Facing Our Giants

There are many giants that can come into our lives. Many times, in our life we will come face to face with a giant and have to make a decision. A decision to face the issue or to run away from the issue.

Numbers 13: 31 - 33

But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.”  And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature.  There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

The children of Israel were waiting to enter into the promised land. Spies had been sent into the land so that their journey could be made from a good knowledge of what was ahead. There were a couple of them who cam back with a good report. There was also those who came back with a bad report.

Those coming back with a bad report claimed that the land would devour its inhabitants. They told stories of giants, that in comparison the Israelites were grasshoppers.  They were afraid to go forward and were painting a picture that suggested that they couldn't be successful.

There are giants in the land!

Are you allowing the giants in the land to stop you from moving forward?

I want to share another story of a giant, one that ended differently. I have spoken of it before in a message about standing in faith. This story has a strong faith message but it also gives us the image of a person uses their life experience to face an even bigger issue.

1 Samuel 17: 3-11

The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.

And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.  He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.  And he had bronze armor on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders.  Now the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his iron spearhead weighed six hundred shekels; and a shield-bearer went before him.  Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me.  If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.”  And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”  When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

Here is a great example of facing a giant. The Israelites are on top of a mountain on one side of a valley and the Philistines are on the top of a mountain on the other side of the valley.  The Philistines champion warrior, a giant comes out into the valley. The giant, we know is Goliath, stands in the valley taunting the Israelites to send out a warrior to face him.

The Israelites “were dismayed and greatly afraid.” Isn't that a description of how we become when we are having to face some form of giant in our life.

You maybe facing a financial or a health giant, it may be a giant brought about by the loss of a loved one, the end of a marriage or some other kind of giant. This is when all too often we become dismayed, anxious, worried and even greatly afraid.

What do you do when your are facing a giant?

We can wish them away, try drinking them away, or how ever we try to avoid them. Those issues don't just go away.

1 Samuel 17:16

And the Philistine drew near and presented himself forty days, morning and evening.

Goliath kept coming back for 40 days. The Israelites just continued staring across the valley. They kept seeing Goliath daily, hearing him taunt them daily.

Isn't that very much like some of the issues that come into our life? The issues, the giants we are facing, don't just go away.

1 Samuel 17:26

Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

David had been sent to the camp by his father. He asks questions about who Goliath is, who is the person taunting us? Who is this person that they have sent to single-handedly challenge the army of the living God.

David who has had it said of him that he was a  man after God's heart. David is remembered for having a heart after God. He is remembered for his faith.

Acts 13:22

After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, A man after My heart, who will do all My will.’

This is where we should be, standing in faith, so that when the giants come into our life we have what is needed to face them and stand firm in our faith. We allow the world, the issues of life that the world throws at us change our focus. Satan wants our focus to be on the giants and be “dismayed and greatly afraid.”

The giants, the mountains become too big for us to handle in our minds and we become anxious, feeling the burdens that we allow the issues to become. All we want is for them to go away. But as we see in the passages above they don't go away. As we will see we have to face them, but our lives can help us to face them.

1 Samuel 17:32-37

Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”

But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,  I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.  Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”  Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

 And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

David comes “I will go and fight the giant.”  He is questioned about his age and ability. David tells of his past and the giants he successfully faced before. He tells Saul that as a shepherd he has had to face a lion and a bear. He tells Saul that He defeated both of them. David says that the Lord was with him and delivered him from the paw of the lion and the bear.

Here is a lesson we need to - we all face giants, lions, bears, mountains in our life. The victories of our past, our past successes help us to boldly face the bigger issues that come into our life.

David who was raised up, by God, to be king of Israel, wouldn'thave been so bold in facing Goliath if he hadn't faced the lions and bears in the past.

1 Samuel 17: 48-55

Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.   And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground.

   Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand.   Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.   The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron.   The sons of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines and plundered their camps.   Then David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his weapons in his tent.

David went down to the valley and faced Goloiath. Saul had tried to convince him to do so dressed in Saul armour. But the armour wasn't made for David. The armour didn't fit David, it wasn't his. David set the armour aside and went and faced Goliath as himself.

Goliath sees David and basically laughs at David, seeing Davids age, stature and realizing this was no warrior standing in front of him. The Israelites had sent a young man to face the warrior chanmpion of the Philistine army.

The giants may look at you and laugh, but they don't know you, they don't even know what you have gone through in the past. They are hoping that they can just scare you into submission, bring you to your knees in fear.

But just like David we can face those mountains and giants. David who looked at the Giant, stepped out in his faith in God and attacked! He surprised the giant and won. Goliath lost his head. Goliath was too confident and felt that there was no way he could lose. 

The lesson here is you have come through valleys in your past. You survived smaller issues, you have successfully defeated, lions and bears in your past. Look at this giant, remember that God is with you!

Romans 8: 28-31

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.   For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;   and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

    What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

Do you see that?  God will takes things and work them together for good to those who love God. For those who have a heart for God. 

The one thing I really want to point out is the closing part of that passage, “If God is for us, who is against us?”

“If God is for us, who is against us?” That is something worth holding onto. Remember your past victories with God. When those giants step into your life, stand in faith, stand on your vistories, don't be faced down, don't be taunted and know beyond any doubt, “If God is for us, who is against us?”

David knew he could win, he had to face the giant on his own, as himself laying aside all the things that could have hindered him. He went into battle with his faith in place, God in the forefront and the weapons he knew best. David was successful.

Matthew 17: 20-21

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.  However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Unbelief will not bring success. It is faith, faith in God that will bring success. Faith as small as a mustard seed will move that mountain, that giant that is in front of you. Faith in God because with God nothing is impossible.

God tells us that there are times when  we need to strengthen ourselves by getting closer to Him through prayer and fasting. Faith in God is what it takes, and realizing that that faith makes all things possible. Speak to that giant, speak to that moiuntain, speak to that bear, that lion in the Name of Jesus and you will be successful.

Friends when you have issues that are mountain size, giant sized or what ever the issue, bring them to God! The Lord will help you to walk through that valley, He will bring you through. Just as Jesus tells us He will teach you how to deal with all of your burdens.

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.   Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.   For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

We can learn from Him how to handle our burdens.  Do face those giants alone, but don't run from them.

Face those giants down, for if God is for us who can be against us!

Help The Helpless!

Will you help the helpless? Will you set aside all the business of life and reach out to someone in need?

I was sitting and thinking this morning as the thought came to me that God helps the helpless. I started studying some verses that show beyond a doubt that God helps the helpless. The verse Luke 14:23 “And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.” also speaks to this, and this passage I have based this ministry on.

Are we helping the helpless? I have written a fair bit along these lines. Are we going into the highways and along the hedge rows and reaching out to help the helpless.

I have been told that “I don't have anything to give.” Did the widow that we read of in Mark 12 and Luke 21 have much to give. She gave of all that she had, the widows mite, and we know of her because of her simple yet great action on her part.

What about the widow and Elisha. The poor woman had lost her husband, the creditors were coming to collect and she had nothing. She had but one jar of oil. Look what Elisha did, He reached out and helped her. Because of the faithfulness she and husband had toward God she was helped, she had more oil than she knew what to do with. Oil a valuable commodity.

God helps the helpless, are we?

Psalm 113:5-9

Who is like the Lord our God,  Who is enthroned on high,

Who  humbles Himself to behold The things that are in heaven and in the earth?

He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the needy from the ash heap,

To make them sit with princes, With the princes of His people.

He makes the barren woman abide in the house As a joyful mother of children.

Praise the Lord!

The Lord raises up the poor, lifts the needy up from the ashes of their lives. God helps the helpless and each one of us is called to carry on that work. We are to help those who can't help themselves. He knows our every need, He cares for us and provides for us and out of our abundance no matter how big or small that abundance maybe we are to help the helpless.

I look around and wonder just how many people, churches, faith groups are willing to get out of their comfort zones and go and draw the people in, bring them into the banquet hall. Supply them with clothes, a place to sleep. What about the shut ins, the ill, the widows and all the aged? Do we visit them, do we help them, do we talk with them? Do they know we exist?

Matthew 9:18-38

 While He was saying these things to them, a synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.”   Jesus got up and began to follow him, and so did His disciples.

   And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak;  for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will get well.”   But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” At once the woman was made well.

   When Jesus came into the official’s house, and saw the flute-players and the crowd in noisy disorder,  He said, “Leave; for the girl has not died, but is asleep.” And they began laughing at Him.   But when the crowd had been sent out, He entered and took her by the hand, and the girl got up.    This news spread throughout all that land.

   As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”   When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus *said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They *said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”   Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done to you according to your faith.”   And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them: “See that no one knows about this!”   But they went out and spread the news about Him throughout all that land.

   As they were going out, a mute, demon-possessed man was brought to Him.   After the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed, and were saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”   But the Pharisees were saying, “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.”

   Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

    Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.   Then He *said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.   Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

I love this passage, so many people are touched. So many lives changed, the nay sayers (the Pharisees were there making their comments, but Jesus continued own.

Don't let those negative overly religious folks stop you or slow you down. Jesus kept on going, He was filled with compassion for the lost, the lonely, the sick, the widows. He was filled with compassion for the helpless.

Some person may be waiting for you to step out so that they may reach out in faith, like the woman with the issue of blood did with Jesus. Some one may be waiting for you to visit and lift them up with encouragement. Others need people to walk into their lives with the gift of healing. God is waiting for us to act to that we can help the helpless.

The end of this passage is oh so true, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.   Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

We are called to go, go into the highways and hedge rows, what ever that may represent in our towns, cities, province, state, country. So many believers are able but don't. The harvest friends is plentiful, but the workers are few.

Acts 1:8

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

How many of us reach out within our own regions, our own back yard. Friends I am a believer literally because some one reached out across the fence of their back yard. They are still helping the helpless today. I was 14 years old when I was reached out to.

Luke 13:10-17

And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.   And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all.   When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your sickness.”   And He laid His hands on her; and immediately she was made erect again and began glorifying God.   But the synagogue official, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the crowd in response, “There are six days in which work should be done; so come during them and get healed, and not on the Sabbath day.”   But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead him away to water him?   And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?”   As He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him.

Who is waiting for you, for me or your Pastor to step out of their comfort zone and be there when they need a touch from the Lord, when they need a simple Word spoken over them. Friends are you willing to go even if the religious folks of today chastise you, speak against you. Someone is waiting for you, will you help that helpless person today?

John 5:1-9a

After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

   Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes.   In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters;   for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.]   A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.   When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He *said to him, “Do you wish to get well?”   The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”   Jesus *said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.”   Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.

The Lord just spoke to this man, this man had been waiting for thirty-eight years for some one to reach out. Jesus was there and did what no one did prior to that day. Jesus helped the helpless that day and that man rose up and walked.

You never know how long anyone has been waiting and waiting for someone to fulfill the call, they are waiting for you my friend, will you step out and show your faith to another. Jesus is calling, He is calling for you! Some one is waiting to see you, come and answer that call!

Acts 3:1-10

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.   And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple.   When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms.   But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!”   And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.   But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!”   And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.     With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.   And all the people saw him walking and praising God;   and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

This passage I have spoken on before as well, but it totally fits in with this message, A Man waiting and watching for someone, anyone. He knows he needs something, money in particular. He calls out to Peter and John, he is hoping and expecting to receive. Peter gets them man to focus on him, look at him full in the face. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face and the things of this earth shall grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

The man looks at Peter. Peter tells “him silver and gold, have I none. But what I do have I give you, In the Name of Jesus rise up and walk.” Some one is waiting at their Gate Beautiful for you, for me, or someone who will step out and reach out to help the helpless.

Peter didn't have any money, money isn't needed to go out into your world and help the helpless.

Will you answer the call?

For I was Naked and You Clothed Me...

I have always been some one to watch the world around me. See what people are doing. I read a lot of news, news that is published in a newspaper, on news websites etc.

I shared this message previously but it stands true today.

I see a lot of news that talks about the way the world around us is carrying on. There are groups who speak out against this group or that group, and others that speak out against the groups that speak out about others.

I see them all calling for action. Yet I see them not doing what they are calling for others to do.

It comes down to that old saying. “Talk is cheap”

It is the quiet ones that I see taking action and doing things for others.

I read of a priest in the province of Quebec who along with others helping him repair shoes so they can be given to the homeless. I have read in the past of an organization that is going to build a large number of homes in the states for the homeless.

There is a mission house in Toronto that open their doors to feed, house and clothe the homeless. There is an organization on PEI that collects food and clothing to help the less fortunate live with food and clothing.

These are just a few of the examples I can mention. I see people helping those in need. I see secular and faith based groups reaching out to help those who are in need.

What are you doing?

Matthew 25:34-46

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.   For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;   naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’   Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?   And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?   When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’   The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

   “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;   for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink;   I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’   Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’   Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’   These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Who are the naked, who are the lonely, who are the hungry, who are the prisoners?

You see this is what I want us all to think about. Look around your immediate world, your town, neighbourhood, where you live and work. Are there any who could possibly fit into one of those discriptions.

That man in the coffee shop all by himself. The widow across the road. That family that has fallen on hard times because of job loss. That man or lady that you see on the street everyday pushing a grocery buggy with their belongings in it. That man on the park bench by the bus station who doesn't have a coat on in the middle of January.

Havae you seen any of these kind of people, all of them could be classed as naked, hungry, lonely, imprisoned.

How about the shut in down the street, who can't drive anymore. The person who lives in that old apartment building all by themselves. That man you saw dumpster diving for food.

We live in a world that needs people who can see what is going on around them.

Luke 14:22

And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.

This verse I have on my blog, why because it speaks to me. It is the thrust behind this ministry, to challenge people, not only to develop a relationship with Christ, Get to know Jesus. But also to do something with Jesus.

My last message was entitled “ Then What Shall I Do With Jesus”

What do any of us do once we profess Christ as our Lord and Saviour. “I just keep living my old life, nothing has changed!” “I go to church on Sundays, what more do you expect?” “I go to church and help out on Sundays or with any special events at the church, is there anything else to do?”

Jesus in His own words laid out what we are to do!

We are to go into the highways and biways and invite people in. We are to look for people who need help. Help people who need food. Reach out to those who are imprisoned, not just in prison, but those who are imprisoned in their life because they have no one. Reach out and give a coat to that person on the street.

What are you doing? Have you tried to help and quit?

Don't be discouraged some people are to proud to seek help, but it is great when we befriend folks and stay in touch. Then they will be more open to others and you helping them. Some times we can be so blatantly obvious about it either.

Don't do it for the glory of what ever praise may come from it. Some seek the glory and they have their reward, some lay the glory at the rightful place, Jesus feet.

He has called everyone of us to “GO”, will you respond?

You might be thinking that I am nothing more than some one who is speaking out and I don't do anything.

Remember that saying I said I was reminded of “Talk is cheap.” Well there is another one that I have heard that follows that one up, “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.”

I am not going to give specifics, but food, clothing, visiting are all things that I have done. They are things that we have done. Even suggesting starting and helping with a group that reaches out to the community. I don't say that to get any recognition.

I am saying it because I “Practice What I Preach.”

So again I ask How will you respond to the task set before us? Will you leave them; naked, hungry and alone? Will you reach out and help?

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;   naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’   Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?   And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?   When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’   The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

What will you do with and for Jesus?

Are You Ready?

Are you ready for the future? Are you even prepared for the world we live in today?

Why do I ask these questions? We are living in a world where there are so many things that can get us off the path that the Lord has laid out before us.

The news is filled with articles that can lead us astray, stating this or that exaggerated piece information. There are articles on the net, in magazines, newspapers that will tell us of celebrity’s lives and we should be asking how accurate they are.

There are preachers who preach a gospel that is watered down. There are preachers who preached a hyped-up message. There are church meetings that aren’t much more than a motivational sales meeting.

In this world we need to be prepared and ready. We need to be able to stand on the truth of the Gospel. We need to remember that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life! (See John 14:6)

I see people everyday that get caught up in news and they allow it to affect their life. Some prepare for the worst. I remember when we crossed over from 1999 to the year 2000. Y2K caused many to be concerned and scared about their lives. I know of one preacher who preached that there was nothing to be concerned about.

He preached that God would guide us and protect us, yet he filled his garage with water, canned food, wood was stacked around the garage. Why just in case banks fell due to not being to technologically handle the change. He was concerned this would lead to food not being available and heat sources would fall to technology as well.

As much as he preached faith, as much as he preached a big story, he wasn’t standing strong, he didn’t practice what he preached. He goy caught up in the misinformation of the day. There are many opportunities for all of us to fall for misinformation today.

There are too many opportunities for us to get caught up in hyped-up Christianity.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NASB)

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:   preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.   For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,   and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.   But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

The truth needs to be preached that is the long and the short of it!  The time has come and now is that people don't want to hear sound doctrine, they have accumulated teachers in accordance to their own desires, they are turning from the truth and are turning to myths.

Our lives need the truth. Our lives need to be prepared and covered by the armour of God!

Ephesians 6:10-17

The Armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against  flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

We need to be ready to face and stand firm in the days of evil. No I am not being “religious” here. Look at the world, look at the events that are happening, this world is anything but peaceful. This world has political leaders who don’t tell the truth far more than we have seen in years. There are political wrangling and stances taken all around us.

There for I say we need to take up the full armour of God so that we can withstand all the mistruths, all the distractions, all the political positioning, the rumblings of a world needing God!

We need to be girded with truth, we need to know the Gospel of peace. We need faith to be shielded against all the distractions. We need our salvation and be wearing it, and using the Word of God, using our sword of the Spirit.

All this means is that we need a real relationship with Jesus. We need to be surrendered to Him, to the Holy Spirit, because He is the way, the truth and the Life.

Romans 13:11-14

Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.  The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us  behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

We need to awaken to the truth that is all around us. We need to be able to see through all that the devil is throwing at us and be wearing the Armor of God, the Armor of Light! We need to be walking in our salvation and we need to be known as true disciples of Jesus.

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.

It is no longer I who live, that is something that all Believers need to understand and take hold of. It is Christ who lives in me. This is were we should understand the preaching of people seeing the Christ in us. He is to be visible in our daily life.

Our old life is gone, we live a new life in Christ. So we have thrown away our old ways, but the world we live in offers up so many distractions we need to be awake, prepared, covered in the Word, filled with the Word and allowing Jesus to live in and through us!

Philippians 4:6-7

 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

In the Lord we don’t need to worry about anything, He will give us peace and a peace so great we won’t understand why we can be so peaceful. That is where we need to be well grounded in the Gospel of peace, “having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” and to be able to use the Word of God because it is, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

This is something I need to remind myself of that the Word of God is the Gospel of Peace, and in it we can lay our burdens down and learn from the Lord how to continue don the path.  We need to live by faith, not by sight. We need to stand strong, we need to fill ourselves with the Word.

Not in the way some do so that we can repeat words from the Bible, but have the Word alive in us, so that when we speak the Word is real and comes from the Holy Spirit. It will be the Word needed for that moment, it will be alive and real, it won’t just be empty ineffective words.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.

This passage has spoken to me in many ways over the years. The fact is faith is in Jesus, I know He is there with us and that He works through us. I am not a doubting Thomas, I believe without having to see Him, I hear Him, feel Him and know Him. He walks with me, He talks with me, I need to be ready to listen.

Is Jesus real to you? Are you prepared to face the world, or will you be caught up in the world and all the distractions?

Put on the Armor of God, be ready for the day, be ready for today! If you are ready for today, the future in Jesus Christ will take care of itself.

The Refining Of The Refiners Fire

I have talked a lot in my messages about preaching the truth, about not leaving people in their sins. My messages have spoken about in a real relationship with Jesus we are changed. The old has passed away.

My concern is that we don’t bring people to the point where they see change is necessary. We all had to come to a point to see that we were sinners, and that our only hope was to surrender our lives to the Lord.

There is a purifying that we must go through. The Bible talks about clearing away the Chaff, about going through the refiner’s fire.

In the refiner’s fire is where the changes are made, where a difference in our lives comes clear. The Lord burns away the impurities, clears away the chaff. The refiner’s fire will not consume us it refines us and brings us to a place where we can say the old has passed away.

Nehemiah 3:8

Next to him Uzziel the son of Harhaiah of the goldsmiths made repairs. And next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.

Goldsmiths when making repairs heat up the gold. In a refining fire the gold is purified. The impurities are burned off and the gold is what is left. Any added metals. Or other impurities are melted away and a soft pure gold is what the goldsmith has when he is finished his work.

Just like the Lord burns away the unneeded, unnecessary and unwanted things in our life. What He has left when His work within us is a refined heart that is soft and open to Him. He has a pure follower, not some one who is a sometimes follower, a follower who follows him at the edges. He has someone who can come into His presence with a clean heart.

Psalm 51:10-13

 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
 Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You.

In this Psalm David is asking God to create in him a pure heart, get rid of the things that keep me from you. Give me a steadfast spirit so that I don’t wander from Your ways, the path you have set before me. Restore me Lord, give me back the joy of my salvation that keeps me with a willing spirit to follow you. Do this for me Lord so that I can teach others Your ways, so that they are freed from sin and follow You.

I have prayed that many times. I want to be clean, I don’t want impurities and imperfections in me that stop me from being a soft-hearted sold-out believer before God. Jesus gave His life for me and I must be willing to give my life for Him.

If all that means that I must set my self on the threshing floor, so the chaff is removed. If all that means I must submit myself to the Refiner’s fire in the Hands of The Goldsmith. Then I willingly do so.

This could mean He burns away sins we have not recognized. Unforgiveness we haven’t turned over to Him or offenses we are holding on to. You may not recognize them, but they may well be there. He will help us to release and give them up. Even if it means facing those who we haven’t forgiven, were offended by or brought an offense to them. He will help us deal with the sin. The closer we draw to Him the more life will be easier to live. No that doesn’t mean we will live a problem free life, it just means when those problems come, we will be in a better place to face them and deal with them.

Malachi 3:1-4

Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will  clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the  messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts. “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

This passage talks of the coming of John the Baptist, the messenger who would be followed by the Lord Jesus. It tells us of the refining, read this passage. The smelters and purifying of the silver purifying of gold and silver so that our offerings will be pleasing to the Lord. It may not all happen in one pass through the refiner’s fire. As the passage below from Psalm 12 tells us of silver being refined seven times.

Psalm 12:6

The words of the Lord are pure words;
As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.

We may be carrying enough impurities, unforgiveness, offense, pride, sin in our lives that it will take a longer time or multiple times through the refiner’s fire.

I can see the times I have been in the refiner’s fire. I can see times I have been walking through a wilderness and having to look at areas of my life needing refining.

Are we willing to submit to being refined, to being cleansed for us to draw ever closer? Think for a moment, are you looking to be used by the Lord, looking for a time of greater closeness, greater ministry. Sit and pray, with your whole heart, ask the Lord to show you, ask Him to take you to the refiner’s fire. It is there that the gold and silver are purified for His use.