Little Foxes

This came out of a song that Solomon wrote in the book called Song of Songs in the Word of God, read what he wrote in 2:15, “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”

Foxes are usually very shy animals and if you see one it will probably be at night when it is dark.  They chew on vines and spoil the branches in the vineyard and the fruit.  Well today I want to relate these little foxes to sin that spoil the fruit in a person’s life.  

When we think of sin we usually think of the big sins that are very easy to spot in a person’s life, but what about the sins that we don’t relate to as big sins and sometimes are overlooked as not that important.  What about some of the lies we speak that many relate to as little white lies, or what about our negative attitude at times, and what about the way we gossip at times.  Can you think about a time when you were told by someone something that you said you would not tell anyone else about but you did, these are what you might call little foxes that chew on the vines and the branches and hinder the sap from flowing or stop it altogether.  What about anger, bitterness and un-forgiveness, all of these are sins that we can try to overlook, but a sin is a sin in God’s eyes regardless of what we may think and if all of them are left unchecked and unrepented of and unconfessed, they will spoil the fruit in our lives.  And, this is a very big one that many people don’t even seem to know that they have in many cases and it’s called pride.  I have heard it said this way, if I remember correctly, “That the only people that don’t know they have pride in their lives are the people who have it.”

God’s Word says this about sin, regardless of what we think and this includes all sin.  Please read Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”     

Whether it be killing, raping, stealing, porn, adultery, sexual immorality or any other kind of sin you can name, if not dealt with, they will separate you from the vine and the fruit in our lives will dry up until we repent and confess it and ask the good Lord to forgive us.  

What does God’s Word say about the vine and the branches in John 15:1-17, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.”

Repentance is talked about throughout the whole Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation.  We may not hear about confession, repentance, conviction and being broken when we sin and the Lord’s crucifixion and death and His shed blood and His resurrection from many congregations, but they still apply today, for without these no man could be right with God.  First you have to believe that you are a sinner and are dead in your sins and trespasses and that because of your situation you are separated from God.  You must believe that God and His Son and His Holy Spirit exist.  You must believe that Jesus died by crucifixion and rose from the dead and through His shed blood we can be covered and washed and cleansed from our sins and from all of our un-righteousness.  You also need to repent of your sins and confess and turn away from your sins and ask the Lord to forgive you and be your Lord and Savior.  In other words, Jesus said you must be born-again, which can only be done through the Lord before you can even start this journey with the Lord. 

For those that claim to be born-again, we need to deal with these little foxes that are called sins and resist them in our hearts and lives and, if we do fall, we need to be willing to repent and turn from these things in our lives and ask the Lord to forgive us and take the proper steps that will make these things right, if we can.  I have given you something to think about and I hope this will be a help and even encourage you to do the right thing!!  May God bless you and yours and may you have a happy day!!

Listen And Obey

It is very important that we don’t only listen, but that we obey the voice of the Lord.  I have read that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. It seems like many of us have what we call selective hearing.  It seems like many have a way of blocking out what they don’t want to hear and taking in what they like and want to hear.  But think of this, it is not what you want to hear that is most important many times but it is what you need to hear that is most important.  How much time do you spend listening to the Word or reading it yourself; a message on Sunday isn’t enough, there are far too many distractions and voices calling out to you through the week.  Many are negative voices and you need to be alert and ready for the tricks of the evil one that hates the idea that you hear any truths and is always trying to deceive you.

God’s Word says this in John 8:28-32, “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

So if you want to be set free, and stay free, you have got to be studying the Word and have a love for the Word of God, then you need to be hiding it in your heart.

Read what the Psalmist said in Psalms 119:9-16, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”

You not only need to hide it in your heart but you need to be putting it into practice and living it out in your life.  If you are not studying the Word how will you know what the Lord expects of you each day and how will you be able to help others when they need to hear some encouraging words or something that relates to them and their circumstances.

Read what God’s Word says in 2 Timothy 2:14-15, “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

How will you be able to proclaim the Word if you don’t spend time in it; and if you don’t know what it says how will you obey it?  Read Paul’s instructions to Timothy, who He considered his son in the faith, in 2 Timothy 4:1-5, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”

I have given you something to think about, I hope you will.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a super day!!

Courage My Friend

Are you frightened by what you hear each day from the media with all the bad news that you hear?  If you are a believer, take courage, if you believe that God’s Word is true then stand on His promises and don’t be moved.  Keep in mind that many of the stories you hear are not always the truth but have been fabricated because of someone’s biases towards someone else or whatever the topic may be about.  Some things are brought to our attention to cause panic and fear in our hearts.  Meditating on the Word of God may help you to calm down and get better control of your emotions.

Please read Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

It is important that we get God’s perspective on what makes us anxious, worried and frightened, by seeking Him for wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  When you start getting overwhelmed by the things you hear or even some of the things you see, maybe you need to shut off the TV if you are spending too much time on the news, or get off Facebook if you are spending too much time on it or even your IPad or your IPhone, whatever it is that you use that frightens you, take a break from it for a while.  We need to have a balance and the right perspective and the way we receive that is to spend more time with the Lord and less time on worldly things.  There are times when we need to be still before the Lord and let the Lord minister to our hearts.

Read what Jesus said to His disciples in John 14:1-4, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”

And now read John 14:27-29, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.”

One way you may overcome fear and anxiousness is by rejoicing in the Lord, which may help you get your mind off of your fears and your anxiety.

Please read Philippians 4:4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Let the peace of God flood your hearts and minds.  Let me give you something else that may encourage you and help you; this is something I think most of us should meditate on much more than we do, please read Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

I think I have said enough.  I pray that you will have a super day and that what you have read will encourage you.  May the good Lord bless you and yours!!  PS don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord!!

Prayer

Faith and prayer go together, along with fasting, because without faith it is impossible to please the Lord and I think it is what moves God into action.  When believer’s fast it shows that they are very serious about what they are praying for.  I have heard it said that prayer is the engine that moves the church and I think there is a lot of truth in that statement.  I don’t think a church can exist without prayer.  A prayer-less congregation is a weak congregation; it seems impossible to have a strong, vibrant congregation without a strong prayer focus.

When I think about The Brooklyn Tabernacle, Jim Cymbala’s congregation, they have prayer 24 hours a day and in their prayer meetings there are hundreds of people that show up and the Lord is moving mightily in their congregation.  I know that it takes more than a good showing at the prayer meetings to have a vibrant congregation; it takes a committed and dedicated man of God, and in some cases a committed and dedicated woman, to lead that congregation who will preach the truth without compromise and has also been called by the Holy Spirit and anointed for His service.

Haven’t you read this: “Unless the Lord build the house, you labor in vain that build it?”  In order to accomplish the work of God, God has to be in it.  The Holy Spirit also has to be in it.  Haven’t you read this: “It is not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord!!”  In order to have a strong, vibrant congregation we need all these things, plus we need many committed, anointed and dedicated people that will help with the many ministries that take place in the congregation.  

I believe that many people in the church are struggling in so many areas of life today, whether it be physically, mentally, psychologically or spiritually and I think the remedy would be a real Holy Ghost Revival.  I think there is lack of faith for the same reason there was when Jesus walked the earth; instead of believing, people want to see the miracles of God instead of having the faith that they will happen.

Jesus said this in Matthew 16:1-4, “The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day; for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.”

I am as guilty as anyone else is, in seeking the Lord to do something, because I have experienced so many things over the years quite regularly but now it doesn’t happen near as often and sometimes it seems that the sky is made of brass and many of my prayers just bounce off and are not heard.  Then these words come to mind at times, “lean not unto your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”  This may be a lot of our problem, when we go through a valley experience, or a time of testing, we become discouraged and even have pity parties and our faith goes down the tube, so to speak, and if we aren’t careful we start to blame God and then we, in some cases, become bitter and some have wandered from the faith altogether.

What does it say that faith is in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Faith believes something before it actually takes place.  I would encourage you to read the entire 11^th chapter, I think it will give you a whole different outlook on what faith really is.  I am afraid that many of us are seeking the hand of God much more than the heart of God or His Kingdom which puts our priorities in the wrong place.  

Jesus said this in Luke 18:8, “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”

I hope when Jesus comes, if I am still here, my faith will hold up to the test whatever I have to go through.  What about you?  So, no matter what happens, keep praying and believing and don’t give up.

Read what the Lord’s Word says in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

Now read Mark 11:25, “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

We can’t expect God to answer our prayers when we hold un-forgiveness in our hearts, so forgive those who transgress against you from the heart and keep seeking God.  Enough said, I hope this has been an encouragement to you and that you take it to heart!!  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a super nice day!!  And don't forget to thank and praise the Lord!!

Repentance

People do not like this word, but it is necessary for all of us if we want to have any kind of relationship with anyone.  At times a married couple needs to repent and say I am sorry to one another and mean what they say by demonstrating their remorse.  The problem with many marriages is that we have far too much pride and instead of humbling ourselves we cause strife and grief and hold onto our pride until many marriages end in divorce or separation.  This can happen to both parties if one or the other or both will not repent and admit that they were wrong.  This happens in relationships, business practices, between family members, in ministries and in all different factions of life.

What does it mean to repent?  It means to turn around and go in another direction.  It also means being sorry for what you did!!

Read Peter’s reaction when he repented the time that he denied the Lord three different times in Luke 22:62, “And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”

Peter’s reaction to what he had done showed that he was very sorry and had a repentant spirit and that He would never do that again, and he never did, even though it cost him his life.  He was crucified upside down, but he never denied the Lord.  That is the difference between true repentance, and just talk, which seems to happen far too often today.

Repentance was very important to Jesus also, not that He ever had to repent Himself, but read what He said when He started His ministry after John baptized Him and He withdrew to spend time seeking God in Matthew 4:17, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

And, think about what John’s baptism was for, read Matthew 3:1-12, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

The word repentance should be very important to every believer.  We all need to repent of our sins and turn from them and ask the good Lord to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  But this word is not heard in many of our church services today and it is hurting many people that need to hear about it.  There are many altar calls that have nothing to do with man’s condition before the Lord or repentance or turning away from your sins.  All you hear that is needed, is to ask the Lord to be your Lord and Savior.  I know I may sound like a broken record coming back to this so many times in various ways but this is so important.

Think about Jesus’ words that he spoke in John 8:10-11, about the woman caught in adultery “When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

And also in John 5:14, when He healed an impotent man at the pool Bethesda,  “Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”

Jesus talked about repentance in the book of Revelations in the 3^rd and 4^th chapters and in Revelations 3:20 He said this to the church, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Paul spoke about repentance also.  Repentance is spoken of all through the Bible.

If you would like to read a very good book on this subject, purchase Dr. Michael Brown’s book called, “Go and Sin No More.”   It is a real eye opener on this subject and will help you to treat sin very differently because you will see it for what it is and what it does in a person’s life and in our relationships and also our relationship with the Lord!!  Sin has to be dealt with and truly repented of if we expect to have a relationship with the Lord, so think about what you have read today.  I hope this has been an encouragement and a help for you today.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a super day!!