Devotion: Selfish Love

When was the last time you checked out your love life?  Is the kind of love that you have a self-centered, self-seeking, or self-interested kind of love?  Do you only love someone when there is something in it for you?  Is your love base on what you can get from someone?  Basically, do you have a selfish kind of love?

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (Timothy 3:1-5).

Devotion: The Wages Of Sin

Recently we talked about how deadly sin was.  We found in scripture that, “…the wages of sin is death …” (Romans 6:23).  In that discussion we mentioned that just as we expect to receive “compensation or a wage” for working in any job, be it full-time or part-time, we should expect to receive “compensation or a wage” for working or living in sin, be it full-time or part-time.  Although the “compensation or wage” for employment is usually some type of monetary benefit, the compensation or wage for sin is “death.”  We noted that this passage was really telling us “the wages, the salary, the pay, the income, the take-home pay” of sin, no matter the amount of sin, is “death.”  Working in sin, playing in sin, living in sin, or just existing in sin pays a benefit, which according to scripture is death.

Devotion: When You Hurt, You Are Not Alone

For one reason or another, most of the world is hurting.  There appears to be this never-ending story of one crisis after another after another after another happening throughout the world.  There does not appear to be an end to the suffering that we see in the world.  As we “wrestle daily against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12), there are times when it feels that we are fighting these battles alone.  Even though people are fighting many of the same battles, we feel that no one else can relate to the hurt, to the pain, to the suffering, or to the loneliness that we are going through in our battles.  There are times when we hurt and we feel that we hurt alone.

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.  And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:6; 8).

Devotion: Sin Is Deadly

“For the wages of sin is death …” (Romans 6:23).

Most believers are very familiar with this passage of scripture, but few have given any deep thought to what this passage is actually telling us.  Just as you expect to receive “compensation or a wage” for working in any job, be it full-time or part-time, you should expect to receive “compensation or a wage” for working or living in sin, be it full-time or part-time.  While the “compensation or wage” for employment is usually some type of monetary benefit, the compensation or wage for sin is “death.”  Therefore, this passage is really saying to us that “the wages, the salary, the pay, the income, the take-home pay” of sin, no matter that amount of sin, is “death.”  Imagine that, working in sin, playing in sin, living in sin, or just existing in sin pays a benefit, which according to scripture is death.

Now, there are some so-called believers who still have pieces of their old sinful nature still living within them.  While they have been able to put to death many aspects of their old sinful natures, many choose to keep souvenirs, keepsakes, and mementos, in an attempt to cling to particular portions of their old sinful life.  And while there are varying amounts being kept, these tokens only serve as reminders of a life gone by, a life that was completely ruled by a sinful nature.  The problem with keeping these souvenirs, these tokens alive, it gives opportunity for temptation to do its thing.

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14-15).

For every man is tempted, but he is tempted by his own passions and by his own desires.  His own lust serves as the bait for the temptation.  Once the trap is baited, it is man’s lower nature, his fleshly desires that draws him away and entices him.  Then once the temptation goes from the confines of man’s mind and he acts upon it, he then gives birth to sin.  Once sin is born, it grows up, matures, and then brings with it “the wages,” which we now know is “death.”

Traditionally, sin has been defined as “a violation of divine law.”  When we think of sin, we usually think of it as “personal sin.”  Typically, “personal sin” is defined in one of two ways.  There is “the sin of commission,” where an individual does something that is prohibited.  Then there is “the sin of omission,” where an individual fails to do what is required of him or her.  The problem with engaging in sin is that sin will take you where you don't what to go, will keep you longer than you want to stay, and will cost you more than you want to pay.  Nevertheless, know this, you may have the ability to choose the sin, the one thing that you do not get to do and cannot do is to choose is the consequences of sin.  Though a sinful act does not end in death each and every time, death is one of the possible outcomes each and every time a sinful act is committed.  Sin is deadly, so keep in mind that “the wages, the salary, the pay, the income, the take-home pay” for working or living in sin, be it full-time or be it part-time, is “death.”

We pray that this inspirational message will give you a new perspective on what “the wages of sin” actually refers to.  We also pray that this message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Light and Easy

As a child of God, you have the right to good health, wealth, and total life prosperity.  You have a divine inheritance to the best in life, deserving all the Father has to offer.  Jesus tells us that he come that we might have life and have that life more abundantly (John 10:10).  Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10).  Many believe the son of man’s main purpose for coming was to save individual lost souls, but truth be told, saving lost souls was the by-product of what he actually did.

There were many things lost that Jesus saved, but one of the more important things was the authority (dominion) (Matthew 28:18) that the first man had lost (Luke 4:6), in the garden when he ate of the fruit (Genesis 3:6-7).  This is how the devil became known as “the god of this world” (II Corinthians 4:4) or “the prince of this world” (John 12:31).  And while you may have the right to good health, wealth, and total life prosperity there be a thief, an adversary if you will, that is come to kill your good health, steal your wealth, and to destroy your total life prosperity (John 10:10).  He walks about like a roaring lion, seeking those that he may devour (I Peter 5:8).

In getting back this authority (dominion), Jesus also gave mankind the ability to cast out devils and to lay hands on and heal the sick (Mark 16:17-20), along with several other things.  Jesus, who redeemed us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13), also gave man the privilege to become a child of God (John 1:12-13), so that all could share in the blessing of Abraham and receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:14).  As a child of God, man now has the right to the inheritance of the new covenant, a better covenant, built with better promises (Hebrews 8:6-13), the right to a divine inheritance to the best in life, deserving all the Father has to offer (Romans 8:14-17), which includes the right to good health, wealth, and total life prosperity (III John 1:2).

Jesus tells us that we will have trials and sorrow, but we are to be of good cheer because he has overcome the world (John 16:33).  And because we belong to God, we have already won our fight against those who are against Christ.  We have something within us that is much stronger than anything we can face in this world, “for greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (I John 4:4).  Jesus says, “Come to me and I will give you rest—all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke.  Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens” (Matthew 11:28-30 TLB).  If you are have a hard time in this life, this is not the way life was meant to be.  Jesus has provided everything you need to make this journey “light and easy” but you have to come to him in order for him to help you.  And as he helps you, he will give you rest.

We always give thanks to God for the ability to share our inspirational message with you.  We constantly pray that you will be blessed as well as informed by them and that you will be the better for having read it.  If you are blessed by any of our messages, please share them so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: The Deceitfulness of Riches

Scripture upon scripture has revealed that God wants his children to prosper and he enjoys helping us to prosper.  Misinterpretations have caused many to reject the prosperity message, seeing it in a negative light.  Since “no man can serve two masters, because he will either love the one and hate the other or he will keep or hold on to one and have not respect for the other” (Matthew 6:24), prosperity has been taken off the table.  However, the Bible makes it clear that there is a right way or a godly way to prosperity and that there is a wrong way or an ungodly way to prosperity.

“Then someone called from the crowd, ‘Sir, please tell my brother to divide my father’s estate with me.’  But Jesus replied, ‘Man, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?  Beware!  Don’t always be wishing for what you don’t have.  For real life and real living are not related to how rich we are.’  Then he gave an illustration: ‘A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.  In fact, his barns were full to overflowing—he couldn’t get everything in.  He thought about his problem, and finally exclaimed, ‘I know—I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones!  Then I’ll have room enough.  And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “Friend, you have enough stored away for years to come.  Now take it easy!  Wine, women, and song for you!”’  But God said to him, ‘Fool!  Tonight you die.  Then who will get it all?’  Yes, every man is a fool who gets rich on earth but not in heaven” (Luke 12:13-21 TLB).

Although this rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops, his only concern or problem was that, “his barns were full to overflowing and he couldn’t get everything in.”  His biggest problem was that he did not have enough room to store all that he had amassed.  He thought he was the source of his prosperity, which is why he had the conversation with himself about what he had done and what he was going to do.  But God revealed to him “the deceitfulness of his riches,” eventually saying “every man is a fool who gets rich on earth but not in heaven.”

Before you throw this message under the bus, like other prosperity messages, keep in mind that we stated, “there is a right way or a godly way to prosperity and that there is a wrong way or an ungodly way to prosperity.”  Most people use the world’s roadmap to obtain their riches and/or to measure their wealth.  When we are the source of our financial prosperity and not God, we worry about everything and we tend to take credit for everything that we have amassed.  However, when God is the source of our prosperity, we do not have to worry about anything.  God’s roadmap is different from the world’s roadmap.  This is what God is talking about when he says, “every man is a fool who gets rich on earth but not in heaven.”  If we used the world’s roadmap to get rich and to measure our worth, then “we are fools.”

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth where they can erode away or may be stolen.  Store them in heaven where they will never lose their value and are safe from thieves.  If your profits are in heaven, your heart will be there too” (Matthew 6:19-21).

This rich man tried to store all of his wealth on earth, in barns no less.  None of his profits were stored in heaven and his heart was not on the things of God.  Scripture tells us that “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22).  According to this passage, it is “the blessing of the Lord” that makes a person rich.  When our prosperity comes this way, there is no sorrow added with it.  It appears that having “the blessing or favor of the Lord” is the key to receiving true prosperity God’s way.  With “the blessing or favor of the Lord,” we do not have the burden or the weight of producing and/or maintaining our own riches.  “The blessing or favor of the Lord” will bless all that we do and make us prosperous with no sorry or bad success added, for the sole purpose of enabling us to be a blessing to others.

To strive or chase after money as our main purpose or goal in life is the lure or “the deceitfulness of riches.”  It is this love of money, when money holds first place in your heart, that scripture says, “is the root of all evil” (I Timothy 6:6-10).  It is this love of money that leads many down that dark path where they will do all kinds of wrong things to get it.  It has the same properties as being addicted to something, where a person will do anything to satisfy that desire, that itch, or that need for more.  This is completely different from having money and knowing God’s purpose for having the money.  When correctly understood, prosperity is not for us, where we amass as much wealth as we can for ourselves.  This is “the deceitfulness of riches,” because “real life and real living are not related to how rich we are.”  The primary goal for the prosperity is for us to be a channel for money to flow through so that God can use us, “that he may establish his covenant” and that we may be a blessing to others.  Our personal wealth is a by-product of having “the blessing or favor of the Lord” in our life and is not the primary goal for the prosperity.  Do not allow yourself to be “deceived by the riches.”

As always, we pray that our inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Faith And Patience

Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations?  Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems.  For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete (James 1:2-4 TLB).  We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient.  And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.  Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:3-5 TLB).

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust and desires, and enticed.  Then when lust and desire hath conceived, it bringeth forth and gives birth to sin: and sin, when it is finished and full-grown, bringeth forth death.  Do not err and be deceived, my beloved brethren.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness or variation, neither shadow of turning (James 1:12-17).

Behold, we count them happy and blessed which endure.  Ye have heard of the patience and perseverance of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful and compassionate, and of tender mercy (James 5:11).  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with and surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset and ensnare us, and let us run with patience and perseverance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author, the originator, the finisher and the perfecter of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Be strong!  Be courageous!  Do not be afraid of them!  For the Lord your God will be with you.  He will neither fail you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6 TLB).  Do your best to improve your faith by adding goodness, understanding, self-control, patience, devotion to God, concern for others, and love (II Peter 1:5-7 CEV).  May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light (Colossians 1:11-12 NRVS).

The devil wants you to think that the trials you go through means that God does not love you.  Do not be deceived.  Do not mistake God’s patience for his absence, for his timing is perfect and his presence is constant—he is always with you.  Happy is the person who learns to wait as he prays and never loses his patience, for God’s time is the best time.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  Regardless, have faith and rejoice in the middle of all of your trials, because they, your trials, will produce the patience and endurance that you need to face anything that comes your way.  A moment of patience in a moment of anger saves thousand moments of regret.  Never lose hope for there is always hope.  For in this hope we were saved.  Now hope that is seen is not hope.  For who hopes for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience (Romans 8:24-25 NIV).  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12 NIV).  For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete (James 1:4 TLB).

We again give thanks to God for this avenue that he has given us to share his word through our commentary.  We also thank God for the accompanying inspirational message that he also provided.  We continually pray that God’s grace will be upon you and that these devotionals will be a blessing to you.  If you are blessed by them, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings. - KW

Devotion: Accept God’s Acceptance

So, if you be in Christ, then you be “a new creature” (II Corinthians 5:17).  You are no longer a part of Adam’s sinful race, a race that has a fixed moral nature in sin.  No, you are now part of a new race, a spiritual race, created solely by Jesus through death and resurrection.  This new spiritual race has a nature that is fixed in righteousness.  No longer do we “know good and are unable to do it.”  No longer do we “know evil and are unable to resist it” (Ephesians 2:1-3).  We have been given “a second chance.”

“But God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead—only by his undeserved favor have we ever been saved—and lifted us up from the grave into glory along with Christ, where we sit with him in the heavenly realms—all because of what Christ Jesus did.  And now God can always point to us as examples of how very, very rich his kindness is, as shown in all he has done for us through Jesus Christ.  Because of his kindness, you have been saved through trusting Christ.  And even trusting is not of yourselves; it too is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it.  It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others” (Ephesians 2:4-10 TLB).

Because God, who is full of mercy and because of his intense love for us, he gave us “a second chance.”  Though we were spiritually dead through our sins, it is by his grace that we have been saved.  Because he loved us so much, he gave us back our lives, when he raised Jesus Christ from the dead.  Only through his undeserved favor, God also lifted us up from the grave, raising us from the dead with Christ and into glory where we are seated with him in the heavenly realms because of what Christ had done.  For it is by grace and the kindness of God that we have been saved through our faith in Jesus Christ.  This salvation is a gift, freely given to us by God so that no one can boast by works, deeds or merits and take the glory that belongs solely to God for him or herself.  It is God himself who made us what we are; his handiwork that was created in Jesus Christ for good works which God had pre-planned long, long ago that we might spend these lives in helping others.

“For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins” (Colossians 1:13 NLT).

We have been delivered out of the dominion of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of his dear son, Jesus Christ.  Through his death, Jesus was able to purchase our freedom, forgive our sins, and reconcile us back into agreement with God (Ephesians 2:14-22).  When we were enemies, haters of God, we were brought back to God through the death of his son (Romans 5:10).  Actually, the truth is that “God was in Christ, reconciling the world back unto himself” (II Corinthians 5:19).  Yes, folks, that is stated correctly.  God was in Christ, restoring mankind back unto himself, even when we were yet still sinners (Romans 5:10).  Through what Christ did, God made peace and brought us back to himself (II Corinthians 5:18).  In doing this, God gave us “the ministry of reconciliation,” entrusting us with his message of reconciliation.  This honor of preaching this news of peace belongs to those who are in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).  Those who are in Christ be a new creature, a new creation if you will.  Remember, it was through his death that Jesus took two groups and made them part of himself.  In making them a part of himself, Jesus was able to fuse the two together into a new creation, into a new man.  It is this new creation, this new man that are the ambassadors for Christ, his representatives (II Corinthians 5:20).  God uses this new man to urge others to come into his favor, to be at peace with him, and to be reconciled to him.  Now that we have been reconciled back, it does make one wonder what blessings God may have for those who come into his favor.

We pray that this inspirational message will be a blessing to you as well as informative.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings. - KW

Devotion: According To Your Faith

Let us continue with the “snapshot” of you and your faith.  Remember that this snapshot is not meant to be a picture of where you wanted to be with your faith but one that will reveal where you are and where your faith currently stands.  Once you determine where you are, you can determine the course that you need to take to get you where you want to be with your faith and then, then you will be able to determine when you reach your goal.  Previously, we covered “great faith” (Matthew 8:5-10); “little faith” (Matthew 14:22-31); “weak in faith” (Romans 4:17-19); “strong (strengthened) in faith,” (Romans 4:20-21); and “full of faith” (Acts 6:1-5).

FAITH UNFEIGNED (SINCERE FAITH) - Now the end (purpose) of the commandments is charity (love) out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of “faith unfeigned (sincere faith)” (I Timothy 1:5).

SHIPWRECKED FAITH - This charge (command) I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee (previously made concerning you), that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put (rejected) away concerning faith have made (suffered) shipwreck (I Timothy 1:18-19).

FAITH NOT WAVERING (CONSTANT) - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not (without reproach); and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in “faith, nothing wavering (not doubting).”  For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord (James 1:5-7).

RICH FAITH - Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world “rich (to be rich in) in faith,” and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him (James 2:5)?

PERFECT FAITH (MATURE or GROWN-UP) - Seest thou how faith wrought (working) with his works, and by works was “faith made perfect (complete)” (James 2:22)?

OVERCOMING FAITH (WORLD) - For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that “overcometh the world, even our faith” (I John 5:4).

EXCEEDINGLY GROWING FAITH - We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet (fitting), because that your “faith groweth exceedingly,” and the charity (love) of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth (II Thessalonians 1:3).

We hope this snapshot has helped you to locate your picture of faith so that you can determine where you truly are with your faith.  From this, we hope that you will know what you need to do and where you need to go to maximize your faith.  If you were able to determine where you are, then you will be able to determine the course that you will need to take in order to get to where you desire to be with your faith.  Finally, we pray that you will exercise your faith so that you can reach your goal, for you have truly been given the measure of faith.  And above all, do not forget to feed your faith, it will need the nourishment in order to grow strong and healthy.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).

Faith comes by “hearing” (listening) and “hearing” (listening) by “the word of God.”  Please note that this does not state that faith comes by praying, it comes by hearing.  We know that prayer changes things but praying for more faith will not get you more faith.  You get all that you are going to get, that measure of faith (Romans 12:3), but what you do with what you are given is entirely up to you.  Your faith must grow in order for you to profit from having it.  Your faith must be developed.  To develop your faith, it must be fed, for nothing grows unless it is fed.  If you feed your faith you may grow up into Him (Ephesians 4:15), grow up in the fullness of your salvation (I Peter 2:2), grow in spiritual strength (grace) and become better acquainted with our Lord (II Peter 3:18).  However, be very careful of what you hear though.  You are surrounded by many things that get into your mind and your heart—things that try to influence you to limit your faith.  Everything in your Christian life depends on and is according to your faith.  Therefore, grow it, develop it, and exercise it; it’s up to you to do it.

Again we pray that our commentary along with the inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Are You Strong In The Lord?

Imagine believing yourself to be a believer, only to find out what you believed you were, you were not.  Imagine believing yourself to be a follower of Jesus, only to find out that the one whom you claimed to follow, was not the one that you needed to follow.  Imagine believing yourself to be saved because you believed you joined the family, only to find out that the family you joined, was not the right one.  Imagine believing yourself to be free from condemnation, only to find out you have been held in captivity, because you have rejected the knowledge needed to make yourself free.  Imagine all that you believed was based in untruths, based in deception, based in lies, and based in fiction.  Imagine believing in a truth that has been manufactured by the great deceiver himself, all for the sole purpose of taking you out of the kingdom of heaven.  Imagine not even being aware of any of this until it was too late.

We are so eager to meet Jesus that we see him in pots and pans, on building walls and in sidewalks, and in all kinds of food such as bread, chips, tortillas, bananas, and even in the bite mark of a Kit Kat candy bar.  The problem is that all of these images mirror the paintings that we currently have of Jesus, which are someone else’s interpretation of what they believe Jesus to have looked like.  The Bible never gives us a clear physical description of what Jesus supposedly looked like, yet we believe we are able to see images of him in so many things.  God warns us that “there will come false Christs and false prophets who will give great signs and do great wonders, so much so that if it were possible, these things could turn the very elect from the true way” (Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22).  The Message (MSG) puts it this way:

If anyone tries to flag you down, calling out, ‘Here’s the Messiah!’ or points, ‘There he is!’ don’t fall for it.  Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere.  Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better.  So watch out.  I’ve given you fair warning” (Mark 13:21-23 MSG).

This is a very illuminating passage.  The fact that the great signs and great wonders of the false Christs and the false prophets are so convincing that these things could trick “the very elect,” those who ought to know better, means that all who are not “the very elect” are in trouble of being deceived.  Do you know to whom “the very elect” refer?  Are you sure about that definition?  The possibility that “the very elect” could be deceived is a little disturbing and should raise all kinds of red flags.  While many believe they are “the very elect,” the possibility does exist that they may not be what they think they are.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?  and in thy name have cast out devils?  and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).

Scriptures tell us that not everyone who says, “Lord, Lord” will enter into the kingdom of heaven.  For they will ask, “Have we not prophesied in your name?  Have we not cast out demons in your name?  And have we not done many wonderful works in your name?”  But Jesus will say to them, “I never knew you, therefore, depart from me you that work iniquity.”  Does this mean that “the many” who claim to be “in Christ” are not what they profess to be?  Are “the many” already deceived?  Here is the disturbing part, they, “the many,” will not find out any of this until the end, when it will be too late

When the judgment comes, “the many” will come to the Lord and tell of all the things that they have done in his name, but he will tell them to depart from him.  You see the deception is not what one would think or even recognize.  Most recognize “the works of iniquity” and know that these things are never of God.  Therefore, one can see Jesus telling them who do or practice such things to depart from him.  But the one thing that many fail to recognize is “to whom” the Lord is actually speaking.  While it appears that the Lord is referring to those “workers of iniquities” when he tells them to depart from him, he is actually speaking to those that “he never knew.”  Because they never truly received Christ and trusted in his name, they were not given the privilege to become “a child of God” (John 1:12-13).

The sad part is they truly believed, yet they will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  They truly believed, yet they were never part of the family.  They were never part of the family because they believed in someone who was not the real deal.  They never truly received Jesus, so they were not given the privilege to become a child of God.  They believed they received, only to discover that the one they received, was from the one who continues to deceive the world.  They believed in the message of the one who can appear as “Christ’s apostle” and whose servants can be transformed to appear like “godly ministers” (II Corinthians 11:12-15).  They were deceived by the false Christs and false prophets.  “Are you strong in the Lord?”  If this message causes unrest in your spirit, then you may not be as “strong in the Lord” as you should be.  The good news is that it is not too late to make a change.

We pray that today’s message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings. - KW

Devotion: The Fall Of The Devil

We have had several discussions about the wicked one we call Satan.  We know that the scriptures do not reveal much detail about this entity, but the lack of verifiable facts has not stopped the speculation about him and his existence.  We know from our earlier discussion that there are no indications as to when the revolt happened or even when the fall took place.  The Bible is somewhat vague about how he became known as Satan and even vaguer about his origins.  We know that the scriptures do not reveal much detail about this entity, especially in the Old Testament, mainly because there was not much man could do about him; mankind was sort of at his mercy.  The one question that remains unanswered from our previous discussions is “How did he become evil?”  Many think or believe God created Satan, but this does not appear to be the case.  God created the entity known as “Lucifer, son of the morning, or Day Star” (Isaiah 14:12), who happened to be one of God’s highest angels, created perfect in beauty, wisdom, and morality (Ezekiel 28:11-19).  Satan appears to come along later, but the question is when?

“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning” (I John 3:8).  “For the devil has been sinning from the beginning.  The earth is given into the hand of the wicked” (Job 9:24).  “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:9).

The above scriptures make it very clear that the devil sinned from the very beginning.  However, much of the problem with the entity called Satan is his beginnings.  It is not clearly defined in Scripture when Satan actually came into being  So, what was Satan’s beginning?

There are several theories in place where people attempt to explain the existence and nature of Satan.  Some subscribe to the “Genesis Gap or Ruin-Reconstruction theory.”  They believe that something happened between the time when God created the heavens and the earth and when the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.  The “Genesis Gap theory” uses the period between the first and second verses of “Genesis” to account for many of those unanswerable questions about “the age of the earth and the age of the universe.”  This is and continues to be the biggest hindrance for many as they struggle to accept the truth concerning the Word of God.  The evidence for the theory is derived primarily from scientist, who have found through scientific testing, that the earth is billions upon billions of years old.  The teachers of this theory use these scientific findings and the biblical teachings to cover the unexplained chronological gaps that exist between the two.  In the “Genesis Gap theory” they believe that a catastrophic event, a cosmic war by Satan destroyed the original creation.  They believe that because of the fall and the revolt of Satan, led to some type of judgment that befell the earth.  There are many theories that exist similar to the “Genesis Gap theory.”  Common to all of these theories is the belief that the fall happened before the creation of man because of the serpent approaching Eve.  They share in the belief that the fall of Satan had already taken place and he used the serpent to express himself.

One of the biggest problems for us was the word “theory.”  By definition, “a theory” is “the formulation of an opinion or a belief about something arrived at based on incomplete and inconclusive facts or information through speculation or conjecture.”  The bottom line is that a theory is someone else’s best guess.  Now, this does not automatically mean the guess is completely wrong, it just means that one should exercise caution in what is accepted as truth.  At this point in our walk, we have left the world of theory and have since tried to live in the world of truth, supported by biblical facts and evidence.  However, with what appears to be a lack of verifiable facts pertaining to the origin of Satan and his fall, are we to stop short in our quest for truth by compromising and accepting “the theory?”  So often, this is the case.  Many believers have searched to find the truth about the God we all claim to serve, only to compromise and accept “the theory.”

Because they compromise, they fail in their efforts to seek wisdom and know-how, to get understanding, to get the ability to use good sense in their thinking, in their judgment, and in their actions, and to get the ability to perceive and to explain the meaning or nature of things (Proverbs 4:5-7).  Because they compromise, they remain confused by every wind of doctrine and/or new teaching as they are influenced by those people who trick them with lies so clever that they, the lies, sound like the truth (Ephesians 4:14).  The Bible is a mystery book, full of hidden keys that will unlock all of the mysteries contained within, but we really have to diligently and earnestly seek these keys.  But once we find the keys, the Bible ceases to be a mystery book and becomes a message book for God’s children.  Sometimes the messages are hard to see, “but God has revealed them to us by his Spirit:  for the Spirit searches all the things, even the deep things of God” (I Corinthians 2:10).  We will have more on the entity known as Satan in a future commentary, where we will revisit the question, “How did he become evil?”

As always, we pray that today’s inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Resist The Devil By Faith

Who is this wicked one we call Satan?  The scriptures do not reveal much detail about this entity even though there is a lot of speculation pertaining to him and his existence.  There is no time period that explains exactly when he came into existence.  According to scripture, there are no indications as to when, if any, a revolt happened or when the fall occurred.  The Bible is somewhat vague about how he became known as Satan and his origins.  The lack of verifiable facts has not stopped the speculation about his existence or lack thereof.

“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:9).

Lucifer was originally created as one of God’s highest angels.  Satan, who possesses all angelic attributes, is believed to have led some of the angels in a rebellion.  Many describe the devil as the originator and chef practitioner of sin (I John 3:8), as that wicked one (I John 5:18), as a thief and a destroyer (John 10:10), as a deceiver (Revelation 12:9), as a murderer and liar (John 8:44), and as the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10).  Many believe his craftiness and deceitful nature was first depicted during the fall of mankind in Genesis 3:1-13, and in fact he can masquerade as an angel of light (II Corinthians 11:14), as he deceives the whole world (Revelation 12:19).  Many believe that he is in opposition to all things of God by counterfeiting the works of God and destroying all that is good.  The phrase “deceiveth the whole world” (Revelation 12:9) is a definitive statement, that is a statement of summary, which summarizes his actions in the earth realm.  During every free moment in the earth realm, his only purpose supposedly has been to deceive the world.

To “deceive” is to tell a “lie.”  He is accused of being the father of lies and the father of deceit.  The stories go on to say that if he can plant a lie, get you to accept it, then get you to act upon it, he can gain control of your mind in the battle for your soul.  Supposedly he wants you to think on things that are not true, keeping you confused, so that you will not know God’s will for your life.  An unmaintained, undisciplined thought-life occurs from the deceptions brought on by him.  His main goal is to cause you not to maintain your thought-life.  He is out to deceive you so that he might gain access to your soul through your mind.  Some say he is not a creator and has used the same tactics as he did during his first encounter with mankind.  Some claim he uses the same methods today that he used in that encounter with Eve in the garden.  Why would he change his methods of operation since they worked so well for him in the past against them that were pure in heart and mind?  They had no thoughts that were not pure to confuse their minds and no bad genes passed down for past generations to deal with like you do, but he used temptation to defeat them.  What he used to defeat them then, is what he will use to defeat you today.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8).

Be sober (meaning clear minded) and be vigilant (meaning watchful) because your great enemy walks around like a hungry, roaring lion looking for some victim to devour.  Walks around like a hungry, roaring lion meaning he walks around roaring like a hungry lion, but he is not a lion.  Because he is the father of lies, he wants you to believe that he is a lion waiting to devour you.  He continuously travels through the earth realm, going back and forth in the earth, and walking up and down in it (Job 1:7), seeking souls to devour.  To seek whom he may devour means he has to seek those who are willing to play into his hands.  He does not have the right to devour anyone unless his or her action allows him to do that.  He must have your permission to devour you.  If you are looking for something or someone, it means that you do not have it or have not found them yet; therefore, he has no control over you unless you let him find you.

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).

He has had many years to study human nature, but this does not mean we should be ignorant to his ways either (II Corinthians 2:11).  While you have been given authority over the power of the enemy, to resist him by faith, you should never underestimate him.  He just may prove not to be who you have been led to believe he is.

We forever pray that this inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Endure Hardship

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (I Corinthians 10:13 NIV).

Too many so-called believers still have pieces of their old sinful nature still living within them.  While many have been able to put to death many aspects of their sinful natures, many choose to keep souvenirs, clinging to particular portions of their old life.  While there are varying amounts being kept, these tokens only serve as reminders of a life gone by, a life that was completely ruled by a sinful nature.  The problem with keeping these souvenirs, these tokens alive, it gives opportunity for temptation to do its thing.

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14-15).

Every man is tempted, but he is tempted by his own passions and by his own desires.  His own lust serves as the bait for the temptation.  Once the trap is baited, it is man’s lower nature, his fleshly desires that draws him away and entices him.  Then once the temptation goes from the confines of man’s mind and he acts upon it, he then gives birth to sin.  Once sin is born, it grows up, matures, and then brings with it, death.

“But remember this—the wrong desires that come into your life aren’t anything new and different.  Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you.  And no temptation is irresistible.  You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says.  He will show you how to escape temptation’s power so that you can bear up patiently against it” (I Corinthians 10:11-13 TLB).

While the old cliché says, “God never gives you more than you can bear,” we actually see that God will not allow you to be tempted beyond your capability to “stand up against the temptation, if you choose.”  But you have to be willing to find the way of escape and not allow that old sinful nature and the temptation to give birth to sin.  It is then, when you find that way of escape, that you will be able to endure and “stand up against it.”  Remember, God will provide a way out, a way to escape, but you have to look for it and be willing to use it.

We pray that today’s inspirational message will be a blessing to you and we pray that you will share them with others so that they may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: God's Mercy

One night, after Solomon had finished building the temple where God would choose as the place of sacrifice, God appeared to Solomon and said:

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14).

God went on to tell Solomon that if the people, which are called by his name, would humble themselves and pray, search for him, seeking his face, and turn from their evil wicked ways, he would hear them from heaven and would forgive them of their sins.  He would also heal their land.  This appears to be a reoccurring theme with God.

“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:1-2).

John the Baptist preached in the wilderness and taught that all should be baptized as a sign that they had chosen to repent, that is, choosing to turn their back on sin and turn to God so that he could forgive them of their sins.

“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).

Jesus also preached a very similar message of repentance, instructing all he encountered to turn from their sins and to turn to God so that he could forgive them of their sins.  Jesus was once quoted as saying to the scribes and Pharisees, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17).

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

Even Peter, who had the opportunity to speak to the crowd after healing the crippled man who sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple, told them to repent, to change their mind and attitude toward God, to turn away from their sins and turn to God so that he could cleanse away their sins.

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10).

Therefore, humble yourself in the sight of God and he will lift you up.  As you give yourself humbly to God, draw close to him and he will draw close to you.  God wants you to turn from your evil wicked ways and to turn to him.  God has been so patiently waiting for you, without punishment, for you to repent or to change your way of thinking about sin and seek him so that he can forgive you of your sins.  God’s kindness and his goodness are meant to lead you to repentance (Romans 2:4).  This is “God’s mercy” in action, at its best.  But do not be deceived, for justice, judgment, and condemnation will come to all who choose to continue in their evil wicked ways and refuse to repent or change their thinking about their sins.

We pray this inspirational message will give you a new perspective on what is meant by “God’s mercy.”  We also pray that this message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: How To Minister Healing

Do you know that God wants you well?  Yes, that is right.  God wants you well; he wants you healed.  However, many Christians believe that God is the creator of such things like physical pain, sicknesses, accidents, death, and other tragedies.  They believe that he carries these things out just to chasten them.  They read their bibles and see that God causes things to happen, which becomes the boundaries to their knowledge.  They have listened to the theological and the traditional teachings and have never once stepped outside of that institutional box, never questioning those things that they have been taught and never questioning those things that just do not make sense.  They are unaware that the Old Testament scriptures are used to support this argument, more so than those of the New Testament, because the New Testament portrays God as a very willing healer and life giver.  They are unaware that God says he changes not (Malachi 3:6).  They are unaware that what God was in the beginning is what he is today and what he will be in the tomorrows.  And since those things written in the Old Testament came first, they are steadfast in their belief that it is God who causes these things to happen.

So, the questions we need to answer are: “Does God put cancer on someone’s body to teach him or her long-suffering and faithfulness?  Does he cause some tragedy to befall someone just to teach him or her to have more patience?”  These questions have divided the Christian community.  Truth be told, physical pain, sicknesses, accidents, death, and other tragedies actually come from the devil (The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; John 10:10) and not from God.  God will allow these things to happen but he does not cause them.  Think about this, if God is the cause of all of these things, then he is working against all that Jesus came to do (I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly; John 10:10).

We know from scripture that God anointed Jesus with the Holy Ghost and with power and he went around everywhere doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil, for God was with him (Acts 10:38).  We know that he went through all of Galilee, teaching, preaching, and healing every kind of sickness and disease (Matthew 9:35).  Therefore, when someone is stricken with cancer, AIDS, or any other disease, it is the thief, who is stealing their health from them, destroying their bodies, and/or slowly and painfully taking their life from them.  This is the work of the thief, not of God.  We need to first stop blaming God for the things that are done by the devil.

It is hard to have faith for healing when you believe God is the source of your suffering.  It is hard to have faith for healing when you do not know that healing is available to you.  When your knowledge for healing is limited, then your faith for healing will also be limited.  And when your faith for healing is limited, then your belief for healing will be limited.  And when your belief for healing is limited, then the healing that you seek will be limited.  And when the healing that you ask for is limited, then the results that you receive will be limited or even non-existent.  Everything in this example was limited because the amount of knowledge that you have for healing is limited.  It is hard to have faith for healing when you do not have the knowledge that you are supposed to be healed.

Now that you know to stop blaming God for the things done by the devil, search the scriptures to find out just how Jesus healed those who were oppressed of the devil, for starters.  Read about the man sick with palsy (Matthew 9:2-8), Jairus and his daughter (Mark 5:22-24; 35-43), the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:24-34), the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19), or even Roman centurion and his servant (Matthew 8:5-13), just to name a few.  Find out how they were healed and the important role “belief and faith” played in their healing.  Then search the scriptures to see what they say about healing in general and apply what you learn to your circumstance.  Just keep in mind, God wants you well, he wants you healed, but you have to “believe” and have “faith” for your healing.  And in order to have faith for healing you have to know about healing.  This is the next step to receiving your healing.  And then you will be able to properly apply that faith to all that you have learned in order to receive your healing.  It is a battle, but one that can be won, for the devil is no match for the power of God.

We pray that our commentary and today’s inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Recognize Your Enemy

When you are ready to come to God, it be “you” who repents of your sins, who confesses with your mouth, and who believes with your heart.  When you are ready, it be “you” who is wants to submit to God, to praise him, and to worship him.  When you are ready, it be “you” who humbly comes before God and it be “God” who accepts you as you come, who forgives you of your past sins, and who wipes clean your slate.  But more importantly than anything else, it be “God” who reconnects his Spirit with your spirit, giving new life to your spirit.  And for those of you who have experienced this, you know the feeling that comes upon you when this happens.  You get this fire all up in your spirit as if it has been supercharged.  You get this unbelievable desire to serve, praise, and worship God for everything that he has done for you.  But this is when the real war begins and when all of your battles start.

And so the war begins but there be more to this war than you could ever imagine.  Most believers do not know that we war on two fronts.  On the one front, our newly found spirit nature wars with our flesh, our old sinful nature.  On the other front, we war against persons without bodies.

“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 6:12).

We wrestle against the evil rulers of the unseen world, which include the mighty satanic beings, the great evil princes of darkness, and a huge number of wicked spirits who rule this unseen world.  And while we see the daily struggles of those who succumb to poverty, sickness, and death, the primary battle involves depression, fear, discouragement, low self-esteem, worry, anxiety, confusion, doubt, and many other tactics.  This battle takes place in the arena of your mind and is unavoidable.  It knows no bounds, no gender, no age, no race, and no religion.  It attacks everyone.  For on this battleground the war is waged for the control of your soul.

Your mind is the road by which the evil rulers of the unseen world gain access into your life, your personality, your emotions, your family, your finances, your marriage, your body, and your home.  They specialize in trying to keep you in bondage through the control of your thought-life.  They know that which controls the mind, controls the soul.  As you fail to maintain your thought-life, you will live far below the standards that God has set up for you.  Your mind plays an important role in your walk of faith; therefore, it is tremendously important that you guard your mind and your thought-life.  Everything hinges on your mind and controlling your thought-life.  Your thoughts will always precede your actions.

We are warned to be sober and watchful because we have an adversary.  This adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion looking for those whom he can devour (I Peter 5:8).  So, how does this adversary come against us?  Well, his tactics have not change since the first temptation and there are really no secrets to his approach.  He tries to control you through your mind, with thoughts, ideas, and suggestions.  These thoughts, ideas, and suggestions are usually tied to your five senses.  Your sense of taste, touch, smell, hearing, and seeing, offers him an avenue into your mind and are the areas he tempts in order to gain control of your thought-life.  When you give in to the lust of the flesh (your sense of taste, touch, smell, and hearing), the lust of the eyes (your sense of seeing), and the pride of life (your mind where you think you are special because of what you look like, what you have, and/or who you are), you become carnally minded and forgo all that is spiritual (I John 2:16).  Your five senses play a major part in your self-fulfilling, sinful evil nature and greatly contribute to your carnal mind.  Your carnal mind only wants to satisfy your fleshy physical needs and appetites, like that itch that cannot be satisfied; the more you scratch, the more you itch.  And we discovered from a previous discussion that “carnal mindedness was enmity against God,” bent on only following our evil flesh nature and never wanting to obey or please God (Romans 8:5-8).

The battleground has been set, the arena has been staged, and the battles have begun.  This battle is totally unavoidable and will never end.  But we need to know our enemy and we need to know that he is very predictable.  The same things that he used on the first man in the Garden of Eden are the same things that he uses today.  And because of this information we should not be ignorant of his devices (II Corinthians 2:11).  Learning his tactics, his weapons, his devices, and understanding his mode of operation will put us in a good position to win the battle.

We pray that this inspirational message will be a blessing to you as well as informative.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW