Mat 27:39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads
Mat 27:40 and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross."
Mat 27:41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying,
Mat 27:42 "He saved others; he cannot save himself. If He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.
Mat 27:43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'"
If.
Such a small word with such large ramifications.
Contained within one vowel and one consonant is a desperate lack of faith and hope.
It's almost as if the people wanted to believe, but they needed some super huge miracle to prove to them once for all.
However, that was it.
The miracle was being performed.
Right before their very eyes.
It was the great once for all sacrificial miracle.
The spiritually blind will never receive.
I doubt that all of the "if's" could ever have been satisfied.
No, it's not "if". It's "He is".
"If" replaced by "Is".
One vowel and one consonant taking up the same space.
Only this word is packed with faith and hope.
You know, all of those things the people were asking for came true.
He came off the cross. His Father delivered Him. He is the King.
Now He is waiting to come back to gather His Church.
Will the Son of Man find faith upon the earth when He does?
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Just Passing By
Matt. 27:39 - "And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads..."
Matt. 27:40 - "...and saying, 'You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.' "
Here we see the casual dismissal of Christ.
"Those who passed by." The basically uninformed. Those with just enough knowledge of a situation to hurt themselves but not ever do any good.
They paused to mock Jesus and deride Him based upon a misunderstanding of His words.
He never said He would destroy the temple of Jerusalem and rebuild it in three days.
He was referring to Himself as being the Temple of God and that He would be destroyed upon a cross but be resurrected in three days (all of which came to pass). (John 2:19)
He also compared Himself to Jonah and the whale..
He said, "For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matt. 12:40)
Even the religious Jewish leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees, should have known exactly what Jesus was saying when He claimed to be the Chosen One, the prophecied Messiah.
What's changed in 2,000 years?
Not much. Even with the knowledge we have gained, and the presence of the Church in essentially every part of the world, people still take issue with Jesus and accuse and reject Him without knowing the facts about Him.
We cannot, nor should we, judge Jesus Christ based upon the testimony of others good or bad.
We should make our own assessment based upon seeking Him personally. Anything else is pure ignorance and speculation.
Want to know if Jesus is who He says He is?
Then do the right thing and ask Him to reveal Himself to you.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Matt. 27:40 - "...and saying, 'You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.' "
Here we see the casual dismissal of Christ.
"Those who passed by." The basically uninformed. Those with just enough knowledge of a situation to hurt themselves but not ever do any good.
They paused to mock Jesus and deride Him based upon a misunderstanding of His words.
He never said He would destroy the temple of Jerusalem and rebuild it in three days.
He was referring to Himself as being the Temple of God and that He would be destroyed upon a cross but be resurrected in three days (all of which came to pass). (John 2:19)
He also compared Himself to Jonah and the whale..
He said, "For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matt. 12:40)
Even the religious Jewish leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees, should have known exactly what Jesus was saying when He claimed to be the Chosen One, the prophecied Messiah.
What's changed in 2,000 years?
Not much. Even with the knowledge we have gained, and the presence of the Church in essentially every part of the world, people still take issue with Jesus and accuse and reject Him without knowing the facts about Him.
We cannot, nor should we, judge Jesus Christ based upon the testimony of others good or bad.
We should make our own assessment based upon seeking Him personally. Anything else is pure ignorance and speculation.
Want to know if Jesus is who He says He is?
Then do the right thing and ask Him to reveal Himself to you.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Stepping Out Of The Grave
In the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of John, there is an account of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead. He had already been entombed four days, and in the face of much wonder and disbelief Jesus miraculously gave him back his life and he walked out of that tomb still wearing the grave clothes he was wrapped with a few days earlier.
There are many factors and facets we can gain from this event. It shows us the power that Christ has over death itself. It shows us the compassion Jesus has toward people. It shows us an example of the resurrection of the body that is available for believers when Jesus comes to gather His Church.
However, for today's intentions, and as an example and encouragement for believers right now, we can look at the story as metaphorical.
Prior to knowing Jesus we were spiritually dead. We were as good as in our graves.
Upon giving our hearts to Christ we were spiritually joined with Him in His death and resurrection.
In essence we died to sin and were made alive to God.
We literally walked out of the tomb of our own sin and degradation, complete with the rags of our shattered and frayed lives falling off of us as we "resurrected" from our former deadness!
This is why when we enter into this "Resurrection Season" we can really get excited about it!
This is not just some dry, worn out, dead religious exercise.
This is taking advantage of shouting to the world around us, "Hey, this is what Jesus did for me!. It's what He can do for you too!"
Look at the Scripture for today:
John 5:28-29 (Amplified Bible) - "Do not be surprised and wonder at this, for the time is coming when all those who are in the tombs shall hear His voice,(29) And they shall come out--those who have practiced doing good [will come out] to the resurrection of [new] life, and those who have done evil will be raised for judgment [raised to meet their sentence]."
Wow! Yes indeed! This passage points to the day when the literal graves of those who have died in Christ physically will be opened and be raised in new glorified bodies to join Jesus in the air at the rapture of His Church.
But it also may be used to show what has happened to us first in our spirit.
For in order to take part in the grand resurrection of the body, we first have to have this happen to us in our spirit!
This is why it is important that we give our heart to Christ, and that we makes sure others have the opportunity as well.
This indeed a time for rejoicing in what Christ has done for us, and what He is still willing to do even today for those who are dead in their spiritual lives.
Tell someone today what Jesus has done for you!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
There are many factors and facets we can gain from this event. It shows us the power that Christ has over death itself. It shows us the compassion Jesus has toward people. It shows us an example of the resurrection of the body that is available for believers when Jesus comes to gather His Church.
However, for today's intentions, and as an example and encouragement for believers right now, we can look at the story as metaphorical.
Prior to knowing Jesus we were spiritually dead. We were as good as in our graves.
Upon giving our hearts to Christ we were spiritually joined with Him in His death and resurrection.
In essence we died to sin and were made alive to God.
We literally walked out of the tomb of our own sin and degradation, complete with the rags of our shattered and frayed lives falling off of us as we "resurrected" from our former deadness!
This is why when we enter into this "Resurrection Season" we can really get excited about it!
This is not just some dry, worn out, dead religious exercise.
This is taking advantage of shouting to the world around us, "Hey, this is what Jesus did for me!. It's what He can do for you too!"
Look at the Scripture for today:
John 5:28-29 (Amplified Bible) - "Do not be surprised and wonder at this, for the time is coming when all those who are in the tombs shall hear His voice,(29) And they shall come out--those who have practiced doing good [will come out] to the resurrection of [new] life, and those who have done evil will be raised for judgment [raised to meet their sentence]."
Wow! Yes indeed! This passage points to the day when the literal graves of those who have died in Christ physically will be opened and be raised in new glorified bodies to join Jesus in the air at the rapture of His Church.
But it also may be used to show what has happened to us first in our spirit.
For in order to take part in the grand resurrection of the body, we first have to have this happen to us in our spirit!
This is why it is important that we give our heart to Christ, and that we makes sure others have the opportunity as well.
This indeed a time for rejoicing in what Christ has done for us, and what He is still willing to do even today for those who are dead in their spiritual lives.
Tell someone today what Jesus has done for you!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
"He Sure Doesn't Look Like A King"
Luke 19:38 - "...saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!""
The King?
He's not adorned like a king.
He's not riding the finest horse.
He really doesn't look like much of a king.
Yet, multitudes are treating Him as if He is one.
He was identifying.
Into the City of David He comes. Lowly in appearance and riding on the back of a donkey.
That's my King alright. He just confounds everything and everybody.
He shows us the true Kingship of the universe.
He reviles the haughty and proud. He lifts up and encourages the low in spirit and stature.
He has toppled more than one evil regime, and He stands between good and evil in our lives today.
He is Jesus Christ. Lord of Lords. King of kings. The soon coming again Savior of all.
He wants to be your friend today. He wants to ease your suffering today. He wants to heal your diseases today. He wants to cancel sin in your life today.
He wants to be sure that when He comes soon to gather His Church you will be among them.
If there is any chance, any chance at all, of that not happening, today is a good day to get it straightened out.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
The King?
He's not adorned like a king.
He's not riding the finest horse.
He really doesn't look like much of a king.
Yet, multitudes are treating Him as if He is one.
He was identifying.
Into the City of David He comes. Lowly in appearance and riding on the back of a donkey.
That's my King alright. He just confounds everything and everybody.
He shows us the true Kingship of the universe.
He reviles the haughty and proud. He lifts up and encourages the low in spirit and stature.
He has toppled more than one evil regime, and He stands between good and evil in our lives today.
He is Jesus Christ. Lord of Lords. King of kings. The soon coming again Savior of all.
He wants to be your friend today. He wants to ease your suffering today. He wants to heal your diseases today. He wants to cancel sin in your life today.
He wants to be sure that when He comes soon to gather His Church you will be among them.
If there is any chance, any chance at all, of that not happening, today is a good day to get it straightened out.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Monday, March 26, 2012
Twice And Thrice
Mark 14:72 - "And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, 'Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice'. And when he thought thereon, he wept."
How could Peter do it?
Headstrong? Impetuous? Yes, those and more. But to deny Jesus?
Not once. Not twice. Three times.
Cocka-Doodle-Doooooo......You just can't mistake that irritating sound.
Jesus had him pegged.
Jesus had said all would desert Him.
John showed up at the Cross. The only one.
He must have had doubt in his heart or else ALL doesn't mean ALL.
Strike the Shepherd and the sheep will scatter.
How easy it is to step away from Jesus and pretend we don't know Him.
How easy to harbor doubt and denial in our heart even while sitting in church listening to the preacher.
Actions, even subtle acts of non-committal often tell all that needs to be told.
Be careful with that.
There is no middle ground.
Matthew 10:33 - "...but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."
Lukewarmness doesn't sit well with Jesus.
Rev. 3:16 - "So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."
Straddling a fence is very uncomfortable and it doesn't work with Jesus.
Yes or no. In or out.
Period.
This is a good season to become refreshed in committal. To be renewed in spirit.
This is a good season to show up at the Cross.
A wishy-washy Christian is on no better ground than the rank sinner.
The only solid ground is around the Cross.
Heavenly choir or barnyard crowing?
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
How could Peter do it?
Headstrong? Impetuous? Yes, those and more. But to deny Jesus?
Not once. Not twice. Three times.
Cocka-Doodle-Doooooo......You just can't mistake that irritating sound.
Jesus had him pegged.
Jesus had said all would desert Him.
John showed up at the Cross. The only one.
He must have had doubt in his heart or else ALL doesn't mean ALL.
Strike the Shepherd and the sheep will scatter.
How easy it is to step away from Jesus and pretend we don't know Him.
How easy to harbor doubt and denial in our heart even while sitting in church listening to the preacher.
Actions, even subtle acts of non-committal often tell all that needs to be told.
Be careful with that.
There is no middle ground.
Matthew 10:33 - "...but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."
Lukewarmness doesn't sit well with Jesus.
Rev. 3:16 - "So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."
Straddling a fence is very uncomfortable and it doesn't work with Jesus.
Yes or no. In or out.
Period.
This is a good season to become refreshed in committal. To be renewed in spirit.
This is a good season to show up at the Cross.
A wishy-washy Christian is on no better ground than the rank sinner.
The only solid ground is around the Cross.
Heavenly choir or barnyard crowing?
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Friday, March 23, 2012
How Much Faith Is Enough Faith?
On my property I have various types of tress and plants. Some were there when we bought the property, some we added later. I am even reminded of the bible by our Rose of Sharon's and Burning Bushes.
One tree however was a pleasant surprise. We actually have several Sycamine trees. Of course they are not called Sycamine anymore, which is why I never made the connection to the bible.
The Sycamine is what is more commonly referred to as the Black Mulberry Tree.
I suppose that is somewhat exciting.
Luke 17:6 - "And the Lord answered, If you had faith (trust and confidence in God) even [so small] like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, Be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you.
Then it dawned on me.
We recently had to have several trees removed because they threatened our home and the power, phone, and cable lines. It is an expensive problem to have. Unless one has faith that God has an answer.
In our case God did. We believed for a solution and He provided. The power company removed the trees for free. In essence those trees "obeyed" us according to our faith that God would provide.
They were a conflict. A detriment. A problem that needed to be uprooted. We saw no way out of it in the natural. God provided a way.
Just like what happens in our personal lives. I mean, what was Jesus really railing against when He said even the smallest of faith would uproot the mulberry tree and replant it in the sea?
An actual mulberry tree?
No. It would make no sense to do that. In fact, He wasn't trying to suggest that it could.
Why? Because it would go against the natural order of things. Trees are meant to be grown on dry land, not under the sea.
However, He was meaning that when it comes to the difficulties of life, some so difficult that they actually seem to be as impossible to solve as "transplanting a tree from its natural habitat to one foreign to itself", that even the smallest belief and understanding that God could accomplish it simply because He is God would be sufficient.
Following me here?
It's not about the tree. It's about you.
Jesus is trying to establish the fact that there is no trouble, problem, irritation, or catastrophe that is too difficult for Him to handle.
Jesus is also pulling us into the reality that it's also not about us having faith in our faith.
Listen to me carefully here. It's not about what YOU can do by believing you have enough faith.
One thing He will do, and that is respond to your even infinitesimal faith IN HIM!
Still with me?
It's also about the amount of faith we have. In my opinion we shouldn't get caught up in "levels" of faith. Either we have it or not. In comparison to the faith of God it's all small faith. But it's enough.
That's where I think we are. Jesus is saying we have enough faith.
You have enough faith! That's great news! You have enough faith! Not small faith, but enough faith to direct it toward your problems IN THE NAME OF JESUS for whatever need you have today!
It's a comfort that our God doesn't sit on His throne and determine who gets what by assessing who has the most faith or not.
He says essentially that if we are followers of Jesus Christ we have enough.
He gives us the right to use the Name of Jesus to move what needs to be moved. Just remember...it's always Him, not you, that is making it happen.
So...got a "mountain to move? A "tree" to be uprooted? Right now, if you are a believer, you can "speak" to the issue in the name of Jesus to solve it and know that it will happen.
Luke 10:17 - "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!"
Now that my friends, is...
Keepin' it Real.
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
One tree however was a pleasant surprise. We actually have several Sycamine trees. Of course they are not called Sycamine anymore, which is why I never made the connection to the bible.
The Sycamine is what is more commonly referred to as the Black Mulberry Tree.
I suppose that is somewhat exciting.
Luke 17:6 - "And the Lord answered, If you had faith (trust and confidence in God) even [so small] like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, Be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you.
Then it dawned on me.
We recently had to have several trees removed because they threatened our home and the power, phone, and cable lines. It is an expensive problem to have. Unless one has faith that God has an answer.
In our case God did. We believed for a solution and He provided. The power company removed the trees for free. In essence those trees "obeyed" us according to our faith that God would provide.
They were a conflict. A detriment. A problem that needed to be uprooted. We saw no way out of it in the natural. God provided a way.
Just like what happens in our personal lives. I mean, what was Jesus really railing against when He said even the smallest of faith would uproot the mulberry tree and replant it in the sea?
An actual mulberry tree?
No. It would make no sense to do that. In fact, He wasn't trying to suggest that it could.
Why? Because it would go against the natural order of things. Trees are meant to be grown on dry land, not under the sea.
However, He was meaning that when it comes to the difficulties of life, some so difficult that they actually seem to be as impossible to solve as "transplanting a tree from its natural habitat to one foreign to itself", that even the smallest belief and understanding that God could accomplish it simply because He is God would be sufficient.
Following me here?
It's not about the tree. It's about you.
Jesus is trying to establish the fact that there is no trouble, problem, irritation, or catastrophe that is too difficult for Him to handle.
Jesus is also pulling us into the reality that it's also not about us having faith in our faith.
Listen to me carefully here. It's not about what YOU can do by believing you have enough faith.
One thing He will do, and that is respond to your even infinitesimal faith IN HIM!
Still with me?
It's also about the amount of faith we have. In my opinion we shouldn't get caught up in "levels" of faith. Either we have it or not. In comparison to the faith of God it's all small faith. But it's enough.
That's where I think we are. Jesus is saying we have enough faith.
You have enough faith! That's great news! You have enough faith! Not small faith, but enough faith to direct it toward your problems IN THE NAME OF JESUS for whatever need you have today!
It's a comfort that our God doesn't sit on His throne and determine who gets what by assessing who has the most faith or not.
He says essentially that if we are followers of Jesus Christ we have enough.
He gives us the right to use the Name of Jesus to move what needs to be moved. Just remember...it's always Him, not you, that is making it happen.
So...got a "mountain to move? A "tree" to be uprooted? Right now, if you are a believer, you can "speak" to the issue in the name of Jesus to solve it and know that it will happen.
Luke 10:17 - "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!"
Now that my friends, is...
Keepin' it Real.
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Here Is Your New Worry Free Life
I am going to give you the key to a worry free life today.
There is only what I know. What I have learned from Jesus. I can't give you any more than that.
Yes. It has worked for me. I have also seen it work in many others who heed the Word.
I am 100% confident it will work for you.
Not because I say it will. Not even because it has worked for me.
But simply because it just will when applied in faith.
In faith. In faith. In faith.
This is where it breaks down if there are some who will say it didn't work.
This is not a mantra. This is not humanistic psychology.
This is the supernatural ministry of Jesus Christ extended to you when you reach out to Him in faith.
1 Peter 5:6-7 - "Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully."
Often the sixth verse is left out and just the advice to throw off your cares upon Jesus is taught.
That's a setup for failure.
You see, there are reasons for being anxiety ridden. They are associated with your behavior.
In other words, you bring it on yourself by your actions.
If you think you are more than you are that is going to bring with it some baggage that will grow heavy over time. Simply put, you must stop exalting yourself before God will exalt you.
You must stop deluding yourself. Self-delusion brings false expectations that will never be fulfilled, which brings feelings of failure and inadequacy, which breeds anxiety.
"Nothing is working out for me." Sound familiar.
You must stop lying. To yourself and to others. Abraham's lies kept breeding more lies and more anxiety and fear. The more fear, the more lies. Perpetual fear cycle.
If you think you have anxiety now, wait until people find you out. And they always will.
So, Peter explains to us the "key" to freedom from worry and anxiety.
Be humble. Cast it off onto Jesus. The reason you have to first become humble is because we think we are failing by dumping our problems, that we can't handle our own lives.
Well, the news for you today is you need to get over that, because you can't handle your own life. No one can. We all need to become humbled and ask Jesus to rescue us.
So do that. First go to Jesus and confess your inadequacy, admit you can't handle life alone, and toss the entire gigantic package of stress and anxiety upon Him. It's ok. He wants you to. Just do it.
Stop right now. Pause, and do it. Right now.
Feel His love and concern for you at this moment. If no one else in the world cares for you, know that at this moment Jesus loves you very much and wants to help you in your stressful time.
No one's watching. Don't feel foolish. Don't be afraid. He will not fail you.
There. Did you do it? You will feel lighter in your mind. Relieved.
Do you? Take a breath. Let the smile cross your lips. Lift your hands to praise Him. Thank Him. Feel giddy. Feel joyful.
It's gone. Really, really gone.
Now, don't you dare try to take it back. What you give Jesus leave with Jesus. Trust Him the rest of the way. Don't build new stress and worry. Learn to give it over before you ramp it up into a crisis.
The "casting the whole of your care" indicates continuity, that you will live in a perpetual state of release of anxiety to Jesus. This happens when you let Him order you life.
Let me know how this works out for you. If you are really trusting and believing in Him, it will be a life changing miracle. This I promise.
This IS...
...Keepin' it Real.
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
There is only what I know. What I have learned from Jesus. I can't give you any more than that.
Yes. It has worked for me. I have also seen it work in many others who heed the Word.
I am 100% confident it will work for you.
Not because I say it will. Not even because it has worked for me.
But simply because it just will when applied in faith.
In faith. In faith. In faith.
This is where it breaks down if there are some who will say it didn't work.
This is not a mantra. This is not humanistic psychology.
This is the supernatural ministry of Jesus Christ extended to you when you reach out to Him in faith.
1 Peter 5:6-7 - "Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully."
Often the sixth verse is left out and just the advice to throw off your cares upon Jesus is taught.
That's a setup for failure.
You see, there are reasons for being anxiety ridden. They are associated with your behavior.
In other words, you bring it on yourself by your actions.
If you think you are more than you are that is going to bring with it some baggage that will grow heavy over time. Simply put, you must stop exalting yourself before God will exalt you.
You must stop deluding yourself. Self-delusion brings false expectations that will never be fulfilled, which brings feelings of failure and inadequacy, which breeds anxiety.
"Nothing is working out for me." Sound familiar.
You must stop lying. To yourself and to others. Abraham's lies kept breeding more lies and more anxiety and fear. The more fear, the more lies. Perpetual fear cycle.
If you think you have anxiety now, wait until people find you out. And they always will.
So, Peter explains to us the "key" to freedom from worry and anxiety.
Be humble. Cast it off onto Jesus. The reason you have to first become humble is because we think we are failing by dumping our problems, that we can't handle our own lives.
Well, the news for you today is you need to get over that, because you can't handle your own life. No one can. We all need to become humbled and ask Jesus to rescue us.
So do that. First go to Jesus and confess your inadequacy, admit you can't handle life alone, and toss the entire gigantic package of stress and anxiety upon Him. It's ok. He wants you to. Just do it.
Stop right now. Pause, and do it. Right now.
Feel His love and concern for you at this moment. If no one else in the world cares for you, know that at this moment Jesus loves you very much and wants to help you in your stressful time.
No one's watching. Don't feel foolish. Don't be afraid. He will not fail you.
There. Did you do it? You will feel lighter in your mind. Relieved.
Do you? Take a breath. Let the smile cross your lips. Lift your hands to praise Him. Thank Him. Feel giddy. Feel joyful.
It's gone. Really, really gone.
Now, don't you dare try to take it back. What you give Jesus leave with Jesus. Trust Him the rest of the way. Don't build new stress and worry. Learn to give it over before you ramp it up into a crisis.
The "casting the whole of your care" indicates continuity, that you will live in a perpetual state of release of anxiety to Jesus. This happens when you let Him order you life.
Let me know how this works out for you. If you are really trusting and believing in Him, it will be a life changing miracle. This I promise.
This IS...
...Keepin' it Real.
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Trials, And Problems, And Cares, Oh No!
"Trials, And Problems, And Cares, Oh No!" (repeated over and over to the cadence of "Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh no!).
OH NO! Whatever will I do? How am I going to get out of this one? Why me Lord? Please help me!
Thoughts and cries of desperation.
All neatly snuggled in among the "I's" and "Me's".
This is not to say difficulties don't arise. That's not the issue. All God's chillun' got cares.
Jesus' counsel was not about getting rid of problems. It was centered on how to handle those problems.
Read this passage carefully and determine if His solution sounds anything remotely like the cries of desperation at the beginning of this devotional.
Matt. 6:25 - "Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing?"
Let me shrink that up a bit for you.
"Don't worry!"
Period.
That's it as far as the admonition goes.
Just don't do it.
Here it comes...
"Oh, but pastor...you don't know what I am facing! You don't know the problems I have!"
Sure I do. You have the same problems that virtually everyone else who is anxiety ridden does.
You are either worried about your body, about your mind, about your finances, about your stuff, about your relationships, or you're sick in your faith.
The last one is the worst. If you are sick in your faith than all of the other problems will be magnified.
The reason you are sick in your faith is because you are afraid, and fear displaces faith! They cannot exist together. You will either be faith-FILLED or fear-FILLED!
That said, lets get back to what Jesus says.
In essence Jesus is telling you that you are allowing circumstances and issues dictate to you how you are going to live.
It's supposed to be the other way around.
He is asking you a question today.
Aren't you, personally and physically, far more important than what you are designating life to be?
It's you. Life and living. In your present body. You are what it's about, not food and clothing and material possessions.
"Yes, but pastor...we need these things for even basic living!"
Granted. Jesus never said you didn't. Listen to me carefully, but give even more care to the Scripture.
He didn't say they weren't important, or that you don't need them.
Jesus is telling us what is MOST important, and that is YOU!
In fact, you are so important to Him that He has endeavored to be sure that you have all of those necessities of life so that you don't have to detract from what's important by worrying about them!
Look! It's right here...
"(31) Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? (32) For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all."
What does it say? It says the non-believers in Jesus Christ have need to be concerned over these things, BUT NOT YOU!
What a great God!
SO, my question to you today is, IF you are stressed and anxiety ridden...WHY?
Don't you believe what Jesus is saying to you today?
That's really it you know. It's a matter of faith. Back to the fear factor again.
2 Tim. 1:7 - "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
Fear is not from God. If you let fear run your life you will be anxiety ridden and stressed for the rest of your life.
Jesus fought the devil in the desert by telling him that "Man does not live by bread (or the worry of where to get it) alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceeds from the mouth of God".
Friends, if you came into my office for counseling about anxiety and fear and stress, this is EXACTLY what I would refer you to.
This IS the answer for you, for your friends, for your loved ones, for everyone you know who is struggling with fear and anxiety issues.
Get to Jesus! Trust, rely, and adhere to Him. In Him are the answers to living life to the full joy intended.
Let me leave you with this promise:
"I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." (John 10:10)
Get this truth deep down into your body, soul and spirit!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
OH NO! Whatever will I do? How am I going to get out of this one? Why me Lord? Please help me!
Thoughts and cries of desperation.
All neatly snuggled in among the "I's" and "Me's".
This is not to say difficulties don't arise. That's not the issue. All God's chillun' got cares.
Jesus' counsel was not about getting rid of problems. It was centered on how to handle those problems.
Read this passage carefully and determine if His solution sounds anything remotely like the cries of desperation at the beginning of this devotional.
Matt. 6:25 - "Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing?"
Let me shrink that up a bit for you.
"Don't worry!"
Period.
That's it as far as the admonition goes.
Just don't do it.
Here it comes...
"Oh, but pastor...you don't know what I am facing! You don't know the problems I have!"
Sure I do. You have the same problems that virtually everyone else who is anxiety ridden does.
You are either worried about your body, about your mind, about your finances, about your stuff, about your relationships, or you're sick in your faith.
The last one is the worst. If you are sick in your faith than all of the other problems will be magnified.
The reason you are sick in your faith is because you are afraid, and fear displaces faith! They cannot exist together. You will either be faith-FILLED or fear-FILLED!
That said, lets get back to what Jesus says.
In essence Jesus is telling you that you are allowing circumstances and issues dictate to you how you are going to live.
It's supposed to be the other way around.
He is asking you a question today.
Aren't you, personally and physically, far more important than what you are designating life to be?
It's you. Life and living. In your present body. You are what it's about, not food and clothing and material possessions.
"Yes, but pastor...we need these things for even basic living!"
Granted. Jesus never said you didn't. Listen to me carefully, but give even more care to the Scripture.
He didn't say they weren't important, or that you don't need them.
Jesus is telling us what is MOST important, and that is YOU!
In fact, you are so important to Him that He has endeavored to be sure that you have all of those necessities of life so that you don't have to detract from what's important by worrying about them!
Look! It's right here...
"(31) Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? (32) For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all."
What does it say? It says the non-believers in Jesus Christ have need to be concerned over these things, BUT NOT YOU!
What a great God!
SO, my question to you today is, IF you are stressed and anxiety ridden...WHY?
Don't you believe what Jesus is saying to you today?
That's really it you know. It's a matter of faith. Back to the fear factor again.
2 Tim. 1:7 - "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
Fear is not from God. If you let fear run your life you will be anxiety ridden and stressed for the rest of your life.
Jesus fought the devil in the desert by telling him that "Man does not live by bread (or the worry of where to get it) alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceeds from the mouth of God".
Friends, if you came into my office for counseling about anxiety and fear and stress, this is EXACTLY what I would refer you to.
This IS the answer for you, for your friends, for your loved ones, for everyone you know who is struggling with fear and anxiety issues.
Get to Jesus! Trust, rely, and adhere to Him. In Him are the answers to living life to the full joy intended.
Let me leave you with this promise:
"I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." (John 10:10)
Get this truth deep down into your body, soul and spirit!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Perfection
Matthew 5:48 (KJV) - "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
There it is. Direct from the Word of God. The esteemed King James Version. The "Textus Receptus".
You my friend, MUST be as perfect as God. That means no wiggle room for error. Get it right and get it right the first time. Anything less than perfection will not be tolerated.
I can almost HEAR the shorts getting bunched up over this! lol!
Now that I have your attention.
Relax. Let's look at it another way.
Let's try the Amplified Version.
"(48) You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect."
That's a little better. It goes into the more proper understanding of "Perfect".
Perfect simply means "complete". It's from the Greek word "teleios".
Some won't even like that explanation, but at this point I'll have to ask you to take it up with Jesus.
We are expected to reach a level of completeness in God.
How?
Stay with me to the very end here...
Jesus gives us a series of explanations in His sermon on the mount from Matthew, chapter five.
For instance, He says that we have heard it taught that we should love our neighbors and hate our enemies.
Uh...that's been changed. Jesus revised it. We are not complete when we believe that way.
Instead, now we are to love our enemies, and actually do good for those who actually hate us and even seek to harm us.
He goes on to say that what good is there in loving those who love us and treat us well? Anyone can do that. That's easy!
Easy, but without reward. We are incomplete in God when we believe that way. In other words...imperfect.
Ever see the bumper sticker, "I'm not perfect, just forgiven!"? It's a lie.
If you're forgiven you are expected to no longer live imperfectly as far as obedience to God's plan is concerned. You are expected to be complete.
There is a level of godly integrity and morality you are expected to achieve by God, and if God expects it then that means it can be achieved and if we are refusing to reach it then we are being disobedient!
We can't cop out with "Ho-hum, I'm not perfect, just forgiven".
Where did we adopt this concept of one trip to the altar and then comfortably retire to your pew?
Brother and sister there is a responsibility that comes with your admission into the family of God.
God expects great things from you just as any earthly father would from his own children.
There is a "proper height" we are called to by God. Don't worry, He gives us the tools to get there in the Holy Spirit.
It is not however, a "gimme" or automatic. (Paul says we need to renew our minds in Romans 12)
It is also neither legalistic work and toil in our own strength. It does however, take desire.
It is simply by staying close to Him in fellowship, worship, and prayer. Our completeness is in Him.
Note that it says "...as your heavenly Father is perfect."
It's partaking of His perfection that makes us perfect and complete in His eyes.
It's a very misunderstood verse.
I hope I've made it clearer for you in my attempt at...
...Keepin' it Real!
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
There it is. Direct from the Word of God. The esteemed King James Version. The "Textus Receptus".
You my friend, MUST be as perfect as God. That means no wiggle room for error. Get it right and get it right the first time. Anything less than perfection will not be tolerated.
I can almost HEAR the shorts getting bunched up over this! lol!
Now that I have your attention.
Relax. Let's look at it another way.
Let's try the Amplified Version.
"(48) You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect."
That's a little better. It goes into the more proper understanding of "Perfect".
Perfect simply means "complete". It's from the Greek word "teleios".
Some won't even like that explanation, but at this point I'll have to ask you to take it up with Jesus.
We are expected to reach a level of completeness in God.
How?
Stay with me to the very end here...
Jesus gives us a series of explanations in His sermon on the mount from Matthew, chapter five.
For instance, He says that we have heard it taught that we should love our neighbors and hate our enemies.
Uh...that's been changed. Jesus revised it. We are not complete when we believe that way.
Instead, now we are to love our enemies, and actually do good for those who actually hate us and even seek to harm us.
He goes on to say that what good is there in loving those who love us and treat us well? Anyone can do that. That's easy!
Easy, but without reward. We are incomplete in God when we believe that way. In other words...imperfect.
Ever see the bumper sticker, "I'm not perfect, just forgiven!"? It's a lie.
If you're forgiven you are expected to no longer live imperfectly as far as obedience to God's plan is concerned. You are expected to be complete.
There is a level of godly integrity and morality you are expected to achieve by God, and if God expects it then that means it can be achieved and if we are refusing to reach it then we are being disobedient!
We can't cop out with "Ho-hum, I'm not perfect, just forgiven".
Where did we adopt this concept of one trip to the altar and then comfortably retire to your pew?
Brother and sister there is a responsibility that comes with your admission into the family of God.
God expects great things from you just as any earthly father would from his own children.
There is a "proper height" we are called to by God. Don't worry, He gives us the tools to get there in the Holy Spirit.
It is not however, a "gimme" or automatic. (Paul says we need to renew our minds in Romans 12)
It is also neither legalistic work and toil in our own strength. It does however, take desire.
It is simply by staying close to Him in fellowship, worship, and prayer. Our completeness is in Him.
Note that it says "...as your heavenly Father is perfect."
It's partaking of His perfection that makes us perfect and complete in His eyes.
It's a very misunderstood verse.
I hope I've made it clearer for you in my attempt at...
...Keepin' it Real!
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Monday, March 19, 2012
Things That Are Out Of Place For $1,000, Alex
Ever watch the game Jeopardy on television?
If you answer incorrectly you can "jeopardize" all that you have.
Life can mimic that sometimes.
Check out something that John says in his first epistle.
1 John 2:15-16 - "Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things]--these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].
Note the buzz words here: craving, lust, gratification, greed, longing...
This is jeopardy for the believer.
John is specific. This is not to say that there are things of the world we cannot have. On the contrary. There is nothing wrong with having a nice home, car, good paying job, nice clothes, etc.
There is a difference between liking or even needing something, and loving it and lusting and craving after it.
God knows what we need and desire and willfully and graciously provides (Matt. 6).
In fact, all of the things described are "Things That Are Out Of Place" for the believer.
These are the things that will run the believer off the rails and wreck their faith.
Lust of the flesh is coveting. We know God hasn't liked that one since the beginning. It's Number 10 on the Big Ten Sin Parade.
Pride of life? That one sunk Lucifer's (Satan) high hopes. He and 1/3 of the angels of heaven. It precedes a fall. The serpent talked Adam and Eve into that one as well.
I could sit here and rattle off probably fifty different varieties of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
All of them would be out of place in the life of the disciple of Jesus Christ.
John didn't issue this warning for us to have to keep a checklist of what to do or what not to do. He was making a comparison so we could make a an informed assessment of our lives.
If we find ourselves living closer to the world than God wants for us, we should recognize that fact and make the proper adjustment.
The adjustment is not to purposely decide in our own strength and power to make changes. That doesn't work. It didn't work before we knew Jesus and it will not work now.
Thats' a hard concept for some folks to wrap their brain around.
It's never what we can do.
It's always what the power of the Holy Spirit can do in us. When we allow Him to.
It's about yielding to Him, not fixing it ourselves.
Closeness to the world means further from God. Grow closer to God, and the world and its lustful cravings shrink.
Think of Abraham and Lot. When they split up and went their separate ways, Lot chose to pitch his tent in Sodom. Abraham chose the fertile lands of the Jordan area. We see the tragic results of craving what the world offers in the choices Lot made.
When you pitch your tent too close to lustful sinfulness God will be offended.
When things are out of place that means things are in disorder and disarray.
A life in disarray is not a sign of a life consecrated to Christ.
It might come as a rude awakening today...but...
...it's essentially...
...Keepin' it Real.
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
If you answer incorrectly you can "jeopardize" all that you have.
Life can mimic that sometimes.
Check out something that John says in his first epistle.
1 John 2:15-16 - "Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things]--these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].
Note the buzz words here: craving, lust, gratification, greed, longing...
This is jeopardy for the believer.
John is specific. This is not to say that there are things of the world we cannot have. On the contrary. There is nothing wrong with having a nice home, car, good paying job, nice clothes, etc.
There is a difference between liking or even needing something, and loving it and lusting and craving after it.
God knows what we need and desire and willfully and graciously provides (Matt. 6).
In fact, all of the things described are "Things That Are Out Of Place" for the believer.
These are the things that will run the believer off the rails and wreck their faith.
Lust of the flesh is coveting. We know God hasn't liked that one since the beginning. It's Number 10 on the Big Ten Sin Parade.
Pride of life? That one sunk Lucifer's (Satan) high hopes. He and 1/3 of the angels of heaven. It precedes a fall. The serpent talked Adam and Eve into that one as well.
I could sit here and rattle off probably fifty different varieties of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
All of them would be out of place in the life of the disciple of Jesus Christ.
John didn't issue this warning for us to have to keep a checklist of what to do or what not to do. He was making a comparison so we could make a an informed assessment of our lives.
If we find ourselves living closer to the world than God wants for us, we should recognize that fact and make the proper adjustment.
The adjustment is not to purposely decide in our own strength and power to make changes. That doesn't work. It didn't work before we knew Jesus and it will not work now.
Thats' a hard concept for some folks to wrap their brain around.
It's never what we can do.
It's always what the power of the Holy Spirit can do in us. When we allow Him to.
It's about yielding to Him, not fixing it ourselves.
Closeness to the world means further from God. Grow closer to God, and the world and its lustful cravings shrink.
Think of Abraham and Lot. When they split up and went their separate ways, Lot chose to pitch his tent in Sodom. Abraham chose the fertile lands of the Jordan area. We see the tragic results of craving what the world offers in the choices Lot made.
When you pitch your tent too close to lustful sinfulness God will be offended.
When things are out of place that means things are in disorder and disarray.
A life in disarray is not a sign of a life consecrated to Christ.
It might come as a rude awakening today...but...
...it's essentially...
...Keepin' it Real.
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Friday, March 16, 2012
The Party On Death Road
Choices. They come up every day. Even moment by moment.
What to do? Where to go? How to do it? When? Why?
Use the blue pen or the black pen? Looking fast ball or slider? Take this route or that one?
Most are insignificant and benign decisions that will bear little if any consequences past a minor annoyance or a fleeting joy.
The wise man of Proverbs however, has struck a key note on one decision that is made at least once in a lifetime by everyone.
Proverbs 14: 12 - "There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death."
Sometimes our decisions are not so clear cut. They require great thought and even some travail.
Even then we might make the wrong choice.
Sometimes it seems like a slam dunk.
It looks so right. So perfect. So clear. It's straight. No curve balls. No obstructions.
Hey, it seems like a no- brainer.
Who'da thunk it would have led to death?
Solomon is speaking of the road to the death after death. The second death. The one that counts. The final disposition of man's soul. The eternal forever.
I'd say that's the Big Kahuna of decisions. It's the one you want to be sure to get right.
Even then man is swayed by what looked good, rather than what was right.
Sometimes the wrong way seems like the right way.
But it isn't. Instead it kills you.
Some even think by making no decision at all keeps them neutral.
Silly rabbit.
God requires a decision. A non-decision is your default decision against God.
Death Road often looks like the way to go. The party is over there. Clowns. Rides. Stuff to make you feel good. Dog and pony shows. Magicians. Baubles. Balloons. Shiny objects. Something that appeals to every carnal sense of the body (the natural).
It's what keeps drunks drinking, druggies drugging, and gamblers gambling.
It's generally a very easily accessed path. In other words, straight before us. Why, it often is even downright fun. For awhile.
Everything is perfect about it. Except for one thing. It's a pathway to death. It's where you were taught how to really hate yourself with style. As with anything else you learn to hate, you will seek to destroy it.
Notice that Solomon says that it's "in the end" that we find out we have been on the wrong path all along.
Uh-oh. You went too far. You're in too deep.
It's a long road back if you're fortunate enough to find you were in the wrong place after all.
I was on that road for many years. Man, it's a long stretch. Took me over 20 years to get to the end of it.
Some even take multiple trips back and forth, confused about which path they want to be on.
Fortunately I only made one in and one out.
There's only one right Way. All the other choices are wrong ones.
It's Jesus. He is THE WAY (John 14:6).
Follow Him. All the time. Every day. Look to the Cross. It's easy to spot. It's smack in the middle of the Right Way.
You actually have to miss it on purpose.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
http://keepinitrealpastorkevin.blogspot.com/
What to do? Where to go? How to do it? When? Why?
Use the blue pen or the black pen? Looking fast ball or slider? Take this route or that one?
Most are insignificant and benign decisions that will bear little if any consequences past a minor annoyance or a fleeting joy.
The wise man of Proverbs however, has struck a key note on one decision that is made at least once in a lifetime by everyone.
Proverbs 14: 12 - "There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death."
Sometimes our decisions are not so clear cut. They require great thought and even some travail.
Even then we might make the wrong choice.
Sometimes it seems like a slam dunk.
It looks so right. So perfect. So clear. It's straight. No curve balls. No obstructions.
Hey, it seems like a no- brainer.
Who'da thunk it would have led to death?
Solomon is speaking of the road to the death after death. The second death. The one that counts. The final disposition of man's soul. The eternal forever.
I'd say that's the Big Kahuna of decisions. It's the one you want to be sure to get right.
Even then man is swayed by what looked good, rather than what was right.
Sometimes the wrong way seems like the right way.
But it isn't. Instead it kills you.
Some even think by making no decision at all keeps them neutral.
Silly rabbit.
God requires a decision. A non-decision is your default decision against God.
Death Road often looks like the way to go. The party is over there. Clowns. Rides. Stuff to make you feel good. Dog and pony shows. Magicians. Baubles. Balloons. Shiny objects. Something that appeals to every carnal sense of the body (the natural).
It's what keeps drunks drinking, druggies drugging, and gamblers gambling.
It's generally a very easily accessed path. In other words, straight before us. Why, it often is even downright fun. For awhile.
Everything is perfect about it. Except for one thing. It's a pathway to death. It's where you were taught how to really hate yourself with style. As with anything else you learn to hate, you will seek to destroy it.
Notice that Solomon says that it's "in the end" that we find out we have been on the wrong path all along.
Uh-oh. You went too far. You're in too deep.
It's a long road back if you're fortunate enough to find you were in the wrong place after all.
I was on that road for many years. Man, it's a long stretch. Took me over 20 years to get to the end of it.
Some even take multiple trips back and forth, confused about which path they want to be on.
Fortunately I only made one in and one out.
There's only one right Way. All the other choices are wrong ones.
It's Jesus. He is THE WAY (John 14:6).
Follow Him. All the time. Every day. Look to the Cross. It's easy to spot. It's smack in the middle of the Right Way.
You actually have to miss it on purpose.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
http://keepinitrealpastorkevin.blogspot.com/
Thursday, March 15, 2012
What's Normal?
Paul asked the question of the ages in his epistle to the Romans.
Romans 6:1 - "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?"
He also answered the question for us...
Vs. 2 - "God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Sometimes it is confusing for Christians when it comes to dealing with sin, the sin nature, the new nature in Christ, the cleansing from sin, the admonitions to be free from sin, the establishment of man made doctrines telling you that you can never be free from sin, etc.
What is the "normal" Christian experience? What does God expect from us?
John in his first epistle says:
1 John 1:7 - "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
There it is. This is the expectation of God and the normal day to day experience of the Christian.
Follow Jesus. Stay in close contact with other Christians in fellowship of prayer and study of the Word. Live in the blood washed state of purity and holiness.
Understand that you CANNOT accomplish this daily or even momentarily in your own strength, power, or volition. You cannot will this to happen. You cannot determine this to happen.
Several thousand years of Jewish history says we can't. Remember the Ten Commandments? Remember how the Israelites failed to keep them?
What were the two things they lacked that we have? Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Trying to live for God encompasses one thing and one thing only. That we follow Jesus. Period.
This is what Jesus meant when He instructed us to take up our cross daily and follow Him. It simply means that we keep our attention and faculties focused on what He accomplished for us on the Cross.
That's it. In Him all of the Laws of God have been fulfilled. Keep Jesus and we keep the Law. Keep Jesus and we please God.
This is "walking in the light". No toiling. No works. No self sufficiency. It's all Him. It's all grace. Grace is sufficient and grace is extended toward those who walk after Jesus.
It really is simple. When your attention is upon Jesus, and you have settled your craving of the worldly appetite, the desire to sin grows dim.
After all... it's all about...
...Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin<><
www.reallifect.com
Romans 6:1 - "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?"
He also answered the question for us...
Vs. 2 - "God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Sometimes it is confusing for Christians when it comes to dealing with sin, the sin nature, the new nature in Christ, the cleansing from sin, the admonitions to be free from sin, the establishment of man made doctrines telling you that you can never be free from sin, etc.
What is the "normal" Christian experience? What does God expect from us?
John in his first epistle says:
1 John 1:7 - "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
There it is. This is the expectation of God and the normal day to day experience of the Christian.
Follow Jesus. Stay in close contact with other Christians in fellowship of prayer and study of the Word. Live in the blood washed state of purity and holiness.
Understand that you CANNOT accomplish this daily or even momentarily in your own strength, power, or volition. You cannot will this to happen. You cannot determine this to happen.
Several thousand years of Jewish history says we can't. Remember the Ten Commandments? Remember how the Israelites failed to keep them?
What were the two things they lacked that we have? Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Trying to live for God encompasses one thing and one thing only. That we follow Jesus. Period.
This is what Jesus meant when He instructed us to take up our cross daily and follow Him. It simply means that we keep our attention and faculties focused on what He accomplished for us on the Cross.
That's it. In Him all of the Laws of God have been fulfilled. Keep Jesus and we keep the Law. Keep Jesus and we please God.
This is "walking in the light". No toiling. No works. No self sufficiency. It's all Him. It's all grace. Grace is sufficient and grace is extended toward those who walk after Jesus.
It really is simple. When your attention is upon Jesus, and you have settled your craving of the worldly appetite, the desire to sin grows dim.
After all... it's all about...
...Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin<><
www.reallifect.com
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The Plan (Pt.3)
Jesus began His revelation to the world at the Sermon on the Mount, which we looked at yesterday.
Understand that I believe this is different and set apart from anything else Jesus taught or preached. While Jesus taught about salvation throughout the gospels it is explained in its fullest sense here.
It was so important that He gave it to the Apostle Paul so many years later, even perhaps as long as a decade after Paul's Damascus Road experience.
What is the culmination of this revelation? Indeed, what IS the heart of the revelation?
Jesus pointed out the condition and needs of the human heart and the result of the saved soul, but He reserved the one special element that was the most critical. He has to leave it out because it had not yet been concluded when He conducted the Sermon on the Mount teaching.
The critical element is The Cross.
Yes, we need the acknowledgement of the bankrupt spirit, the mourning of our dead sinful state, the meekness of His righteousness, and certainly the hunger and thirsting for more of Him, but...
None of that comes to any conclusive victory without the Cross. Without the Cross it's all just Law.
This is what He gave to Paul.
Paul gave it to the world. Even Paul struggled with trying to live righteously until he received this revelation (Rom. 7).
1 Cor. 1:23 - "We preach Christ (the Messiah) crucified, [preaching which] to the Jews is a scandal and an offensive stumbling block [that springs a snare or trap], and to the Gentiles it is absurd and utterly unphilosophical nonsense."
Gal. 3:13 - "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'"
1 Cor. 2:2 - "For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified."
Gal. 6:12 - "Those who want to make a good impression and a fine show in the flesh would try to compel you to receive circumcision, simply so that they may escape being persecuted for allegiance to the cross of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."
And perhaps the greatest testament from Paul of all:
Gal. 6:14 - "But far be it from me to glory [in anything or anyone] except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!"
Clearly this is THE most important thing that Paul felt he could share with the world.
Nothing. Nothing but the Cross of Jesus Christ by which mankind is saved to God and from his sin and worldly ways. Nothing but the Cross of Christ for his freedom from sickness and disease. Nothing but the Cross of Christ to effect even our Holy Ghost baptism.
The Cross is the central event in all of biblical and world history. There has never been anything greater or more effective than what Jesus did on the Cross.
This is THE revelation of God to man. Within it holds the secret and power of successful living for anyone who merely says "YES!" to it!
How about you today? Have you said "Yes!" to it? Have you appropriated all the blessings that are contained in it?
You know if you have or not. Perhaps only you and Jesus know this.
You cannot get anywhere with God until you deal with Calvary. You can't live on the Incarnation, and you can't leapfrog over the Cross to the Tomb.
You have to first deal thoroughly with the Cross.
Personally, I think this is what is weakening the Church today. The Cross is no longer popular. It is systematically being replaced by new emergent theologies and doctrines.
Why don't you have a conversation with Him about it today? Seriously. Why not?
If there is anything that lives up to "Keepin' it Real", in my humble opinion, it doesn't get any more "real" than this people.
Be blessed,
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Understand that I believe this is different and set apart from anything else Jesus taught or preached. While Jesus taught about salvation throughout the gospels it is explained in its fullest sense here.
It was so important that He gave it to the Apostle Paul so many years later, even perhaps as long as a decade after Paul's Damascus Road experience.
What is the culmination of this revelation? Indeed, what IS the heart of the revelation?
Jesus pointed out the condition and needs of the human heart and the result of the saved soul, but He reserved the one special element that was the most critical. He has to leave it out because it had not yet been concluded when He conducted the Sermon on the Mount teaching.
The critical element is The Cross.
Yes, we need the acknowledgement of the bankrupt spirit, the mourning of our dead sinful state, the meekness of His righteousness, and certainly the hunger and thirsting for more of Him, but...
None of that comes to any conclusive victory without the Cross. Without the Cross it's all just Law.
This is what He gave to Paul.
Paul gave it to the world. Even Paul struggled with trying to live righteously until he received this revelation (Rom. 7).
1 Cor. 1:23 - "We preach Christ (the Messiah) crucified, [preaching which] to the Jews is a scandal and an offensive stumbling block [that springs a snare or trap], and to the Gentiles it is absurd and utterly unphilosophical nonsense."
Gal. 3:13 - "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'"
1 Cor. 2:2 - "For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified."
Gal. 6:12 - "Those who want to make a good impression and a fine show in the flesh would try to compel you to receive circumcision, simply so that they may escape being persecuted for allegiance to the cross of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."
And perhaps the greatest testament from Paul of all:
Gal. 6:14 - "But far be it from me to glory [in anything or anyone] except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!"
Clearly this is THE most important thing that Paul felt he could share with the world.
Nothing. Nothing but the Cross of Jesus Christ by which mankind is saved to God and from his sin and worldly ways. Nothing but the Cross of Christ for his freedom from sickness and disease. Nothing but the Cross of Christ to effect even our Holy Ghost baptism.
The Cross is the central event in all of biblical and world history. There has never been anything greater or more effective than what Jesus did on the Cross.
This is THE revelation of God to man. Within it holds the secret and power of successful living for anyone who merely says "YES!" to it!
How about you today? Have you said "Yes!" to it? Have you appropriated all the blessings that are contained in it?
You know if you have or not. Perhaps only you and Jesus know this.
You cannot get anywhere with God until you deal with Calvary. You can't live on the Incarnation, and you can't leapfrog over the Cross to the Tomb.
You have to first deal thoroughly with the Cross.
Personally, I think this is what is weakening the Church today. The Cross is no longer popular. It is systematically being replaced by new emergent theologies and doctrines.
Why don't you have a conversation with Him about it today? Seriously. Why not?
If there is anything that lives up to "Keepin' it Real", in my humble opinion, it doesn't get any more "real" than this people.
Be blessed,
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The Plan (Pt.2)
The "Master Plan" of Jesus Christ was begun during what has become known as the Sermon on the Mount.
In my opinion it is the greatest Word that God has ever handed to the human race.
The first four "beatitudes" sets the foundation and an order to the elements needed for salvation.
Matthew 5:3-6 (KJV) 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
The poor in spirit: this is crucial for it means that man must recognize his own moral bankruptcy in order to make way for the control of Jesus in their life.
They that mourn: the mourning is for the individuals lost life in sin. This MUST occur if one is going to repent and be forgiven.
The meek: This occurs when one admits their personal inadequacy, turns to Christ in repentance, and receives His forgiveness. The exchange of self righteousness for His righteousness occurs. "Inherit the earth" means that the believer reigns with Christ "on earth as it is in Heaven". This is not somethig we have to wait a lifetime for. This begins immediately.
They which hunger and thirst: this is the proof in the pudding so to speak. Every born-again believer will exhibit this spiritual hunger and thirsting for more of Jesus and His righteousness in the same way the physical body craves food when experiencing hunger pains. If one is not exhibiting this then there is something wrong that needs to be fixed. Something has not been yielded to Christ. Something has broken down elementally in the first two. Generally it is in the full yielding of oneself to Jesus. Folks don't like getting off their throne and allowing Jesus to sit in it.
These are NOT meant to be perceived as "steps" to be followed religiously. They are elements which are incorporated into what occurs instantly when one gives their life to Jesus and becomes born-again. It's grace through faith, not working a system.
This is the Jesus "side" of His revelation. Tune in tomorrow for the Paul "side" of the Revealed Plan of Jesus Christ. Something still needed to happen to make this revelation complete for us to experience.
Together we are...
...Keepin' it real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
In my opinion it is the greatest Word that God has ever handed to the human race.
The first four "beatitudes" sets the foundation and an order to the elements needed for salvation.
Matthew 5:3-6 (KJV) 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
The poor in spirit: this is crucial for it means that man must recognize his own moral bankruptcy in order to make way for the control of Jesus in their life.
They that mourn: the mourning is for the individuals lost life in sin. This MUST occur if one is going to repent and be forgiven.
The meek: This occurs when one admits their personal inadequacy, turns to Christ in repentance, and receives His forgiveness. The exchange of self righteousness for His righteousness occurs. "Inherit the earth" means that the believer reigns with Christ "on earth as it is in Heaven". This is not somethig we have to wait a lifetime for. This begins immediately.
They which hunger and thirst: this is the proof in the pudding so to speak. Every born-again believer will exhibit this spiritual hunger and thirsting for more of Jesus and His righteousness in the same way the physical body craves food when experiencing hunger pains. If one is not exhibiting this then there is something wrong that needs to be fixed. Something has not been yielded to Christ. Something has broken down elementally in the first two. Generally it is in the full yielding of oneself to Jesus. Folks don't like getting off their throne and allowing Jesus to sit in it.
These are NOT meant to be perceived as "steps" to be followed religiously. They are elements which are incorporated into what occurs instantly when one gives their life to Jesus and becomes born-again. It's grace through faith, not working a system.
This is the Jesus "side" of His revelation. Tune in tomorrow for the Paul "side" of the Revealed Plan of Jesus Christ. Something still needed to happen to make this revelation complete for us to experience.
Together we are...
...Keepin' it real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Monday, March 12, 2012
The Plan (Pt.1)
There really is a plan you know. It is an ordered plan of Jesus Christ that was first partly revealed by Jesus Himself in the flesh upon the Mount of Olives during what has become known as "The Sermon on the Mount".
I say "partly revealed" because Jesus was not able to reveal all of it until it was completed. It would only be completed when He went to the Cross.
This is where the Apostle Paul enters into the revelation.
Jesus needed to complete His revealed plan to the human race by providing it to a person of His choosing. That person is Paul.
Look at how Paul explains it:
Galatians 1:11-12 - "For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not man's gospel [a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard]. (12) For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but [it came to me] through a [direct] revelation [given] by Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
This leaves absolutely no question to the fact that what Paul has revealed to the Church through the Word of God has been directly taught to Paul by Jesus Christ.
It was not given to him by the other apostles, nor by any other man.
Let's be clear here. This is what has made Paul unique. Paul was singled out by Jesus to be converted and to serve Him by direct physical confrontation on the Road to Damascus AFTER Jesus died and was resurrected.
"(16) To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world) as the glad tidings (Gospel), immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood [did not consult or counsel with any frail human being or communicate with anyone]. (17) Nor did I [even] go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles (special messengers of Christ) before I was, but I went away and retired into Arabia, and afterward I came back again to Damascus."
The four gospel accounts are historical accounts of Jesus rather than revelation, with the exception of John who later in life was given the same type of revelation that Paul was given. Paul was given revelation about how to live in the present, John was given revelation about what would happen in the future.
Stay tuned as to what exactly this combined revealed order of the plan of Jesus Christ and Paul for living successfully for Him is .
You will not be disappointed. In fact, you will be surprised, pleased, and relieved.
Just...
...Keepin it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
I say "partly revealed" because Jesus was not able to reveal all of it until it was completed. It would only be completed when He went to the Cross.
This is where the Apostle Paul enters into the revelation.
Jesus needed to complete His revealed plan to the human race by providing it to a person of His choosing. That person is Paul.
Look at how Paul explains it:
Galatians 1:11-12 - "For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not man's gospel [a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard]. (12) For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but [it came to me] through a [direct] revelation [given] by Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
This leaves absolutely no question to the fact that what Paul has revealed to the Church through the Word of God has been directly taught to Paul by Jesus Christ.
It was not given to him by the other apostles, nor by any other man.
Let's be clear here. This is what has made Paul unique. Paul was singled out by Jesus to be converted and to serve Him by direct physical confrontation on the Road to Damascus AFTER Jesus died and was resurrected.
"(16) To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world) as the glad tidings (Gospel), immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood [did not consult or counsel with any frail human being or communicate with anyone]. (17) Nor did I [even] go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles (special messengers of Christ) before I was, but I went away and retired into Arabia, and afterward I came back again to Damascus."
The four gospel accounts are historical accounts of Jesus rather than revelation, with the exception of John who later in life was given the same type of revelation that Paul was given. Paul was given revelation about how to live in the present, John was given revelation about what would happen in the future.
Stay tuned as to what exactly this combined revealed order of the plan of Jesus Christ and Paul for living successfully for Him is .
You will not be disappointed. In fact, you will be surprised, pleased, and relieved.
Just...
...Keepin it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Friday, March 9, 2012
Silent Is Not An Option
After the big rage that followed the healing of the crippled beggar, which we have been looking at all week, the Sanhedrin was faced with the dilemma of what to do with Peter and John.
The two disciples were creating a popular front against the corrupt religious system in place at the time. It was the same "whitewashed sepulchre" that killed Jesus.
After hastily conversing about the "issue" (hard to believe that healing someone would be an issue), they decided to let them off the hook with a stern reprimand.
Are you ready?
Acts 4:18 - "[So] they summoned them and imperatively instructed them not to converse in any way or teach at all in or about the name of Jesus."
"Never, in any way, shape, or form, mention, pray about, pray to, pray in, or preach or teach in or about the Name of Jesus!"
That'll teach them.
Or will it?
(19) "But Peter and John replied to them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you and obey you rather than God, you must decide (judge). (20) But we [ourselves] cannot help telling what we have seen and heard."
In the Pastor Kevin paraphrase: "Sorry, but...ah...no."
Boldness and confidence. You need this to be the rank and file Christian. You particularly need this if you are called by Christ into leadership.
Friend, it's not easy being a servant of Christ. He warned us of this on His way to the Cross. He said that people hated Him, and they will also hate us.
If you haven't been surprised yet at just exactly where you will find your enemy, trust me, you will be sooner or later.
Be wise. Be alert. Do not be moved off of who you are. Operate within what Jesus has given you...
...and never, never be silenced.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
The two disciples were creating a popular front against the corrupt religious system in place at the time. It was the same "whitewashed sepulchre" that killed Jesus.
After hastily conversing about the "issue" (hard to believe that healing someone would be an issue), they decided to let them off the hook with a stern reprimand.
Are you ready?
Acts 4:18 - "[So] they summoned them and imperatively instructed them not to converse in any way or teach at all in or about the name of Jesus."
"Never, in any way, shape, or form, mention, pray about, pray to, pray in, or preach or teach in or about the Name of Jesus!"
That'll teach them.
Or will it?
(19) "But Peter and John replied to them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you and obey you rather than God, you must decide (judge). (20) But we [ourselves] cannot help telling what we have seen and heard."
In the Pastor Kevin paraphrase: "Sorry, but...ah...no."
Boldness and confidence. You need this to be the rank and file Christian. You particularly need this if you are called by Christ into leadership.
Friend, it's not easy being a servant of Christ. He warned us of this on His way to the Cross. He said that people hated Him, and they will also hate us.
If you haven't been surprised yet at just exactly where you will find your enemy, trust me, you will be sooner or later.
Be wise. Be alert. Do not be moved off of who you are. Operate within what Jesus has given you...
...and never, never be silenced.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Thursday, March 8, 2012
The Usual Suspects
The healing of one insignificant wretched figure of a man causes a tremendous furor among the people and the religious leaders.
Familiar names of people who we last read about when Jesus was arrested and crucified pop up on the scene again.
Caiaphas and Annas. Two names that can make a person break out in a sweat.
Why the ruckus?
Peter and John used the opportunity of healing to preach the gospel, and that just ticked them off.
Acts 4:2 - "...vexed and indignant through and through because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in [the case of] Jesus the resurrection from the dead."
So the usual suspects ordered the rounding up of the usual suspects.
(3) "So they laid hands on them (arrested them) and put them in prison until the following day, for it was already evening."
It was a bit too late however, as 5,000 more people were led to Christ before they were stopped!
Not a bad kettle of fish for one healing.
After cooling their heels in the hoosegow overnight, the hit squad returns to grill them.
What they really wanted to know was if their arch-nemesis Jesus Christ was in any way involved. They still hadn't put to rest the dilemma of the empty tomb.
(7) - "And they set the men in their midst and repeatedly demanded, By what sort of power or by what kind of authority did [such people as] you do this [healing]?"
The new found Pentecostal Power makes another grand entrance!
(10) ...[it is] in the name and through the power and authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, [but] Whom God raised from the dead, in Him and by means of Him this man is standing here before you well and sound in body."
There it is.
This is why I always say that this crippled beggar's healing was the beginning of something new, something great in the foundation of Church history.
Built upon needs, not upon avarice.
It was the testing. It was the testing of the use of the Name of Jesus Christ by the believer.
It is yours today as well.
Read this next verse and make no mistake: this is one of the top ranked verses in all the bible in order of importance. The only reason I hesitate to name it as THE top verse is because there are too many others that qualify alongside of it. But make no mistake: this one is powerful, life changing, and indispensable!
(12) "And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved."
No other way. No other method. No other Name. No other gods.
The Name of Jesus.
It always gets the desired result. Salvation and healing. Healing and salvation.
(13)...they recognized that they had been with Jesus."
Out of all of that, the healing of the beggar, the ensuing excitement, the night in jail, the desired result was ultimately achieved.
They were recognized as having Jesus all over them!
How many of us can say that today? What do people see in you? Who do they see?
In your petty arguments. In your angry retorts. In your unkindness. In your quest for selfish gain. In your incessant whining and complaining. In the shirking of your duties as first and foremost a disciple of Jesus...
...what is being seen and said of you?
Do they recognize you as having been with Jesus? Do they see Him all over you?
"I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live."
To get to that place. Yes, that is a worthy endeavor.
Tell someone you love them today. Tell someone your sorry. Tell someone about Jesus.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Familiar names of people who we last read about when Jesus was arrested and crucified pop up on the scene again.
Caiaphas and Annas. Two names that can make a person break out in a sweat.
Why the ruckus?
Peter and John used the opportunity of healing to preach the gospel, and that just ticked them off.
Acts 4:2 - "...vexed and indignant through and through because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in [the case of] Jesus the resurrection from the dead."
So the usual suspects ordered the rounding up of the usual suspects.
(3) "So they laid hands on them (arrested them) and put them in prison until the following day, for it was already evening."
It was a bit too late however, as 5,000 more people were led to Christ before they were stopped!
Not a bad kettle of fish for one healing.
After cooling their heels in the hoosegow overnight, the hit squad returns to grill them.
What they really wanted to know was if their arch-nemesis Jesus Christ was in any way involved. They still hadn't put to rest the dilemma of the empty tomb.
(7) - "And they set the men in their midst and repeatedly demanded, By what sort of power or by what kind of authority did [such people as] you do this [healing]?"
The new found Pentecostal Power makes another grand entrance!
(10) ...[it is] in the name and through the power and authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, [but] Whom God raised from the dead, in Him and by means of Him this man is standing here before you well and sound in body."
There it is.
This is why I always say that this crippled beggar's healing was the beginning of something new, something great in the foundation of Church history.
Built upon needs, not upon avarice.
It was the testing. It was the testing of the use of the Name of Jesus Christ by the believer.
It is yours today as well.
Read this next verse and make no mistake: this is one of the top ranked verses in all the bible in order of importance. The only reason I hesitate to name it as THE top verse is because there are too many others that qualify alongside of it. But make no mistake: this one is powerful, life changing, and indispensable!
(12) "And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved."
No other way. No other method. No other Name. No other gods.
The Name of Jesus.
It always gets the desired result. Salvation and healing. Healing and salvation.
(13)...they recognized that they had been with Jesus."
Out of all of that, the healing of the beggar, the ensuing excitement, the night in jail, the desired result was ultimately achieved.
They were recognized as having Jesus all over them!
How many of us can say that today? What do people see in you? Who do they see?
In your petty arguments. In your angry retorts. In your unkindness. In your quest for selfish gain. In your incessant whining and complaining. In the shirking of your duties as first and foremost a disciple of Jesus...
...what is being seen and said of you?
Do they recognize you as having been with Jesus? Do they see Him all over you?
"I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live."
To get to that place. Yes, that is a worthy endeavor.
Tell someone you love them today. Tell someone your sorry. Tell someone about Jesus.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Acts Means ACTION!
This is the early model for the actions of the Church which I believe began with the healing of the beggar at the gate.
Let's look closely at part of this story today.
Acts 3: (All verses from Acts 3 and the Amplified Bible. Below the verse are my comments).
(1) "NOW PETER and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour (three o'clock in the afternoon)."
{This was something the disciples continued to do after Pentecost}.
(2) "[When] a certain man crippled from his birth was being carried along, who was laid each day at that gate of the temple [which is] called Beautiful, so that he might beg for charitable gifts from those who entered the temple."
{This was a man who probably had been at this "usual" spot begging for many years. Perhaps Peter and John had passed by him hundreds of times before while on their way into the Temple. Maybe even Jesus had passed him by knowing this day would be beneficial (God's timing for healing to accomplish His purpose) to the Church}.
(3) "So when he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them to give him a gift."
{Nothing spectacular about this. He begged everyone}.
(4) "And Peter directed his gaze intently at him, and so did John, and said, Look at us!"
{Peter wanted his full attention upon himself and John. Something powerful was about to occur. Peter absolutely knew this. This indicates that there was great faith and zero doubt present}.
(5) "And [the man] paid attention to them, expecting that he was going to get something from them."
{Does not indicate faith of any sort. He was expecting a financial gift, but he probably saw and felt the intensity of the Spirit about them}.
(6) "But Peter said, Silver and gold (money) I do not have; but what I do have, that I give to you: in [the use of] the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!"
{One of the powerhouse verses in the entire bible! The first healing by Peter and John in the Book of Acts! See what the Holy Spirit has accomplished by the Baptism? This is the model for the Spirit-filled Church! Peter shifted the man off of financial gain and onto them and the fact that he was going to receive something different. Peter never expected the man would not receive as he was pronouncing the healing by USING THE NAME OF JESUS}.
(7) "Then he took hold of the man's right hand with a firm grip and raised him up. And at once his feet and ankle bones became strong and steady."
{Peter was simultaneously pulling the man to his feet leaving no doubt that the man would walk. Peter never once thought the man wouldn't be healed or he would have collapsed under his crippled legs. Instead, the opposite happened and the man's legs grew strong}.
(8) "And leaping forth he stood and began to walk, and he went into the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God."
{He was healed the moment Jesus pronounced it in Jesus' Name. There was never any doubt}.
The crippled man wasn't expecting a healing, but he wasn't NOT expecting it either.
Healing is a wonderful form of evangelism, perhaps Jesus Himself's favored method.
Many people were healed in the NT by Jesus and the disciples. Many were unbelievers before, and believers after they were healed. The cripple in this passage is a perfect example.
The message of the gospel and the task of the newly formed Church was to heal and save, save and heal.
It's the same message and task for today.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Let's look closely at part of this story today.
Acts 3: (All verses from Acts 3 and the Amplified Bible. Below the verse are my comments).
(1) "NOW PETER and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour (three o'clock in the afternoon)."
{This was something the disciples continued to do after Pentecost}.
(2) "[When] a certain man crippled from his birth was being carried along, who was laid each day at that gate of the temple [which is] called Beautiful, so that he might beg for charitable gifts from those who entered the temple."
{This was a man who probably had been at this "usual" spot begging for many years. Perhaps Peter and John had passed by him hundreds of times before while on their way into the Temple. Maybe even Jesus had passed him by knowing this day would be beneficial (God's timing for healing to accomplish His purpose) to the Church}.
(3) "So when he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them to give him a gift."
{Nothing spectacular about this. He begged everyone}.
(4) "And Peter directed his gaze intently at him, and so did John, and said, Look at us!"
{Peter wanted his full attention upon himself and John. Something powerful was about to occur. Peter absolutely knew this. This indicates that there was great faith and zero doubt present}.
(5) "And [the man] paid attention to them, expecting that he was going to get something from them."
{Does not indicate faith of any sort. He was expecting a financial gift, but he probably saw and felt the intensity of the Spirit about them}.
(6) "But Peter said, Silver and gold (money) I do not have; but what I do have, that I give to you: in [the use of] the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!"
{One of the powerhouse verses in the entire bible! The first healing by Peter and John in the Book of Acts! See what the Holy Spirit has accomplished by the Baptism? This is the model for the Spirit-filled Church! Peter shifted the man off of financial gain and onto them and the fact that he was going to receive something different. Peter never expected the man would not receive as he was pronouncing the healing by USING THE NAME OF JESUS}.
(7) "Then he took hold of the man's right hand with a firm grip and raised him up. And at once his feet and ankle bones became strong and steady."
{Peter was simultaneously pulling the man to his feet leaving no doubt that the man would walk. Peter never once thought the man wouldn't be healed or he would have collapsed under his crippled legs. Instead, the opposite happened and the man's legs grew strong}.
(8) "And leaping forth he stood and began to walk, and he went into the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God."
{He was healed the moment Jesus pronounced it in Jesus' Name. There was never any doubt}.
The crippled man wasn't expecting a healing, but he wasn't NOT expecting it either.
Healing is a wonderful form of evangelism, perhaps Jesus Himself's favored method.
Many people were healed in the NT by Jesus and the disciples. Many were unbelievers before, and believers after they were healed. The cripple in this passage is a perfect example.
The message of the gospel and the task of the newly formed Church was to heal and save, save and heal.
It's the same message and task for today.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
One Thing God Won't Do
God told Moses back in Exodus 4:21 - "And the Lord said to Moses, When you return into Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all those miracles and wonders which I have put in your hand; but I will make him stubborn and harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go."
Let's not make a common error here. This verse does not indicate that God caused Pharaoh to be stubborn and unrelenting on purpose. Rather, Pharaoh's heart was already naturally obstinate and anything God threw at him would only make him more angry and determined.
Just like Satan.
Think of it this way: As the sun hardens clay but softens wax, so it is with truth. The results reveal the nature of the materials.
The nature of Pharaoh was evil so he could only respond with evil.
However, we see the nature of God and His willingness to be our advocate in the most difficult of situations.
The end result will always be the same. Even if the demons of hell are chasing you down, God will lead them into the trap they never saw coming.
He will deliver you. Case closed.
If you know someone that says they have been forsaken by God you may openly call them a liar.
It's one thing God will not do.
The Word is clear. "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!" (Heb. 13:5 AMP).
Can't get any clearer than that.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Let's not make a common error here. This verse does not indicate that God caused Pharaoh to be stubborn and unrelenting on purpose. Rather, Pharaoh's heart was already naturally obstinate and anything God threw at him would only make him more angry and determined.
Just like Satan.
Think of it this way: As the sun hardens clay but softens wax, so it is with truth. The results reveal the nature of the materials.
The nature of Pharaoh was evil so he could only respond with evil.
However, we see the nature of God and His willingness to be our advocate in the most difficult of situations.
The end result will always be the same. Even if the demons of hell are chasing you down, God will lead them into the trap they never saw coming.
He will deliver you. Case closed.
If you know someone that says they have been forsaken by God you may openly call them a liar.
It's one thing God will not do.
The Word is clear. "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!" (Heb. 13:5 AMP).
Can't get any clearer than that.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Monday, March 5, 2012
Break The Enemy Down
Many of us have left friends, loved ones, co-workers, behind in order to follow the clear leading of Jesus Christ in our life, and we are concerned, even mourn the loss. Sometimes it's so painful it's as if they died.
The bible gives us an answer to this issue. It might not make you feel any better, but it will at least give you a direction by which to pray and form a battle plan.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (Amplified Bible)"For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers' minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God."
If you think about it, this was you before you knew Jesus. I know I can go back to a time when I scoffed, ridiculed, and denied anything to do with Jesus. I could have been saved close to 15 years sooner had I not been so enslaved by the enemy and blinded to the truth.
All of those people you tell about Jesus or pray for to see the light cannot do anything about it. They are like being physically blind and told to read the bible. They just can't.
As bright as the truth of the gospel is, they cannot see it. They can't even see the Glory of Christ friends, and that is pretty illuminating.
So, that leaves a great responsibility up to us. This is why being a soul winner is important.
The desperate soul, the unbeliever, is not capable of getting there alone. There is too much of an obstacle. They need help.
They need us.
They need us to pray mightily against the powers of darkness that keep them blinded. They need us to fight for them. They need us to intervene and intercede for them. They need us to come against Satan in the Name of Jesus Christ and demand Satan release them to Jesus! As hard as Moses fought against Pharaoh for the nation of Israel, we need to fight much harder for the release of captive souls over to Jesus Christ!
We must learn that we are confronting the wrong party. Stop haranguing your loved ones to do this or that. It's like trying to teach a pig to sing. You waste precious time and annoy the pig!
No, the way to your loved ones release from captivity is to attack the jail! You must break down the power that Satan wields over them and tear the veil from their eyes in Jesus' name!
Then and only then will your words make sense to them.
First confront and defeat the Master Deceiver, the Blinder, then speak the gospel truth to those who now have been freed from the interference to hearing it.
Once they were "prevented from seeing" the truth, now they will be capable of receiving it.
It is a shame this is not taught and preached more. It is the biblical method of spiritual warfare which has been used for centuries to great effect. People pray to God for the salvation of their loved ones as if He is the One who has them captive! No! We must use the Name of Jesus as the Body of Christ to break through the darkness of evil and rescue those who are spiritually blind and helpless.
Stand up and be who Jesus has called you to be and fight!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
The bible gives us an answer to this issue. It might not make you feel any better, but it will at least give you a direction by which to pray and form a battle plan.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (Amplified Bible)"For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers' minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God."
If you think about it, this was you before you knew Jesus. I know I can go back to a time when I scoffed, ridiculed, and denied anything to do with Jesus. I could have been saved close to 15 years sooner had I not been so enslaved by the enemy and blinded to the truth.
All of those people you tell about Jesus or pray for to see the light cannot do anything about it. They are like being physically blind and told to read the bible. They just can't.
As bright as the truth of the gospel is, they cannot see it. They can't even see the Glory of Christ friends, and that is pretty illuminating.
So, that leaves a great responsibility up to us. This is why being a soul winner is important.
The desperate soul, the unbeliever, is not capable of getting there alone. There is too much of an obstacle. They need help.
They need us.
They need us to pray mightily against the powers of darkness that keep them blinded. They need us to fight for them. They need us to intervene and intercede for them. They need us to come against Satan in the Name of Jesus Christ and demand Satan release them to Jesus! As hard as Moses fought against Pharaoh for the nation of Israel, we need to fight much harder for the release of captive souls over to Jesus Christ!
We must learn that we are confronting the wrong party. Stop haranguing your loved ones to do this or that. It's like trying to teach a pig to sing. You waste precious time and annoy the pig!
No, the way to your loved ones release from captivity is to attack the jail! You must break down the power that Satan wields over them and tear the veil from their eyes in Jesus' name!
Then and only then will your words make sense to them.
First confront and defeat the Master Deceiver, the Blinder, then speak the gospel truth to those who now have been freed from the interference to hearing it.
Once they were "prevented from seeing" the truth, now they will be capable of receiving it.
It is a shame this is not taught and preached more. It is the biblical method of spiritual warfare which has been used for centuries to great effect. People pray to God for the salvation of their loved ones as if He is the One who has them captive! No! We must use the Name of Jesus as the Body of Christ to break through the darkness of evil and rescue those who are spiritually blind and helpless.
Stand up and be who Jesus has called you to be and fight!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Friday, March 2, 2012
How Can We Stand Ourselves?
Luke 9:23 (AMP) - "And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also]."
Don't worry. This verse sounds more ominous than it is. Jesus has already been crucified. The believer has already been crucified with Him as well (Gal. 2:20). So, this is not speaking of picking up a heavy cross and lugging it around. In fact it's more about getting rid of a heavy burden ("For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.").
This about conforming to His way each and every day. It's living the Style of the Cross.
It's different from the way we have been taught to live by the world and its philosophies.
It's a radiating force generating outward rather than a self attracting force inward.
We are always better because of Jesus. We are never better as a result of self no matter how much we think that is true.
Become subtracted from the Cross and you will die. Sorry. It's blunt I know. It doesn't make it less true.
Apart from the Cross and us embracing it (taking it up) every day, we will become less than God's desire.
If we become less than God's desire we will shrivel up and be devoured by self.
Remember, without God you won't be able to stand yourself. Don't think for one moment that egoism and narcissism is love. It's really self loathing wrapped up in a facade.
Our being able to stand our own self is all wrapped up in knowing that God loves us. When we turn from the Cross toward vain philosophies that elevate self, we throw up a shield against the love of God and turn the human heart back to stone.
It's the Cross. It's ALL about Jesus. Put yourself second and He will put you first.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Don't worry. This verse sounds more ominous than it is. Jesus has already been crucified. The believer has already been crucified with Him as well (Gal. 2:20). So, this is not speaking of picking up a heavy cross and lugging it around. In fact it's more about getting rid of a heavy burden ("For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.").
This about conforming to His way each and every day. It's living the Style of the Cross.
It's different from the way we have been taught to live by the world and its philosophies.
It's a radiating force generating outward rather than a self attracting force inward.
We are always better because of Jesus. We are never better as a result of self no matter how much we think that is true.
Become subtracted from the Cross and you will die. Sorry. It's blunt I know. It doesn't make it less true.
Apart from the Cross and us embracing it (taking it up) every day, we will become less than God's desire.
If we become less than God's desire we will shrivel up and be devoured by self.
Remember, without God you won't be able to stand yourself. Don't think for one moment that egoism and narcissism is love. It's really self loathing wrapped up in a facade.
Our being able to stand our own self is all wrapped up in knowing that God loves us. When we turn from the Cross toward vain philosophies that elevate self, we throw up a shield against the love of God and turn the human heart back to stone.
It's the Cross. It's ALL about Jesus. Put yourself second and He will put you first.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Curtains, Veils, And Scales
Let me make a bold statement here, as I sense we are running out of time for beating around bushes. Any life lived without Jesus is at risk. I'm not sorry if that offends some people today, but I hope there may come a time when you recognize this very moment as the moment that was a heartfelt attempt to save and preserve you for events that are closer than we may think.
Life without Jesus is like living behind a thin veil. You can see through it but the view is not clear. It's as if life is being seen through cobwebs. Of course I am not speaking of the physical eyes, but how one experiences their life unfolding.
Things not going well? Almost as if you are always just one step or two away from achieving your hopes?
Have you been one of the people who almost gets to the top and finds themselves being kicked backed down to the bottom time and time again?
Always the tail but never the head? Never.
Let me give you some good news and bad news. I'll give the bad news first.
It's never going to change for you in the present state of a lesser, false, or non-existent relationship with Jesus.
The good news is that it can change immediately if you want it to.
You must remove the veil.
God has made that provision for you.
Listen to this astounding promise of God!
"But whenever a person turns [in repentance] to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away" (2 Cor. 3:16).
Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and acknowledge what He did for you at the Cross and the veil will be removed.
There is more: Consider the Apostle Paul's conversion:
"So Ananias left and went into the house. And he laid his hands on Saul and said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you along the way by which you came here, has sent me that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And instantly something like scales fell from [Saul's] eyes, and he recovered his sight. Then he arose and was baptized" (Acts 9:17-18).
Or how about the destruction of an entire false religious system just because of Jesus becoming the sacrifice for all of us?
"And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit. And at once the curtain of the sanctuary of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split" (Matt.27:50-51).
Curtains, veils, scales. All hindrances to you. It all prevents you from accessing fully the King of Glory.
It could be unbelief, it could be serving a false religious system, it could be fear, it could be rebellion, obstinance, ignorance, laziness...yadda...yadda.
Let me tell you...you don't want to "yadda...yadda" Jesus.
What's your veil today? What needs to be stripped away so you can see Jesus more clearly?
My advice is to get on it. I'm not a date setter. I don't know the day or the hour, but I do know this:
It's soon. It's soon and I am ready. I want you to be ready as well.
If there is an unresolved issue with Jesus you need to take care of, won't you do so today?
Forgive what needs to be forgiven. Repent of what needs to be repented of. Mend whatever fences need to be mended.
Don't be caught by surprise. Jesus is very near.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
Life without Jesus is like living behind a thin veil. You can see through it but the view is not clear. It's as if life is being seen through cobwebs. Of course I am not speaking of the physical eyes, but how one experiences their life unfolding.
Things not going well? Almost as if you are always just one step or two away from achieving your hopes?
Have you been one of the people who almost gets to the top and finds themselves being kicked backed down to the bottom time and time again?
Always the tail but never the head? Never.
Let me give you some good news and bad news. I'll give the bad news first.
It's never going to change for you in the present state of a lesser, false, or non-existent relationship with Jesus.
The good news is that it can change immediately if you want it to.
You must remove the veil.
God has made that provision for you.
Listen to this astounding promise of God!
"But whenever a person turns [in repentance] to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away" (2 Cor. 3:16).
Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and acknowledge what He did for you at the Cross and the veil will be removed.
There is more: Consider the Apostle Paul's conversion:
"So Ananias left and went into the house. And he laid his hands on Saul and said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you along the way by which you came here, has sent me that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And instantly something like scales fell from [Saul's] eyes, and he recovered his sight. Then he arose and was baptized" (Acts 9:17-18).
Or how about the destruction of an entire false religious system just because of Jesus becoming the sacrifice for all of us?
"And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit. And at once the curtain of the sanctuary of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split" (Matt.27:50-51).
Curtains, veils, scales. All hindrances to you. It all prevents you from accessing fully the King of Glory.
It could be unbelief, it could be serving a false religious system, it could be fear, it could be rebellion, obstinance, ignorance, laziness...yadda...yadda.
Let me tell you...you don't want to "yadda...yadda" Jesus.
What's your veil today? What needs to be stripped away so you can see Jesus more clearly?
My advice is to get on it. I'm not a date setter. I don't know the day or the hour, but I do know this:
It's soon. It's soon and I am ready. I want you to be ready as well.
If there is an unresolved issue with Jesus you need to take care of, won't you do so today?
Forgive what needs to be forgiven. Repent of what needs to be repented of. Mend whatever fences need to be mended.
Don't be caught by surprise. Jesus is very near.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com
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