As we face uncertainty and not knowing the future we must seek understanding to gain clarity. Dive into this teaching with us to learn 4 ways to unlock your understanding with God!
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understanding
It’s Time To Stop Pretending
John 5:36-40
36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Most of us instinctively draw back from dealing with this stubborn commitment to independence from the world, pretending we are all right as we are. It is much easier to pretend we are thirsting after God than it is to face the challenge of giving up our commitment to independence from sin.
Psalm 42:1
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
What is the answer? We must ask God to search our hearts, expose our self-centered motivations, and help us to see just where it is that we stop short of panting after Him.
You see, the more deeply we sense our thirst, the more passionately we will pursue water. But we will never sense that thirst until we are willing to face the fact that we may be drinking more from our own self-constructed wells than from the wells of God.
We cannot continue this way. The days of pretending are over.
Proverbs 14:12
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Our own reasoning will lead us to destruction. Without God’s counsel we will perish.
1 Corinthians 10:20-21
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
We cannot pretend to be one way and be another. There is no middle ground. You are either free from your sins and fighting temptation or you are in bondage and fighting to pretend you are free.
James 3:14
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Don’t fight to prove that you are something that you are not. Do not lie against the truth of who you are. It is better to face and fight our demons than it is to try and hide them from the view of others.
Philippians 3:12-14
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
If we forget about something then it is dead to us. Until what leads you into sin is removed from you through the grace and mercy of God then they are not forgotten (or behind you).
Life for us now consists of discarding wrong attitudes and habits accumulated in the past. In modern, psychological terms, we must lose our baggage. For us, the past is dead, buried in the waters of baptism. With that behind us, we must diligently make unwavering progress in putting out the leaven of sin, growing in God’s love, producing the fruit of God’s Spirit, moving toward the Kingdom of God, and putting on Christ’s perfection, His image in us.
Understanding The Wheat And Tares
Matthew 13:24-30
24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
In the agricultural society of Christ’s time, many farmers depended on the quality of their crops. An enemy sowing weeds would have sabotaged a business. The tares in the parable were likely darnel because that weed, until mature, appears as wheat.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Just as a true wheat plant produces wheat, so will a true believer produce spiritual fruit consistent with the life of faith. The day will come when each person will be known for what he or she truly is.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Trying to perform an action to vindicate your life from an enemy before it’s time may prove that you uproot in the wrong place and may offend someone without your intention.
Trying to prove yourself before the time will only destroy the fruit you would have had if you had just endured instead.
Only when we wait for the appointed time can we begin to see what separates a Christian walking by faith and a non-believer acting as they do but with no fruit bearing.
Seed if sown and cared for will bloom and prove itself. Faith if kept by prayer, fasting and obedience will prove itself by the signs and wonders that follow.
Do not be alarmed at the presence of tares. Weeds want to thrive most where there is life most.
Matthew 13:36-43
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Jesus is the one whom through His sacrifice at Calvary and His works through us shows the good seed. The field is the world and where we are to try and sow good things.
The tares are the works of the enemy and him through others. God wants to redeem all, even the one the enemy may work through at times. You must learn to see the enemy supernaturally and not looking at the person next to you as your enemy. Think of the word sowed in that regard!
In the end days God will separate the wheat from the tares when those who believe and endure shall be called up. And as tares would burn on earth so shall the unbeliever go to a furnace of fire.
Wait On That Good Seed To Bloom
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Here is a devotional that talks about learning to wait and see the good seed that was sown in God’s love to bloom and be a blessing to others (and you too!)
A Must Have Scripture Checklist For Every Ministry
2 Timothy 3:1-5
[1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
[2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
[3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
[4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
[5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
As we read from the text here, we are reminded that as time lingers on that we as people will become more consumed with ourselves than we will with God. It is very easy to find one’s self in any of these sorts of qualities when we are lovers of pleasures more than of God. Some people settle to the point and just tell me, “that is just the kind of world that we live in”. I will admit that in moments that I have seen and observed this part of the word of God literally coming into truth. This does not mean, however, that we that are lovers of God should be within this kind of position! I refuse to believe that we as people are not capable of living above these sorts of things! With the power of God helping us to do overcome you are able to do all things!
Romans 12:1-14
[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.
[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
[4] For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
[5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
[6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
[7] Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
[8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
[9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
[10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
[11] Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
[12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
[13] Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
[14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
As you read this, think on the word “soberly” and consider being in a place of good standing with a clean heart and mind before God. If we are living in the world and doing any old thing, I cannot expect the power of God to begin to bless in abundance every part of the ministry that it makes reference to here. We must think clearly and have our desires in check with God being first! We do this by presenting something before God that is living, or continual. If I never waiver from praying and having a God-fearing lifestyle, then the probability for me to willingly volunteer myself to my own struggles is drastically reduced! When you are working continual and are thinking clearly before God, He will bless you with the ability to see your ministry flourish!
2 Corinthians 8:7-14
[7] Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
[8] I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
[9] For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
[10] And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
[11] Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
[12] For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
[13] For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
[14] But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
As we learn to live before God soberly (cleanly) and to put God first and to not have a more dominant desire for the world, there will begin to grow a great love and compassion in your heart. With more of the presence of God in your life, it cannot help but manifest within you and bring all of the fruits of the spirit! One of the hardest parts about the love of God once we have the mind to realize we have it is to use it (or as it reads to perform the doing of it). The difference-making power is neither in how flashy things are to the eye nor how great they sound to the ear; for it is simply by how people are drawn by the power of God that lives within you! And as each and every one of us learns to work together in a church as a body, it truly presents equality and a lifting of the heavy burdens from just a few to creating a situation where everyone walks with lighter loads!
2 Timothy 2:3-15
[3] Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
[4] No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
[5] And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
[6] The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
[7] Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
[8] Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
[9] Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
[10] Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
[11] It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
[12] If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
[13] If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
[14] Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
[15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Another translation says to give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and properly handles the Word of Truth. As we read this, it is important to remember when we begin to apply all of these great things into our lives to not mishandle the word of God by deliberately going against it. There are other scriptures that point out that for a person to know right and to stray from it that to them it is sin. So I say this in all sincerity: let us not pretend that we do not know how to live for God when we have been living “religion” for so long. When you perform the doing of it, this part comes easy. It is when we stray from God that we will know to help our brother and neglect the duty of it, right?
1 John 3:16-21
[16] Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
[17] But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
[18] My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
[19] And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
[20] For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
[21] Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
So what is it at the end of the day that should keep us continually going? First of all, the presence of God should keep the parts of you that fall weak going strong. The knowledge of the Word of God will teach you to stray from things that will harm you and lead you to help others in the same way. The desire in your heart will stay as long as you are continual present something to God often. And most importantly, the compassion can stay in your heart if you stay humble and put the needs of others before yourself. It is hard to do when we could so easily be selfish at the drop of a hat! People need us in deed and truth and not just in a “I will be there when you need me” catchphrase! Show someone you love them today! Operate in the calling God has given you. Do not stray in trials and pray for strength in tough times. Do not settle for the religious opinions. Seek for the wisdom of God to keep you! It works every time!
What To Do When You Do Not Know What To Do
If there is one feeling that everyone knows more than any other, it would definitely be related to being confused or unsure right before the next choice or decision (especially the bigger ones that involve more than just yourself). The anxiety alone can almost feel just as bad if not worse than the decision or even the consequences if a decision went wrong. You see, worry and uncertainty are both directly related to fear as they are types of fear when applied to certain situations. I have to win this battle before and even sometimes when the times are hard; for me or anyone to say otherwise is misleading.
So what do we do?
Well, the first thing to do is run to God with the fully established trust in your heart. God is the only presence in my life that has not let me down! The second thing is to use that established trust to lay down as much as (if not all) of the “I do not know what to do” anxiety. You must begin to pick up faith as God builds it up within you, otherwise you will be stuck in step two with the ability to know God can do it but do not trust God to! And finally, the last couple of steps is to follow through on the spiritual guidance and leadership that God will direct you in. It is also important to receive instructions for change as well! Sometimes we miss the increase because we are not willing to decrease.
I know this does not apply to EVERY situation, but it can help with a lot of the issues that we can prevent and learn to overcome before they ever begin! Trust God greater! I believe in you!