Journeys

 

Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV 

18)“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19)Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.

Isaiah repeated God's promise to bring His people out of captivity in Babylon and return them them to the land of Israel in verse 14.  It's clear that this this would be an act of God's covenant, faithfulness and mercy...not a result of His people's merits. The promise of Isaiah 43:18-19, must have reminded readers of the exodus from Egypt, when God saved their forefathers from bondage and led them through the wilderness.  But this exodus from Babylon would be better, since it would restore the Jews to their homeland from which they had been expelled because of their sins. 

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

This implies that even though the trip back to Israel would lead through treacherous territory, God would go ahead of the people and make a way.  

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Now I know this technically don't fit these two verses, but it just struck me that there is many of situations where we're allowed a chance to start again.  I got saved on June 6th of this year and then was baptized on July 26th.  This for me was a new beginning, a chance at a new start...a new journey.  Then in July I had knee surgery went back during the first part of September because I was still having problems with it. It was at that time I was told I was though running...the running career was over.  I however am not willing to accept that and started running a little a few weeks ago .  Now I realize I'll never run the same again, I'll never see a sub 4 hour marathon again and I'll never hit that sub 20 minute 5k goal, but I'll be running.  That's a new start, a chance to begin again, except this time I'll have more time to visit and talk during the race because I won't be worried about placing in my age group now. 

Maybe this is closer that I originally thought, I've not been expelled from a nation and help captive.  I have however been expelled from the dark and Satan's captivity.  I have been expelled from the captivity of sin in regards to the ego and selfish pride in being a competitive runner.  My trip/journey might be treacherous with test and trials, but God is keeping his promise of saving me a place in heaven for accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior and living to praise and to bring glory to His name.  

I really wish if you were curious about Jesus and how to come to know Him you would contact me, one of your other friends that know Him or I guess if you don't want to feel embarrassed (for no reason) you can look up the phone number for one of your local pastors and give them a call...I don't think they would mind.  

 

I had fully intended on getting something worth reading up to post today, but it's just been a long rough week or so.  The Covid-19 crap and all the bickering and back and forth belly aching and griping about this election stuff has really kind got my anxiety and depression tweaking a little bit.  Then you throw in it's the holiday season which should be a joyous time that lifts spirits and ya can't really go any where and enjoy it with your families so that helps absolutely none at all.  Through prayer and bible study I've been able to overcome the weight of sorrows and removed my yoke and Jesus has taken up my burden.  One thing I've learned through one of my bible study classes (Recovery through Discipleship) is that if you've got a problem it could be a manifestation from another issue you didn't even know you had until you got into a program of help...think about it.  BTW...I know a good program that does a morning and even class. 

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, 

courage to change the things I can,

Father, give us courage to change what must be altered, 

serenity to accept what cannot be helped, 

and the insight to know the one from the other.

Amen

Hosea 4:1-3

Hosea 4:1-3

1) Listen to the word of the Lord, you sons of Israel,  because the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land, for there is no faithfulness, nor loyalty, nor knowledge of God in the land.

2) There is oath taking denial, murder, stealing and adultery. They employee violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed.

3) Therefore the land mourns, and everyone that lives in it languishes along with the animals of the field and the birds of the sky and even the fish of the sea disappear. 

Listen to the word of the LORD, O sons of Israel - Given the serious nature of the indictment  that we find in verse 2, it is imperative that the people listen to what God is saying! He is not playing around, but is deadly serious! And so as you might have already surmised "Listen" is not a suggestion but a command and it is like "Pay attention, now not later!" Any time the Lord speaks, we should be willing to pay attention, but especially when He gives a strong command to listen.

Thought - Does this describe your approach to the Word of God? Do you really listen? Remember that when the Bible speaks, God speaks! There are no exceptions. It follows that we should never, ever...ever come to the Bible with a lackadaisical, apathetic, ho-hum attitude. This is the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of our souls we are interacting with. I fear that too often I lose that sense of gratitude and wonder that God has provided an awesome path to His throne through His Word. 

Forgive me Lord God for my too frequent "ho-hum" approach! Amen. 

  

"Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." (James 4:4) The story of Hosea and Gomer perplexes many readers of Scripture. God instructs the prophet Hosea to marry a woman he knows will be unfaithful–she not only commits adultery, she also becomes a prostitute that Hosea must buy back from those making a profit from her (see Hosea 1-3). God does explain the reason behind His mysterious command to Hosea: “Because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the Lord” (Hosea 1:2). Hosea 4 details the charge of adultery that the Lord brings against His people. Their sin includes unfaithfulness, a lack of love, cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery. God’s concern for His people on these issues hasn’t changed through the centuries; we will see that James rebukes his readers for many of these same sins, and we can be sure God still cares about these issues in our lives today. Throughout his letter James has been drawing on themes that recurred in the Old Testament prophets, specifically justice and care for the poor which is often typified by the fatherless and the widow. In our passage today, James alludes to another theme frequently found in the Old Testament. The Prophets frequently refer to God’s relationship with Israel in terms of marriage, so it’s not surprising that Israel’s sin is referred to in terms of adultery. When Israel acted in ways that were inconsistent with their relationship with God, they acted adulterously. James is making the same point. Conflict in the church arises from unwise living and following our own desires. This is the same thing as living like the world–which is to say, it’s spiritual adultery and cheating on God. Now we can understand why James uses such a strong tone here! James highlights another contrast here between pride and humility. Pride, pursuing our own way, puts us in opposition to God. Humility, however, positions us to receive blessings of grace from God. And this is the relationship God desires to have with us. James says that the Holy Spirit “envies intensely”–God loves His people, and wants us to walk in the path of life. Just as God used Hosea and Gomer to reflect Israel’s adultery with God, He uses the marriages of Christians to reflect the relationship between Christ and His people.

Can you look at any of this and see the similarities to our current times?  How well are marriages doing in America?  What if I told that as many as half the couples that get married divorce.

"Marriage and divorce are both common experiences. In Western cultures, more than 90 percent of people marry by age 50. Healthy marriages are good for couples’ mental and physical health. They are also good for children; growing up in a happy home protects children from mental, physical, educational and social problems. However, about 40 to 50 percent of married couples in the United States divorce. The divorce rate for subsequent marriages is even higher."  

Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology

(how many more end in the death due to domestic violence I wonder)

Oaths?  In my opinion the group(s) that are the biggest offenders here are politicians and lawyers. But there is other professions that take oaths and you have your offenders there as well...doctors, judges, law enforcement, ministers. Anyone of flesh and blood can be guilty of of it you take an oath when you get married and we see how well that's working out.  When you go to the Lord and utter those words "Jesus Christ, I accept you an my Lord and Savior"...you've taken an oath.

Murder? I really want to put a number to it but my search didn't provide what I was looking for, but if you've turned the TV on in the last OH, basically a year, I'm sure you've seen the violence.  People being killed simply because of their color or because of their job and in some cases because of their political affiliation.  That doesn't cover gang violence or domestic violence. 

We need this country to get up, get the bible out of the bookcase, drawer...closet or where else it might be and dust it off. Set back down...open it and read it.  We as a nation need to come back to the Lord as a whole.  Get down on bended knee and talk to Him...He's there just waiting intently to share His love with you, but you ain't going to find Him on Facebook, on your favorite cops and robbers show.  He's not on CNN, MSNBC or Fox News, He's not on "The View" or any of the other dozens of talk shows. YET HE'S ALL AROUND YOU...HE'S EVERY WHERE!! You've just got to ask him, invite him into you heart, soul and spirit. 

He give us a free will to chose to follow Him or not.

It's up to you, the ball is in your court.

Prayer Requests for friends and our nation

This is different than what I had planned and worked on, but this come to me as being more important.  I have several friends that are in need of prayers and I would like to get all the help I can in prayer for this friends that shall remain anonymous.  Some are physical issues while others are spiritual needs.  

** Oh, Jesus, my Great Healer, my vision has been blurry lately. The fear of losing my sight is giving me sleepless nights. But dear Jesus, the word says that there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. I surrender my health to you. I cancel and nullify any generational curses in my family line that cause people to have eye problems in the name of Jesus. Lord, give me faith to believe that my eyes will be well again. Please open my eyes to your word so that I can see scriptures that will build my confidence and help me to stand firm in your healing promises.

 In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

**Heavenly Father, your word says that if anyone is in trouble, they should pray. If anyone is happy, they should sing songs of praise and if anyone is sick, they should pray in the name of the Lord Jesus. I want to pray for my healing and recovery today. You say that the prayer that is offered in faith will make the sick person well so I offer this prayer in faith to you. My faith is not in the strength of my prayer of in anything that I can do but my confidence is in your character and power.  

In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

**Lord of Unfailing Compassion, I pray for my dear friends who have lost their child. I can’t imagine the grief they are enduring right now. But I know that You are near to the brokenhearted. O Lord, heal their hearts and bind up their crushed spirits. Help them to see light in the darkness and to draw comfort from each other. Surely, blessed Jesus, You carried our sorrows. I pray that You will carry them through this season of sadness. Help me to be a good friend to them and minister to them in the way they most need. 

Amen.

**Father God, we come to you because the people of this nation and everything in it belong to you. We are not here by accident. You are the one who set us in this nation at this particular time for the glory of your name. But Father, people in this country are turning against each other. We no longer live like brothers and sisters. Brother has turned against brother and child against parent. But your word says that if we humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways you will heal our land. Lord, heal our hearts, heal our land. Remove bitterness and resentment from our hearts and help us to live as brothers and sisters. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Marital Strongholds

Not to seem to be all doom and gloom I'll only be dropping my "Sermon Series: Strongholds" blogs on the first Sunday of the month.  The other weeks will be more of a standard posting as I continue to study and work on improving the art of picking a subject and putting it together in a format where I could deliver it in a church setting as a sermon that would not only share the word Jesus Christ but hold your attention, get you excited about living in Jesus and allowing him to live within you as well as help you apply to your everyday life.  

November 1, 2020 

Marriage? Once a sacred covenant that much like a ring went unbroken has now become a mutual extermination that looks like the ceremony was performed by the Secretary of War rather than a minister.  Our nation is caught in a divorce epidemic and divorces frequently happen because of strongholds, strongholds in the way marriage is viewed as disposable. When people make a decision on marriage they make it far to often based on money, prestige, looks or a variety of reasons other than the right ones.  Many people don't believe in sole mates or love at first sight...I here to tell ya, if you don't you're wrong.  I knew immediately that my wife was going to be my wife before our actually first date.  Why or how I knew, I can't explain...I just knew and we got married 35 years ago.  

 Malachi 2:13-14
13 Another thing you do: You flood the Lord’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. 14 You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.

Because they disregarded the marriage covenant, God wasn't answering their prayers.  The people were in shock, wondering why God would not receive offerings and hear their prayers.  Marriage between a man and woman is a covenant before God, it's not merely social it's a spiritual issue.  In 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 Paul tells Christians not to be mismatched with unbelievers.  When a Christian marries a non-Christian there will be a clash of gods and covenants.  Paul and Malachi agree, don't marry someone who doesn't share your faith because you're going in two different directions.  Strongholds show up in marriages when we no longer realize that it's a covenant.  Another reason for strongholds is they never got married correctly into spiritual oneness.  Victory of marital strongholds is located in the Spirit first.  As the Holy Spirit unites with our spirits and we individually draw closer to God, He brings us together as one. (Think of a triangle with God at the top and a husband and wife at the other points opposite of each other.  The closer to God you get the closer you get to each other as well.) 

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People have long been fooled into breaking the covenant of marriage for different reasons and all have been introduced by Satan in the form of a stronghold.  Even in Jesus' time the High Priest or Pharisees thought and tried to trick Jesus.  These legalistic religious leaders didn't care much for Jesus because He taught the truth and it undermined them so they were constantly trying to trick him into dividing his followers and weakening His teaching.

Mark 10:2-9
2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”3 “What did Moses command you?” he replied.4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’[a] 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,[b] 8 and the two will become one flesh.’[c] So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

They ask this controversial question to merely test Him-whether or not it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. There were two views about divorce held by 1st century Jewish scholars .  According to one view, a man could divorce his wife if she committed sexual immortality.  According to the other a man could divorce his wife for any reason. The Pharisees wanted Jesus to take side and thus alienate some of His listeners.  What did Jesus do?  He refused to enter their debate.  Instead, He appealed solely to God's word.  He ask them what Moses had commanded, and the Pharisees pointed to Deuteronomy 24:1-4 which in part says "If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house".  But this permission from Moses to divorce had only been granted because of the hardness of their hearts.  It wasn't God's ideal. God's design for marriage is clear from the beginning of creation. First marriage is to involve a male and a female (that rules out a lot of what goes by the name of marriage in our culture, but that's a different sermon). Second marriage is intended to be a permanent bond...therefore "What God has joined together, let no one separate. 

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Are you a husband? You are to die for your wife in a spirit of grace.  What does it mean to die for your wife? In Mark 10 it tells you not only what it means, but it also tells you how.

Ephesians 5:25,28 & 33
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 
28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 
33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Now here's the problem, far to many many men think headship means playing dictator and telling everyone what to do...can you say stronghold that builds strongholds.  But biblical headship means being a responsible governing authority.  A husband is to sacrifice for his wife and be her deliverer, protecting her and paying the price for her well being. God has created husbands to lead and wives to respond...that creates problem in todays society as well.  The man then has to move first.  When a woman sees her man initiating, owning responsibility, treating her as special and sacrificing for her well-being...she is apt to respond to him with heartfelt respect and submission.  

The idea of a wife submitting is despised in today's culture, but part of the problem is it's misunderstood. First, though God commands it...submission is a voluntary act. You submit by choice, not by coercion. Second, submission has nothing to do with intrinsic value. Men and women are of equal before God; both are created in His image, neither is more significant. Third, submission is not passivity, a wife is not to give up who she is and become a doormat. Submitting is about being in alignment under God and recognizing  the God given roles He assigned to husbands and wives. 

You can be a kingdom husband and have a kingdom wife and your still going to stumble and have your issues, but you expect to draw on your heavenly blessing and to do so you must align your roles in the family according to God's good design through love and respect.  Many married people think that if they find a new mate that their problems will go away...but that's not the answer.   

My personal take on breaking martial strongholds boils down to 3 things.

1) First and foremost you both need to have a relationship with the Lord...a real loving turn it all over to Him relationship.  It can't be one of these just going through the motions type things, you need to pray for each other and you need to pray together. 

2) No, this is not a mistaken reprint it's just that important. You both need to have a relationship with the Lord...a real loving turn it all over to Him relationship.  It can't be one of these just going through the motions type things, you need to pray for each other and you need to pray together. 

              IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO GET SATAN OUT OF YOUR MARRIAGE.

3) Respect.  You've have to have a mutual respect each other. Husbands you may be consider the head of the house, but that doesn't mean your wife is in anyway inferior to you. Wives you may be his equal, but remember he is the head of the house and you should do your best to support his decisions unless they are illegal, dangerous or otherwise something that would not meet God's approval. 

4) Communication. Meaningful discussion, not just idle chitchat...there's nothing wrong with that but as couple you MUST have meaning conversations.  Maybe your husband needs to talk about his day, maybe your wife needs to talk about hers, it's your job to be the ear to listen...the shoulder to lean on. If your spouse feels the need to go else where for this, you might need to go back and examine #1 and 2. A marriage or any relationship at all is not going to last if the only conversations you have is arguments, that means that all parties involved are living in a miserable household and it's up to you to fix it...I mean fix the problem even if you have to go outside the house by visiting with your pastor or a dedicated marriage counselor don't be embarrassed by it.  Marriages are not meant to be as disposable as today's society make them out be.