Unsealed

 

Unseal my lips that I may praise You. Psalm 51:15

When you look back at the history of when Psalm 51 was written, David was going through a very tough time. He had an affair, murdered his mistresses' husband, and was dealing with all of the earthly and spiritual effects that his poor choices had brought about in his life.  Nathan, a prophet, comes to him and lovingly, but sharply rebukes him for his sin. David is convicted and repents...

What is silencing your praise? What is it that hinders you from telling God how wonderful He is? What mutes you from speaking of His goodness to others? 

Maybe like David there are areas in your life that need to be made "right" with God. Because of shame you avoid Him. Because of the guilt of your choices, you refrain from sharing Christ with others in fear they will mark you as hypocritical.  Maybe you think you've just done too much bad to ever be accepted by God. 

Remember this - Jesus would have died for you if you committed one sin or if you committed 1,000! There is no limit to the power of His sin cleansing blood and there is NOTHING that stops His unending love for YOU! (Romans 8:35-39)

Lord, I lift up every person reading this.. I pray You reveal to them that which is silencing them and keeping them from You.  Unseal their lips that they may praise You. And in the midst of their praise, may their hearts be unlocked to feel the warmth of Your unconditional love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPj5rDyNpR0&feature=related

Fear

 

 

We are all well acquainted with the emotion that bears a choke hold. It's ruthlessness. It's torment. It's an enemy to faith, a thief that robs you of life - imprisons you to a false reality.

Anxiety, depression, doubt, worry, hurt, anger, sadness, low self esteem, unworthiness. It comes disguised underneath many different emotions, but it all comes down to one thing:

FEAR.

The paralysis for some is the dread of what could happen years down the road, anxiety associated with an unpredictable economy, and for many it is the torment of what today, the next hour, the next minute will bring.

"...fear has torment." 1 John 4:18a

Fear is not only an emotion, but a spiritual force. It is very similar to faith in that both have an unshakable belief in an unseen future. Fear trusts circumstances, natural predictions, the enemy's lies, and self. Faith trusts God and what His Word says. Fear is negative faith.

Fear is an enemy of God. It in essence rips Him of His lordship in our lives. We become self focused and not God focused. We put our trust in the wisdom of man rather than in the power of God (1 Cor. 2:5). We no longer see Him for Who He is and who He desires to be in our lives... He solely becomes a gateway to Heaven, but in our day to day living He is diminished to a dusty figure placed on a shelf. 

God is love, and the Bible says that Perfect Love casts out fear. God is THAT perfect love.

"There is no fear in love (dread does not exist), but perfect love turns fears out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment. He who is afraid has not fully experienced His perfect love." 1 John 4:18

Father, we want to know Your love... Your love is our freedom. Your love removes shackles. Your love delivers us from all fear. You are not what our circumstances look like. You are not what the latest trends define You as. We commit to growing in the knowledge of who You truly are as defined in Your Word, and through that knowledge - growing in intimacy with You... We know that in experiencing that intimate love - fear has no more room in our lives. Thank You for Your love and the hope and peace it brings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uztHkNujb5o

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

Scripture Buffet

When we fail to be in God's Word and read what He has to say - we tend to create our own litmus test as to how we are doing spiritually, how obedient we are, how much better we are doing than our neighbor. We take certain Scriptures we want to give ourselves wholeheartedly to and others we conveniently pass over because they don't appeal to us, require too much of us, or they are a challenge to our personality. We deceive ourselves when we think we can pick and choose.  God isn't into serving buffets.

"Man does not live on bread alone, but on EVERY word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4

And in all truth, as obedient as we may be in the Scriptures we handpick, we are still living in disobedience.

"For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws." James 2:10

Please don't misunderstand me. I am in no way saying we are saved by our works or that our works define our Christian faith. We need the Holy Spirit working in us to be able to live a life pleasing to God. It is nothing we can do in and of ourselves. BUT it is our responsibility to align ourselves with the Holy Spirit. It is our job to cooperate with His working in us to make adjustments in us that line up with what God desires from His children.  If we truly desire to serve God, our actions will line up with our confession.

 

 

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." John 14:26

We point fingers and we whisper about others, but are we lacking in an area that just might be different? OF COURSE WE ARE! We have to get our eyes off of judging others. We have to quit comparing our lives to them and look at our lives in comparison to the Word - the whole Word. It is one thing to be concerned for a fellow believer. We should be! BUT if it is out of a heart of love, we will not shun or condemn the person, but will reach out to them.

We are saved by His grace. It's all about what Jesus did and nothing of ourselves.  We all need His continued grace and mercy each and every day because we all fall short. In different areas? Yes. Other's faults tend to look worse in our eyes when put next to our own, but not to God. He sees all shortcomings, all sin the same. We all need the same shedblood to cover us.

I think if we start viewing it as God does, the time we spend gossipping and throwing stones at others can then be used to seek Him with our whole heart. It becomes "How am I measuring up to Jesus?" Rather than "Look at them. I can't believe they call themselves a Christian."

 

If we are seeking Him with our whole heart, we will have His heart. We will view others differently. We will love them differently. We will reach out to embrace, not to crush.  We Christians are all foreigners TOGETHER in the earth. It's time we stick together, spur one another on, build one another up in the faith.  Our strengths are different. Our weaknesses are different, but we are all on the same team.


Lord, we need our eyes opened, our hearts humbled, our spirits hungry for Your Word. Jesus is the Word made flesh and we know apart from the fullness of Your Word, we limit ourselves in knowing You.  All too often times we create a god in our own image that suits our ways and our lifestyle. We want to serve You, the ONLY true and living God.

We ask for Your help to stay focused; that we wouldn't let any church tradition or teaching bind us up from searching You out more; that there'd be no sin we'd rather hold onto than You. We refuse to let this flesh of ours rule us - whether it be what we consider big sins of adultery, stealing, addiction and the like or what is categorized as small sins: "white" lies, dishonest gain, gossip, speaking ill of others etc. Help us to realize that sin is sin. It cost Jesus the same price for each and every one of them.  He paid a debt we could never pay. How dare we think it okay to take it for granted and okay "little" sins in our life as if You don't see. May our eyes be opened, Lord, to see our lives, our hidden lives how You see it. Just as Jesus told the people, "You must leave all and follow Me." May nothing in our lives be too precious to let go of for Your sake, Lord.  Please shine a light on those things we are holding onto tighter than we are You.

Kindness

 

 

Many people are inclined to react negatively due to undealt with, unhealed issues in their own lives. Every person is fighting a battle of some sort. That is why it is important to lay aside your natural response to take offense, and love the "unlovely."

We haven't been called to give people what they deserve. God has commanded us to treat others as we wish to be treated. We are also shown in Scripture that whatever it is we do to another (negative or positive) we are doing to Jesus Himself. And YES, this includes our spouses and our children :)  

So before you lash out and choose harshness over kindness, pause and picture Jesus standing before you. All hurt inflicted on another is grieving the very heart of God.

"Rudeness, yelling, anger, and swearing are a weak man’s imitation of strength." (Author Unknown)

Let's be kind to one another. Kindness makes you more attractive :)

(Ephesians 4:31-32, Matthew 7:12, Luke 10:27, Proverbs 20:3, Proverbs 29:20, James 1:19, Matthew 25:45)

Power in His Name

 

 

I overheard my 4 year old son, out of the blue, declaring, "There's power in the Name of Jesus! Grrr!"

Made me chuckle at the surety in the statement coming from such a small vessel, but it threw me quickly into a moment of reflection. How often we forget what's behind that Name: JESUS.

"Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the Name above all other names, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)

EVERY other name is subject to the Name of Jesus!

What "name" are you battling? Is it sickness? Depression? Anger? Addiction? Poverty? Relationship problems? Begin to speak His Name over your situation. Even if you can only muster enough strength to whisper, "Jesus" - continue to do it over and over again. There is unfathomable power and authority behind that Name! (Matthew 28:18)

 

Salvation in the Name of Jesus:

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21

 

Demons flee and protection found in the Name of Jesus:

“But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the Name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.” Acts 16:18

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17

 

Strength and soundness of mind in the Name of Jesus:

“And His name, through faith in His Name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:16

 

Healing in the Name of Jesus:

“Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the Name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:30

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. By faith in the Name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ Name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” Acts 3:6

 

The Name that saves. The Name that heals. The Name that strengthens. The Name that calms the storm. The Name of hope. The Name of victory. Jesus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXH0MjGe10s

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name.” John 20:30-31

Follow the Leader

 

 

Are you trying to lead the Lord where you want to go or are you allowing Him to lead you where He wants you to be? Time to relinquish control and play "follow the Leader." You can trust Him...

"Those who are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5

"Thus says the Lord, Your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8

“For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.” Psalm 48:14

Stones

 

Mistake is made

Which way to turn

Judged and battered

Bruised and torn

 

What got her here?

Can anybody tell?

Or will you just join

And throw stones as well?

 

Does anyone here

Know her heart?

Why she was weak?

Why she fell apart?

You’d rather assume

Make a judgment call

Any of you standing

Beware lest you fall

 

You expose others

Yet hidden you remain

How quick you forget

I see all sin the same…

Remember the Scriptures about the teachers of the law who threw a woman caught in the act of adultery at Jesus’ feet saying, “The Law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” Jesus then stooped to the ground, writes in the sand, and tells them, “He without sin, cast the first stone.” The men walk away one by one. Jesus says to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one condemn you? Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:1-12)

Many of us have read that passage and marvel at God’s mercy. We imagine ourselves in this broken woman’s shoes and the relief she must have felt having her life miraculously spared. We look at the “accusers” and are disgusted at how heartless they were, how devastating a public display of sin must have felt like, and feel a sense of thankfulness that “nowadays” is not like that anymore.

As I read these passages again, I found myself zooming in on the “accusers” once again, but in a totally different light. Could it be that we could fall into the same religious trap as these men? Sharing on public venues, text gossip, and calling to give “prayer requests” for one of our brothers or sisters in Christ who has fallen head face into sin? Merciless just like the Pharisees; parading around with a sole desire to make other’s wrongs known.

So is it really any different than it was that day in the temple yard? With the technology today, news travels fast. Within a day’s time a global gossip network has been formed, fully armed with stones in hand. Just like that… overnight – you become a leader of “sowing discord among the brethren” – leading others, many in whom you do not even know, into abomination.

“These six things the Lord hates, Yes, the seventh is an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Jesus is saying the same thing to us, “Is any among you without sin? If not, then drop the stones. Stop mimicking the enemy of your soul, the accuser of the brethren. If you love Me, walk as I walked.” (Rev. 12:10, 1 John 2:6)

As Christ followers, we are called to be like Him. The Christian life is about being transformed daily into His image, His likeness, His way of doing things. With that said, let’s look again at the opening passage of Scripture. “He without sin, cast the first stone.” Notice – Jesus, 100% sin free, yet you never see Him pick up a stone. He didn’t come to demolish what was already broken, but to restore it. (John 3:17) 

“If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.” (Galatians 6:1)

 

Prayer:

Lord, may our hearts break for the hurting, for their reconciliation to You. May we never use another’s brokenness as a sick form of entertainment that fuels our self-righteousness. You are not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance. We want that heart. We want a heart that is broken for the lost and for our fellow brethren who have entangled themselves in the affairs of another path.

We know that bad company corrupts good habits, so Lord, help us remove ourselves from those who choose to gossip and slander, from those who pull us away from doing Your will, from those who keep us flesh conscious rather than spirit conscious. We want to be promoters of unity not sowers of discord. 

 

Forgive us for the damage we have caused others when we have not used our tongue to bring life.

(Rom. 1:29, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Cor. 5:20, Prov. 20:19, 2 Thess. 3:11, 1 Cor. 15:33, Psalm 133:1, Prov. 6:14, Psalm 34:13, Prov. 18:21)