intercede can take you so far but you must decide to fight the good fight too much. You cannot conquer what you will not confront. God has a weapon for every stronghold on your life. You must begin to see these strongholds as something that you must confront.

The work of the ministry is a spiritual warfare, with spiritual enemies and for spiritual purposes. Deliverance begins when we understand what it is that is holding us. People that will not begin to acknowledge that they have strongholds, done things wrong, or any form of bondage are limiting how far that we will go, limiting prophetic encouragement and our spiritual potential.

Acts 19:11-19

[11] And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
[12] So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
[13] Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
[14] And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
[15] And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
[16] And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
[17] And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
[18] And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
[19] Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

If you are ever going to confront and overcome with success you must learn not to try to conquer things on your own. We must learn that we cannot do this on our own!

Judges 16:16-21

[16] And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;
[17] That he told her all his heart, and said unto her. There hath not come a rasor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.
[18] And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand.
[19] And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.
[20] And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.
[21] But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.

Just admitting our weaknesses only makes us more prone to fall short. We must not give into weakness and still think we can overcome. We must learn to face the weakness by the spirit so that we go from being a people that cannot do it to people that know that they can win. It is very easy to fall into traps by giving into the enemies’ temptations. We must rebuke!

1 Peter 1:3-7

[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
[4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
[5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
[6] Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
[7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

We are kept by the power of God through faith and not just to faith alone. It needs nurtured and stirred!

1 Corinthians 2:2-5

[2] For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
[3] And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
[4] And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
[5] That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

You can be wise in this world and lose your power in God! Be careful to abide in the true strength of God’s spirit!

Why Unleavened Bread?

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I pray this opens up some understanding for you and blesses your life in some way!

Exodus 12:8-21

[8] And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
[9] Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.
[10] And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.
[11] And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’s passover.
[12] For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
[13] And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
[14] And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
[15] Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
[16] And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.
[17] And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.
[18] In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.
[19] Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.
[20] Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.
[21] Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

To answer this question, consider the leavening in bread as the way that sin affects our lives. It was and is observed to eat to remember the 430 years of captivity to Pharaoh (and sin).

What does leaving do? It puffs up bread! A little leavening added to a mixture of bread goes a long way when it comes to how much it will expand the substance of it. When we compare that to temptations it becomes very clear that it does not take very much of a temptation to something before it becomes something that causes a decline (puffs up) our spiritual lives. To say that you are consuming unleavened bread not only says you are observing the salvation and deliverance that you have but is also a token to the commitment that we take as Christians to live holy (or separate) lives before God.

There is also another significance to the unleavened philosophy! When you consider Jesus in the moments of the passover, He referred to the bread He broke as His body (or the sacrifice with the flesh being broken). This should be a very implicit picture of the integrity that goes behind that bread. It should remind us whether we are observing passover or just living everyday life that living a Holy life is done by living a separate life from sin. In that commitment is able to be made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ!

One Of My Fav Bible Phrases: “Shall Not Perish”

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This phrase from John 3 speaks to so many volumes of things, but the part that means the most to me is the power that it has in the worst of times. When I am in my darkest and lowest hour, God is still God and I will still not perish. The greatest aspects that come with that wonderful “shall not” clause is eternal life in Heaven and a new beginning in the life that we live today through salvation!

I can truly say and testify to that in times when I myself was so weary from all of life’s tasks that I remember quoting to myself that “I shall not perish”. Of course I was not referring to my outward self that gets tired every day and needs rest but instead speaking to my inward (or spiritual) self. Paul made a reference to address the difference in where the spiritual life giving power of God is. He says, “…though the outward man perish, the inward is renewed daily…”, thus speaking to the weakness of our flesh. I can imagine throughout all of Paul’s journeys that this was one of the empowering reminders that kept him in times when the work seemed too great or his support system around him was failing.

So make that attempt today to remind yourself that though you feel low, ache in pain, or feel lonely in life that through God’s grace and wonderful power that we shall not perish!

When Church Is Just Church, You Have Missed The Service

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When the word of God makes reference to not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, I get lifted up in its meaning and mystery. From the surface it is very easy to assume that the literal performing of this word is to get yourself to a church (hey any church, right?) to be with other people that are coming too….and now that we are all here…what was it we were here to do (uh oh, I was so busy getting ready I forgot to spiritually prepare…)? The big question of it all is, what are we as a church to do and as an individual to make sure we are performing the word of God to the fullest?

In considering when one would assemble something, consider the altar that Elijah built. It was built in divine order, assembled together with purpose and not made with one piece to not serve for something. In its completion the altar that was built that day was consumed and prevailed against the man-made altars of the prophets of Baal. Please remember and consider that assembling with others what God has purposed for you is only unlocked when you first allow God to consume you in complete surrender (putting your altar in order).This surrender has to happen personally (within yourself i.e. the death of the natural or flesh) FIRST before anyone can be as ‘one’ together in the spiritual parts of church. In other words, when we sit in a room that has been named by a sign as church and not allow God to be in full control of all parts (the service, reaching for the needs, and individual obedience), it cannot prosper. Not only does it cease to prosper, but it creates the ‘obligation’ feeling within people. This obligation of the heart, or our flesh being proud that “I made it here, so bless me” has no humbleness, little love, and zero desire for unity with anyone else. And if it is not the obligation principle, then it is the “I’ll move when I feel it” principle, which is solely based on the benefit of having others that are attempting to stir up the presence of God and assist you in the breaking down of your own flesh. Through the death of Jesus Christ created the opportunity for each and every one of us to offer ourselves at any time. I believe that with all of my heart. Trust me, if I stayed in a “try to move or change me” spirit, then I would not only be discouraging people in obedience but definitely missing the needs of others!

Please do not let the traditions of religion or people that are knowledgeable in traditions run your life. Have a fulfilling spiritual life and put a cause in your heart led by God to edify those around you. Church is about coming together for others in need. Church is more than a building, more than how you think services should be ran. The meaning should be SO much more than that. If you are caught up on the time it ends, the number in attendance or the look of it I am fearful that you not are enjoying your spiritual walk to the fullest. Trust me, when you have that overflowing love of God pouring into your life, you will WANT to do something. It won’t be just another Sunday. You will WANT to offer something! It will be another chance to save a life that would otherwise be lost! The very first moment of when you know that you have found the meaning of assembling ‘together’ in church will be when you help someone and are blessed by seeing their life changed! I personally invite you to join this church, no matter where it is in the part of the world that you dwell. Find yourself a place where you will not only show up but come together in the name of Christ for the sake of others!

The Turning Point

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Luke 17:11-19

[11] And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
[12] And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
[13] And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
[14] And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
[15] And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
[16] And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
[17] And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
[18] There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
[19] And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

The mercy of God should yield and produce thanksgiving within us. Getting closer to God happens by trusting Him. Even when we feel so far away from God, we should never forget that God is right there!

2 Kings 5:10-15

[10] And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
[11] But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
[12] Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
[13] And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
[14] Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
[15] And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.

The foreigner is the most sensitive to Jesus. Those who respond to God may not be who you expect. Naturally one would expect your pastors, preachers, teachers and singers to; however as we yield unto each other’s flesh the spiritual response fades. As we read from the way that the Jews did not return unto Jesus (due to their lack of being able to give glory to another Jew), God’s blessings are often unappreciated and less to be appreciated.

1 Peter 4:1-19

[1] Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
[2] That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
[3] For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
[4] Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
[5] Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
[6] For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
[7] But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
[8] And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
[9] Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
[10] As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
[11] If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
[12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
[13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
[14] If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
[15] But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
[16] Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
[17] For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
[18] And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
[19] Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

If there is anything that I could leave you with today, it would be that the turning point in our lives should always be to come to Christ each day, resisting the part of ourselves that wants to dwell in the world and feign to its sin and weaknesses. You cross the turning point and stay in victory by abiding in the spirit of God as He is in you. As you come to realize this power, you will not be ashamed and will be proud to proclaim that He is Lord of your life and will want to spread the gospel of God!

Personal Perspectives On Pain, Discouragement, Growth, Humility

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When you are in growing stages in your personal life I am finding that there are many different phases to the art of growth. I would be lying if I said that coming to this realization has always been the easiest concept to grasp. I am so thankful today for the times in my life that I have been in a place where God was able to show to me mightily that He reigns and is in control of all things.

We have been heavily involved with our building project at the church we regularly attend. And by heavily, I mean to say that we are consumed in all parts: mentally, physically, and spiritually. There have been days where the load has been light and the faith in your heart seems never ending when you think of the finished product. Then there are the moments when you are in the harder days working yourself until you cannot stand as you wonder “Lord God, when will the help we need come”. I stood on a lift hanging about 45-50 feet in the air and realized I was in a growth stage. It hurts. I was hurt. I went home just to lay down and cry inside and out and (in my own flesh) wonder what more I could do to move it forward. I began to think of how much more could be done if there was more help, but in doing this I began to feel low and sad before the Lord. This did nothing but attempt to perform a work of discouragement to my heart. Sure there are all kinds of people that offer advice and how you can begin to overcome the way you feel, but sometimes you simply cannot hear it for how low you feel. In this moment I realized that discouragement is a real spirit that attempts to weigh upon the hearts of people.

The next thing I began to think was, “who could I confide in?”. All of the people that you could consider or run through your lists of “trustworthy candidates” could never compare to the comfort of God. Sometimes the only way growth can begin is when you cast your cares before God. It allows you to be lighter, to have more clarity, and to be able to actually receive joy. Once I got past attempting to reach out just to be more upset, I began to call out on God in my mind. As I began to, God worked a silent miracle: my heart was touched with humility. The love of God began to rush through my mind and work its way into my heart. Then it finally hit me like a flood.

I know now that all of the scars, cuts and bruises that you would sacrifice for a literal building is a representation of the way we face persecution spiritually. The efforts that are given are efforts given to God in love, even our acts of physical obedience. I have now realized that when I face mental discouragement that it is just a part of growing and being able to be stronger. When things or people attempt to discourage me, it has to flee and can only through the comfort of the spirit of God. And all for what? The ability to lead others, of course! Jesus Christ walked this world with a love without compare, giving Himself through all He could do while He lived and the greatest gift of humility when He was crucified on the cross.

So today? I press on. I may end up aching in my body, being hurt in my heart, or being persecuted greatly in my mind. I continue the cause of the cross. I continue so that I may exercise humility and love for all that need a better life like I did. At the end of the day, we are here to grow and continue and pursue the mark of the high calling! Let your calling shine and your obedience be fluent. Be benevolent and never waiver due to the lack of giving in others. Show yourself to be a true witness of the love of God! Learn to recognize growth and embrace where God is trying to take you!

We Are Children Of The Free

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Galatians 4:1-6, 21-23, 27-31

[1] Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
[2] But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
[3] Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
[4] But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
[5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
[6] And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

[21] Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
[22] For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
[23] But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

[27] For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
[28] Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
[29] But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
[30] Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
[31] So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Paul was talking in reference to the free and bond that we are not bound to the natural part of ourselves; for we are children of the free, which was given by the death of Jesus Christ! I am so thankful for living a brand new life now not under the same form of bondage that I was once under before. For my life was once miserable and without purpose; yet the love of God entering into my life has restored what was once seemingly gone forever (at least to my point of view).

Genesis 21:8-14, 15-19

[8] And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
[9] And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.
[10] Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.
[11] And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son.
[12] And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
[13] And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
[14] And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.

[15] And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
[16] And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
[17] And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
[18] Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
[19] And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.

Reading about this lets me know that even though that Abraham had to send away the one that was not given by the promise of God that God did not leave Ishmael in life without a purpose. We are not without purpose in life, and we are not without a promise to achieve something in God! And if we can just learn to cease attempting to always do things our way (as Sarah tried to here) we would not put ourselves in our own bondage!

Genesis 22:1-2,7-13

[1] And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
[2] And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

[7] And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
[8] And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
[9] And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
[10] And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
[11] And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
[12] And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
[13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

God will make a way when there seems to be no way! God will also move for us in magnificent ways if we will take great steps of faith. Abraham was definitely taking a great literal step of faith here, and at times I often wonder if anyone is left in the world with this amount of faith! We must strive to aim for this kind of faith and willingness, to heed to the voice of God even as to the willingness and humbleness of a child to do something when instructed.

Galatians 5:24-26

[24] And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
[25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
[26] Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Those that are saved have given up their sins and have received forgiveness by Jesus death, to which brought the atonement. No matter how powerful our affections and lusts for this world are, the death of Jesus is above all of the sins that we have!

Here are some other scriptures that are some food for thought to add to this message:

Leviticus 17:11

[11] For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Matthew 16:24-28

[24] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
[25] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
[26] For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
[27] For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
[28] Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

To deny = to destroy our natural desires

To take up = to take up the spiritually living being inside of us

To follow = to stay and continue in

Romans 12:1

[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

We need to present to God the forgiven soul, and we are not there, we must pray and get there!

Warning – You May Go Unrecognized, But That Is Okay!

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1 John 3:1

[1] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

One of the biggest enemies that I see in the day that we live in is one that is very nearby: ourselves. In the great daily battle for attention people will go to great lengths to feel noticed or have a notion that someone is drawn to them. It sells products on the market and can sometimes make or break businesses depending on the level of ‘wow’ factor a person is determined to have. It has also took us to a greater scale of pride where our social lives are now based on numbers and statuses that just ‘have’ to be put out there…or do they?

I really hate to sound like the bad guy or one that would rebel against the common trends of today, but I must honestly confess that I feel out of the loop and I do not mind it. When God changed my life and saved me from all of the bondage I felt so freed up from things that use to hold me down. There are so many things each and every one of us can be bound to. How about the constant want for proving that you are the best and have the best? Or consider that you like to be the center of attention or like the feeling that comes with sympathy or empathy?

I want you to just be reminded when you have that wonderful change in your life that with separation from the world comes a lack of attention from it. Remember that even though you may feel like you are losing out on things at first that you are just feeling the death to your pride and the lusts of your flesh. Trust me, it only gets better and the peace that you inherit from the blessings of God will far surpass anything the world could give!