Unbolt The Door To Your Heart

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  • Stand Tall, The Battle is Mine

    Jesu Juva..

    In the first few verses of Chapter 3 in the book of Judges, we learn that God purposefully left some nations to persecute and to go to war against the Israelites.

    “They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord’s commands, which he had given their ancestors through Moses”. Judges 3:4 NIV

    This is a wonderful verse that should explain to each of us that God’s ways are not your ways.  You want all your difficulties removed and for life to be smooth and peaceful. You think God loves you if everything is perfect and there are no disruptions in your life. God says just the opposite and says I am going to leave some major problems to test you to see if you are going to be faithful.

    You will notice that several times throughout the existence of the Israelites that during any period of peace. The Israelites became fat and happy and forgot their God.

    “‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore, I did away with them as you have seen”.  Ezekiel 16:49-50 NIV

    God is telling you that the real sin Sodom committed was to become idle, lazy, arrogant and overfed.  Those sins led them to committing detestable things before the Lord.

    So here in Judges we have a group of people that God is asking them to represent Him to all the nations surrounding them. But they keep on forgetting God and trying to live like the other surrounding nations.

    Verse 30 says that there was peace in the land for 80 years.  If you look ahead to the first verse in chapter 4 you will notice that the Israelites sinned again.

    But there is a very interesting verse between those two verses.

    “After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel”. Judges 3:31 NIV

    History tells us that even in this time of peace the Palestinians were making incursions into Israel to test their armies and defenses.

    One day they sent a raiding party into Israel and came upon one man. Shamgar was just out with his oxen, minding his own business.  He was not prepared for the attack in the sense of having any armor, sword or a battle plan.

    He had with him a cattle prod that was just a stick used to tap the oxen and direct them to turn left or right.

    An oxgoad is a long (often 8–10 feet) wooden stick, traditionally used in farming to prod and direct oxen while plowing. It is typically fitted with a iron spike at one end to drive animals, and sometimes a flat metal blade at the other end to remove soil from the plow.

    Now put this picture in your mind. Six hundred men, armed and ready for battle, are descending upon you and your oxen.  They were screaming and yelling and running toward you.  They were getting ready to slaughter you and slaughter your oxen for a big BBQ.

    What would be your first reaction?  Be honest. Abandon your oxen and run for the nearest safety.  Run faster than you have ever run before. You would also be screaming for the Lord to save you from certain death.

    But God had already given Shamgar all that was needed for victory.  Shamgar did not consider his own safety or death.  He knew what was wrong and right. He knew that these Palestinians were attacking his God and He knew he had to defend.

    The greatest weapon Shamgar had was total trust in God.  If God had given him all the implements of war, Shamgar might have believed in his own might and power. In his own skill of fighting.  Shamgar had God on his side and all he needed was a stick.

    One man with God on his side slaughtered 600 enemy invaders. The verse says he saved Israel that day.

    Shamgar did not wake up that morning with any knowledge or idea that was the day he was going to be called upon to save anything. Yet, when presented with an intrusion, an attack on God. Shamgar stood his ground and went on the offensive. 

    All we get about this story is one little verse about an unknown man that saved Israel.  The Glory goes to God not Shamgar. 

    “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me”. Psalms 23:4 NIV

    You may be going through the valley of darkness, feeling alone, forgotten and in pain. Remember all you need is to trust God and go on the offensive. God has provided everything you need to be victorious.

    Prayers for All.

    Larry

    Soli Deo Gloria

  • Step of Faith

    The African Impala is very well known for its leaping ability.  It can jump over ten feet straight up and over thirty feet long in one jump. You would assume then that for the Impala to be kept in zoos they must build a very high fence. But at the Zoo they do not have to build a high fence.  A fence between three and four feet tall will do the trick of keeping the Impala within the borders of the enclosure.

    Here is the simple reason why. An Impala will not jump or leap if it cannot see where it will land.

    We have the same problem as followers of Jesus. We want a safe landing spot or a money back guarantee before we take a step in obedience or a leap in faith.  But you see that this attitude eliminates the faith aspect of an equation.

    Mark Batterson in his book “All In” wrote the following.  “Faith is the willingness to look foolish. Noah looked foolish building the ark. Sarah looked foolish buying maternity clothes at ninety. Moses Looked foolish asking Pharaoh to let the slaves go. The Israelites looked foolish marching around Jericho blowing trumpets. David looked foolish attacking Goliath with a slingshot. The wise men looked foolish following a star to Bethlehem. Peter looked foolish stepping out of the boat in the middle of the lake in the middle of the night”.

    The story is told of a group of farmers that all belonged to the same church. They needed rain very badly or all their crops would be ruined, and their farms would go bankrupt. They called a midweek prayer meeting. They all showed up wearing their traditional overalls and jeans. One farmer showed up wearing chest waders. Everyone thought he was foolish. He genuinely believed that God was going to answer the prayers for rain and he did not want to get wet on the way home. The other farmers didn’t even bring their umbrellas. They got drenched on their way home that night. One person walked home dry.

    If you believe and have the faith that God is going to answer your prayer, are you dressed for it before you pray? Act like a miracle has already happened. Faith is acting like God has already answered the prayer.  Dress and act for a miracle! 

    Are you shaved, dressed and hair combed before you pray for the healing relief of pain? Or is your faith only waiting to be healed before you act like you are healed?

    Donna had a vision to sell flowers.  She handed me a shovel and told me to start digging flower beds.  She had no one set up to buy the flowers. She did not contact any florist and asked if they wanted to buy the flowers that God told her to grow.  She only knew that she was supposed to grow flowers.  Were there slow days at the flower stand? Were there difficulties in growing the flowers and keeping the gophers away? Absolutely!

     Every morning we pray that God will grow and bloom the flowers He needs for the people He is going to send by that day. He knows who needs flowers to brighten their day and outlook on life. The flowers are the seed that was needed to let the Holy Spirit work in their hearts.

    There are many days where she does not think that there are enough blooms to harvest and make bouquets to sell the next day. Yet we pray and that night a miracle happens in the flower beds.  God knows what flowers are needed for the next morning.  The Beds are in full bloom and ready to be harvested and go to someone’s house to brighten their day.

    Yet the real miracle is what is happening in our life.  We have grown so much in our walk with God and with each other. The flowers were meant for us to grow closer with God and each other and that is the true Miracle.

    The depth of God’s Love is beyond understanding.

    We had to dig and sweat before we experienced the fullness of God’s Grace.

    Prayers for All.

  • No Plan B

    “He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate”. 1 Kings 19:21 NIV

    On February 19, 1519, the Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés set sail for Mexico with over 600 sailors and soldiers with him. They were in eleven ships. The indigenous population upon his arrival was approximately five million. From a purely mathematical standpoint, the odds were stacked against him by a ratio of 7,541 to 1. Two previous expeditions had failed to even establish a settlement in the New World, yet Cortés conquered much of the South American continent.

    What Cortés did upon arrival on the shores of Mexico is to scuttle or burn all his ships. In one act he showed his men and those living in the land that there was no plan B. He took the option of plan B away.  It was survive or die.  There was no running back to the motherland when things got rough and uncomfortable.

    Elisha and his family were the largest farming operation in all of Israel.   While most people owned or rented a team of oxen and plow to do the farming.  Elisha’s family had 12 teams of oxen and twelve plows.

    “He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair”. 1 Kings 19: 19 NIV

    Elijah was sent by God, after a discussion at the mouth of a cave, to go and put his cloak around Elisha and make him the new prophet. He found Elisha in the field plowing and went up to him and covered him in the robe that he was wearing to signify that God had transferred the prophetic power to Elisha.

    Elisha did not hesitate, He accepted and told Elijah that he would be right back.  He went home to kiss his parents and then slaughtered the oxen and smashed the plow into firewood. He then proceeded to BBQ the oxen and fed everyone and then said goodbye.

    Elisha took away plan B.  He did not just put the oxen and plow in storage, just in case this prophet thing did not work out or if he became discouraged.  He burnt and ate his past. He eliminated the possibility of going back to farming.

    When Peter decided to get out of the boat and walk on the water. He simply put all his trust in Jesus.  He did not ask the other disciples to tie a rope around his waist and pull him back into the boat if he started sinking.  With no life jacket or rope for safety, he simply stepped out in full faith of Jesus his Savior. No Plan B. When he failed and started sinking, he did not start swimming back to the boat. He looked up and noticed a hand reaching for him. Jesus was there to save him.

    Are you at a moment that you need to burn the ships and oxen of your past? The only way is to make a defining decision to eliminate the possibilities of going back to the old world we left behind.  You burn the ships of past failure, past success, bad habits, addictions, regrets and guilt. You burn the ship named my old way of life.

    Most people would assume God had blessed them to have twelve yokes of oxen and that is where God wanted them to shine.  But God had other plans for Elisha. 

    Does God have plans for you that you need to step out into faith and burn the past so there is not going back?

    The rich young ruler missed out on the wonderful life Jesus had planned for him because he was not willing to give up plan B.

    Prayers for All.

    Larry

  • Silence, Wait, Be Still

    Maybe not all families, but I would venture to say a very large percentage of families have one or more members that just cannot be silent and sit still. No matter what the situation or circumstance is, they must voice an opinion or give directions. Even if they are not part of the conversation, they hear a little bit of it, and they must come over and give their opinion.  We all know someone like that or you yourself may be that person.

    What is the hardest thing for a human to do?  It also is one of the areas that Satan fights most against and never wants you to master this habit with God.

    To be Still and Silent and Wait on your God!

    There are three words in the above statement that you do not like. Still, Silent, and Wait!

    “God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!” Exodus 14:14 The Message

    “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV

    “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength”. Isaiah 40:31 KJV

    “But Jesus Remained Silent”. Matthew 26:63 NIV

    This is a character or habit that must be mastered if we are to walk with God like Enoch did. Satan deeply understands that if he can keep you busy and believing that your opinion is needed or that you can solve all problems. You don’t need to wait on the Lord because you believe God has given your wisdom or knowledge for you to think on your own. Satan never wants for you to get that close to God and trust Him in all situations.  To make God your refuge.

    How did Satan get us to the belief that we can or should try and solve every situation and problem on our own? 

    It is because you have allowed him to infiltrate you with the wrong definition of waiting, silence and still.

    You associate these words with being passive, not doing anything, an insult to your knowledge and time. Satan has structured a world where we want it in an instance and a belief that we deserve everything immediately when we ask for it or desire it.

    But God has a very different definition of those three words.  The time spent in waiting, stillness and silence is an active time for growth in relationship with God.

    When I want to plant a vegetable, I first put the tiny seed in a small amount of specialized dirt in a seedling tray. The seedlings do not sprout for about a week or two. My Chinese eggplants did not sprout for over twenty-one days.  The trays are put on shelves where there is a grow light above them. The first leaves to appear are cotyledon leaves.  They are there to absorb energy and help the roots form.  Then the true leaves of the plant appear, and the cotyledon leaves dry up and disappear. This happens over a three-to-four-week period.   Once I get two sets of true leaves then the plant is ready to be moved outdoors and become what it truly was supposed to be.

    Was I just sitting there passively and not doing anything during that time?  Not at all.  Watering, fertilizing, turning on the grow light and monitoring the time spent under the light.  Checking the growth and color and roots every day.

    Waiting on God is and should be a very active time.   Time spent deep in soul searching, praying, fasting, opening His word and diving deep into the meanings of the words. Listening for His voice and preparing yourself for the outcome. Sleeping and letting your lamp go out is not what God had in mind.

    It also requires your total trust in the outcome or the answer.  We are told that God’s ways are not our ways. So why are you waiting for an answer that you want and understand? If you are waiting for the answer you want, be prepared for a long time while the Holy Spirit works on your control issues.

    If you are interested in taking the next step in your growth with God, sit still, silent and wait.  He knows what He has planned for you.  It is an awesome future. What you had planned will not be anything compared to what God has in store for you.

    Don’t underestimate God’s desire to walk with you in the garden.

    Prayers for All.

    Larry 

  • The Pain is Unbearable

    “The Battle is not yours, But God’s” 2 Chronicles 20:15 KJV

    What awesome meaning this has for us today.  In every aspect of our lives if we would just remember these few words.

    These words were originally spoken to King Jehoshaphat when the whole country of Judah faced a vast army that was going to overtake them.  They were in an impossible situation. They were not going to survive this battle. It was hopeless.

    If we would just remember in every situation, in every circumstance, that we are children of God and are His to protect and bless.

    But, like the previous email that was sent.  We are also on God’s time. Not on our own time of healing and deliverance.

    The Disciples were in their boat, rowing and straining against the oars to make any headway against a very strong storm.  They were afraid that they were going to die and be swept away.  The sky was dark, the wind was ferocious, and the waves were breaking right over the boat. It was miserable.

    In the fourth watch they looked up and saw someone coming across the waters. Their hearts did not jump with delight about being saved. They assumed it was an evil spirit. They were already in a very dark and dangerous situation, and now an evil spirit was going to make matters worse.

    Then in the midst of a very great storm, a warm soft reassuring voice said “Be of Good Cheer”.  In the midst of pain, suffering and near death, Jesus tells them to smile and be of good cheer.  His very next words were, “It is I, be not afraid”.  The storm was not affecting Jesus at all. He is the Rock. You have nothing to fear for the God of your salvation is here.  

    When did Jesus come? You remember that the disciples had been rowing all night long. They had been in a storm that they thought was going to destroy them.  Their darkness was immense. Jesus did not come until the fourth watch. The early morning. They struggled in their battle all night long. Yet, when Jesus did come, He just said be of good cheer, smile, keep dancing. God rescued them on His time, not when they thought they should be delivered.

    Jesus did not remove the storm when the disciples saw Him.  The Storm only ceased when he was allowed to step into the boat.  When God is allowed to live inside your heart, be at home in your heart, no storm of any circumstance will ever be allowed to keep you from eternity.   Put a Smile on your face and keep on Dancing.

    Prayers for All.

    Larry

  • God’s Power

    “And these are but the outer fringe of His works; how faint the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?” Job 26:14 NIV

    God is transcendent, meaning He exists beyond the limitations of the physical world and human understanding. It conveys awe and reverence for a God whose qualities are considered infinite and beyond full description.

    The Human language does not have the proper words to describe God and all His blessings.

    The above picture is just one order that was placed for flowers this last week from the little flower Garden that God as blessed Donna with. The Order left us in tears of praise that we were able to share God’s wonderful creations with others.

    The range of colors, sizes, textures and shapes are beyond any human imagination.  Job said it best in the above text.  “Who can understand the thunder of His Power” 

    Don’t put God in a box of your design. His power is unlimited!

    Prayers for all.

    Larry

  • Comfort Zone

    Comfort Zone Caution

    I wanted to take this time to revisit a part of the story of Lot I spoke about this Sabbath

    In Genesis 19:16 “When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them”. NIV

    The Hebrew word translated as “hesitated” is מָהַהּ (mahah). This word means to linger, delay, or be reluctant. Not wanting to let go.

    So, let’s back up a little bit in this story.  In Genesis 13:12 it says that Abraham lived in the plains of Cannan while Lot pitched his tents near Sodom. Then in Genesis 14:12 it says Lot was living in the city. And in Genesis 19:1 He is sitting at the Gate as one of the leaders of Sodom. Do you see the progression? 

    When the angels and God visited Abraham, his tents were pitched in a place called Mamre. The best scholars can estimate is that this was between 30 and 35 miles away from Sodom.

     It seems that his hesitation to leave was based on the fact that he and his family had grown comfortable with their surroundings. The point is that over time Sodom became home for Lot’s family, and, as a result, they grew complacent, accepting and tolerating its wickedness. In their minds they were peacefully coexisting with their surroundings, neither participating in them nor expressly condemning them. But over time their complacency developed into affection.

    Then that affection grew into hesitation and no desire to leave when God Called.

    Another sign that they had grown in affection for the surroundings was that his two daughters were pledged to be married to men of Sodom. Genesis 19:14. He was comfortable enough to marry into the culture.

    How Comfortable are you? Becoming comfortable with sin is a process of gradually accepting and justifying actions that are harmful or wrong, often by downplaying their severity or impact.

    You don’t become comfortable with anything in one minute. It takes time of association and closeness with the situation or circumstance. This starts by pitching your tents near Sodom.  And before you know it when God calls you do not want to leave.

    This applies to every aspect of your life!  The Parable of the rich young ruler is a prime example. But we are not talking about just wealth.  Habits, personalities, house, friends, anything in this world that is standing between you and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

    Maybe like Lot you have become so comfortable with something in your life that you are not even able to see the problem or desire to let go of the problem. You do not realize that you need to give it up to God. That is why he will send the Holy Spirit to ask you to give it up. 

    Will You Hesitate?

    Prayers for All

    Larry 

  • Promise

    No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Joshua 1:5-6 NIV

    This is such a wonderful promise that it needs to be read every morning. Write it on your heart and put it on your lips. Paste this verse on your bathroom mirror. Every Morning as you are getting ready for the day, read it and meditate on it.

    Then tell yourself that your God is bigger than any problem, mountain, persecution, person, or a government law that may stand in your face today.

    God is not going anywhere.  He has promised to be with you in the valley of the shadow of death.

    The second verse is why it is important.  God has promised you a new land, a land of no more pain and suffering. A land of no sorrow and death. A land of no arguments and disagreements. Your room is being built, and God wants you to live right beside Him.

    Following God will not be on a flat straight smooth road.  He told His disciples that they would be persecuted and ridiculed for His Name. He told them He would be with them to the very end of this world. He Promised them to come back and take them to their new home.

    God is sending His Son to come redeem us from this world. Will you be strong and courageous in whatever the world has to offer in the coming years?

    Prayers for All.

    Larry

  • Not of this World

    Romans 12:2

    “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” KJV

    “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you.” The Living Bible

    “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” The Message

    Some of you have asked why I show different versions of the same verse.  The Simple answer is that each of us hear and think differently.  In your mind you hear these words and because of your core beliefs you hear them differently than others do. Each of us needs the verse read to us in a manner that our minds will accept and start the transformation.

    You have heard the saying “called to be in the world, not of the world”. Those words are a paraphrase form of the word of Jesus when He was praying to His Father in John 17:14-16.

    Jesus was saying that anyone who has been accepted the word, (transformed) is no longer of this world, He asks the father to protect them from the evil one, but He asks the father to keep the believers in this world. 

    The answer why He wants you in this world is in verse 2 of Romans 12.  He wants you to prove to the world that His way, His word, His will are perfect for you in every situation. Then, therefore perfect for them if they would allow the Holy Spirit to transform them.

    The Transformation of your heart, mind, habits, personalities, desires and way of Living is not for your benefit. It is for you to be a perfect reflection of God so that others may see how God has changed you, and therefore desire to be changed also.

    The Verse ends with “perfect, will of God”.  The only way you can come to understand and accept that God’s will is Perfect in every situation, every circumstance and always the best path for you, is to allow the Holy Spirit to transform you.

    “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8

    Today, stop quenching the Holy Spirts transformation of your heart and mind.  You are being directed to a better place, a better way of Living, and a better future. He is building a room for you in His house. The construction starts in your heart.

    Prayers for All.

    Larry

  • Light Vs Darkness

    Romans 12:21

    “Don’t allow yourself to be overpowered with evil. Take the offensive—overpower evil by good!” J.B. Phillips Translation

    “Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good.” KJV

    This is the last verse in the chapter in Romans that describes the traits of a transformed individual. A Person who has given up control and let the Holy Spirit take control and transform them into a reflection of Christ.

    In the Book of Matthew chapter 5 verses 13-16, it tells us that we are to be the Salt and the Light of the World. The purpose of having these two traits is to bring Glory to God in Heaven.

    What does Salt and Light have to do with this verse in Romans? It describes the exact same thing.  Salt is not overcome by other flavors in food. It only brings out the best qualities of the other flavors.  Light cannot be overcome by darkness. Darkness never overwhelms light. You must shut the light off to see darkness. The minute the sun shows up the darkness of the night vanishes. The Second the Son of God shows up Evil vanishes. 

    You do not need to fear being overcome with evil if you are being the Salt and Light of the World. The Word does warn you that you can lose the saltiness and light by not letting the Holy Spirt live within you.

    Refusing to let the transformation into every aspect of your life will eventually let the darkness return and take more control of you.

    Remember the parable about the person that cleaned all the rooms of the house. He swept and mopped them clean.  The rooms Sparkled. He was living a good life, going to church every Sabbath, doing the right things.  Yet we are told that when the evil spirit checked in on him if found the rooms empty and then the evil spirit went and found more, and mightier evil spirits and they all moved in. The person did not fill the rooms (his heart) with the Holy Spirit and thus was overcome by evil.

    The benefits that comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to transform you is not to bring you praise, but to bring others to praise God by seeing what you have allowed the Holy Spirit to do in your life.

    Prayers for all.

    Larry