WHATEVER OVERCOMES

2 Peter 2:19 (ESV) ... For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 
    Recently a man stated he could not stop the sin in his life, it had a death grip on him and would not let him go. How sad, we are slaves to what we have given control of our lives to. Why, I am so glad you asked?
    Sin is far reaching, it slides into our lives very easily, finds its way into the person, infects both body and spirit, eventually taking control of the very soul of man.
    I saw a documentary recently of a larvae living in a human, laid in the victim by a fly, the creature lived off the host and grew to several inches in length, it required air, so an infected hole in the skin was its home. Like the larvae, sin keeps rising for more room, creating more infection as it consumes us. Disgusting, yes, but the very picture of serving self and its consequences.
    Jesus, says to all, "Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin," John 8:34 (NKJV), we are bound, to what we give first place, in our lives. Like a short chain on a prisoners legs, he must shuffle to walk, so is sin to the one shackled to it. Is there a way out, yes, Jesus also says in, John 8:36 (NKJV) 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed, I like that don't you? If we will put all our trust in the King of Glory, He alone will set us free.
    Does sin have a grip on you, rejoice, God will set you free, just tell Him you recognize the problem, its sin, ask Him to forgive you. Tell Him you know Jesus died with all your sin, to set you free, and ask Him to come into your life. Want to be free and never enslaved again, trust Jesus.
Heavenly Father, You are the reason we live, You alone can keep us safe, and it is through Your Son that we receive eternal life. Let our desires be for You in all things we do, let us hunger and thirst for righteousness. Amen
  

WILL YOU SPEAK WICKEDLY

Job 13:7 (NKJV) 7 Will you speak wickedly for God, And talk deceitfully for Him?
    I heard some pastors complain recently, that in their country, the word of God is being distorted by those who are looking for personal gain. There is the seeping in of deceit in religion, that seems to be unbridled, it hints at having no bounds, unfolding like a dirty blanket, the smell of it for those who know God is disgusting. What is happening, I am so glad you asked?
   The enemy of God and man is seeking one thing, that is to bring to nothing the work that is already done. Satan wants you and I to think he can destroy the work of God, that cannot and will not happen.
   God has through His Son Jesus, destroyed death, He has taken to the grave the sins of all mankind, and left them there. Leaving sin in its place, Jesus walked out of deaths door and took the keys with Him.
   There is no grave for the one who trusts Jesus with all their heart, no judgment of sin for the person who has looked to the One, called on His Name, and trusted His blood to wash away all their sin. The person who has asked Jesus to forgive them of sinful living, and given to Him every ounce of they're being will find eternal life.
    The enemy of God can do and say as much as he desires, but God is victorious over all sinfulness, and He will not be denied those who are His. Yes, many speak wickedly for God, and yes, many live a deceived life, but, for those who know Him, do not fear, the work is finished, we are just waiting for His return.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the One who gave to all who will look to Him, eternal life. Thank You for giving what we do not deserve, Jesus, the name above every name. Thank You for loving all people, no matter how bad they become, and thank you for making that way easy, costing You so much. Amen

THE WORD

1 John 1:1 (NKJV) 1 …, which we have looked upon, concerning the Word of life…,

     The view around us today is awkward, America has changed, the scene of humanity is scarred by obvious sin that is sinking the ship that was once called freedom. Why, I am so glad you asked?

     There once was a nation of people who loved God and loved people, they were attracted to right moral values and turned their backs on wrong sinful disobedience. The right to worship the way they chose was evident as nearly every household would leave their home on the weekend and go to a place of worship. When called on to protect the innocent the masses would rise and defend, questionable morality was shunned and life was cherished.

    Turn the page to the 21st century and we read, But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV) 

    Look around, do you see the Word of Life, He is here and He is waiting on you, today, right now, ask Him to forgive you of sin and selfish living, tell Him you know He is the Son of God, that he alone has broken sins death grip, and ask Him to enter your life. Look on Him and He will give you all you need concerning the Word of Life?

Heavenly Father we know You are the only way, we know You alone can bring us into the light, help us to seek you with all our hearts, and let Your presence fill us so others might see You. Thank you for loving us and for giving to all who call on Your name eternal life. Amen

IF WE LIVE

Galatians 5:25 (NKJV) 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
   In South America there is an ant the natives call sompopo, it leaves a visual trail to follow, climbing into the tall trees of the area they cut leaves with scissor like jaws carrying large pieces down the trees, across the landscape to its under ground nest. For twenty-five or thirty yards away you can observe the ground moving with columns of leaves. Night and day they work with a mission, an unseen guide keeps them on track, even when disturbed by the invasion of humans or animals, they regroup and continue with the task.
   In Galatians there is an urge by the Spirit of God to continue, in our work undaunted by worldly distractions. A clear list of character qualities is listed, Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Like the ants they are obvious to others from a distance and are desirable for living in this life.
    However in this same chapter is another list, works of the person that will not enter God's eternal heaven. Vs. 19-21 They are clearly observed as sin and do separate us from God, if these are evident in our lives we cannot enter God's Heaven, He will not allow sin to have any place.
    Be encouraged, if we live by His Spirit, we will walk in the Spirit, that is accomplished by completely trusting Jesus with our whole life. Won't you trust His Spirit, to walk in you today.
Heavenly Father, we are your creation, we have been purchased with the precious blood of your Son. May the breath You have given us be spent in doing your will? Let the Spirit you have sent clearly show us your way, that others may follow. May we bless You Lord with all that You have made us. Amen

YOUR EYES

Proverbs 7:2 (NKJV) 2 Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye.
     How tender and delicate the eyes, yet they are designed with such intricate detail, without them we could not comprehend slightly the beauty and extravagance of creation. Why such a sensitive device in these rough exteriors, I am glad you asked.
    The vulture is said to touch the eyes of its intended meal to see if there is life, if there is no response then the dinner is done. The eye gate compares to the senses of touch, taste, feel and smell as one of the six sense used to understand our environment. Without them we are hindered in so many ways, yet God in His design has compared our obedience to the tenderness of the eye.
    God's Law, His commands, will keep the seeker of God as sure as the sun rises daily. However just as the body needs care to live, so the perfect Law of God must be carefully followed to live with Him.
     Honor your father and mother is a command that would seem to need no explanation, yet we consider that others should maintain the care of those who gave us life, that we might continue in our living. How far we fallen from the family unit, and placed the burden of love on others. God's design is that we might recognize our responsibility and care for the aged, someone may be thinking that's not fair, read Matthew 15:1-9 and tell Jesus that.
    The writer of this Proverb admonishes keep the command, keep the law, tenderly live by them and you will live.
Heavenly Father, may the tenderness of your word send roots into our lives, let the truth sink deep and find fertile ground. May we seek You while there is time and may all the power of Your presence, touch the lives of those around us? Let us be gentle and loving to family, friends, followers of Christ and all men. Amen

ACCEPTABLE

Romans 12:1 (NKJV) ... present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, ...
     In South America the people have been taught, denying yourself, food on a certain day, not going to a specific place and not enjoying some things, this is sacrifice. So much more is meant by this verse, and you too may be confused.
     In the Old Testament God required sacrifice of an animal to remind man of the high price of sin, it became a common practice to just bring anything for sacrifice, when God clearly said, it must be our best. Tradition killed the will in man to do his absolute best for God and he convinced himself, God would accept blemished living. How sad, God the Creator has been reduced to a God bloated by too much attention, He has become unreasonable in asking for the best I have when it is me that has worked hard for what I have accumulated.
    A downward spiral of sinful living and denying God His place, has brought man to these silly beliefs. God promised if we would give our best He would bless our living, instead we have robbed God and ourselves of heavenly blessings that will last for eternity. Matthew 6:19-20
    Do you really want the best, then offer yourself to God as a living sacrifice, willingly right now say to God, I know my life is centered on me, that is sin, ask Him to forgive you. Tell Him you know, His Son came to be The Sacrifice, for your sins, and ask Him to enter your life and set you free from self serving. Let God know you are willing to die to your self in order to get His blessings, He will set you free, to become a living sacrifice for Him.
Heavenly Father, let me forget about my desires and seek only Yours, may all might best intentions be put away the I might do your will. Let me be that sacrifice You deserve for Your Glory. Amen

DON'T BE JUDGED

Matthew 7:1 (NKJV) 1 Judge not, that you be not judged.
   The observation of the lives of others often evokes a quotation of this verse, it's interesting how the scripture is twisted to suit our life style. What is the problem I am glad you asked?
    See someone living a life of destruction and you observe their eminent fall, speak to that person about the impending doom and you are sure to hear doesn't the bible say, "Don't judge?" It does and more clearly Jesus says, "Do not judge," read a little further and find, take care that you see your own failures first before you approach the slight stumble of another.
   When we first examine ourselves to see if these things are true in our own lives, a pattern emerges the obvious sins in the lives of others is often the same in our own life. Why are we so tuned to the fault in another, it is because the Spirit of God is revealing the short comings in our life and He is looking for us to respond?
   Many reply no, that is not true in me, maybe not but if your are honest with God and yourself, you may uncover a mountain of sin you did not recognize. Sure there is sin in others but, our Lord reminds us the more important exposure should come in us, and then if God reveals the issues in others it will be because we have tackled the problem in our own life and we can offer help to one because of experience.
   We can make a judgment, however it must be clear we have resolved the issue in our own lives and are practicing clean living. Be careful, if you judge another and there are problems in your life, you have not dealt with, Jesus says, "You will be judged!"
Heavenly Father, help us to see clearly in our own lives, the faults you are revealing in the lives of others that we may deal with the sin in our own house first. May all you want to do through us not be hinder by us. Bless I pray the lives of those we come in contact with, that You may get all the Glory and Honor. Amen