God loves us so much that it is beyond our understanding of comprehension. For God to offer His Son as a sacrifice for those who do not even want anything to do with Him is beyond Human comprehension. God created us so that He could commune with us and to share His love with us. Since the fall of man, man has struggled to please God through the keeping of the law. God knew this and had a plan all along that would gain the love of His children back. And that plan was and is through the blood of His Son Jesus.
Now it is repulsive to think that it is God's will to allow His Son to go to the cross just to watch us struggle. What I mean is it is God's will for us to increase. Everyone has a starting point and usually it is no where near the finish line. I remember when I first gave my life to Christ I was pretty rough around the edges. Now I look at where I am now and see that my faith in God has increased tremendously. So I know that it is God's will for us to increase. 3 John 2 says, Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. Now all things to me covers just about everything, and yes including money. The way you start to prosper in "all things", is you have to start prospering in your soul. If your heart is not right then you are never going to be prosperous. You could have a billion dollars in the bank, own five houses, three yachts, but that doesn't make you prosperous. When you have the love of Jesus inside your heart, and it shines boldly, and everyone can tell that there is something good about you, to me that is prosperity. John 10:10 Jesus says, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
Now it is also God's will for us to be prosperous. To some that may rub the wrong way but it depends what you consider to be prosperous. I don't believe that it is God's will for anyone to be broke, but at the same time I don't believe that it is God's will for people to have an abundance of money and not share it with those who are in need. The kingdom of God takes money, and majority of Christians do not tithe. So it is no wonder why God blesses those who do tithe with an abundance. Psalm 35:27 says, Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” You see I believe that the Lord wants us to be prosperous in a way to magnify His glory. If I am broke because I don't believe that it is God's will for me to have money, then I am limiting what God can do in my life and what He can allow me to do for others in His name. You see your actions will always follow your beliefs. And your actions have consequences. If your actions are disbelief, then your consequence is lack there of what ever it is you are disbelieving. But if you believe that it is His will for you to prosper for the good of the kingdom, then He will prosper you. Job 36:11 says, If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures. I believe that part of obeying and part of serving God is to honor Him with our possessions, large or small. And if the Lord blesses you with money then it is your duty in the kingdom to give generously to those who are in need and do it to bring glory to God. I believe the same goes to those who have little also. God doesn't care what the amount is, He is more concerned with rather or not it is your best offering. That is one way the Lord uses people. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 says, Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. Proverbs 28:25 says, ...but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.
The scriptures also warn us to be aware of the wrongful type of increase or prosperity. Some people get a notion that it is because of their own doing that's the reason for their increase or wealth. This I believe is the reason why so many Christians are against "Prosperity preaching". I believe this could cause a lack in the area of your finances if you totally block this out. I say this because you receive according to your faith, and we all know faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So if you cut prosperity totally out of your spiritual diet, then you are going to lack in that area. I don't believe that prosperity is the most important thing to preach on, however it is a portion of God's will so it has some significance. Colossians 2:18-19 in the NLT warns us not to focus the increase as our own doing, "Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it." This tells us that God is the nourisher, not man. But nourishment covers all things not just the things of our spirit. God knows what it takes to get the message out there. To reach out to others it takes money, and this day and age it takes a lot of money. If you are wealthy in worldly things but you have nothing spiritually to show for it, what is the point. Some would say that they would be happier and they would for a season, but there would be a void that only Jesus could fill. The things of this world will perish, you can't take them with you. So they do you no good putting your faith in them. Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 in the NLT says, Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!
Those who love God, and earnestly seek the things of the kingdom of God first, will enjoy the gifts God brings them. God is a rewarder to those who diligently seek Him, the Bible says so. Ecclesiastes 5:19 in the NLT says, And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. I believe that this is the prosperity that is God's will for us. He loves us too much for His will to be to have us struggle in life. He wants us to enjoy life with Him, but your heart has to be right in order for this to happen. God is a God of increase, a God of prosperity, and a God of unlimited ability. He gives and He takes away. Have your heart in the right place and receive His love in all parts of your life. He doesn't want you to go through this world not equipped. As you equip your soul with the Word, He will take care of what you need and give you an abundance so you can enjoy some of it too. God is a good God. Hallelujah!
In Christ,
Eric R Cox
Friday, November 27, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Love is the Answer!
In Matthew 22:39 Jesus said, "...you shall love your neighbor as yourself." But how many people truly know how to love your neighbor? 1 John 3:18 says, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." If we look at the things that God did for us, we can see He leads by example. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." God gave, and this is how He loves us. So now we get an idea of how we are to love. The Bible says if you love God you show Him by keeping His commandments. The same applies in our relationships. For an example you can tell your wife you love her everyday and she likes to hear that, but what really drives it home is when you do things for her. Such as doing the laundry, doing the dishes, cooking for her, etc. This is how we are to love. So the same would apply to your neighbor. I believe what makes keeping this commandment so hard for some is that so many are being deceived by the world. And what I mean is a common position most have is, "I've worked too hard for what I have and am barely scraping by on my own, so how does He expect me to give to others?" Well if you look at what the Bible says about money, we are not suppose to borrow money. But our flesh says 'I can't wait' and the world says, 'I'll finance you." So we think this is great and we do that over and over till we have a payment on everything. And now we have become the tail and not the head. We are held in bondage to our debt and as a result the Lord can not use us to bless our neighbors. So the the worldly views have deceived us from thinking how God says we should handle money. Giving is not alone limited to materialistic things though. We can lend our neighbors a hand when they are in need of help physically, emotionally, and especially spiritually. However people nowadays are too busy to lend a hand to anyone because our schedules are too full of things not of the kingdom. This is another way the devil keeps us incapacitated or fit to serve the Lord. It is time for Christians to stop becoming more like the world and shift their thinking to the things of the kingdom of God. How many know that the Bible says, seek ye first the kingdom of God, yet how many actually live that way? Then we wonder why we have an abundance of strife in our lives. I dare to say that these two things are directly related to each other. My wife put it in a way that best explains the unexplainable. She said it like this, when you put the things of God first then all the rest seem to fall in place. This is the truth. God is way more qualified to handle our problems than we are, and He wants to handle them for us. But we need to shelf our pride, and let Him do it for us and quit trying to over power it ourselves. We can not do it alone. He is the answer to all our problems and the answer is in Him. Saints we need to stop looking to the Government and people for answers and start seeking Him first. The Messiah has already come and our faith is to be in Him and not anything or anybody else. When you trust in the Lord that pleases Him and you will see His favor in your life. When you don't know where the money is going to come from its there. When you don't know how to overcome the sickness your healed. When you have tried to talk to your teenager and bring him light and you're about to give up, the Lord turns his life around. All because you trust in Him our Savior. He is the wonderful councilor. He knows all things, so let's place our faith in Him, and let Him clean up our bank accounts, our schedules, and our lives. We can't afford to be deceived anymore. It's time for a break through who's with me. Pray right now with me, Lord I know that I need your help. And I know I haven't always put you first in my life, but I want to change that right here and right now. Show me where I need to change and I will change. Give me wisdom and guide my steps down the path which you have already prepared for me. Show me the grace which you have graced me with and I will place your purpose first in my life. For I know when I place you first you will take care of the rest. Show me how to love and use me as your vessel, and I will give you my all. Amen! Now if you believe that receive it and hold on to it. And be ready for some big things to happen in your life and expect good things to happen. God is love and God is good. And if you prayed with me and you believe that you will receive, He is right now this very second working on manifesting this to you. Let's be a light to the world and love our neighbors as ourselves praising God as we do! Glory be to God! Amen!
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Scripture to meditate on: 1 John 3:13-22 (New Living Translation)
13 So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
14 If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. 15 Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them. 16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. 20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. 22 And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Scripture to meditate on: 1 John 3:13-22 (New Living Translation)
13 So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
14 If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. 15 Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them. 16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. 20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. 22 And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Got Faith?
Today I want to blog a little bit about what faith can do. This is just one example of the many in the Bible. If you look through the Bible it teaches us that faith is the way to the Father. Jesus talked about what faith of a mustard seed could do. He told people they were healed by their faith. By faith Peter walked on water, But as so many still do, they chose to doubt. And just like Peter we fall from time to time. That's okay we are going to fall from time to time, no one other than Jesus has arrived to Christ like perfection yet. It's about what you do when you fall. Are you going to sink or are you going to call on the Lord like Peter did? So many want to blame God for bad things that happen in their lives as if it were His fault these things happened. We need to realize something, God has never let us down. He has always been faithful to us. And so the question should not be why did this happen? The real question is what will you do when you don't know why? Will you still trust in Him? If you can't then you have no faith in Him, and Hebrews 11:6 in the NIV says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
One of the most common scenarios today we have people judging each other telling them what they should or should not believe. If you want my opinion I believe in the Bible and what it says. And if I am going to tell someone this is the truth, then I am going to provide the scriptures to back it up. I will not say it if God did not tell us in this book.
So with out further due. I want to talk about the harlot Rahab and what she did, and how I believe some day many people are going to have to do the things she did. As the world moves closer to one world religion (coexist), Christians are going to suffer persecution. In Hebrews 11:31 it says, "By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient." the NKJV says "By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace." So when you compare these two translations you see that unbelief is a form of disobedience. And we also see that there is a prostitute in the great faith chapter of the Bible. Rahab received these spies and hid them on her roof knowing that if she was caught she would have been killed. And the king of Jericho sent men to search for them and when they came to her place she lied to them and said that she didn't know where they were. Many could jump to the conclusion here and say that the Bible is condoning to sin since lying is a sin and Rahab lied. This is not what the Bible says. This is a true story and Rahab at this point was not raised in a christian home so we do not know how much light the Lord has given her. Rahab was also open for business practicing her profession. Does that mean prostitution is okay? No it doesn't. Moving on, the king's men went away looking for the spies and Rahab went up to the roof and talked to them. Joshua 2:9-11, "9 I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and every one's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below." Now after reading this we see that the Israelites had a totally different view didn't they? That is why they wondered out in the desert for 40 years afraid when they could have been taking the land that was promised to them by the Almighty God. I believe that the world is like this today. They are all scared of Christians because we are favored by the Lord and they are afraid that they are going to lose the upper hand. Well I have news for them, they already did almost 2010 years ago.
Now watch this now, Joshua 2:12-13 Rahab asks, "12 Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death." Have you ever thought right here, what if she didn't ask? Most likely her and her family would have been dead with the others. What if she would have told others that she requested her family and herself be spared? I believe it would have gone something like this: You? What makes you think God would save you? Don't you know there are many people in this city doing good things for humanity? Why would God save a prostitute? That was just my thought, however it is the way many Christians think today. In the end when the walls fell at Jericho, Rahab and her immediate family was spared, all because she had faith in God. Also she asked the Lord to spare her and her family and she knew that God could and that He would. This is why it is important to make your desires known to the Father.
Now let me show you one more thing many have overlooked. Go to Matthew 1:1-6. This is the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
2Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
4Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
6and Jesse the father of King David
I showed you this because this means that Rahab the harlot was King David's, the man after God's own heart, Great Grandma. How big is that? God is good!
In closing you can never be sure where you are going to find faith and God can use anybody. Never turn your nose up at anyone, because that person could truly have a heart for God and you could miss their calling out for Him. No body can judge the persons heart but we can all help each other to the Lord. Love everybody and this Christmas season let your love for God shine through you by giving to those who need the Lord and who have already found Him. Be a blessings to others and God will Bless you. God is a rewarder to those who diligently seek Him.
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
One of the most common scenarios today we have people judging each other telling them what they should or should not believe. If you want my opinion I believe in the Bible and what it says. And if I am going to tell someone this is the truth, then I am going to provide the scriptures to back it up. I will not say it if God did not tell us in this book.
So with out further due. I want to talk about the harlot Rahab and what she did, and how I believe some day many people are going to have to do the things she did. As the world moves closer to one world religion (coexist), Christians are going to suffer persecution. In Hebrews 11:31 it says, "By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient." the NKJV says "By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace." So when you compare these two translations you see that unbelief is a form of disobedience. And we also see that there is a prostitute in the great faith chapter of the Bible. Rahab received these spies and hid them on her roof knowing that if she was caught she would have been killed. And the king of Jericho sent men to search for them and when they came to her place she lied to them and said that she didn't know where they were. Many could jump to the conclusion here and say that the Bible is condoning to sin since lying is a sin and Rahab lied. This is not what the Bible says. This is a true story and Rahab at this point was not raised in a christian home so we do not know how much light the Lord has given her. Rahab was also open for business practicing her profession. Does that mean prostitution is okay? No it doesn't. Moving on, the king's men went away looking for the spies and Rahab went up to the roof and talked to them. Joshua 2:9-11, "9 I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and every one's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below." Now after reading this we see that the Israelites had a totally different view didn't they? That is why they wondered out in the desert for 40 years afraid when they could have been taking the land that was promised to them by the Almighty God. I believe that the world is like this today. They are all scared of Christians because we are favored by the Lord and they are afraid that they are going to lose the upper hand. Well I have news for them, they already did almost 2010 years ago.
Now watch this now, Joshua 2:12-13 Rahab asks, "12 Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death." Have you ever thought right here, what if she didn't ask? Most likely her and her family would have been dead with the others. What if she would have told others that she requested her family and herself be spared? I believe it would have gone something like this: You? What makes you think God would save you? Don't you know there are many people in this city doing good things for humanity? Why would God save a prostitute? That was just my thought, however it is the way many Christians think today. In the end when the walls fell at Jericho, Rahab and her immediate family was spared, all because she had faith in God. Also she asked the Lord to spare her and her family and she knew that God could and that He would. This is why it is important to make your desires known to the Father.
Now let me show you one more thing many have overlooked. Go to Matthew 1:1-6. This is the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
2Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
4Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
6and Jesse the father of King David
I showed you this because this means that Rahab the harlot was King David's, the man after God's own heart, Great Grandma. How big is that? God is good!
In closing you can never be sure where you are going to find faith and God can use anybody. Never turn your nose up at anyone, because that person could truly have a heart for God and you could miss their calling out for Him. No body can judge the persons heart but we can all help each other to the Lord. Love everybody and this Christmas season let your love for God shine through you by giving to those who need the Lord and who have already found Him. Be a blessings to others and God will Bless you. God is a rewarder to those who diligently seek Him.
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Time for a Healing
Is any one tired of hearing about the swine flu yet? I sure am, and I am tired of people that have no knowledge of the subject taking a stand for this so called H1N1 flu vaccination, but won't even speak up for their God who saved them through the blood of His own Son Jesus. There has not been enough time do an extensive study so how can you assure anyone that it is completely safe? You can't so don't try. If you got the shot then okay, but I say seek refuge in the Lord your God. He has already bought and paid for your protection. The same blood that bought your salvation, bought your healing. It is up to us to receive it. When we accept Jesus in our hearts and are born again we are now children of God and no longer slaves to sin. Which means sin has no authority in our lives. Sickness comes from Satan, the father of sin. So sickness is from Satan, and Satan is now made our foot stool. The only way Satan can effect us is if we allow him to. That is why we people of faith talk to our mountains and tell them to be gone in the name of Jesus and we believe that what we say is coming to pass(Mark 11:23). James 4:7 says,"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." That means tell Satan to flee and he has to get! Now if you believe and have faith in God you will receive this, and if you don't receive this then I reckon you're probably sick often. This is the truth, God's truth. Thank you Jesus for bearing my sickness and disease, sins and iniquities, and making me righteous and an heir to the throne of God. Through you Jesus I can rule and reign in life and am no longer held to the bondage of sin. Thank you Father for your love and mercy you show for me and I thank you for the opportunity to share your love with others. I praise you and give you the glory for the blessings in my life and I will honor you with everything in my life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Take your healing by reading Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Take your healing by reading Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Willing To Do What It Takes
Some times there are situations or circumstances in our life that are not the will of God. Even as we walk in the Light, we are still learning. For the scriptures say, "we only know in part." Some times we are faced with some hard decisions in our life that we put off facing for fear that we may make the wrong decision. Perhaps we just don't want to give up certain things. Being led by the Spirit is not something that you perfect over night, or even over a lifetime. But as I have mentioned in an earlier blog, the more you do something the better you become at what ever it is that you are doing. So there are going to be times where you are believing that you are being led by Him, but as it turns out you missed it. I believe the biggest fear of someone who is trying to walk with Christ, is fear of making a mistake. You have to remember that stepping out on faith is a growth process. No one arrives there overnight. There are going to be times that you are going to step out and miss what you thought the Lord was telling you. But wouldn't you rather step out on faith and fall on your face for the Lord, rather then draw back in fear and never risk anything for Him?
Thinking back in the Bible in Genesis, Abraham was faced with some hard decisions in life. Probably some of the hardest decisions anyone has ever had to face. And yes he missed it a few times. In chapter 12:7 The Lord appeared to Abraham and told him He would give to his descendants this land. As time went on Abraham and Sara grew old and had no children, so they decided themselves that the only way they were going to have children was with Sara's Egyptian maidservant Hagar. This act right here was not an act of faith. You see God knew when the time was right for Sara to bare a child, however they grew impatient with God. Now due to this decision based on what they thought was the right thing to do, there are conflicting faiths at war today. But God gives more grace than you can mess up. Hagar bore them a child Ishmael, but later God spoke to Abraham and told him that His covenant would be made with the son Sara would bare, Isaac. Later after Isaac was born, the decision that Abraham and Sara made to have Hagar bare them a son was getting in the way of God's plan for them. God dealt with Abraham to send Ishmael and Hagar away. Abraham being faithful to God and trusting His word, he did so. I'm sure it wasn't easy for Abraham to send them off, just like it's not easy for us to get rid of some things that we love. But when things get in the way of God's best for us, we need to send it away. Sometimes we are not willing to give things up for God, but then turn around and want God to make things happen for us.
The Bible tells us in 3 John 2, that it is His will that we prosper in all things and be in health, just as our soul prospers. This is the truth, for the Bible tells us this. However, we become prosperous in all things by doing that which He has called us to do. And if that means He asks us for our Isaac, we need to be willing to give it up for Him and not draw back. If we are not willing to give something up for God then we are saying I am not willing to do whatever it takes. And if we are giving things up grudgingly we're still are not willing to do whatever it takes. We need to be willing to obey the Lord. This is one way we show God that we love Him. And saints when we arrive at the point where we are willing to do what ever it takes for God, He will bless us way more than we can imagine. That is how we show Him we can be trusted with more. We serve a God of increase, and it is His will for us to prosper. It's up to us to let Him increase us!
I hope this makes sense. This is very important to our quality of life. God doesn't want us to struggle in life. However He isn't just going to hand over the keys if we can't be trusted. You look at all the men and women God used in the Bible and you'll see that their faith in God had all been tested. We are not any different. We say we are willing, but are we really willing to do whatever God calls us to do? It is so true that many are willing to die for God, but how many are willing to live for Him? Saints these are hard times, and many are being tested. Isn't it about time we hand the reins over to God, fully submit every part of our lives to Him? God is so faithful to His word, now it's our turn to be faithful to ours. Don't pick and choose parts of the Bible to believe. If you are going to believe in the Bible, believe it all. Else wise you will not be full of faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Scriptures to meditate on: NLT Deuteronomy 28:1-14
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. 2 You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God:
3 Your towns and your fields
will be blessed.
4 Your children and your crops
will be blessed.
The offspring of your herds and flocks
will be blessed.
5 Your fruit baskets and breadboards
will be blessed.
6 Wherever you go and whatever you do,
you will be blessed.
7 “The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven!
8 “The Lord will guarantee a blessing on everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.
9 “If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways, the Lord will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do. 10 Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the Lord, and they will stand in awe of you.
11 “The Lord will give you prosperity in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, blessing you with many children, numerous livestock, and abundant crops. 12 The Lord will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them. 13 If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom. 14 You must not turn away from any of the commands I am giving you today, nor follow after other gods and worship them.
Thinking back in the Bible in Genesis, Abraham was faced with some hard decisions in life. Probably some of the hardest decisions anyone has ever had to face. And yes he missed it a few times. In chapter 12:7 The Lord appeared to Abraham and told him He would give to his descendants this land. As time went on Abraham and Sara grew old and had no children, so they decided themselves that the only way they were going to have children was with Sara's Egyptian maidservant Hagar. This act right here was not an act of faith. You see God knew when the time was right for Sara to bare a child, however they grew impatient with God. Now due to this decision based on what they thought was the right thing to do, there are conflicting faiths at war today. But God gives more grace than you can mess up. Hagar bore them a child Ishmael, but later God spoke to Abraham and told him that His covenant would be made with the son Sara would bare, Isaac. Later after Isaac was born, the decision that Abraham and Sara made to have Hagar bare them a son was getting in the way of God's plan for them. God dealt with Abraham to send Ishmael and Hagar away. Abraham being faithful to God and trusting His word, he did so. I'm sure it wasn't easy for Abraham to send them off, just like it's not easy for us to get rid of some things that we love. But when things get in the way of God's best for us, we need to send it away. Sometimes we are not willing to give things up for God, but then turn around and want God to make things happen for us.
The Bible tells us in 3 John 2, that it is His will that we prosper in all things and be in health, just as our soul prospers. This is the truth, for the Bible tells us this. However, we become prosperous in all things by doing that which He has called us to do. And if that means He asks us for our Isaac, we need to be willing to give it up for Him and not draw back. If we are not willing to give something up for God then we are saying I am not willing to do whatever it takes. And if we are giving things up grudgingly we're still are not willing to do whatever it takes. We need to be willing to obey the Lord. This is one way we show God that we love Him. And saints when we arrive at the point where we are willing to do what ever it takes for God, He will bless us way more than we can imagine. That is how we show Him we can be trusted with more. We serve a God of increase, and it is His will for us to prosper. It's up to us to let Him increase us!
I hope this makes sense. This is very important to our quality of life. God doesn't want us to struggle in life. However He isn't just going to hand over the keys if we can't be trusted. You look at all the men and women God used in the Bible and you'll see that their faith in God had all been tested. We are not any different. We say we are willing, but are we really willing to do whatever God calls us to do? It is so true that many are willing to die for God, but how many are willing to live for Him? Saints these are hard times, and many are being tested. Isn't it about time we hand the reins over to God, fully submit every part of our lives to Him? God is so faithful to His word, now it's our turn to be faithful to ours. Don't pick and choose parts of the Bible to believe. If you are going to believe in the Bible, believe it all. Else wise you will not be full of faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Scriptures to meditate on: NLT Deuteronomy 28:1-14
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. 2 You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God:
3 Your towns and your fields
will be blessed.
4 Your children and your crops
will be blessed.
The offspring of your herds and flocks
will be blessed.
5 Your fruit baskets and breadboards
will be blessed.
6 Wherever you go and whatever you do,
you will be blessed.
7 “The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven!
8 “The Lord will guarantee a blessing on everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.
9 “If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways, the Lord will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do. 10 Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the Lord, and they will stand in awe of you.
11 “The Lord will give you prosperity in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, blessing you with many children, numerous livestock, and abundant crops. 12 The Lord will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them. 13 If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom. 14 You must not turn away from any of the commands I am giving you today, nor follow after other gods and worship them.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Are You Righteous?
By the grace of God, all who take the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and repents from their sins are now made the righteousness of God. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Now when Jesus died the old sinner died with Him on the cross. That is why Christians say sin has been nailed to the cross. Now when Jesus was resurrected, so was the new you and me. No longer are we sinners, Romans 5:9 says, "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." That wrath we are saved from is all the things that sin brings along. Romans 5:11 from the 21st century King James Version says, "And not only that, but we shall also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." Atonement means the experience of humankind's unity with God exemplified by Jesus Christ. We are now united with God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Glory to God!
Now if you flip over to Romans 6:13-14 Paul explains how we are to present ourselves. "And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." Folks we fall under the authority of God through the One Christ Jesus. That means anything that is not of God is beneath us and has no authority over us. We can not serve two masters. We are slaves to God not sin. Romans 6:15-16, "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?" In other words if you are sinning then you are under the law of sin, which is death. If you are obedient to God then you are made righteous. verse 18 goes on to tell us that we have been set free from sin and now we are slaves to righteousness. As verse 16 said, "to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey." So then you are righteous! When you are righteous then your reward from God is everlasting life.
Saints do not walk around the world boasting thinking that by your deeds and your works you are made righteous. On the same account do not walk around hanging your head thinking that you are an old sinner. If you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have been redeemed from the wrath of sin. Also you are now made the righteousness of God. Now you have authority in Christ Jesus to rule and reign in life. And now, if you are a slave of God, then you have authority in God. Which means you are of great value to the kingdom. James 5:15-16 says, "And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Glory to God!
In closing, do not let anyone tell you that you are not righteous yet. He said "Having now been justified by His blood," and "...we have now received the reconciliation(atonement)." If the scriptures tell us we can be righteous then we can be righteous. It is up to us weather or not to recieve it. It has already been bought and paid for. Just remember though, now that we are made righteous, we need to walk in the righteousness of God. We are an asset to God. We need to always be ready for God to use us. We can not let sin keep us and others from receiving God's best!
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Scripture to meditate on: NLT Romans 5:17-18
For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
Now if you flip over to Romans 6:13-14 Paul explains how we are to present ourselves. "And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." Folks we fall under the authority of God through the One Christ Jesus. That means anything that is not of God is beneath us and has no authority over us. We can not serve two masters. We are slaves to God not sin. Romans 6:15-16, "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?" In other words if you are sinning then you are under the law of sin, which is death. If you are obedient to God then you are made righteous. verse 18 goes on to tell us that we have been set free from sin and now we are slaves to righteousness. As verse 16 said, "to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey." So then you are righteous! When you are righteous then your reward from God is everlasting life.
Saints do not walk around the world boasting thinking that by your deeds and your works you are made righteous. On the same account do not walk around hanging your head thinking that you are an old sinner. If you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have been redeemed from the wrath of sin. Also you are now made the righteousness of God. Now you have authority in Christ Jesus to rule and reign in life. And now, if you are a slave of God, then you have authority in God. Which means you are of great value to the kingdom. James 5:15-16 says, "And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Glory to God!
In closing, do not let anyone tell you that you are not righteous yet. He said "Having now been justified by His blood," and "...we have now received the reconciliation(atonement)." If the scriptures tell us we can be righteous then we can be righteous. It is up to us weather or not to recieve it. It has already been bought and paid for. Just remember though, now that we are made righteous, we need to walk in the righteousness of God. We are an asset to God. We need to always be ready for God to use us. We can not let sin keep us and others from receiving God's best!
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Scripture to meditate on: NLT Romans 5:17-18
For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Are You One of God's Elect?
Can you remember the last time you prayed? This seems like a silly question to some people, however it is a question many have to stop and think about. I haven't had a long life of prayer, however it did not take long to understand the power of prayer. Just from my experiences I have learned that like any thing else, the more you do something, the better you get at doing what ever it is your doing. Yeah but do you really believe that prayer really works? I mean God is in control so what ever happens He has already made the plan and predestined us so what is the point? After all you just never know what is going to happen. But if you do pray, make sure you pray if it be thy will and not your will. Does any of this sound familiar? So many people I talk to have this mentality, but how did they arrive to this way of thinking? The Bible is full of prayer, so right there we know that it is important. Jesus the Son of God was always praying to the Father. Since the whole purpose for disciples is to become like the Master, should we be more like the Master?
Prayer is important and prayer does work, but there is a time to pray and a time to act. As followers of Jesus we need to know when it is time for prayer and a time to act. So the only way to find out is to look at the Bible and at the Holy scriptures. So lets look at some of those wonderful words. Turn to Mark 11:22-24. 22 Jesus says, "Have faith in God". Glory to God!! That has to get your blood flowing! Now look at 23 "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says." Praise the Lord!!!! This is truth! Let me paraphrase what the Master says to do in this verse. I tell you the truth all kidding aside, if anyone has problems in their life keeping them from glorifying the Father, tell it to be gone leave your your path in the name of Jesus, and you must truly believe in your heart that this is God's will is for you, it will happen. This is not prayer, this is acting or speaking to the mountain. Some believers do not believe in this, but who's words are they choosing not to believe? Do not be mislead thinking that through the power of the Holy spirit this is only possible. Jesus was telling this to His disciples, so the Holy Spirit hasn't arrived yet. This has to do with your faith in God. You see God wants you to know that He is a good God, but you have to show your faith in Him by your works. What I mean is, God said if you love me you will keep my commandments. In other words if you love me show me don't just tell me. If you choose not to believe the words of Jesus, then you have no faith in God. The mountain could be anything: cancer, high blood pressure, AIDS, debt, coughs, colds, running nose, H1N1, all things that are not of God. Moving on to verse 24 "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." There it is folks, When you pray believe you receive and you will have it. Is that what Jesus says? Why is it then people don't believe? No faith in God. What Jesus says in this verse is when you pray for what you desire believe that you have received it, and it will be given to you. What ever you desire pray that you have received. If you are sick your desire could be healing, if you're in debt your desire would be money, if you are in bondage to drugs or alcohol you desire freedom from addiction. These are what He told you to believe you have received. When something is keeping you from the will of God you speak to it and believe it is being removed. When you pray for your desires believe that they are on the way to you. You see these things were already bought and paid for. The authority in Christ Jesus has been given to us when we accepted Him as our Lord. We were born again, born in to Christ. No longer are we bound by sickness and disease, that is brought along from sin and we are no longer sinners. The Bible says in Romans 8:32-33, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies." If then we are God's elect, it is about time we start acting like it? These things that Jesus said in the scriptures have not been practiced in the churches like He told us. We should be walking around here laughing at sickness and disease ruling and reigning in life through Christ Jesus. Not scared out of our minds about pestilences. When you are walking in Christ Jesus those have no authority over you or your family anymore, but you need to recieeve that. "In all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37. That doesn't sound like someone who should be walking around scared. Do not set your mind on the things of the flesh for that would make you carnally minded. "To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Romans 8:6.
Saints, if we are truly God's elect, we need to be walking this earth boasting God's glory which is in His Son Jesus. If you are not receiving some kind of persecution from the world, then you are too much like the world. God's elect are nothing like the world. Jesus said in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Lets reform our beliefs, clear out all the traditions of man, and corruption of religion, and get back to the word of God. Let's shift our thinking to God's truth, not man's.
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Scripture to meditate on: NLT Romans 8:14-17
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Prayer is important and prayer does work, but there is a time to pray and a time to act. As followers of Jesus we need to know when it is time for prayer and a time to act. So the only way to find out is to look at the Bible and at the Holy scriptures. So lets look at some of those wonderful words. Turn to Mark 11:22-24. 22 Jesus says, "Have faith in God". Glory to God!! That has to get your blood flowing! Now look at 23 "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says." Praise the Lord!!!! This is truth! Let me paraphrase what the Master says to do in this verse. I tell you the truth all kidding aside, if anyone has problems in their life keeping them from glorifying the Father, tell it to be gone leave your your path in the name of Jesus, and you must truly believe in your heart that this is God's will is for you, it will happen. This is not prayer, this is acting or speaking to the mountain. Some believers do not believe in this, but who's words are they choosing not to believe? Do not be mislead thinking that through the power of the Holy spirit this is only possible. Jesus was telling this to His disciples, so the Holy Spirit hasn't arrived yet. This has to do with your faith in God. You see God wants you to know that He is a good God, but you have to show your faith in Him by your works. What I mean is, God said if you love me you will keep my commandments. In other words if you love me show me don't just tell me. If you choose not to believe the words of Jesus, then you have no faith in God. The mountain could be anything: cancer, high blood pressure, AIDS, debt, coughs, colds, running nose, H1N1, all things that are not of God. Moving on to verse 24 "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." There it is folks, When you pray believe you receive and you will have it. Is that what Jesus says? Why is it then people don't believe? No faith in God. What Jesus says in this verse is when you pray for what you desire believe that you have received it, and it will be given to you. What ever you desire pray that you have received. If you are sick your desire could be healing, if you're in debt your desire would be money, if you are in bondage to drugs or alcohol you desire freedom from addiction. These are what He told you to believe you have received. When something is keeping you from the will of God you speak to it and believe it is being removed. When you pray for your desires believe that they are on the way to you. You see these things were already bought and paid for. The authority in Christ Jesus has been given to us when we accepted Him as our Lord. We were born again, born in to Christ. No longer are we bound by sickness and disease, that is brought along from sin and we are no longer sinners. The Bible says in Romans 8:32-33, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies." If then we are God's elect, it is about time we start acting like it? These things that Jesus said in the scriptures have not been practiced in the churches like He told us. We should be walking around here laughing at sickness and disease ruling and reigning in life through Christ Jesus. Not scared out of our minds about pestilences. When you are walking in Christ Jesus those have no authority over you or your family anymore, but you need to recieeve that. "In all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37. That doesn't sound like someone who should be walking around scared. Do not set your mind on the things of the flesh for that would make you carnally minded. "To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Romans 8:6.
Saints, if we are truly God's elect, we need to be walking this earth boasting God's glory which is in His Son Jesus. If you are not receiving some kind of persecution from the world, then you are too much like the world. God's elect are nothing like the world. Jesus said in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Lets reform our beliefs, clear out all the traditions of man, and corruption of religion, and get back to the word of God. Let's shift our thinking to God's truth, not man's.
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Scripture to meditate on: NLT Romans 8:14-17
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Will the truth make you free?
You often hear people say the truth shall make you free, but what does that really mean? If you go with me in the Bible to the Gospel account of John 8:31-32 we see Jesus says to those Jews who believed on Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." These are the words of Jesus no doubt, however who did Jesus say these words to? You see many people just quote the 32nd verse by its self, when it is qualified with the previous verse. Jesus tells the Jews who believed on Him that if they were to follow His word, then they would truly be His disciples. Then and only then would you know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. But the truth of what? Also what were they free from? Immediately what pops into my head is freedom from sin, and the truth about sin. And in fact if you look in 8:34 Jesus tells them "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin." The freedom is the burden being lifted off you and having it nailed to the cross.
This new found freedom from sin however doesn't mean that as disciples we won't suffer any. It means that we will not be condemned by death but have everlasting life. As these final days close in on us, we Christians are going to suffer. When Saul of Tarsus was converted on the road to Damascus and the Lord was dealing with Ananias to lay his hands on Saul, Jesus told Ananias that He would show Saul many things he must suffer for His name's sake (Acts 9:16). Now, what exactly does the Word say we are going to suffer? For starters let's look at Luke 9:22-23. Jesus said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." This means as disciples we need to be walking in Christ every day. He said deny himself, meaning deny temptations of your flesh. Everyday we all struggle with different temptations, but we must be strong and endure. Walking as a disciple of Christ is not always easy. Matter of fact, In 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 in the NIV Apostle Paul compares it to training for the Olympics. "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." You have to condition yourself day after day, night after night. Reading your Bible, going to church, interacting with other believers, even getting out and spreading the gospel to non believers. That is what it means to keep the sword sharp.
Now the other type of suffering is not the most favorite thing to talk about however it needs to be talked about. In 2 Timothy 3:12 Apostle Paul is quite clear about it. He says, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," I believe this is what most Christians fear the most, being persecuted. When these times come, many are going to perish. Many are going to be weak and deny Jesus. This is why we as a church need to equip ourselves for spiritual warfare, by reading the Word of God everyday! This is what Jesus is talking about in Luke 12:8-10, "I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven." If you read on in verse 11-12 He says not to worry about what to say when those times come for the Holy Spirit will be with you to teach you.
These days ahead of us are exciting, however for some the days ahead are going to be scary. This is why it is so critical to read and understand and to ask questions to things you do not understand. All the things religion has opposed all these years could keep several from inheriting the kingdom of God. If you are afraid you need to get the sword out and start sharpening it. Stay fresh on the Word. Do not let the Spirit be quenched. You should be excited for what lies ahead for us Christians. Make no mistake about it, Jesus is getting His bride ready for His return. There is a stirring going on in the church (thanks Kevin), and if you haven't noticed then you better start doing some soul searching fast. Time is precious. Stay in the faith, trust in the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. Know His voice and be led by His Spirit!
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Scriptures to meditate on: NLT Matthew 25:31-46
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life."
This new found freedom from sin however doesn't mean that as disciples we won't suffer any. It means that we will not be condemned by death but have everlasting life. As these final days close in on us, we Christians are going to suffer. When Saul of Tarsus was converted on the road to Damascus and the Lord was dealing with Ananias to lay his hands on Saul, Jesus told Ananias that He would show Saul many things he must suffer for His name's sake (Acts 9:16). Now, what exactly does the Word say we are going to suffer? For starters let's look at Luke 9:22-23. Jesus said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." This means as disciples we need to be walking in Christ every day. He said deny himself, meaning deny temptations of your flesh. Everyday we all struggle with different temptations, but we must be strong and endure. Walking as a disciple of Christ is not always easy. Matter of fact, In 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 in the NIV Apostle Paul compares it to training for the Olympics. "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." You have to condition yourself day after day, night after night. Reading your Bible, going to church, interacting with other believers, even getting out and spreading the gospel to non believers. That is what it means to keep the sword sharp.
Now the other type of suffering is not the most favorite thing to talk about however it needs to be talked about. In 2 Timothy 3:12 Apostle Paul is quite clear about it. He says, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," I believe this is what most Christians fear the most, being persecuted. When these times come, many are going to perish. Many are going to be weak and deny Jesus. This is why we as a church need to equip ourselves for spiritual warfare, by reading the Word of God everyday! This is what Jesus is talking about in Luke 12:8-10, "I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven." If you read on in verse 11-12 He says not to worry about what to say when those times come for the Holy Spirit will be with you to teach you.
These days ahead of us are exciting, however for some the days ahead are going to be scary. This is why it is so critical to read and understand and to ask questions to things you do not understand. All the things religion has opposed all these years could keep several from inheriting the kingdom of God. If you are afraid you need to get the sword out and start sharpening it. Stay fresh on the Word. Do not let the Spirit be quenched. You should be excited for what lies ahead for us Christians. Make no mistake about it, Jesus is getting His bride ready for His return. There is a stirring going on in the church (thanks Kevin), and if you haven't noticed then you better start doing some soul searching fast. Time is precious. Stay in the faith, trust in the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. Know His voice and be led by His Spirit!
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Scriptures to meditate on: NLT Matthew 25:31-46
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life."
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Understand what the Word says!
Yesterday at work I met a lady who was terribly bitter at everything. And I thought to myself, what could it be that is bothering this woman so much that she reverts to reviling words towards everyone. Well turns out that I was blessed with the opportunity to find out because this woman was my conductor on the train I was on. We had the opportunity to share the Word of God, however we didn't see quite eye to eye on everything. She was raised up in a Baptist church, and I wasn't.
Now as we talked I found out that she has filed for a divorce for reasons other than adultery. Her husband was the drummer for the band at the church they have been members of for the last ten years. When the church found out from him that she had been the one who filed for the divorce, they withdrew all communication with her. Even her best friend for the last ten years which is the ministers daughter hasn't spoke to her since they found out. No one ever approached her from the congregation, not an elder, not the minister, not even her mom and dad called to warn her. No one offered to hear her reasons or even called to offer their prayers. It turns out the only ones who actually reached out to her and was there to comfort her were her friends who are homosexual.
This is a prime example of how costly not fully understanding what the Bible says can be. What the church did in this case wasn't all wrong, however the church did not complete the process which the Bible tells us to follow. Open your Bible to 2 Thessalonians 3:5-7 and we'll start here. In the NIV it says "May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you," now skip down to verse 13-14. It says, " And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed." The church did an excellent job of withdrawing here, however they must have grown weary of doing what was right, because they stopped right here. In doing so the church missed the most important part which is in verse 15, " Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother." The NLT says "Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister."
As a result of not reading far enough in to the text, one of the Shepard's sheep has stayed, and no one from the flock is interested in saving it. In the NKJV Matthew 18:12-14 says, "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." These are the words of Jesus, and that means it trumps all. It is so crucial to understand what you are being preached. This lady told me that if one person from the church would have called her up and offered to pray for her it would have made a difference. This never took place, and as a result wolves (sinners) rushed in and are pulling her away from God's love which should be coming from the Body of Christ. I did my best to turn her back toward God but through the teachings she has been raised up to believe that someone who goes to the church I go to is a false prophet, and won't listen to me even if you point out and show them scriptures. This is a tragedy, and my heart is so broken for these people.
I ask that you keep this woman in you prayers, and specifically pray that the Lord may manifest His plan for her also that He may cross someone in to her path that may turn her back to Christ. These things are going on every day and truly is a tragedy if these sheep are not turned back to the flock. Be observant for these people and be soldiers for Christ. Let's bring glory to God by leading these sheep back. Sometimes the best way to do that is to listen to the broken hearted. Be led by Him!
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Scripture to meditate on: NLT Matthew 18:15-20
15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.
19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
Now as we talked I found out that she has filed for a divorce for reasons other than adultery. Her husband was the drummer for the band at the church they have been members of for the last ten years. When the church found out from him that she had been the one who filed for the divorce, they withdrew all communication with her. Even her best friend for the last ten years which is the ministers daughter hasn't spoke to her since they found out. No one ever approached her from the congregation, not an elder, not the minister, not even her mom and dad called to warn her. No one offered to hear her reasons or even called to offer their prayers. It turns out the only ones who actually reached out to her and was there to comfort her were her friends who are homosexual.
This is a prime example of how costly not fully understanding what the Bible says can be. What the church did in this case wasn't all wrong, however the church did not complete the process which the Bible tells us to follow. Open your Bible to 2 Thessalonians 3:5-7 and we'll start here. In the NIV it says "May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you," now skip down to verse 13-14. It says, " And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed." The church did an excellent job of withdrawing here, however they must have grown weary of doing what was right, because they stopped right here. In doing so the church missed the most important part which is in verse 15, " Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother." The NLT says "Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister."
As a result of not reading far enough in to the text, one of the Shepard's sheep has stayed, and no one from the flock is interested in saving it. In the NKJV Matthew 18:12-14 says, "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." These are the words of Jesus, and that means it trumps all. It is so crucial to understand what you are being preached. This lady told me that if one person from the church would have called her up and offered to pray for her it would have made a difference. This never took place, and as a result wolves (sinners) rushed in and are pulling her away from God's love which should be coming from the Body of Christ. I did my best to turn her back toward God but through the teachings she has been raised up to believe that someone who goes to the church I go to is a false prophet, and won't listen to me even if you point out and show them scriptures. This is a tragedy, and my heart is so broken for these people.
I ask that you keep this woman in you prayers, and specifically pray that the Lord may manifest His plan for her also that He may cross someone in to her path that may turn her back to Christ. These things are going on every day and truly is a tragedy if these sheep are not turned back to the flock. Be observant for these people and be soldiers for Christ. Let's bring glory to God by leading these sheep back. Sometimes the best way to do that is to listen to the broken hearted. Be led by Him!
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Scripture to meditate on: NLT Matthew 18:15-20
15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.
19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
Monday, November 2, 2009
Where are we going?
Where are we going as the body of Christ? Sometimes I feel that the body of Christ (the church) is too distracted with things going on inside the church, that we tend to lose focus of what is going on around us in the world. I feel we have too many people acting on belief of what man has said is true, and not finding out, camping on and protecting what actually is the truth. This seems to me where a lot of the confusion in the church is, and taking away of what our focus should be on. "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." 1Corinthians 14:33.
So I want to take a little time and camp on this subject. The Bible is the truth and before you take what someone says is the truth, I challenge you to discover what God says the truth is before you take a position on that particular issue. Now I am not just talking about politics, I am also talking about what is important to God. You see brethren, too many people inside the body of Christ are believing different parts of the Bible, then turn around and say that such and such part of the Bible doesn't exist anymore. This is not true. To be more specific I am talking about the New Testament. I spoke to the leader of my Life Group last night and we got to talking about why or how we arrived to this point as a church. The truth is that the church has been asleep and has let things go on too long, waiting for God to step in and do something. There are too many people in the body teaching man's truth and not God's truth. Let me give you an example. God's truth: Mark 11:24, "whatever things you ask for when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." Man's truth: "whatever things you ask for when you pray, believe nothing is too hard for God and if it be His will then you'll receive." Now this is only one example, but religion has messed it up over the years and now millions of people believe man's truth over God's. Then some will say the Lord's prayer said to pray if it be thy will! But it is also written: "...do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:17. The Lord's prayer that they are referring to states clear as day that God's will for us is the same on earth as in heaven. Yet how many just stop at "Your will be done..."? Most people that grew up in church were preached that man's truth was God's truth and this is what Satan wanted. Last night God spoke to me through my Life Group leader and I began to see why people don't actually believe God's truth. It is because they were taught that man's truth was God's truth for so long and now to change that would mean they would have to admit that they were wrong their whole life. Now it becomes an issue of pride. If they would let go of their pride, then God would pour out the grace on them, but their hearts have been hardened. Now they have become what the Bible says are fools - knowing the difference between right and wrong, but choosing to do wrong because they don't care. Therefore, now that their harts have been hardened, they receive resistance from God because hardening of your heart displeases the Lord. The scriptures show us when Jesus healed the man's withered hand, the religious Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if He would heal this man's hand on the Sabbath. Right here is where you would think they would say, "Wait a minute. This man named Jesus is walking around healing people by faith and fulfilling what the Prophet Isaiah prophesied. Which we believe will happen someday and so this must be the Christ." But they didn't. Nope, and in Mark 3:4-5, Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other." Folks, if you are believing one thing, and the Lord shows you differently, do not harden your heart. Be quick to repent, humble yourself. James 4:6 says, "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
If you are struggling with this, you are not the first and you are not alone. Don't get so caught up in trying to prove someone wrong that you miss out on what God is showing you. Saints, we need to understand that God's children are being attacked by the world and it's time that we strap on the breastplate of righteousness, put on the helmet of salvation, pick up the sword which is the word of God, gird up our loins and push the enemy back and make our stand. Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:20, "Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge." So get that Bible out and determined what God's truth is, be led by the Holy Spirit, and if you miss it, be quick to repent. Don't be what the Bible calls a fool.
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Scripture to meditate on: Titus 3:9-11 NKJV
9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned
So I want to take a little time and camp on this subject. The Bible is the truth and before you take what someone says is the truth, I challenge you to discover what God says the truth is before you take a position on that particular issue. Now I am not just talking about politics, I am also talking about what is important to God. You see brethren, too many people inside the body of Christ are believing different parts of the Bible, then turn around and say that such and such part of the Bible doesn't exist anymore. This is not true. To be more specific I am talking about the New Testament. I spoke to the leader of my Life Group last night and we got to talking about why or how we arrived to this point as a church. The truth is that the church has been asleep and has let things go on too long, waiting for God to step in and do something. There are too many people in the body teaching man's truth and not God's truth. Let me give you an example. God's truth: Mark 11:24, "whatever things you ask for when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." Man's truth: "whatever things you ask for when you pray, believe nothing is too hard for God and if it be His will then you'll receive." Now this is only one example, but religion has messed it up over the years and now millions of people believe man's truth over God's. Then some will say the Lord's prayer said to pray if it be thy will! But it is also written: "...do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:17. The Lord's prayer that they are referring to states clear as day that God's will for us is the same on earth as in heaven. Yet how many just stop at "Your will be done..."? Most people that grew up in church were preached that man's truth was God's truth and this is what Satan wanted. Last night God spoke to me through my Life Group leader and I began to see why people don't actually believe God's truth. It is because they were taught that man's truth was God's truth for so long and now to change that would mean they would have to admit that they were wrong their whole life. Now it becomes an issue of pride. If they would let go of their pride, then God would pour out the grace on them, but their hearts have been hardened. Now they have become what the Bible says are fools - knowing the difference between right and wrong, but choosing to do wrong because they don't care. Therefore, now that their harts have been hardened, they receive resistance from God because hardening of your heart displeases the Lord. The scriptures show us when Jesus healed the man's withered hand, the religious Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if He would heal this man's hand on the Sabbath. Right here is where you would think they would say, "Wait a minute. This man named Jesus is walking around healing people by faith and fulfilling what the Prophet Isaiah prophesied. Which we believe will happen someday and so this must be the Christ." But they didn't. Nope, and in Mark 3:4-5, Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other." Folks, if you are believing one thing, and the Lord shows you differently, do not harden your heart. Be quick to repent, humble yourself. James 4:6 says, "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
If you are struggling with this, you are not the first and you are not alone. Don't get so caught up in trying to prove someone wrong that you miss out on what God is showing you. Saints, we need to understand that God's children are being attacked by the world and it's time that we strap on the breastplate of righteousness, put on the helmet of salvation, pick up the sword which is the word of God, gird up our loins and push the enemy back and make our stand. Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:20, "Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge." So get that Bible out and determined what God's truth is, be led by the Holy Spirit, and if you miss it, be quick to repent. Don't be what the Bible calls a fool.
In Christ,
Eric R. Cox
Scripture to meditate on: Titus 3:9-11 NKJV
9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned
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