If every good thought comes from above, then we didn’t think of something before because God did not give it to us then. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17 KJV). Ownership of our thoughts means we take responsibility for our thinking, but that doesn’t mean we originate the thought. Some people do not like to use commentaries to gain better understanding of Scripture because they do not want the contamination of man’s thoughts. If that were so, then we shouldn’t listen to someone’s preaching or teaching for fear of agreeing with someone else’s thoughts. “There is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). That is not a vain thought, since every good thought first proceeds from the mind of God. Spirit of God, cause me to be open to Your directions. May I not be surprised or offended by the ease which Your people may accept Your leading. May I be more open to think Your thoughts, so I can be just as led by You as Philip, when You directed him toward Gaza on the way to Egypt for his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. Make me readily acceptable to Your thoughts. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Supernatural Christianity
Overconfidence: Not a Gift of the Spirit
There is an American epidemic of overconfidence. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1Corinthians 10:12 KJV). A study of eight developed countries found that American students were dead last in math skills but number one in confidence in math skills. Atheist Bill Maher wrote, “We are number one in thinking we’re number one” (from “What This Comedian Said Will Shock You”). He continues, “Kids now have too much self-esteem, and it’s turning them into angry, screaming grievance collectors. All of that childhood tolerance is resulting in grown-up tyrants. It’s no wonder that by the time they get to college, just having to listen to an opinion they don’t agree with is considered an act of ‘violence.’” Those with true confidence see themselves and everything else from God’s point of view. LORD, grant to us the confidence that comes with standing with You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Mysteries of the LORD
God is not trying to exclude anyone from His company, but we block ourselves from receiving privileges from Him depending on how much we fear Him. “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; and He will shew [shō] them His covenant” (Psalm 25:14 KJV). “Our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29), but He can also be a fearful master, if we do not give Him the respect He deserves. God is not like an object we purchase to be discarded, when we tire of Him. We are His creation, and we do well to find how best to approach Him. His covenant is simple. “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you” (Jeremiah 7:23). He gives us our own personal comforter (John 14:16), advocate (1John 2:1), teacher (John 14:26), guide (Isaiah 30:21), mentor (1John 2:27), coach (1Corinthians 12:1-11), body guard (Isaiah 52:12), reminder to walk humbly because the Spirit draws attention to Jesus not Himself (John 16:13), reminder of His love (2Corinthians 13:14), and insurance that we can obey His commands (Ezekiel 36:27), when we took our loyalty oath of water baptism to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Though we want to encourage all those around us to embrace the understanding He has given us, we are not to slow down or hold back in our seeking to understand more about our Master, even if our fellow disciples do not yet share all our appreciation of Him. Father, cause us to hunger and thirst for Your righteousness. Cause us to be drawn to a better understanding of who You are. Cause us to be drawn into greater love with You (16:02). Show us Jesus. In His precious name, we pray. Amen.
Why Am I Still Here?
Ever hear an extremely elderly individual voice that question, or something like it? Probably not nor may you ever. But, it’s still a good question. Paul answered it. “21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot [know] not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:21-24 KJV). Evidently, your presence on this planet is still necessary, as far as our Heavenly Father is concerned, if not for your spiritual benefit, then for someone else, or both. Occupy yourself with the LORD, until He calls you Home, for you will occupy yourself with Him forever. It will never get old! LORD, cause us not to be weary in well doing. Give us the strength to match our days. Instruct us to be useful to You, others, and ourselves. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Talking About Jesus
If we were talking more about Jesus, then we wouldn’t be doing all the things we shouldn’t be doing. Would we be so brash to say we can talk more about Jesus later in Heaven, but there are more interesting things to talk about now? “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” (2Corinthians 10:5 KJV). Obviously, brushing aside Jesus so easily, is dancing on the edge of Hell with little thought of the eternal stakes. Danger signs should be erected to prevent the uninformed: “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts” (Psalm 10:4). Profession alone is not possession. “4 He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him. 5 But whoso keepeth His word, in Him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. 6 He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked” (1John 2:4-6). LORD, may we accustom ourselves to talking to You and about You now, for we covet Your conversation in Eternity. Wake up the Sleeping Professed Church and rescue us from the pit of Hell. Keep us from waving a false document of eternal security in front of You, while we do not the things You tell us to do. Return quickly, in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Natural, Supernatural, Miraculous
The difference is emphasis. Natural law is normal, which is expected. Supernatural is beyond normal. Miraculous is also beyond normal with an emphasis upon unexpected. Natural law is supported by the scientific method of reproducibility, which both secular and sacred admit. Supernatural is beyond the scope of science, at least until the discovery of consistent, reproducible natural law explanations. Miraculous is beyond the scope of physics with an emphasis upon unexpected. Creation can only be miraculous, since a supernatural Creator speaks the world into existence. “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:3 KJV). Natural laws are the rules to which nature must comply; however, supernatural interaction with the natural world can modify outcomes, when applied. Miracles are directed from the supernatural often unexpectedly with unexpected outcomes. Humanity irrespective of religious or philosophical persuasion is subject to natural law. Supernatural beings both of the Creator and against the Creator may interact with the natural world, but subject to the Creator and conforming to the necessities of their being. Miracles also may interact with the natural realm, but especially are subject to the will of the Creator. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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” (Ephesians 6:11p-12).
Return Quickly, Lord Jesus
The godly can receive no better answer to all their prayers than the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus instructed us to continually pray, “Thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10 KJV), as well as, His last promise to us was, “Surely I come quickly” (Revelation 22:20). We have much to do in building His Kingdom in the meantime, because we know how important accomplishing all things He commanded us — “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13) — prepares for His soon return. Both our growth in grace, as well as the increase of those brought into His Kingdom, justifies our God’s purpose in seeking His soon return, for the “LORD hath made all things for Himself” (Proverbs 16:4), which is always the wisest, most glorifying motivation for doing anything. LORD, grant us the wisdom of knowing how to keep ourselves occupied for good and for You in this world, while keeping our hearts and eyes wide open for Your imminent coming. Even so, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Firstfruits of All Thine Increase
The Law of Firstfruits is directed from the Unseen Realm of God upon all who honor the LORD with their substance and the beginning of their increase. “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10 KJV). Our “substance” (3:9) is whatever we already possess. The “firstfruits of all thine increase” (3:9) is the beginning of our income flow or material enlargement, but not all our future profit or increase. God seeks to promote our prosperity, not consume it. He seeks to take away the sickness of heart that is afraid to trust Him because of repeated past disappointments. “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12). The LORD desires a mindset and heart attitude excited and expectant of blessing to rest upon our home and offspring, because we understand and trust Him, when we give the firstfruits offering. “And the first of all the firstfruits of all things, and every oblation of all, of every sort of your oblations, shall be the priest’s: ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough [for bread baking], that He may cause the blessing to rest in thine house” (Ezekiel 44:30). We do not give to the Kingdom of God from OT legalism or to manipulate God, but He desires us to have a holy expectation of material blessing with His signature approval. Father, teach us the joy of giving the firstfruits of our increase that Your blessing may rest upon our house. May we walk as Your blessed ones prospering in whatever we do. May our preservation and blessing testify of Your goodness to the Church, the world, and all the Unseen Realm. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen and amen.
Tithe Belongs to the LORD
The tithe was in existence before the OT Mosaic Law, since Abram paid tithes to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20). “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD” (Leviticus 27:30 KJV). A “tithe” (27:32) represents a “tenth [1/10]” (27:32). All our income belongs to God, since we belong to God. But, the tithe is especially set apart for the service of the LORD or dedicated for the LORD’s purposes, since it represents our covenant of trust with Him. What we are saying when we tithe is, ‘I take care of Your business, LORD, and You look after my business.’ As Jacob said, “And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee” (Genesis 28:22). Though tithing became part of OT Law, under the New Covenant, we still have an understanding of trust with the God of Abram. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat [food] in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10). LORD, we take great delight in being called ‘one who tithes.’ We trust our tithe to You is not income lost, since we give from love and not necessity. Prosper Your servants, who tithe. Flourish the work of Your hands far beyond anything humans can accomplish. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.
Blindness of the Church (Part 2)
The most profound but simple truths are like Christ’s Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount, while the more complicated truths are like Paul’s explanation for Israel’s blindness. “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:25 KJV). God is not finished with Israel, but His primary focus is presently on the Church, until the Church has been raptured. Doctrinal blindness separates the Church, such as the “doctrine of baptisms” (Hebrews 6:2). Some Church of Christ identify the necessity of water baptism for salvation in a First Principles studies in preparation for discipleship. “1 Therefore leaving the principles [literally, first principles] of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God: 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment” (6:1-2).
My opinion, the doctrinal chasm between mainline evangelicals and the Church of Christ lies in the social significance of baptism as His appointed means: (1) for the Body of Christ to identify those who claim loyalty to Christ, i.e., “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1Corinthians 12:3), (2) for the new disciple to publicly claim his loyalty to Christ, i.e., “because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 NET), and (3) for God’s supernatural-but-not-omniscient enemies to become informed, this disciple has switched loyalties to Christ, so ‘Keep your hands off,’ i.e., “Touch not Mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm” (1Chronicles 16:22; Psalm 105:15 KJV). The Father already knows who believes, but He requires us to be baptized before we can claim the Holy Spirit as our right of sonship, i.e., “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).
LORD, may the Body of Christ’s understanding allow us to get beyond the “doctrine of baptisms” (Hebrews 6:2) and “go on unto perfection” (6:2). Let us see our similarities in Jesus are more than our differences. Return quickly, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
We Need A Miracle 
You must be logged in to post a comment.