We are at war

  We are at war 

 Psalm 18:1-3 (NKJV) : I will  love You , O Lord , my strength.  The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer ; My God , my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

 Blessed All Saints Sunday brethren in Christ.  There is  a term used by the Catholic church that refers to us on Earth that are soldiers in Jesus Christ that are battling against sin and the devil, the term is church militant. This term is correct we are in a battle everyday whether we realize it or not.  Evey day we are challenged by various stresses of everyday life,the devil's schemes, and the temptations of the flesh.  With all these battles it can be real easy to grow weary.

 Despite all the challenges and trials we may face , we have assurance God is our protection and strength.  Even in this world of chaos and pain God is still with us if we believe  and hope in him.  God is with us just like he was with Joshua in the Old Testament. God spoke to Joshua and told him  "No man shall stand before you" and "To be strong and of good courage" and "I will not leave you nor forsake you" ( Joshua 1:5-6). Do we as Christians believe these same promises today? If not we should!

 We live in a world today that is missing the point in all the pain and chaos. Tragedies happen and we blame politics, we blame guns, we blame a lack of Government laws and mandates,etc. Really what the world is missing is God.  People choose to not believe in God then wonder why there is evil or why God would allow evil  to happen?  Evil happens because of a lack of God.  Egypt , Babylon, Jerusalem, and Sodom did not go  unpunished for their wickedness.  (Jeremiah 11:14-16 and Jeremiah 51:8). The people in these times wanted to do evil and chase after other gods  and live in their wickedness and think it was all okay (Jeremiah 7:9-11) yet judgment came (Jeremiah 7:20).

 In the world today just like back then we have false teachers and false hope.These false people promise a feel good lifestyle.  They may even give a false sense of security screaming "peace, health , prosperity, and end times there is no such thing" and yet the world seems to be busting at the seams.  It happened in Jemimah's time as well.  False prophets would promise prosperity, help those that do evil,  commit adultery, not teach repentance, or God's judgment, but would teach is pleasing to the ear and the flesh (Jeremiah 23:14 , Jeremiah  23:19-17,  and  Jeremiah 23:21-22).

 The overall  point is we need God.  We have nothing truly with out God.  We need Jesus whose name is above all names.  Lord grant eternal rest to the saints , our friends, and family.  Also keep the people of First Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Tx.

 Revelations 21:4 (NKJV) And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;  there shall be no more death , nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain , for the former things have passed away. 

"When Satan is Near"

“When Satan is Near”

“And man’s enemies will be those of his own household” Matthew 10:36 (NKJV).

    For those of you that don’t know I have been going through a lot with the passing of my mother and other drama in my life. Between all of it I feel tested to my limits and drained. A fellow brother in Christ named Keith told me to “pray and meditate”, I kept reflecting on God’s word and this verse kept popping into my head, in regards to the drama and chaos. This verse didn’t pop up by coincidence. I strongly believe Satan uses family drama to suck you dry spiritually and emotionally. Why? Because it hurts more when it is family against you. Jesus said earlier in Matthew 10:35 (NKJV) “For I have come to set a man against his Father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter against her mother in law." Let us think about that a second and let it sink in. This translates to people in your own family will not always be happy for you especially if you decide to follow Jesus. However, it is not just family, Satan has no problems using friends or strangers to hinder you either and steal your joy, I will cover that later.

    Reflecting more on Matthew 10:36 it made me think of another verse, 1 John 4:1 (NKJV) Beloved do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone into the world. I thought about it. How can you test the spirits to see who is from God if not every single person in your life came from God into your life? Easy: Spirits from God will help you, will be happy when good things come your way, and will speak the truth. A spirit not from God is going to be the opposite: these spirits from Satan will destroy relationships, steal your joy, lie (because the scripture calls Satan the Father of lies), be jealous of anything good that comes your way, and you can tell, because they are just not spiritually healthy to be around at all (see John 10:10). The best thing you can do when you notice these types of spirits entering your life is to walk away! (see Matthew 10:14, Mark 10:29-30, and 1 Corinthians 5:5), these 3 scriptures all pretty much say sometimes you just got to walk away or just let people go.

     Satan will also use your friends against you. Two examples that immediately popped up when I thought of this one. Both times Satan used Jesus Apostles (his friends) to try and hinder him. The first one is Peter trying to talk Jesus out of being crucified, Jesus rebuked Peter “Get behind me Satan, your minds on things of man and not the things of God” (See Matthew 16:22-23). The second one is when Satan entered Judas to betray him (see Luke 22:3-4). If Satan had the audacity to do that to Jesus and his Apostles do not be naive in thinking he wouldn’t use your friends, family, or even strangers around you against you. Ever have a person even a fellow Christian not like you for no reason and even talk bad about you and they don’t even know you? I know I have had it happen. I even had people I hardly knew spread rumors about me or speak for me? I can speak for myself and don’t need a rumor mill. Truth is, we don’t know what angle or direction an attack from Satan could be coming, therefore Satan is described as a roaring lion seeking who can devour and that we are to be vigilant against him (see 1 Peter 5:8).

    What I hope you gain from this is to be more vigilant as to who and what you let in your life. Not all things are from God and not all things are spiritually or physically healthy to let in. Also, I hope you take in not everyone will support your choices or your faith but that don’t matter if God is with you and maybe those people just are not a good fit for your life. I hope you have a blessed holy Trinity Sunday. God be with you Father, son, and holy spirit amen.

Romans 8:31 (NKJV) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us who can be against us?

Lent message #1 : Giving

                Lent message #1: Giving

2 Corinthians 9:5-8 (NKJV)   5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready  as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.  6 But this I say:  He who sows sparingly will also reaps sparingly, and he sows bountifully will reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

                This is a very important message to hear during the Lent season and all year around, God loves a cheerful giver.  Giving should be a great experience, and a joyous one, and done because God gave to us first.  Yet we at times can give with alternative motives, not all of us do these things but they look like this: giving to be noticed (Matthew 6:1), giving to get something in return (Luke 6:35), and giving hoping your works get you to heaven (Ephesians 2:8).  The true meaning of giving or any good works a Christian does is do them without selfish ambition or conceit (Philippians 2:3).

                Our giving and our good works, should bring glory back to God, not to ourselves. After all where are we without God’s free gift of Christ to us? We are nothing without Jesus which is why every good work should be done in his name (John 15:4-6).  If you think you can’t follow Jesus commands of praying for your enemies, or giving to those who are unkind to you I want you to look at a crucifix, and remember Jesus was beaten, scourged, lead up to Calvary and mocked every step of the way, then was crucified for you , all so you could have eternal life! After you reflect on what Jesus did for you, remember he called you to be like him ,and to be different from the rest of the world , yes that includes giving to the unkind and praying for your enemies (Matthew 5:43-48).

                Giving isn’t necessarily just about giving goods either.  Things like clothing, food, shelter, etc. are all important and you should give goods as your able (James 2:15-17 and Luke 3:11). You can also give your time to those in need and take the time to pray with them. You can take time to volunteer for your favorite reputable cause to help others in need.  You can give the greatest name of all Jesus to someone who needs it! (Acts 3:6).  Giving comes in all shapes and sizes but we have plenty in need in this broken world.

               

                I pray you take this message with you through out lent and even all through out the year.  We are Christians all year around not just on special occasions.  This is the first of 4 lessons I plan on doing about Lent practices (God willing).  Blessings to you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV) But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Feast of St Valentine: marriage devotional #4

                Feast of St. Valentine: Marriage devotional # 4 “Everlasting Covenant”

Matthew 19:5-6;   5“And said, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?  6 “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (NKJV)

Blessed feast of St. Valentine to you all. I hope it was blessed day for all of you.  I promised all of you I would write a four part marriage devotional for you all. This is the final part of this devotional. If you read the other three, I pray that they were inspiring for you.  I pray that they helped you in your relationships. For those of you who don’t know about St. Valentine he was martyred by Rome for marrying couples, after Rome abolished marriage to further the growth of their military.

In the verse above Matt. 19:5-6 Jesus is standing up to the Pharisees for God’s covenant of marriage. The Pharisees challenged Jesus on the subject of divorce. Jesus explains “What God Joined together, let not man separate”.  Jesus later explains in verse 8 “that from the beginning it was not so” when referring to divorce and that Moses only permitted divorce because of people’s hard hearts.  Amen to that. Hardness of hearts. These people didn’t want to fight for their marriages for better or for worst. They wanted an easy way out in case things got tough. Jesus made it crystal clear marriage was meant to be for life since the beginning.

We have the same problems in this day and age that is why divorce rates are so high.  We don’t just have fair weather friends, we also have fair weather spouses! I know I was one. First rough patches in my marriage when I didn’t think the differences in our marriage would get resolved right away, I was looking for a divorce lawyer online! Thank God for showing me how wrong I was. I didn’t need a new marriage I needed a new me! I needed to change not my marriage! My heart was hard I didn’t want fix any problems I was done talking and needed an easy way out or so I thought! I was wrong my marriage was worth the struggle.  I didn’t know how to react to all the problems me and my wife had after our first few years of marriage, well divorce wasn’t the answer. Truth is divorce is never the answer. That is why Jesus said “It wasn’t this way from the beginning”. Adam and eve were together for life we are meant to be also, marriage is an everlasting covenant.  “For better or for worst” as it says in the marriage vows.  Some only hear the better part and not the worst part.

In verse 9 Jesus gives a permission for divorce in the cases of adultery.  Jesus disciples were so shocked that in verse 10  they responded  “it is better for a man not marry” , Jesus response in verse 11 “ Not everyone can accept this teaching but only those it is given to”. Some of you maybe scratching your heads, thinking the same thing Jesus disciples were thinking “I should’ve never got married or it’s better than to never marry”, take it from someone who has struggled in my marriage; marriage is the greatest gift given by God, besides his son Jesus. I wouldn’t trade a minute of my marriage for anything in this world. I wouldn’t even trade the hard parts of my marriage because trials bring perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3).   Life or marriage was never meant to be perfect all the time if it was how would you ever learn and grow? You wouldn’t.

Cherish every moment together, yes even the moments you disagree with each other. Why? Because this life is temporary and anything can happen.  This is why the apostle Paul wrote “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26), you may not get tomorrow to make up for those harsh words you said or harsh actions you took. Plus I’m sure the apostle Paul understood there is absolutely no temporary problem in this world worth staying angry at each other for. This is another reason why God doesn’t want people getting divorced , a good chunk of the problems in a marriage are either temporary  ,or just not worth giving up your marriage for.  Paul gives a command from the Lord in 1 Cor. 7:11 “But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband, and a husband is not to divorce his wife” (NKJV).  The key word is here is reconciliation and not getting a divorce.  But don’t wait reconcile now! Figure out your differences and talk them out now! Don’t lose your marriage over something as silly as you couldn’t figure out your differences together. Both people in a marriage are adults, and can communicate with each other and figure out their problems, if not then ask God for guidance.

I pray for all of you all in marriages that God will strengthen both of you and that you both can communicate effectively with each other in Jesus name amen.

Genesis 2:22-24; 22Then the rib which the Lord had taken from man he made into a woman, and he brought her to man. 23 and Adam said “This is now bone of bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh”. (NKJV).

Marriage Devotional Week 3 "Couples Spiritual Warfare"

Marriage devotional week 3 "Couples Spiritual Warfare"
Matt. 17:21 (NKJV) " However this kind does not out by prayer and fasting".

A little background on this verse. Jesus disciples were trying to cast out a demon and they couldn't do it. Jesus disciples wondered why they couldn't do it and this was Jesus reply " This kind don't come out except by prayer and fating". I picked this verse to start off this teaching because some couples ask this same question except in a different way ( yes me and my wife used to be one of those couples): why isn't my marriage working? why can't I find the right person? Why do we argue all the time? Truth be told no couple has it perfect a 100% of the time. Couples have been a target of the devil since the beginning if you don't believe that then read Genesis chapter 3.

Jesus gave us two important weapons to use against the enemy in this verse prayer and fasting. We must fight a spiritual battle against our enemy the devil since we can't fight this enemy physically. None the less it is still a battle and can take a lot out of person or a couple. On top of prayer and fasting you need long lasting endurance (Hebrews 12:1). You must also realize your life partner is not your enemy, the devil is! You need your partner that is why they get called your better half , don't forget that.

Also do not with hold love and affection from each other except for brief times of prayer and fasting lest the devil wreck your relationship ( 1 Cor. 7:5). The devil isn't compared to a roaring lion seeking who he can devour by Peter for nothing ( 1 Peter 5:8) , the devil lies in wait looking for the perfect opportunity enter your marriage, heart, and home. This is why you must guard your marriage vows and your households and use the weapons of prayer and fasting Jesus gave us against the enemy. Don't forget to use the name of Jesus as well the enemy is subject to his name.

2 Cor. 10:4 ( NKJV) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.

Marriage devotional week two

Week two marriage devotional; Ephesians 5:28-31 (NKJV) 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes it, just as the lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 " For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh".

Two become one. What a complex mystery this is. What a beautiful gift it is at the same time. You leave your family and start one of your own and become one with your wife. This becoming one is not just in flesh either in the figurative sense, you literally become of the same mind. You grow in common goals and love of one another. Together you build a household. Together you build a family. You do all things together. You share in trials and triumphs. This great bond is unbreakable when founded on Jesus, this bond is unbreakable when you also stand together as one.

Trials come and threaten to cause division in the household. These trials can be worldly things like money, goods, or pursuit there of and leaving your family behind. Trials also come in the form of blatant sin like adultery. Trials even come as love loss in the relationship. All of these things can rip a relationship to shreds. This is where endurance comes in. Wives have to be strong for the husband when the husband is weak, husbands have to be strong for their wives and kids when their wives can't be. You both have to depend on each other and be there for each other. You can't have division as this hurts the idea of being one flesh and one mind. Jesus said " How can a kingdom divided against itself stand?" it can't! that is why relationships fail.

Paul gave a good image in 1 Cor. 3:13 (NkJV) each ones work will become clear ; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire ; and the fire will test each ones work, of what sort it is. In verse 14 Paul talks about if your work stands the fire you'll receive a reward. In verse 15 Paul talks about your not with standing the fire yet you still being saved through the fire. This applies to marriages and households too. The fires Paul speaks of are trials. Failed marriages and homes get devoured by the trials and this causes splits and divorces, hatred for one another, etc. Some of these relationships get burnt up because they couldn't withstand the trial and so the two people once in love split sometimes mutually sometimes bitterly, either way I would argue it leaves emotional scars. We as Christians understand these trials come and we fight our hardest to not let them engulf our relationships. We have to find ways to endure these fiery trials with out our love for each other growing cold or being quenched. The only thing worse than a lost relationship, is when one goes cold and that passion you once had in your eyes for each other becomes an icy glazed over stare of resentment.

This is apart of being one flesh as well; enduring trials together. Standing by each other no matter what the world tosses your way. I pray for all of you that are married, raising families, and in relationships , that by God's strength you will remain faithful to each other and serve one another. Love each other everyday , life is here today and gone tomorrow, take any second you can,even if it is just a second to let your better half know how much you care, let your families know you love them.

Philippians 2:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Marriage devotional week one

Week one marriage devotional : "Cleaning House"
1 Cor. 5:6-8 nkjv. Your glorifying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven , that you may be a new lump , since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast , not with old leaven, nor  with the leaven of malice and wickedness , but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.  
This verse was written to the church in Corinth in regards to them rejoicing over immorality in the church. Yet this verse applies to our households as well. How often do we let things in to our homes and relationships that do nothing but damage them? How often do we  let temptation take us away from God, our families, and those in need around us? How often do we let our hearts harden in malice when things don't go our way? these are all good questions to spiritually reflect on this week. We also need to think about what areas are we weak in that we need God's strength to cover.
Sin pleases ourselves ( the flesh) but it is a selfish choice that doesn't bring good to ourselves, our families, and it also dishonors God. It is written we are meant to glorify God and not for sin ( 1 Cor. 6:20).  Sin also damages marriages (especially immorality).  Take the time to go the extra mile for your spouse and family this week. Marriages have high divorce rates in this country because of a loss in value in marriage and marriages that are rushed into and not thought about in prayer. Guard your marriage vows. Marriage is the oldest covenant with God and his people.
Also this verse is good for families in the sense it teaches we can't go on living like we were. If you have a family and marriage you can't take the selfish approach and live like you are single. If you take this route your marriage will indeed fail as marriage is bout giving to one another. Also this verse is about getting rid of things that might damage your spiritual life or the church. Yet you could apply to a house or marriage as well. Are you listening to gossip you shouldn't be about your spouse? Are you taking a ton of advice   from people that are not furthering your relationship with your family or God? Are you having the same dusty arguments in your house hold about money, who does more, politics, etc. and all these arguments do is divide your family and do nothing for your  marriage? not all things are profitable! ( 1 Cor. 10:23). 
We need a Godly revival in the house hold. Stand tall brethren in prayer in Christ for families and marriages that are struggling. If sins and sinful things are piling up in your home repent and turn away from what is causing you to sin and move on.