GOD IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL!

Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.  Psalms 37:25 NLT

I’m at that place in life where I have more years behind me than in front of me.  I have lived a full life and have been blessed by God in so many ways.

The opening words of this verse, in Psalm 37, could have been written by any of us - for they speak a truth that each of us knows all too well. “I have been young and now I’m old.”

Whether we want to admit or not, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second, you and I are getting old! It’s a reality that many people try to escape or run away from.

Old age brings about change!

-You used to be able to stay up all night long…now you have to take a nap after lunch!
-You used to be able to run like a deer… now you move like a snail!
-You used to be able eat anything your little heart desired, without fear of indigestion… but now, when you eat, you have to stay up awhile and let it digest!
-You used to never have to take medicine… but now you have to take a pill for everything!

Things change and we change BUT GOD NEVER CHANGES!

He’s the same yesterday, today and forever! And if look back over your life, you have to recognize that “Down through the years, the Lord has been good to you!”

First of all, in this passage, David speaks of God’s goodness in the past tense of his life: “I have been young…” In other words, God was good to me when I was young. In other words, the places I went, that I could have been killed in, because I was young and foolish and didn’t see the danger that lurked in certain situations… but still God had His hands on me!

And that’s just the past tense! Let’s talk about the present tense. David says, "I’m no longer young - now I’m old!"

--My hair has turned grey…
--My eyesight has gotten dim…
--My back hurts…

… But guess what? God is still keeping me!  And… He is keeping you right now also.

- You may be arthritic, but God is good!
- You may have a bad heart, but God is good!
- You may have high blood pressure, but God is good!
- You may be diabetic, but God is good!   

...And when you know God is good, you can’t help but say like David says here: “I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread.”

David is not saying, “I’ve never been in need.” We all have needs.

David is not saying, “there weren’t any times in my life when I didn’t need somebody to help me.” We all need a little help every now and again!

David’s not saying, “there were no times in my life when I didn’t have to borrow from a friend till my check came.”

You might have more bills than you have money! But David said, “even through all of that, I never had a moment in my life when God didn’t take of me!”

Never David? Never is a pretty strong word. Never means: notwithstanding, there’s absolutely no question about it, there’s been no evidence of the contrary… "I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."

I’ve heard many a saint say something like this: “He may not come when you want Him, but He’s always on time!”

That is so true!

I look back on my life and say that the Lord has been good to me and He has always been on time!"

If it were not for the fact that God is good, you and I would not have a chance to go live with God when we die. But thanks be that God forgives us through the blood of His only begotten son.

Here’s a good story about the goodness of God.  It’s about a young man who committed a crime and ended up in jail.

He was a very rebellious young man, who disobeyed his parents and ended up on the wrong side of the law. The law he broke sent him to prison for 8 years. He knew that his parents were hurt and embarrassed by his foolishness.

And as he sat, those eight years in prison, he thought about his mother and father and looked forward to the day when he could go home.

As time passed, he didn’t know if his father would let him come home or not, because his father had never answered his letters while he was in prison. So he wrote a letter to his mother and said, "Mom, in a few days I’m going to be released from prison and I’m going to take the train that comes by the family farm.“ ...And if you and dad have forgiven me and give me a new chance, I’d like you to tie a piece of yellow ribbon in the oak tree beside the railroad tracks. And as I‘m on the train, if I see that ribbon in the tree, I’ll know that I can jump off the train and that I’d been forgiven.” He said, “If I don’t see a ribbon, I’ll stay on the train. I’ll never come home again and you’ll never hear from me again.”

Well, the day came for his release from jail. He walked to the train station and bought him a ticket, and got on the train. With every turn of the wheels of the locomotive, his tension mounted, wondering if that piece of ribbon was going to be in the tree.

...And as the train rounded the bend that led to the family farm, he couldn’t stand to look, so he asked the man sitting across from him, "Sir, would you mind coming to the window and look out the window to see it you see a ribbon in that tree. It’s my family farm and I want to know if there is a ribbon in that tree.“

The man said, "Yes, I’ll do that for you." And as they came to the family farm, the boy said, "Do you see the ribbon" The man said, "No, I don’t see A RIBBON, I see hundreds of ribbons tied to every branch! I see ribbons tied to the clothes line. I see ribbons on the rose bushes. There are ribbons down the fence, there are even ribbons on the scarecrow! It looks like it snowed at that farm and it snowed ribbons!"

The man asked, “What does it mean?” The boy jumped off the train and said it means, "I’m forgiven and there’s a new beginning with my mother and my father."

God is faithful and He always has been faithful. He is good to us and wants to do good things for us.

Look back on the events of your life.  God has always been there and has never let go of you.  He has been with you through every twist and turn and through every hardship that you’ve gone through.  He has brought you this far and he will take you all the way through to the end.

And that, my friends, is something you can say “amen” to.

A PRAYER PATH

People often ask me about how to pray and how to connect with God.  It is something that they want to do but are not quite sure about to go about it.

When I was going to Bible school I was blessed with a great instructor in Pastor Jack Hayford.  He not only taught on prayer but he lived it out through his daily life.  I have spent time with him and have even traveled and stayed in the same home with him and have watched him in his own prayer life.  He lived what he preached.

The following is a prayer path that he taught to us and it has been a regular part of my daily routine since.  It is from Matthew 6 which we call THE LORD'S PRAYER.

I. "OUR FATHER WHICH ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME"

The beginning of your prayer (your first topic of prayer). Entering God's presence with praise and thanksgiving.

One may enter my song as well as praise. Thanksgiving for the blood of  Jesus which enables us to call  him Father.

Using the eight compound names of God from the Old Testament.

            1. JEHOVAH TSIDKENU: "Jehovah our  righteousness" (sin)

           2. JEHOVAH M'KADDESH: "Jehovah who  sanctifies"                (a day by day process) (sin)

           3. JEHOVAH SHALOM: "Jehovah is  peace" (spirit)

           4. JEHOVAH SHAMMAH: "Jehovah is  there" (spirit)

           5. JEHOVAH ROPHE: "Jehovah heals" (soundness)

          6. JEHOVAH JIREH: "Jehovah's  provision shall be                   seen" (success)

          7. JEHOVAH NISSI: "Jehovah my banner" (success)

          8. JEHOVAH ROHI: "Jehovah my shepherd" (Ps. 23)                (security)

These names represent God's divine nature and will for your life.  We are not asking God to be these names. We are PRAISING HIM BECAUSE HE IS THESE THINGS ALREADY!

II. "THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE  DONE."

Here we set our priorities for  the day.  We are not begging; rather, you declare that God's will be done in earth.

There are four areas in which you want to establish His Kingdom.

1. YOURSELF: (Picture Jesus actually sitting on the throne  of your life) (Pledge that you  will not pass this point in  prayer until God's will and kingdom for you is established  in your spirit...know that you must have his divine wisdom in  order to properly administrate  your Home, Business and Resources.)
          
2. YOUR FAMILY: (Your mate  ...pray for righteousness, peace and joy to rule with  him/her...pray until you   feel release in the  Spirit...then move on to  your children.) Married or  unmarried...be sure you   include praying for unmarried children's future mates...then move on to OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS.

3. YOUR CHURCH:

    A) Your Pastor (for anointing, a shepherd's heart, impart wisdom, a channel)

    B) Leadership (Staff/ Council Members/ Teachers, etc.

    C) Faithfulness (Your own,  new people, soul winners, intercessors, tithes & offerings)

    D) Harvest (For the Holy Spirit to draw like a magnet those who are believers)

Isa.43:4 6 "Fear not: for I am with thee:  I will bring thy seed from the EAST, and gather thee from the WEST; I will say to the NORTH; Give up; and to the SOUTH, Keep not back: bring  my sons from far, and my  daughters from the ENDS OF  THE EARTH."

ADOPT THIS PASSAGE FOR OUR CHURCH!
    
It is harvest time...speak to the POWERS, AND PRINCIPALITIES OF THE AIR WHO WORKING IN THE SONS OF DISOBEDIENCE. (EPH.2:2)

DEMAND THAT THE ENEMY RELEASE EVERY PERSON WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN OUR CHURCH!!!!!

4. YOUR NATION: (CALL THE LEADERS BY NAME)

    A) President, Supreme Court, Congress, 

         Representatives etc.

    B) Governor of State, Courts, Law  Enforcement etc.

    C) Mayor, City Council, Police force etc.

    D) Pray for the peace of  Jerusalem!

III.  "GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD"
    
Here you pray in what you need.  FOUR "B's FOR SUCCESS!

1 -  Be in the will of God.
2-   Believe it is God's will to prosper you - III Jn.2
3 -  Be specific
4-   Be tenacious -  "Holding Fast"

God has promised to restore the  years that the locust hath eaten. (Joel 2:25)

1. The thief has stolen your  goods...demand them back  7 fold.

2. Jesus came to destroy the  works of the devil...name those you are aware of and take authority in the name of Jesus!

3. Be tenacious about your rights because of the blood Jesus.

4. Repossess the lost ground... 

God has pledged to "AVENGE HIS ELECT WHO CRY UNTO HIM DAY AND NIGHT."
(Luke 18:7)

5. "SUBMIT yourself to the Lord, RESIST the devil, and  he will flee."

6. Don't tire of asking..."Keep  on asking it will be given  you, keep on seeking and you will find, keep on knocking and the door will be opened  to you. Matt. 7:7

7. See in your mind's eye the GREAT ANGEL OF THE LORD DOING  BATTLE IN THE HEAVENLIES BRINGING YOUR ANSWERS
           
Daniel 10:12 14 "Are they not ministering spirits  sent to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation?"

IV. "AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS"

Set your will to have the right attitude toward...

1. Those who have wronged you...

2. Toward yourself...

3. Toward God...

4. Toward all people at all times.

Ask God to forgive you, forgive as often as you want to be  forgiven.

V.  "AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL"

Pray a hedge of protection about yourself, your family and your  possessions.

           1. See the angels of the Lord  encamping round about you.

           2. See yourself victorious over the onslaughts of the devil.

God does not temp!!!  (James 1:13)

1  The devil is the tempter.

2. In the temptations we learn spiritual warfare.

3. These are times when the Lord demonstrates his great victory over Satan.

Stand against Satan, your loins girded about with TRUTH (THE WORD). You have on the breastplate of righteousness.

Your feet are shod with preparation of the Gospel of peace. You have the shield of faith, helmet of  salvation, sword of Spirit...

STAND! (Give no place to the devil.) DECLARE WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT YOU HAVE THE ARMOR ON!!!

1. Jesus, you are my TRUTH!

2. Jesus, you are my READINESS!

3. Jesus, you are my FAITH, SALVATION, LIVING WORD, etc.

VI.  "FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY."

A. The final demarcation point in your prayer.

B.  You return to PRAISE...and your prayer run is victoriously  finished.

1. Time for extending hands in thanksgiving.

2. End of the race is a time for  excitement.

3. A time for boasting and celebration...a time to sing.

4. A time to shout!

C. There are many ways to express our love, gratitude and  worship to our God!

D. Remember:  "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32)

May we never leave his presence without humbly bowing before him and offering a sacrifice of praise..."THINE IS THE KINGDOM! THINE IS THE POWER! THINE IS THE GLORY! AMEN! 
     
                              
                
                  

THE GOD WHO WALKS IN DARKNESS

Dark clouds surround him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Psalms 97:2 NLT

Then Solomon prayed, “O  Lord , you have said that you would live in a thick cloud of darkness. 1 Kings 8:12 NLT

He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dense rain clouds. 2 Samuel 22:12 NLT

I find it fascinating to study about the nature of God and who He really is.  We all have visions of Him sitting on a throne somewhere in the sky with all sorts of bright lights on Him and the glory just emanates from Him as you approach His presence.

Afterall - the Bible speaks of God being light (1 John 1:5) and that the Lord will be our light (Isaiah 60:19).

I'm not saying that is a wrong picture but I definitely think that it is an incomplete picture.

But, as you have seen in the verses at the beginning of this blog - it is also true that God dwells in thick darkness.

How is that possible - that God dwells in light and simultaneously dwells in darkness?

Adam J. Walker gives us some thoughts on the God that dwells in darkness:

First its important to understand what will happen to a person that views the full glory of God directly, in short, instant death (Ex 33:20).

A person is incapable of taking in all that God is in His glory and living through the experience.

If You have ever had your breath taken away by something truly spectacular? Now multiply that feeling by millions and I think you will get the point.

So, specifically when God is within the reaches of human contact, He dwells in thick darkness so that his glory doesn’t completely consume those He loves. A few examples of this:

When the Israelites sent Moses to speak with God on the mountain because they were afraid of Him (Ex 20:21).

Psalm 97:2 – “Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;”

Deuteronomy 5:22 – “‘These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly at the mountain out of the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice; and he added no more. And he wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.'”

Why does it matter that God dwells in thick darkness?

First it matters because it shows the nature of God. From this we learn that he desires to be near His people, so much so that He is willing to mask the fullness of His glory with thick darkness in order to interact directly with His people.

God loves mankind enough to come personally, first in the thick darkness and later in the Son. He is a personal God, not a distant one.

This also matters because often we walk in darkness. Who hasn’t felt the darkness of depression or uncertainty, of fear or sadness?

In the dark moments of life I believe that God is far nearer than we can comprehend. In those times when He feels distant, when it feels like we are lost in the darkness, God is in fact with us, near enough to touch if we will simply reach out.

An example from CS Lewis...

This moment from The Horse and His Boy by CS Lewis captures this idea beautifully. Its a long section, but well worth the read. You can read the full exchange here, but here is a summary:

And being very tired and having nothing inside him, (Shasta) felt so sorry for himself that the tears rolled down his cheeks.

What put a stop to all of this was a sudden fright. Shasta discovered that someone or somebody was walking beside him. It was pitch dark and he could see nothing. And the

Thing (or Person) was going so quietly that he could hardly hear any footfalls…. …The Thing (unless it was a person) went on beside him so very quietly that Shasta began to hope that he had only imagined it…. …So he went on at a walking pace and the unseen companion walked and breathed beside him. At last he could bear it no longer. 

“Who are you?” he said, barely above a whisper.

“One who has waited long for you to speak,” said the Thing. Its voice was not loud, but very large and deep…

The boy in this story is lost, and his mysterious companion is of course Aslan, the “High King above all kings.” Aslan was with the boy in his darkest time, simply waiting for the boy to speak so that Aslan could comfort him.

Is this not our experience when we are in thick darkness? When you are in thick darkness if you will quiet your soul and pay attention I believe that more often than not you will begin to notice that you are not alone.

You will realize that there is one that walks with you, quietly, sure footed and with great patience. He walks with you through the darkness waiting for that moment when you will speak, when you will reach out, when you will ask for His help.

One of the funny things about mankind is that we always expect God to come onto the scene with a flash of lightening and thunder that will shake our very souls.

But God is rarely like that, I think it’s because He isn’t much of a show off. God loves to come on the scene quietly and even humbly.

He peers onto the scene of human suffering with the caring heart of a Father and the gentle grace of a lamb.

He can be easily found by those that realize He is in the thick darkness, we just have to remember to look.

After all, He did come onto the scene of mankind as a baby in the little town of Bethlehem. And on that dark night He was found by those humble enough to seek Him.

WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE

Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) 17 For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."

There is an old chorus that we once sang in our worship services when I was growing up that went like this:

What a mighty God we serve
What a mighty God we serve
Angels bow before Him
Heaven and Earth adore Him
What a mighty God we serve

We sometimes forget just how mighty our God really is.

Exodus 15:3, "The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name."

Hebrews 12:29, "For our God is a consuming fire."

We are not serving a dead God who cowers in fear or refuses to answer. Our God fights for what is right and holy and just. He does not fear and He is not shaken by our circumstances and troubles. His battle plans are already completed and the victory is won before the battle begins.

What do we have to fear? Surely Satan goes around like a roaring lion, but He cannot destroy anything that God has under His protection.

I believe that this church, and each of us as individuals, who are saved and sanctified, and living for God cannot be defeated by the devil unless we throw up our hands in surrender. 

Let the battles come! Let the devil roar! Let the heathen rage!

My God is powerful and I will not fear for He is my shelter and my tower of defense!

When the storm is raging around us; when the waves tower over us; and when it seems that there is no more hope – run to Jesus! He is not shaken by those storms. He has the power to calm them and deliver you through them and even make you stronger because of them.

Exodus 15:11, "Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?"

There is no other power that can compare to the Mighty God that I serve. No other god can stand before Him! He defeated the Isis, Horeb and Saab of Egypt! He defeated the pharaohs, the Caesars, and every other man who dared exalt himself above God! My God defeated Baal, He defeated Buddha, Mohammed and every other god you can name. There is none who can stand before Him! What have we to fear? Why do we feed defeated? Why do we shrink from the battle? Why do we turn tail and run from the enemy? OUR GOD IS THE MIGHTY ONE OF ISRAEL! WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR!

How mighty do YOU see God in your life?

Is your God someone who stands afar and just watches what happens to you without any concern? 

Is your God sleeping and hard to awaken? 

Is your God too concerned with matters of His own to be concerned with event the smallest problems in your life? 

Is your God too weak to supply your every need; to heal even your head colds; to give you food, clothing, or to enable you to pay your bills?

If that’s your picture of God, no wonder we have so much fear!

I don’t know about you, but MY GOD IS MIGHTY enough to handle every situation that faces me! Not only that, but He is also mighty enough to turn it to my good!

My God has arms of strength that are everlasting. He will cast out from me those enemies of my soul and of my life that would attempt to destroy me!

He has given His angels charge over me with orders from God to destroy all who would come against me! WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!

The Mighty God that I serve has all things under His control! 

He is the Giver and Taker of Life by His sovereign will and power. 

He controls the wealth of Heaven and of Earth to accomplish those things for me that are necessary! 

He reigns in the affairs of men to raise leaders who will do His will and brings down those who will not!

God lifts us up from our life of sin, stuck in the miry clay of despair – He lifts us up, washes off the filth of sin with His own blood that will never lose its power to cleanse. He gives us His undying love and compassion. He fills us with His mercy.

2 Corinthians 9:8, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:"

THE MIGHTY GOD THAT WE SERVE IS ABLE!

He is able to bring every good and perfect gift to you. He is able to meet your every need. He is able to give you life and that much more abundantly!

My God is a mighty God and He always gives us the victory. 

Give God praise today and thank Him for being the strong God He is on your behalf.

GOD PROMISES TO TAKE US "THROUGH"

I remember as a young man dealing very troubling news that sent me into a very dark and difficult season of my life.

Over the years I've had to deal with many hard and difficult things in my life but I think that I've learned some valuable lessons to pass down to those that are willing to listen.

One of the key words for me during these times was the word "through."  Meaning to take you all the way to the other side.  God doesn't just leave in the midst of your trial but He takes you "through" to something greater than you could even imagine.

Our problem is that we see only the here and now.  We only see what's just in front of us and not the bigger picture.

Here are a few verses that help us to understand this concept.

1. He Leads Us THROUGH The Fire And Flood

We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place of great abundance. Psalms 66:12 NLT

Do you ever feel like you are drowning in a sea of trouble?  Do you feel as if all the good you are doing is going up in smoke?

God promises to bring us through the fire and through the flood.  Think about that for a moment.  He promises this.

Notice that there is great abundance on the other side.

2. He Leads Us THROUGH The Wilderness

And by means of many wonders and miraculous signs, he led them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and through the wilderness for forty years. Acts of the Apostles 7:36 NLT

But he led his own people like a flowck of sheep, guiding them safely through the wilderness. Psalms 78:52 NLT

These are those extremely dry times that we all go through spiritually.  These are those times when it is hard to pray and hard to seek God.

God promises to bring us through those times also.

3. He Leads us THROUGH The Darkest Valley

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalms 23:4 NLT

He lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness. Job 29:3 NLT

Not everyone understands this.  When I was going through great darkness in my life - there were a very few people who really understood exactly what that looked like.  They might have gone through discouraging times but never understood deep darkness.

But there are many  of us who really get and understand this.  The darkness is real and haunting.  It feels as if there is no end and that there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

Yet, as I look back, I realize that God was always there and has always brought me through to a better place.

4. He Leads Me Through The Deep Waters, The Rivers Of Difficulty And The Fire Of Oppression

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:2 NLT

These verses reflect some of what was said above but they add another layer to the troubles we face.

He refers to them as "Deep Waters," "The Rivers Of Difficulty," And "The Fire Of Oppressions."

We've all been there.  We've all been in over our heads with problems and difficulty.

We've all have felt the oppression that comes and keeps coming to knock us off our game and send us over the edge.

Again, God promises to bring us through these times of our lives.

5. He Leads Us THROUGH Hardships

...You know all the hardships we have been through. Numbers 20:14 NLT

Life is hard at times.  We all face hardships and difficulties with finances, relationships, health, etc.  This list could go on forever.

Yet, He always leads us through those difficulty places to the other side where there is an abundance of blessing.

I am a survivor.  Not because of anything I do but because of what He has done - always.  I look back over my life and I say, "Thank you God because you always brought me "through" every difficult and dark time that I faced.

God has a great plan for your life - Jeremiah 29:11.  He has not given up on you so don't you give up on Him.  He is on your side and He is in your court

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NLT

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. Hebrews 10:36 NLT

UNCLUTTERING OUR MINDS

PhIL 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things {are} just, whatever things {are} pure, whatever things {are} lovely, whatever things {are} of good report, if {there is} any virtue and if {there is} anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. (NKJ)

It seems that lately I’ve been dealing a lot with people with rampant thoughts of worry and anxiety about life. Their thought life has gone out of control.

It is true that our mind and its imaginations get us into alot of trouble.  This is the place where much sin abides.  It is the place of which we need to gain control.  it is a war zone of many lies.

Our problem - we do just the opposite.

2 COR 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (NKJ)

It is important to God that we use our power of imagination rightly.

What Does The Bible Say About Imaginations?

1. GEN 6:5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man {was} great in the earth, and {that} every intent of the thoughts (imaginations) of his heart {was} only evil continually. (NKJ)

The result?  God destroyed the world with a flood.  Man's corrupted imagination caused the face of the entire earth to be changed.

2. GEN 8:21 ... Then the Lord said in His heart, "I will never again curse the ground for man's sake, although the imagination of man's heart {is} evil from his youth;... (NKJ)

3. The next tragedy to strike the human race was the confusion of the spoken language.  Men were building the Tower of Babel, and God spoke...

    "...now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. (7) "Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language...." (Genesis 11:6-7 NKJ)

                                                                             

4. PRO 6:16 These six {things} the Lord hates, yes, seven {are} an abomination to Him: ... an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.

5.   JER 23:17 They continually say to those who despise Me, `The Lord has said, "You shall have peace"'; and to everyone who walks according to the imagination of his own heart, `No evil shall come upon you.'" (NKJ)

                                    

God Wants To Abide Within Our Thoughts...

Here’s the truth: God wants to abide within our thoughts.  He wants to come alongside you and help your mind to be strong in the ways of the Lord.

The following are a few of the scriptures which make it clear that Christians are responsible for thoughts that come to their minds for any length of time:

1. PSA 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; (NKJ)

2. MAT 9:4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? (NKJ)

3. ROM 8:6 For to be carnally minded {is} death, but to be spiritually minded {is} life and peace. (NKJ)

4. PHIl 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (NKJ)

5. TITUS 1:15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. (NKJ)

6. EZEK11:5 ...for I know the things that come into your mind. (NKJ)

GOD HAS GIVEN US AUTHORITY OVER OUR THOUGHT LIFE... WE MUST EXERCISE IT.

ROM 14:12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. (NKJ)

                                                                  

Our Problem...

Our problem is this.  Our minds are at enmity against God. Our sin nature resists the nature of God.

ROM 8:7 Because the carnal mind {is} enmity against God.... (NKJ)

2 THESS 2:2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. (NKJ)

Three Challenges Peter Gives Concerning Our Minds - 1 Peter 1:13

1 PET 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest {your} hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (NKJ)

NASB - Therefore gird up your minds for action...

To this point Peter has been talking about the greatness and the glory which the Christians can look forward to: but we cannot live just in the dreams of the future.  We must be ever ready for this present battle.

3 Challenges

1. He tells them to “gird up the loins of their minds"

Or as the NASB puts it "to gird up their minds for action."

This is a vivid phrase.  In the east, men wore long flowing robes which hindered fast progress or strenuous action.  Around their waist they wore a broad belt or girdle; and when strenuous action was necessary, they shortened the long robe by pulling it up within the belt in order to give them freedom of movement.

Peter is telling his people that they must be ready for the most strenuous mental endeavors.  They must never be content with a flabby and unexamined mind. They must set to think things out and think them through.

It may be that we will have to discard some things.  It may be that we will make mistakes.  But as we strive to have the "mind of Christ," (Philippians 2:5), our hearts and minds will be "guarded" through the power of Jesus Himself (Philippians 4:7)

"gird up: gr. "be prepared" (prepare yourself)

"loins of your MIND" - gr. faculty of your understanding, feelings and desires.

This same Greek word is used in:

MAT 22:37 Jesus said to him, " `You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your MIND.' (NKJ)

EPH 1:18 the eyes of you UNDERSTANDING being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (NKJ)

PHI 2:5 Let this MIND be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (NKJ)

2. He tells them to be sober.

The Greek has two meanings like the English.

      1- refrain from drunkenness

      2- be steady in your minds

As we  must not be intoxicated with intoxicating liquor, we must not have intoxicating thoughts.  We must keep a balance in our thought life.

"sober" - gr. used 6x's in the NT - "calm, collected in spirit.

Barnes - sober - "A man who follows sound reason, not under the control of passions.  The idea is that he should have his desires and passions well regulated.  he should be prudent."

3. He tells them to completely fix their hope on the grace to be brought to them at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

It is a great characteristic of the Christian that He lives in hope; and because He lives in hope he can endure struggle and hardship... if he is certain that it is leading somewhere.

                                         

Notice These Scriptures In Closing...

ROM 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what {is} that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJ)

EPH 4:23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (NKJ)

1 COR 2:16 For "Who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (NKJ)

GOD PROVES YOU BEFORE HE CAN USE YOU

“Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭105:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As I was preparing my life to go into ministry (Bible school, serving, etc.) my father pulled me aside and gave me some great words of wisdom.  He said, God is not going to make it easy for you just because you grew up in a pastor's home.  There will be no short-cuts.  God will make ever turn difficult and hard."

I didn't fully understand that at the time.  In fact, I thought He had just totally "missed it."  I thought, "I've been serving God all my life and I've sat under my parents and now everything was about to fall into place.  Watch out Billy Graham."

I envisioned my church full and overflowing and my ministry growing exponentially.

How wrong I was.

God made every turn difficult and hard and made sure that I wasn't going to take any short-cuts ever.

And that was the best thing for me.  It is what made me to be who I am today. It put a resilience  in me that has kept me focused for the long haul.  The fire tested me and made me stronger.

“Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;” Proverbs‬ ‭25:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart.” Proverbs‬ ‭17:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In my first church there was a man my age who was a jeweler.  He designed and made the most beautiful jewelry.

I remember visiting him one day in his basement just to hang out with him.  I watched how he heated up the silver and waited for the dross to come to the top.  He would then scrape it and heat it up some more.  

He told me that a jeweler will do this 7x's in order to make the silver as pure as possible.

In our own lives God heats things up for us in order to remove all the dross from our own lives.

Before God can really use us He has to prepare our vessel.  He allows trials and difficulties to come to us with great heat and fire.  He burns away anything that is not pleasing to Him.

God gives us enough to make us uncomfortable but never so much that we can't take it.

He tests our character to see how we are going to handle ourselves in our attitude, our speech and our conduct.

Do we pass or fail?  

For some of us we have to go into the same fire over and over until we finally "get it."  Then, God moves us forward to begin training us for what lies ahead.

I look back now and remember some of the trials that I endured when I was young verses the trials I had to deal with as I got older.  There is no comparison.  I would never have been able to deal with back then what I've had to deal with now.

But God is faithful and He always brought me through.  He has built his character in me and is still developing me in other areas.  I am so grateful.

"So be truly glad.  There is a wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for awhile. These trials will show that your faith is genuine.  It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold - though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT

YOUR CHARACTER DETERMINES WHO YOU REALLY ARE

1 Samuel 16:7 NIV “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.””

I've been around for a lot of years and I've seen people come and go.  I've seen leaders rise and fall and I've seen what makes a man and what brings him down.

The longer I lead and the more I see, the more I’m convinced that character ultimately determines a leader’s true success.

Moral failure takes out more leaders than it should. But real success is deeper than just avoiding the ditch.

So where does the deepest level of leadership success come from? Ultimately it doesn’t come from a leader’s skill set; it comes from a leader’s character.

Character is a person of godly morals ethics.  It is a person of honesty and courage.  It is a person of good respect.

I see many gifted people who do not go far because they have holes in their bucket.  What goes in leaks out quickly because they lack character.

Your character determines your true capacity.

Why is that?

Character—far more than skill set—determines how deeply and passionately people follow you. A leader with character is a leader worth following.

A leader who lacks integrity may have followers, but he’ll never gain their full trust or their hearts.

After all, we all know highly skilled leaders who are never truly embraced; they’re merely tolerated.

Character, more than anything else, draws the hearts of people to your leadership.

The greatest leaders are highly skilled people whom other people love to be around. They’re people others admire, not just because they’re smart, but because they’re the kind of person other people want to become.

So how do you know whether your character passes the test?

In my view, the greatest leaders I know pass all five of these character tests many others fail.

1. Handling Success

Often people will ask you how you handled your last failure. And that’s not an entirely bad question.

But how you handle your success is a far greater test.

Failure is, by nature, humiliating. It crushes pride.

Success does the opposite. It naturally inflates a leader’s pride. It’s intoxicating.

It takes both great self-awareness and great self-control to handle success. To not let the reports of your own brilliance or accomplishments go to your head.

The very best leaders remain humble, grounded and even self-deprecating. They don’t claim every perk of office and regularly help people who can’t help them back.

They avoid the gravitational pull of self-focus and, instead, stay focused on the mission before them and before everyone.

The ultimate test of a leader’s character is not failure, it’s success.

Psalm 25:21 NIV May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you."

2. Being Misunderstood

At some point, every leader will be misunderstood.

People will say things about you behind your back (or to your face) that aren’t true. People will judge your motives and get it wrong.

Sometimes you’ll only be allowed to say certain things in public, not because you’re being secretive, but because revealing all the information would make others look bad or would be breaking confidence. So instead, you look bad.

That’s just the territory of leadership.

Leadership is a bit like parenting. You have to do the right thing even if it’s not the popular thing. I’ve been there many times as a leader (and as a parent).

Great leaders have forged enough character to overcome the incessant desire to be liked.

They are prepared to be misunderstood for a season, knowing that usually the truth comes out in the end.

And even if the truth doesn’t emerge in a particular instance, great leaders know that the overall track record of their leadership and character will speak for itself over time.

1 Peter 3:16 NIV “keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

3. How it’s going at home

Success is intoxicating. And leadership is rewarding.

People generally do what you ask them to do. Results can be measured. And progress is steady. Sometimes it’s even exponential.

If only it was that easy at home.

Many leaders who are successes at work end up being failures at home, and that’s not success.

Your spouse isn’t impressed with your stats. Your kids don’t care about your awards.

They just need you.

They simply want you.

Too many leaders impose the high standards they carry at work on their family at home.

Your family doesn’t work for you.

They love you (or at least they used to). And they want you to love them.

Psalm 101:2 NIV “I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.”

4. Who you are when no one’s looking

What is character?

It’s who you are when the spotlight’s not on you.

The best leaders are the same on stage or in the boardroom as they are in a private meeting.

They’re the same when they’re with one person as they are when they’re with a thousand.

And the truly great ones are the same when absolutely no one is around.

As John Wooden famously said, the true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.

Proverbs 11:3 NIV “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”

5. Helping people who can’t help you

If you’re not careful, the more successful you become, the more likely you will be to spend time only with those who can help you get to the next stage of whatever you’re trying to do.

You almost naturally become a social climber.

The greatest leaders will resist this pull. It’s not that they won’t spend time with other people who are as successful or more successful than they are. It’s that they will still spend time with people who aren’t.

The greatest leaders regularly find time to help people who can’t help them back.

And not just as a charity project … but because it’s just who they are.

They’re not so impressed by themselves that they can’t spend time with people who might not be impressed with them.

They’re not so caught up in what’s next that they can’t spend meaningful time with someone who isn’t on the same journey.

Sure … they’re still strategic with their time, but they have a deep sense of grounding that reminds them that life is indeed about others, not just about them.

The greatest leaders regularly help those who can’t help them back.

"To add value to others, one must first value others." --John Maxwell

"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them become what they are capable of being." --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Proverbs 21:3 NIV “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”

What Would You Add? The great leaders I know pass all five of these character tests.  

You will never really succeed in life until you look at your character from the inside out.  Are there places of weaknesses?  Are there holes that need to be plugged up?  
Are you one way in front of people and another when you are by yourself

Your character will determine who you really are.