Isa 41:10
10 Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
NKJV
Jer 1:8
8 Do not be afraid of their faces,
For I am with you to deliver you," says the Lord.
NKJV
Matt 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
NKJV
Isa 54:10
10 Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,"
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
NIV
Heb 13:5-6
5 Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not,[I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down ( relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] [Josh 1:5.]
6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me? [Ps 27:1; 118:6.]
AMP
Ps 27:1
1 THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation — whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?
AMP
Ps 121
121 I will lift up my eyes to the hills —
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
NKJV
So, Fear Not, for I AM With You!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Dare to Compare?
Can you imagine being of one mind and wrestling yourself, racing yourself, debating yourself or competing in any other kind of contest against yourself? All you could is defeat yourself and exalt yourself. And then brag on and bag on yourself.
What if you could pick your opponent in any kind of contest? Would you pick someone weaker or stronger, better or worse? Either way you would still be lifting yourself up or beating yourself down according to your own choice.
Men like to make their own standards and if they don’t measure up then they usually go find a shorter stick. Someone or something they consider lesser to compare themselves to. How ignorant, to think that they can ascend by being condescending.
The bottom line is that if you compare yourself with those who commend themselves, you measure yourself by yourselves and compare self with selves. This is not wise, and just sounds like a lot of selves. Comparing yourselves to others does not show that you are smart but stupid.
So stop comparing yourself to others, THIS IS NOT WISE! Jesus is your example and your standard. Don’t look down or around but get your attention and affection on God. It’s time to look up, grow up and go up!
2 Cor 10:12
12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
NKJV
2 Cor 10:12
12 Oh, don't worry, I wouldn't dare say that I am as wonderful as these other men who tell you how good they are! Their trouble is that they are only comparing themselves with each other and measuring themselves against their own little ideas. What stupidity!
TLB
2 Cor 10:12
12 Oh, don't worry; we wouldn't dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!
NLT
2 Cor 10:12-13
12 Of course we would not dare classify ourselves or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. How stupid they are! They make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and they judge themselves by their own standards!
GNT
1 Cor 1:26-31
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God — and righteousness and sanctification and redemption — 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."
NKJV
Jer 9:23-24
23 Thus says the Lord:
"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
24 But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight," says the Lord.
NKJV
Jer 9:23-24
23 God's Message:
"Don't let the wise brag of their wisdom.
Don't let heroes brag of their exploits.
Don't let the rich brag of their riches.
24 If you brag, brag of this and this only:
That you understand and know me.
I'm God, and I act in loyal love.
I do what's right and set things right and fair,
and delight in those who do the same things.
These are my trademarks."
God's Decree.
MES
Jer 9:23-24
23 Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches;
24 But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord. [1 Cor 1:31; 2 Cor 10:17.]
AMP
Jude 24-25
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
NKJV
1 Tim 1:17
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
NKJV
Heb 12:1-2
12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
NKJV
Eph 2:4-10
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
NKJV
Eph 2:10
10 For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
AMP
What if you could pick your opponent in any kind of contest? Would you pick someone weaker or stronger, better or worse? Either way you would still be lifting yourself up or beating yourself down according to your own choice.
Men like to make their own standards and if they don’t measure up then they usually go find a shorter stick. Someone or something they consider lesser to compare themselves to. How ignorant, to think that they can ascend by being condescending.
The bottom line is that if you compare yourself with those who commend themselves, you measure yourself by yourselves and compare self with selves. This is not wise, and just sounds like a lot of selves. Comparing yourselves to others does not show that you are smart but stupid.
So stop comparing yourself to others, THIS IS NOT WISE! Jesus is your example and your standard. Don’t look down or around but get your attention and affection on God. It’s time to look up, grow up and go up!
2 Cor 10:12
12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
NKJV
2 Cor 10:12
12 Oh, don't worry, I wouldn't dare say that I am as wonderful as these other men who tell you how good they are! Their trouble is that they are only comparing themselves with each other and measuring themselves against their own little ideas. What stupidity!
TLB
2 Cor 10:12
12 Oh, don't worry; we wouldn't dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!
NLT
2 Cor 10:12-13
12 Of course we would not dare classify ourselves or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. How stupid they are! They make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and they judge themselves by their own standards!
GNT
1 Cor 1:26-31
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God — and righteousness and sanctification and redemption — 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."
NKJV
Jer 9:23-24
23 Thus says the Lord:
"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
24 But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight," says the Lord.
NKJV
Jer 9:23-24
23 God's Message:
"Don't let the wise brag of their wisdom.
Don't let heroes brag of their exploits.
Don't let the rich brag of their riches.
24 If you brag, brag of this and this only:
That you understand and know me.
I'm God, and I act in loyal love.
I do what's right and set things right and fair,
and delight in those who do the same things.
These are my trademarks."
God's Decree.
MES
Jer 9:23-24
23 Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches;
24 But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord. [1 Cor 1:31; 2 Cor 10:17.]
AMP
Jude 24-25
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
NKJV
1 Tim 1:17
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
NKJV
Heb 12:1-2
12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
NKJV
Eph 2:4-10
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
NKJV
Eph 2:10
10 For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
AMP
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Know ONE Thing
“God, what do people need to hear today?” Many mornings I believe that I’m led to think this thought and pray this prayer. And often times it seems that the answer is simply “Tell them that I love them!” You’ll never understand everything but you can always understand one thing and that is - that God loves you. I know this may mess with your mind, especially during hard times and you think, “Well, if God loves us so much then why did He let this happen or that?” I believe the answer is free will. If God choose to control absolutely everything the He would be responsible for everything and nothing would go wrong. But He chose to give us a choice and be responsible with our own lives. He said that He will help us if we ask but He didn’t say that He would do it for us.
When my children were little and learning to walk - they all fell down. I could have carried them everywhere and if I did then I still would be. Can you imagine it, me walking around with four teenagers on my back? As they grew and learned to think they have made some mistakes and have had to deal with the consequences. So should I try to control their mind with some kind of continual Vulcan mind meld and make every decision for them in order to “protect them”? I think not and I’m not Spock. But the point is that if I protect them from everything then I protect then from nothing. And if I do everything for them then I enable them to be disabled. But no matter what happens, stand or fall, win or sin, they know that I love them.
With God the same is true. He loves you no matter what you do. He doesn’t desire for you to do wrong and sing a sad song, but He’s not making your decisions or writing your lyrics. And sometimes other’s people’s stories are almost unbearable but with free will are they not for this short time on earth the author of their own destiny? God has a plan and a path for us to walk but He still lets choose our own way. We can choose His way or our way or someone else’s way. Sometimes we do and others we don’t and some don’t and some do.
So everything is really a big mess and the world looks like our house did when we had four little ones. But it’s okay, because God is going to come and clean it all up in the end. But in the mean time we get to live here and make the best or worst of it that we will. Often times people trip over the “toys” and people fall down, get hurt or even die. But it’s still okay but God always there, even in death, and able to raise us up. And He will if we will because He loves us so much. He said that He will help when we ask and if we don’t then He won’t. And it’s because He’s given us the gift of free will. Apparently He has more faith in us than we do. Can you imagine a whole planet with the forces of good and evil and full of people with free will? Oh, wait no need for imagination - here it is.
So in the midst of it all remember, you’ll never understand everything but you can always understand one thing and that is - that God loves you!
Jer 31:3 I have loved you, O my people, with an everlasting love; with loving-kindness I have drawn you to me. (TLB)
I have always loved you, so I continue to show you my constant love. (GNB)
I've never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love! (MSG)
1 John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
NIV
Isa 54:10
10 For even if the mountains walk away
and the hills fall to pieces,
My love won't walk away from you,
my covenant commitment of peace won't fall apart."
The God who has compassion on you says so.
MES
When my children were little and learning to walk - they all fell down. I could have carried them everywhere and if I did then I still would be. Can you imagine it, me walking around with four teenagers on my back? As they grew and learned to think they have made some mistakes and have had to deal with the consequences. So should I try to control their mind with some kind of continual Vulcan mind meld and make every decision for them in order to “protect them”? I think not and I’m not Spock. But the point is that if I protect them from everything then I protect then from nothing. And if I do everything for them then I enable them to be disabled. But no matter what happens, stand or fall, win or sin, they know that I love them.
With God the same is true. He loves you no matter what you do. He doesn’t desire for you to do wrong and sing a sad song, but He’s not making your decisions or writing your lyrics. And sometimes other’s people’s stories are almost unbearable but with free will are they not for this short time on earth the author of their own destiny? God has a plan and a path for us to walk but He still lets choose our own way. We can choose His way or our way or someone else’s way. Sometimes we do and others we don’t and some don’t and some do.
So everything is really a big mess and the world looks like our house did when we had four little ones. But it’s okay, because God is going to come and clean it all up in the end. But in the mean time we get to live here and make the best or worst of it that we will. Often times people trip over the “toys” and people fall down, get hurt or even die. But it’s still okay but God always there, even in death, and able to raise us up. And He will if we will because He loves us so much. He said that He will help when we ask and if we don’t then He won’t. And it’s because He’s given us the gift of free will. Apparently He has more faith in us than we do. Can you imagine a whole planet with the forces of good and evil and full of people with free will? Oh, wait no need for imagination - here it is.
So in the midst of it all remember, you’ll never understand everything but you can always understand one thing and that is - that God loves you!
Jer 31:3 I have loved you, O my people, with an everlasting love; with loving-kindness I have drawn you to me. (TLB)
I have always loved you, so I continue to show you my constant love. (GNB)
I've never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love! (MSG)
1 John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
NIV
Isa 54:10
10 For even if the mountains walk away
and the hills fall to pieces,
My love won't walk away from you,
my covenant commitment of peace won't fall apart."
The God who has compassion on you says so.
MES
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tight Line
Comprehend your liberty better everyday,
As you exercise your freedom to obey.
Seek to please man, and you will stray,
Live “too free” - and you will pay.
Back and forth the line does sway.
Keep your balance - go all the way.
Living free is like walking a tight line. On one side is your relationship with God and on the other is your relationship with people. If you get slack on either side then you will fall. It’s challenging because God set you free and you are not to be “be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” or to “use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh.” The more time you spend with God the more you comprehend your liberty and the more you attain the ability to offend those who are not free. You want to live in love, but you don’t want to be controlled by other people’s expectations and especially when they expect you to get in their cage so your freedom won’t offend them. Freedom can be very offensive to those who are bound, but they don’t where freedom’s found. So then should you live in bondage only in order not offend? What about the liberty that God called you to, and honoring the price He paid on the cross by living in it? It seems like there’s always someone who wants you to live by their standards and put their shackles on you, but you’re called to live by God’s standards and not mans. Many people simply wear the shackles for the fear of man and rejection. After all it’s easier to be in bondage than it is to be free. But God has called you to liberty. But if you live “too free” and “use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh.” then you will fall off the other side. Legalism tempts on one side and the flesh on the other. The flesh side says, “I’ll do what I want when I want, it doesn’t matter who it affects because after all, I’M FREE and if people don’t like it then that’s their problem.” And the fear side says, “I better toe mans line or they will reproach and reject me.” The problem is that both fear and flesh are false, they can’t hold up under pressure, if you try to walk their lines they will fail and you will fall.
The only line that never fails is love. But again you find yourself stuck between God and man. Love the Lord with all your heart and love people as yourself. So how do you find the balance? You must put first things first, and if you don’t do the first then you won’t be able to do the second. It’s imperative that you spend enough time with God and aware of Him that you become saturated with His love. The only way to love Him with all your heart is to receive the love He lavishes on you and then lavish it back. If you drink of His love daily then it won’t be long until it overflows. Then when you obey out of love you will truly begin to live in liberty. You’re free to do whatever He leads you to do, not just whatever you want to do. Your freedom is not restrained but tempered by love. Then you can bend in order not to offend without breaking your fellowship with God. Then you’re controlled by love and not by compulsion. You’ll never be able to please everyone, but you can always please God. So you must follow the line of love and let the chips fall where they may with people. Seek not to disobey God first and then not to offend people second. But be advised, surely someone somewhere won’t like it, but don’t use their reproach as an opportunity for your flesh and begin to flout your flout your freedom to offend.
The best you can do is to seek to please God and love man. Follow your heart. Do what the love of the Lord is leading you to do. Live by love and you will walk the line, defy the gravity of guilt by divine design.
Comprehend your liberty better everyday,
As you exercise your freedom to obey.
Seek to please man, and you will stray,
Live “too free” - and you will pay.
Back and forth the line does sway.
Keep your balance - go all the way.
Gal 5:1-2
5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
NKJV
Gal 5:13-14
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
NKJV
Prov 29:25
25 The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
NKJV
Rom 14:1-15:6
14 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written:
"As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God."
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.
14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me." 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NKJV
1 Cor 13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
NKJV
As you exercise your freedom to obey.
Seek to please man, and you will stray,
Live “too free” - and you will pay.
Back and forth the line does sway.
Keep your balance - go all the way.
Living free is like walking a tight line. On one side is your relationship with God and on the other is your relationship with people. If you get slack on either side then you will fall. It’s challenging because God set you free and you are not to be “be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” or to “use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh.” The more time you spend with God the more you comprehend your liberty and the more you attain the ability to offend those who are not free. You want to live in love, but you don’t want to be controlled by other people’s expectations and especially when they expect you to get in their cage so your freedom won’t offend them. Freedom can be very offensive to those who are bound, but they don’t where freedom’s found. So then should you live in bondage only in order not offend? What about the liberty that God called you to, and honoring the price He paid on the cross by living in it? It seems like there’s always someone who wants you to live by their standards and put their shackles on you, but you’re called to live by God’s standards and not mans. Many people simply wear the shackles for the fear of man and rejection. After all it’s easier to be in bondage than it is to be free. But God has called you to liberty. But if you live “too free” and “use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh.” then you will fall off the other side. Legalism tempts on one side and the flesh on the other. The flesh side says, “I’ll do what I want when I want, it doesn’t matter who it affects because after all, I’M FREE and if people don’t like it then that’s their problem.” And the fear side says, “I better toe mans line or they will reproach and reject me.” The problem is that both fear and flesh are false, they can’t hold up under pressure, if you try to walk their lines they will fail and you will fall.
The only line that never fails is love. But again you find yourself stuck between God and man. Love the Lord with all your heart and love people as yourself. So how do you find the balance? You must put first things first, and if you don’t do the first then you won’t be able to do the second. It’s imperative that you spend enough time with God and aware of Him that you become saturated with His love. The only way to love Him with all your heart is to receive the love He lavishes on you and then lavish it back. If you drink of His love daily then it won’t be long until it overflows. Then when you obey out of love you will truly begin to live in liberty. You’re free to do whatever He leads you to do, not just whatever you want to do. Your freedom is not restrained but tempered by love. Then you can bend in order not to offend without breaking your fellowship with God. Then you’re controlled by love and not by compulsion. You’ll never be able to please everyone, but you can always please God. So you must follow the line of love and let the chips fall where they may with people. Seek not to disobey God first and then not to offend people second. But be advised, surely someone somewhere won’t like it, but don’t use their reproach as an opportunity for your flesh and begin to flout your flout your freedom to offend.
The best you can do is to seek to please God and love man. Follow your heart. Do what the love of the Lord is leading you to do. Live by love and you will walk the line, defy the gravity of guilt by divine design.
Comprehend your liberty better everyday,
As you exercise your freedom to obey.
Seek to please man, and you will stray,
Live “too free” - and you will pay.
Back and forth the line does sway.
Keep your balance - go all the way.
Gal 5:1-2
5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
NKJV
Gal 5:13-14
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
NKJV
Prov 29:25
25 The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
NKJV
Rom 14:1-15:6
14 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written:
"As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God."
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.
14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me." 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NKJV
1 Cor 13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
NKJV
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
ONE
God intends for us to be like Him. He made us in His Image and likeness. In the beginning God walked WITH us but that was not enough so He decided to live IN us. Not only to have relationship with us but to be ONE with us. The old covenant was reformation from the outside in, the new covenant is transformation form the inside out. The blood of Jesus was shed to wash us from our sin so God could dwell within. When we accept the sacrifice then He moves in and WE begin. His Spirit becomes one with our spirit and we become one spirit - a new creation. It’s no longer just God and man but the Spirit of God in the Spirit Man. If you have trouble grasping this then get some food coloring. Make some blue water to represent God’s Spirit and some red water to represent your spirit. Now let the red receive the blue and it becomes purple. The two have become one and a new creation has begun. Just like water and water mix together and make a new water, Spirit and spirit mix together and make a new Spirit. It’s not just God with man or man “seeking” God but the two have become ONE!
2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!
AMP
2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
NKJV
2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
KJV
John 1:10-13
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
NKJV
John 3:3-8
3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
NKJV
Eph 5:30-33
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." 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
NKJV
1 Cor 6:15-17
15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two," He says, "shall become one flesh." 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
NKJV
1 Cor 6:17
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
KJV
1 Cor 6:17
17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
NIV
John 17:21-23
21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
NKJV
John 17:22
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
KJV
John 17:21-23
21 The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind —
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
22 The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
So they'll be as unified and together as we are —
23 I in them and you in me.
Then they'll be mature in this oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you've sent me and loved them
In the same way you've loved me.
(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
John 17:22-23
22 "I have given them the glory you gave me-the glorious unity of being one, as we are-
TLB
John 17:22
22 I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one:
AMP
2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!
AMP
2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
NKJV
2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
KJV
John 1:10-13
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
NKJV
John 3:3-8
3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
NKJV
Eph 5:30-33
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." 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
NKJV
1 Cor 6:15-17
15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two," He says, "shall become one flesh." 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
NKJV
1 Cor 6:17
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
KJV
1 Cor 6:17
17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
NIV
John 17:21-23
21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
NKJV
John 17:22
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
KJV
John 17:21-23
21 The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind —
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
22 The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
So they'll be as unified and together as we are —
23 I in them and you in me.
Then they'll be mature in this oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you've sent me and loved them
In the same way you've loved me.
(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
John 17:22-23
22 "I have given them the glory you gave me-the glorious unity of being one, as we are-
TLB
John 17:22
22 I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one:
AMP
Monday, March 7, 2011
“FOLLOW ME!”
I don’t have much to say today. Seek God and pray He will show you the way.
Ps 32:8-9
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you.
NKJV
Ps 32:9
9 "Don't be ornery like a horse or mule
that needs bit and bridle
to stay on track."
MES
Ps 32:8-9
8 I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress. 9 Don't be like a senseless horse or mule that has to have a bit in its mouth to keep it in line!
TLB
Ps 32:8-9
8 The Lord says, "I will teach you the way you should go;
I will instruct you and advise you.
9 Don't be stupid like a horse or a mule,
which must be controlled with a bit and bridle
to make it submit."
GNT
Ps 32:8-9
8 I will give you knowledge, teaching you the way to go; my eye will be your guide.
9 Do not be like the horse or the ass, without sense; ...
BBE
Isa 48:17-18
7 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer,
The Holy One of Israel:
"I am the Lord your God,
Who teaches you to profit,
Who leads you by the way you should go.
18 Oh, that you had heeded My commandments!
Then your peace would have been like a river,
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
NKJV
Isa 48:17-18
17 with this Message from God,
your Redeemer, The Holy of Israel:
"I am God, your God,
who teaches you how to live right and well.
I show you what to do, where to go.
18 If you had listened all along to what I told you,
your life would have flowed full like a river,
blessings rolling in like waves from the sea.
MES
Jer 33:3
3 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
NKJV
Jer 29:11-14
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
NKJV
1 Peter 2:25
25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
NKJV
Ps 23
23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
NKJV
John 10:4-5
4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
NKJV
John 10:10
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
NKJV
John 10:27-28
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
NKJV
John 12:26
26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
NKJV
John 10:4-5
4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
NKJV
John 10:10
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
NKJV
John 10:27-28
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
NKJV
John 12:26
26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
NKJV
John 21:17-22
Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?"
22 Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."
NKJV
Ps 32:8-9
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you.
NKJV
Ps 32:9
9 "Don't be ornery like a horse or mule
that needs bit and bridle
to stay on track."
MES
Ps 32:8-9
8 I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress. 9 Don't be like a senseless horse or mule that has to have a bit in its mouth to keep it in line!
TLB
Ps 32:8-9
8 The Lord says, "I will teach you the way you should go;
I will instruct you and advise you.
9 Don't be stupid like a horse or a mule,
which must be controlled with a bit and bridle
to make it submit."
GNT
Ps 32:8-9
8 I will give you knowledge, teaching you the way to go; my eye will be your guide.
9 Do not be like the horse or the ass, without sense; ...
BBE
Isa 48:17-18
7 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer,
The Holy One of Israel:
"I am the Lord your God,
Who teaches you to profit,
Who leads you by the way you should go.
18 Oh, that you had heeded My commandments!
Then your peace would have been like a river,
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
NKJV
Isa 48:17-18
17 with this Message from God,
your Redeemer, The Holy of Israel:
"I am God, your God,
who teaches you how to live right and well.
I show you what to do, where to go.
18 If you had listened all along to what I told you,
your life would have flowed full like a river,
blessings rolling in like waves from the sea.
MES
Jer 33:3
3 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
NKJV
Jer 29:11-14
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
NKJV
1 Peter 2:25
25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
NKJV
Ps 23
23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
NKJV
John 10:4-5
4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
NKJV
John 10:10
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
NKJV
John 10:27-28
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
NKJV
John 12:26
26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
NKJV
John 10:4-5
4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
NKJV
John 10:10
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
NKJV
John 10:27-28
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
NKJV
John 12:26
26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
NKJV
John 21:17-22
Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?"
22 Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."
NKJV
Friday, March 4, 2011
LOBOTOMY
Today I’m writing about one of the new songs that I just wrote for our band which is called, Violent By Nature. The name of the band comes from the scripture Mt 11:12, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” We have an evil and malicious enemy and we must resist Him by force. The violence is not violence for evil, but violence for good against evil. And the force is the power and energy of the Almighty to overcome evil. Because the Bible says, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (I Jn 3:8) and Jesus said that the works that He did believers will do also (Jn 14:12) and that is to “destroy the works of the devil.” We are not to “…be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom 12:21) So we resist the enemy by being empowered by God to be violent for good against all evil. The music is Punk, Thrash and Metal and that’s because the vision is to take the light into the darkness that they may see and be free.
The new song is called Lobotomy and it refers to the human tendency of humanity to try to make others conform to their own way of thinking. Anyone who doesn’t think within the “box” is apparently “out of their mind” so most people consciously or subconsciously take it upon themselves to try to get others back in their box. It’s the pot of their own perception and they can’t see past it. People that don’t think “right” are tormented and pressured to fit in, and get in the pot. If they can not then society offers the option of Lobotomy. Pioneered by Walter J. Freeman the process involved shocking the patient unconscious and then inserting an ice pick through the eye socket, tapping it in with a hammer and then wiggling it around in the frontal lobe. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0aNILW6ILk) Once lobotomized the patient might reformed and able to conform to the norm. The process was mostly replace by the drug Thorazine, originally market as chemical lobotomy. Also referred to as a chemical straight jacket for the mind and body.
Most people don’t go to these lengths but instead resort reform their “patients” by informational lobotomy. They inform to deform and Jesus said to “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. (Mark 8:15)
But God offers the real answer for all mental and emotional distress, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:2) “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ” (Phil 2:5) And “…we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor 2:16b)
The “mind of Christ” is contrary to the World and all of mans mindsets that seek to control. Such as: different forms of religion, political correctness, psychology, peer pressure, culture, traditions, etc. But we are called and created to be controlled by God and not man or evil. When we seek Him, make Him our Lord and yield to Him then we are conformed to His love and likeness. However, apparently even Jesus Himself became a misfit in His own society. He didn’t “fit in” where the people, politicians or the Pharisees wanted Him to “fit in” thus misfit. He would not get in their pot because He came to do the will of God and not of man. And it’s still the same today, when you sincerely step out to obey God you inevitably go against someone’s grain. Then they will try to “inform” to help you conform their norm. And to whom and what you give your mind to is to whom and what you will be conformed.
Rom 12:2
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
NKJV
Acts 4:19-20
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
NKJV
Acts 5:27-30
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying,"Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!"
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.
NKJV
So here’s the song. The music is up on our MySpace page and we’ll be getting it up with the lyrics also - soon. And I’m believing that somewhere somehow that this song will be used to set the captives free so they may see and have the mind of Christ. I’ll be ministering on it tonight and we will play it at the gang meeting. You’re welcome to come or bring someone if you desire and you’re in our area. (388 9th St. Meeker, CO)
1 Cor 4:9-10a
It seems to me that God has put us who bear his Message on stage in a theater in which no one wants to buy a ticket. We're something everyone stands around and stares at, like an accident in the street. 10 We're the Messiah's misfits.
MES
LOBOTOMY
THEY INFORM
TO DEFORM
WITCHES BREW
NICE AND WARM
Tried to put us in their pot, but we wouldn’t fit.
Told to toe a sacred line but we couldn’t find it.
Tried until we almost died, but we couldn’t do it.
Finally went out of our minds, became Messiah’s misfits.
DON’T CONFORM
TO THE SWARM
MIND OF CHRIST
BE TRANSFORMED
They said to bid our pain adieu, ice pick will reform.
Came to make our life a stew - driven to perform.
Upon our flesh they want to chew, the pot is nice and warm.
Consume our brain – like fondue, WE WILL NOT CONFORM!
Got the fire blazing hot, and they came to find us.
Hounded us till we were shot, but they couldn’t bind us.
Disemboweled and left to rot, but they couldn’t grind us.
WE WILL NOT GET IN THE POT! We’re Messiah’s misfits.
THEY INFORM
TO DEFORM
WITCHES BREW
NICE AND WARM
DON’T CONFORM
TO THE SWARM
MIND OF CHRIST
BE TRANSFORMED
(Violent by Nature, Copyright © 2011, All rights reserved)
References: for LOBOTOMY
Most of the ideas are found in Romans and Galatians. But there are many others. Here’s a few and there are many more but my time for writing this has expired. Cheers!
THEY INFORM (Gen 3: 4-5, Mt 16:6, Mk 8:15, Lu 12:1)
TO DEFORM ( 1 Cor 5:6)
WITCHES BREW ( Gal 3:1-3, 5:1-9)
NICE AND WARM
Tried to put us in their pot, but we wouldn’t fit. (Jn 1:11, 17:14, Mt 10:24-31)
Told to toe a sacred line but we couldn’t find it. (Mt 15:1-9)
Tried until we almost died, but we couldn’t do it. (Gal 3:11, 5:4)
Finally went out of our minds, became Messiah’s misfits. ( 2 Cor 5:12-13, 1 Cor 4:9-10MES)
DON’T CONFORM
TO THE SWARM
MIND OF CHRIST
BE TRANSFORMED (Rom 12:2, Php 2:5, I Cor 2:16, Eph 4:22-24, Lu 1:74-75)
They said to bid our pain adieu, ice pick will reform. (Lobotomy)
Came to make our life a stew - driven to perform. (Lu 18:9-14,)
Upon our flesh they want to chew, the pot is nice and warm. (Gal 6:13-14, Mt 23:13-39)
Consume our brain – like fondue, WE WILL NOT CONFORM! (Rom 12:2, Jam 4:7, 1 Pe 5:8-9)
Got the fire blazing hot, and they came to find us. (Mt 23:13)
Hounded us till we were shot, but they couldn’t bind us. (Gal 5:1, Mt 23:4, Heb 2:14-15, Ac 8:23, 2 Tim 2:9)
Disemboweled and left to rot, but they couldn’t grind us. (Disemboweled – to try and control by guilt and condemnation, fear, rejection, etc. - in the gut – Rom 8:1)
WE WILL NOT GET IN THE POT! We’re Messiah’s misfits. (Mt 11:12, Rom 12:2, 1 Cor 4:9-10MES)
THEY INFORM
TO DEFORM
WITCHES BREW
NICE AND WARM
DON’T CONFORM
TO THE SWARM
MIND OF CHRIST
BE TRANSFORMED
(Violent by Nature, Copyright © 2011, All rights reserved)
The new song is called Lobotomy and it refers to the human tendency of humanity to try to make others conform to their own way of thinking. Anyone who doesn’t think within the “box” is apparently “out of their mind” so most people consciously or subconsciously take it upon themselves to try to get others back in their box. It’s the pot of their own perception and they can’t see past it. People that don’t think “right” are tormented and pressured to fit in, and get in the pot. If they can not then society offers the option of Lobotomy. Pioneered by Walter J. Freeman the process involved shocking the patient unconscious and then inserting an ice pick through the eye socket, tapping it in with a hammer and then wiggling it around in the frontal lobe. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0aNILW6ILk) Once lobotomized the patient might reformed and able to conform to the norm. The process was mostly replace by the drug Thorazine, originally market as chemical lobotomy. Also referred to as a chemical straight jacket for the mind and body.
Most people don’t go to these lengths but instead resort reform their “patients” by informational lobotomy. They inform to deform and Jesus said to “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. (Mark 8:15)
But God offers the real answer for all mental and emotional distress, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:2) “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ” (Phil 2:5) And “…we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor 2:16b)
The “mind of Christ” is contrary to the World and all of mans mindsets that seek to control. Such as: different forms of religion, political correctness, psychology, peer pressure, culture, traditions, etc. But we are called and created to be controlled by God and not man or evil. When we seek Him, make Him our Lord and yield to Him then we are conformed to His love and likeness. However, apparently even Jesus Himself became a misfit in His own society. He didn’t “fit in” where the people, politicians or the Pharisees wanted Him to “fit in” thus misfit. He would not get in their pot because He came to do the will of God and not of man. And it’s still the same today, when you sincerely step out to obey God you inevitably go against someone’s grain. Then they will try to “inform” to help you conform their norm. And to whom and what you give your mind to is to whom and what you will be conformed.
Rom 12:2
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
NKJV
Acts 4:19-20
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
NKJV
Acts 5:27-30
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying,"Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!"
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.
NKJV
So here’s the song. The music is up on our MySpace page and we’ll be getting it up with the lyrics also - soon. And I’m believing that somewhere somehow that this song will be used to set the captives free so they may see and have the mind of Christ. I’ll be ministering on it tonight and we will play it at the gang meeting. You’re welcome to come or bring someone if you desire and you’re in our area. (388 9th St. Meeker, CO)
1 Cor 4:9-10a
It seems to me that God has put us who bear his Message on stage in a theater in which no one wants to buy a ticket. We're something everyone stands around and stares at, like an accident in the street. 10 We're the Messiah's misfits.
MES
LOBOTOMY
THEY INFORM
TO DEFORM
WITCHES BREW
NICE AND WARM
Tried to put us in their pot, but we wouldn’t fit.
Told to toe a sacred line but we couldn’t find it.
Tried until we almost died, but we couldn’t do it.
Finally went out of our minds, became Messiah’s misfits.
DON’T CONFORM
TO THE SWARM
MIND OF CHRIST
BE TRANSFORMED
They said to bid our pain adieu, ice pick will reform.
Came to make our life a stew - driven to perform.
Upon our flesh they want to chew, the pot is nice and warm.
Consume our brain – like fondue, WE WILL NOT CONFORM!
Got the fire blazing hot, and they came to find us.
Hounded us till we were shot, but they couldn’t bind us.
Disemboweled and left to rot, but they couldn’t grind us.
WE WILL NOT GET IN THE POT! We’re Messiah’s misfits.
THEY INFORM
TO DEFORM
WITCHES BREW
NICE AND WARM
DON’T CONFORM
TO THE SWARM
MIND OF CHRIST
BE TRANSFORMED
(Violent by Nature, Copyright © 2011, All rights reserved)
References: for LOBOTOMY
Most of the ideas are found in Romans and Galatians. But there are many others. Here’s a few and there are many more but my time for writing this has expired. Cheers!
THEY INFORM (Gen 3: 4-5, Mt 16:6, Mk 8:15, Lu 12:1)
TO DEFORM ( 1 Cor 5:6)
WITCHES BREW ( Gal 3:1-3, 5:1-9)
NICE AND WARM
Tried to put us in their pot, but we wouldn’t fit. (Jn 1:11, 17:14, Mt 10:24-31)
Told to toe a sacred line but we couldn’t find it. (Mt 15:1-9)
Tried until we almost died, but we couldn’t do it. (Gal 3:11, 5:4)
Finally went out of our minds, became Messiah’s misfits. ( 2 Cor 5:12-13, 1 Cor 4:9-10MES)
DON’T CONFORM
TO THE SWARM
MIND OF CHRIST
BE TRANSFORMED (Rom 12:2, Php 2:5, I Cor 2:16, Eph 4:22-24, Lu 1:74-75)
They said to bid our pain adieu, ice pick will reform. (Lobotomy)
Came to make our life a stew - driven to perform. (Lu 18:9-14,)
Upon our flesh they want to chew, the pot is nice and warm. (Gal 6:13-14, Mt 23:13-39)
Consume our brain – like fondue, WE WILL NOT CONFORM! (Rom 12:2, Jam 4:7, 1 Pe 5:8-9)
Got the fire blazing hot, and they came to find us. (Mt 23:13)
Hounded us till we were shot, but they couldn’t bind us. (Gal 5:1, Mt 23:4, Heb 2:14-15, Ac 8:23, 2 Tim 2:9)
Disemboweled and left to rot, but they couldn’t grind us. (Disemboweled – to try and control by guilt and condemnation, fear, rejection, etc. - in the gut – Rom 8:1)
WE WILL NOT GET IN THE POT! We’re Messiah’s misfits. (Mt 11:12, Rom 12:2, 1 Cor 4:9-10MES)
THEY INFORM
TO DEFORM
WITCHES BREW
NICE AND WARM
DON’T CONFORM
TO THE SWARM
MIND OF CHRIST
BE TRANSFORMED
(Violent by Nature, Copyright © 2011, All rights reserved)
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