Devotion: You Are Forgiven

We have heard that the Bible contains God’s instructions for man.  What most people do not know is that the Bible contains instructions for three different people groups.  More specifically, the Bible contains instructions for the Jews.  There are instructions in the Bible for the Gentiles (considered to be the sinners).  And then there are instructions in the Bible for the children of God (Ephesians 2:15-16).  So, depending on which people group you consider yourself a part of, determines which set of instructions you are supposed to follow.  But before you jump on any bandwagons claiming to be of a particular people group, here are a few things for you to consider.

First, everyone is a creation of God but not everyone is a child of God.  Second, in order to be a child of God, one must be born again or born from above (John 3:3).  Surprisingly, this includes the “so-called chosen people” of God, which according to the Old Testament scriptures, are “the children of Israel” (Deuteronomy 7:6).  In his conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus tells us that in order to see the kingdom of heaven, one must be born again, and in order to enter into the kingdom of God, one must be born of water and of the Spirit (John 3:1-6).  This was very hard for the “so-called chosen people” to accept, since they believed they had a free pass into heaven.  Lastly, only the children of God have been given the right to come boldly and confidently to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).

But here are some important facts about the children of God.  It was Jesus, who, through his death, put an end to the things that was dividing the Jews and the Gentiles.  Through his death, Jesus annulled the whole system of Jewish laws that favored the Jews and excluded the Gentiles.  Through his death, Jesus took the two groups and made them part of himself, fusing them together to become one family.  Through his death, Jesus was able to create one new man, putting an end to the feud between the two groups.  Through his death, Jesus was able to reconcile all back into agreement with God (Ephesians 2:14-22).  And it is through his death that we see the “true Israel of God” (Galatians 6:15-16).  Knowing these facts, “in part,” may prove very valuable for those who diligently seek God; “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” (I Corinthians 13:9-10).

Through his death, Jesus has reconciled us back into agreement with God.  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).  And in doing this, God gave us the ministry of reconciliation, entrusting us with his message of reconciliation.  However, 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.  And in making them a part of himself, Jesus was able to fuse the two together into a new creation, into a new man, into the “true Israel of God” (Galatians 6:15-16).  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 us who know that we are completely forgiven, who know to leave the guilt behind, and who come into his favor.

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: You Are Healed

Not long ago, we asked the question, “Do you know that God wants you well?”  In that discussion, we found that God wants you well, he wants you healed.  We also debunked the belief that God, who is the creator of such things like physical pain, sicknesses, accidents, death, and other tragedies (Isaiah 45:7), uses such things to chastise or chasten anyone.  We found that much of this ideology used the theological and traditional teachings of those who primarily cited Old Testament scriptures to support their arguments, which portrays the God of the Old Testament as “a god of wrath.”  They read their Bibles and see what appears to be God causing such things to happen to mankind and then conclude that God is the perpetrator of such acts on mankind.  This belief has become one of the biggest misconceptions about the God of the Old Testament.

In stark contrast, the God of the New Testament is portrayed as “a God of love.”  The New Testament portrays God as a very willing healer and life giver.  Many of those who believe that God uses such things to chastise or chasten mankind appear to be unaware that God says he changes not (Malachi 3:6), meaning 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.

But such theological and traditional teachings, based primarily on Old Testament scriptures, have divided the Christian community on many things, one of them being “healing.”  Truth be told, physical pain, sicknesses, accidents, death, and other tragedies actually comes 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).

According to scripture, God anointed Jesus with the Holy Ghost and with power, who 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).  From this, those who are trapped inside that religious institutional box, where no one is allowed to question those things taught and/or those things that just don’t make sense, will not see that it is the thief, who is stealing our health, destroying our bodies, and/or slowly and painfully taking our lives.  They will never understand that this is the work of the thief and not of God.  They will continue to blame God for the things that are done by the devil.

“He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness; and like One from Whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him.  Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole” (Isaiah 53:3-5 AMP).

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 had for healing was limited.  It is hard to have faith for healing when you do not have the knowledge that you have been “healed and made whole” by the actions on the cross.  “Do you know that God wants you well or are you limited in your knowledge?”

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: God’s Word Is Alive

We have mentioned before that we are the first to admit that we are not scholars, nor do we claim to be any experts in the field, but we do have a love for the word of God, and we seek the truth in his word.  We will also admit that our motives for discovering the truth are somewhat selfish; however, we do share any and all results with those who have that same “ear to hear” as we do.

From a previous discussion, we mentioned that God has told us to seek wisdom and know-how.  That God has told us that we need to get understanding, get the ability to use good sense in our thinking, in our judgment, and in our actions, and get the ability to perceive and to explain the meaning or nature of things (Proverbs 4:5-7).  We decided long ago to give ear to God’s instructions to seek wisdom and to get understanding because we had grown tired of being confused by every wind of doctrine or new teaching and being influenced by those people who tried to trick us with lies so clever that they sounded like the truth (Ephesians 4:14).

God tells us to “study to show thyself approved unto God” so that we can “rightly divide the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15), but most of us do not adhere to this command to study.  God tells us to study to show so that we can rightly divide the word of truth.  So, what do you think this word of truth is?  Could it be the Bible?  Could God be telling us to study the Bible so that we can rightly divide it?  And if the Bible is the word of truth, then how does one rightly divide something that is supposed to be truth?  The Amplified Bible states it this way:

“Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth” (II Timothy 2:15 AMP).

The word of truth is given to tell us what to believe (for doctrine), what is wrong (for reproof), how to correct wrong (for correction), how to live (for instruction in righteousness).  We are to rely on the word of truth because it includes everything needed to grow in maturity, to be perfect (meaning proficient or capable), and to do what God wants (II Timothy 3:16-17).  The idea that we are to attend to his words holds little meaning for some because they believe that just carrying a Bible with them fits the commandment.  How so very wrong they are.  When we attend to God’s words, we learn that they are life unto those that find them (Proverbs 4:20-22), which means that God’s words are full, abundant life unto those that hunt for, look for, or seek those words.

God wants us to attend to his words, which means that we need to listen carefully to his words, and we need to pay close attention to what is being said because his words are full, abundant life unto those that find them.  You see, the word of God is alive and forever pregnant, giving birth to new revelations every time we give attention to God’s words, every time we correctly analyzing and accurately divide it.  This is why it is more important than we could ever imagine for us to seek wisdom and to get understanding.  Once we have them, we receive “revelation knowledge;” the kind of knowledge that can only be obtained by getting “the rightly divided word of truth” inside of us.

Once inside, the rightly divided word of truth will help to direct or guide us.  Once inside, the rightly divided word of truth will give us the correct interpretation of many things.  Once inside, the rightly divided word of truth will lead us to all truths.  Once inside, the rightly divided word of truth will allow us to know all things as they pertain to God.  Once inside, the rightly divided word of truth will allow us to recognize the things that are of God.  Once inside, the rightly divided word of truth will “set apart” the true word of God from “every wind of doctrine or new teaching” used to trick us with lies so clever that they sound like “the truth.”  Knowledge is power, while misinformation will lead to our destruction.  It is the “truth that will set you free” (John 8:32).

“At that time, Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.  Even so, Father for so it seemed good in thy sight” (Matthew 11:25-26).

Jesus prayed this prayer to the Father thanking him for revealing the truth to his children and thanking him for hiding it from those who think themselves to be so wise.  One can only imagine what the master of the parable was referring to in this passage.  We need to realize that the Bible is our only source of knowledge about God.  We need to know that the whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right.  It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.  It is our instruction manual and our source “for all things God.”

We forever pray that our commentary will be a tremendous inspiration to you, 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: Got Wisdom? Got Understanding?

God has told us to seek wisdom, to seek the know-how, and to get the ability to use good sense in our thinking, in our judgment, and in our actions.  God has also told us to get understanding, to get the ability to perceive and to get the ability to explain the meaning or nature of things.  Once we have gotten all that we have been told to get, it is then that the revelation knowledge comes.  And when it comes, this revelation knowledge, we will have to be ready to receive it.  And in order to receive this knowledge, we have to be ready to accept it.  But before it comes, we have to first do our part.  We have to get all that we are told to get (Proverbs 4:5-7) and we have to seek all that we are told to seek (Proverbs 4:20-22).  This is the first step in getting to the next level.

Seeking God’s wisdom is the first thing that we have to do, which is a problem for many who profess to be Christians.  They seek God’s wisdom, but it is usually the wisdom of the world that they find, and they do not realize that this is what they have done or what they are doing.  God has pretty much given us everything that we need to know in his word, but we, with our finite worldly wisdom, have rejected his wisdom for the sake of trying to understand that which we really do not understand.  This is not a play on words or a manipulation of words.  This is all about us being manipulated by a worldly wisdom that has limited our ability to understand the thoughts and ways of God.  It is about us not recognizing the revelations that God has given us because they, the revelations, do not agree with what we have been taught or have accepted as truths our entire lives.  This is about us not accepting those things that God has given us to help our understanding because we have been taught that no one can explain or understand the things of God.

Now, if no one can understand the things of God, then why do those same people try to explain those things that they, themselves just said that no one can understand?  Do you think it is to make themselves appear to have a special relationship with God?  Do you think it is to make themselves appear as if they are the only ones who can get divine revelations from God?  Now that is something to ponder.  We need to realize that the Bible is our source of knowledge about God.  We need to know that the whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right.  It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone (II Timothy 3:16-17).  It is our instruction manual and our source for all things God.  A closed mind can only grow within the limits of its enclosure; an open mind grows with endless possibilities.

Let us vow to seek wisdom and understanding without traditional and denominational restrictions.  Let us open our mind and open our heart in an effort to prepare ourselves to receive revelation knowledge when it comes.  Let us do the things that God has told us to do (II Timothy 2:15) so that we may recognize the truth whenever it is presented.  Let us keep in mind that we do not have to agree on issues of doctrine or theology in order to receive truth from someone, for they just might hold the key bit of information that may aid you in your understanding and help you get to the next level.  Let us seek that next level of understanding.

We pray that our commentaries and messages will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read them.  If you are ever blessed by any of these commentaries and messages, please feel free to share them so that they may bless others as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Keep Your Heart With All Diligence

A look at the heart is to look at the place where God looks.

“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (I Samuel 16:7).

God tells Samuel not to judge a man by his face or his appearance or by the height of his stature or by his standing in his community.  God tells Samuel not to judge a man by his outward appearance as the world does, but to look at his heart as he does.  He tells Samuel to look at the thoughts and the intentions of the man and not what he actually sees before him.  While it may seem impossible to look at someone’s heart to determine his or her thoughts and intentions, God as actually provided us with the means to do just that.

“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person” (Proverbs 27:19).

Could this be the very reason God wants us to look upon a man’s heart.  Just as the very image of a face can be reflected in water, so is the very thought and intentions reflected by the heart.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” (Luke 6:45).

According to this passage, it would appear that whatever we have an abundance of in our heart is what we will have an abundance of brought forth in our life.  The passage goes on to say that out of the treasures that are in our heart will be the treasures that we bring forth in our life, be they good or be they bad.  Just as the water reflects our image or face, the words that we speak reflect the thoughts and intents of our heart.  This is why God tells us to look not on the countenance of a man nor to look on the height of his stature because his heart will give a true picture of the man himself, reflecting his innermost thoughts and intentions.  The world will continue to judge others by their outward appearance, but God wants his children to look at the heart.

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: Whom Do You Walk After?

Whom do you walk after?  Are you one who be in Christ but walks after the flesh?  Or are you one who be in Christ and walks after the Spirit?

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1 KJV).

For them who be in Christ but walk after the flesh, allowing themselves to be controlled by their lower natures give their minds over to the things of the flesh and live only to please themselves.  But them who be in Christ but walk after the Spirit, allowing themselves to be controlled by the Spirit give their minds over to the things of the Spirit and live only to do those things that please God.  Those who walk or follow after the flesh are carnally minded and headed for condemnation and death, because the carnally minded are enmity against God and cannot please God.  But those who walk or follow after the Spirit are spiritually minded and headed for life and peace (Romans 8:5-8).

Not long ago, we discussed a phrase that was coined to define a so-called believer who confesses and believes in Christ Jesus but lives a lifestyle that does not appear to glorify God while claiming the forgiveness and acceptance of God.  In that discussion we found that “a person who believes in Jesus Christ as his or her savior but is dominated by the physical needs or the strong desires of the body or the flesh in contrast to all that is spiritual” is by definition, “a carnal Christian.”  We also found that “carnal mindedness was enmity against God” (Romans 8:7) and determined on only following one’s evil flesh nature.

We found that making the effort to follow after the Spirit actually led to us being controlled by the things of the Spirit.  We also found that those who are living according to the way of the Spirit give their minds to the things of the Spirit.  They be controlled by their spiritual natures and give their minds to spiritual things.  They want to live their lives doing those things that were pleasing to God, which in itself leads to life and peace everlasting.  And this is why there is therefore now no condemnation to them, which are in Christ Jesus, who walk after the Spirit.

What so many who walk after the flesh fail to understand is that their carnal Christian lifestyle actually does not and never can obey or please God because their “carnal mindedness was enmity against God,” bent on only following their evil flesh nature.  We see from the eighth chapter of Romans that those who are living according to the way of the flesh give their minds to the things of the flesh.  They be controlled by their earthly natures and give their minds to earthly things.  This “carnal mindedness” is in total opposition to God, does not submit to the law of God, and is not able to do so.  Those whose minds are given to the flesh cannot please God.  This is why there is therefore condemnation to them, which are in Christ Jesus, who walk after the flesh.

But thank God for his grace and mercy and for revealing the truth to us.  Since the Spirit of God resides in us, then we be not in the flesh but in the spirit.  We are devoted to the spiritual things and are not devoted to earthly things, because the Spirit dwells in us.  If the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead be dwelling in us, then he who raised up Christ from the dead will in the same way, through his Spirit that is in us, give life to our mortal body, which is currently under the power of death.  Therefore, if Christ be in us, then our body be dead because of sin but our spirit has life because of righteousness.

If any man has not the spirit of Christ, he is not one of his and does not belong to him.  He is in debt, for it is his lower nature, the way of the flesh that he be obligated to live under the rule of.  If anyone lives according to the way of the flesh, then death will come to him.  But if he be under the influence of the Spirit and have put to death the works of the body, meaning you have put to death your old bodily habits, you will live, for only those who are led and guided by the Spirit of God are the true sons of God.  If you be in Christ, then walk, not after the flesh, which actually pertains to “The Law”, but after the Spirit, which actually pertains to “grace and truth.”  “So, whom do you walk after?”  You may want to examine yourself just to make sure you are actually walking after the right one.

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: Overcome That Problem You Face

Jesus tells us that we “will have troubles in this world,” but we are to “take heart” because he has “overcome the world” (John 16:33).  He tells us that he has overcome all of the ills of this world.  I declare I am full of power, that I am full of strength, and that I am full of determination for I am “more than a conqueror through him who loved me” (Romans 8:37-39).

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.  That is why the world hates you.  Remember what I told you: A servant is not greater than his master.  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.  If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.  They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.  Whoever hates me hates my Father as well.  If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin.  As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father.  But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: they hated me without reason” (John 15:18-25 NIV).

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (II Timothy 3:12-15 NIV).

“As it is written: For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:36-39 NIV).  “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22 NIV).  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).

“God’s love surrounds me much more than I can imagine, for God is always with me, even though it may not always seem so.  No matter what may come my way, God always helps to see me through it.  I know God has a special plan just for me.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails” (I Corinthians 13:6-8 NIV).

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble (tribulation), by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God” (II Corinthians 1:3-4).

“What shall we then say to these things?  If God be for us, who can be against us?  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things” (Romans 8:31-32)?

Though I may have troubles in this world, I will take heart because I know two things for sure.  I know that Jesus has overcome the world and that God be for me.  Therefore, I will declare that I am full of power, that I am full of strength, and that I am full of determination because I know that I am more than a conqueror through him who loved me.

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