Unbolt The Door To Your Heart

Tag: faith

  • 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

  • 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 

  • 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

  • Live in Harmony

    Romans 12:16

    “Live in harmony with each other. Don’t become snobbish but take a real interest in ordinary people. Don’t become set in your own opinions.” J.B. Phillips Translation

    “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. AKJV Version

    “Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.” The Message

    Live in Harmony, Be of the same mind. These instructions from Paul do not mean that we are all to think alike, have the same opinions, uniformity of thought.  But what is greatly missing in today’s world is respect, empathy for another person’s opinion and thoughts on any matter.  A transformed Christian is not to argue with, be negative about, talk about or gossip about, or not associate with someone that believes different than you. We need to Listen to the other opinion with respect in our body language, tone of voice and with Love.

    The next part speaks directly to those of us who think we are special.  We have been given a special message, we are more intelligent, and God has blessed us with more knowledge. We are not to think more highly of ourselves than we should. We are to be very humble and always consider friendship with anyone of any race, social standing, economic standing and sexual persuasion. Each person is special to God; we hold no special place in God’s heart that is ahead of anyone else.

    The next part is a warning against thinking we have all the knowledge and are again special. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3. NIV.  This verse speaks directly to all of us.  God still has things to reveal to each of us, no matter our standing in life. You are never going to stop learning for eternity.

    If we allowed ourselves to be transformed into this type of person, it would be the start of a whole new world of peace.

    Take time today to revisit Romans 12:3-8, 

    You are called to live in this world and yet be not of this world.  Be Salt or a Light today to everyone God sends your way.

    Prayers for All

    Larry

  • Good morning.  What a great day to dive a little deeper into God’s word. We are going to start in verse nine of Romans chapter 12. 

    Yesterday, I emailed verses 9-21 of chapter 12 in the book of Romans.  I asked that each of you spend some time with the Holy Spirit reading and then listening to His voice and guidance. I pray and hope that it is the start of a wonderful journey.

    Romans 12:9 is the opening of a list of practical instructions for Christian living. It sets the tone for how believers are to relate to one another and to the world.

    First, I would like for us to revisit verse 2 of this chapter. “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within.” This is the J.B. Phillips translation.  This is a good warning to us, that unless we have allowed and are allowing God, through the Holy Spirit, to transform our minds, these verses 9-21 in Romans will not make much sense to us in our daily living.  

    Verse nine starts with telling you that your words are worthless when it comes to showing Love.  Love must not be an imitation; it must be sincere. The King James version says “Let love be without Dissimulation”.  This word means hiding one’s true feelings, intentions, or beliefs by pretending to be something different, a form of hypocrisy or deceit. It implies a deliberate act of concealing one’s real self and adopting a false appearance.  You are telling someone you “Love” them, but you have no intention of showing that love in an actionable form or fashion.

    You have read that faith without works is dead, well the word Love without any action on your part to actually show “love” is exactly that.

    It is not a witness to others about God if your words are just words and you have no actionable loving attitude toward that person.

    The second part of verse 9 states for us to break from evil and have a real devotion to what is good.   The second part of this verse goes hand in hand with the first part.  There is a lot of evil that we could talk about breaking from. But remember the first part of this verse. The evil spoken about here is the evil of telling someone you love them and then doing nothing to show that love. You are supposed to abhor that form of evil.  You are to embrace the “good” way of living and show love to everyone in an actionable fashion.

    You have heard the saying “speaking with a forked tongue”.  Telling someone that you Love them and then having no outward actions is doing using a forked tongue.

    Remember the greatest commandment is to Love.  Not just in words but in an actionable form.  This can only happen if you go back to verse two and understand the transformation that must happen inside of you.

    Today, Let God in. Open the Door to your mind and heart. He is knocking and just wants to come in to sit, eat and drink with you.

    Let others see God not in your words but in your deeds.

    Love and prayer for all

    Larry

  • Circumcision

    Heart Transformation

    Circumcision of the heart

    “In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self-ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ”. Colossians 2:11 NIV

    “Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer”.  Deuteronomy 10:16 NIV

    Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, circumcise your hearts, you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire because of the evil you have done—burn with no one to quench it”. Jeremiah 4:4 NIV

    Spiritual circumcision, a concept found in both the Old and New Testaments, refers to a transformation of the heart, a spiritual cutting away of the sinful nature and reliance on the flesh, and a turning towards God through faith in Christ.

    Circumcision symbolizes the removal of the hardheartedness and stubbornness that hinders one’s relationship with God. It is a spiritual journey that involves removing worldly desires, dedicating oneself to God, and humbling oneself before Him. It is a process of transformation that leads to a closer relationship with God and a life that reflects His values.

    “The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live”. Deuteronomy 30:6 NIV

    The verse speaks of a spiritual renewal, a turning of the heart toward God, rather than a physical act. This Verse speaks of a transformation of the heart.  It no longer has the desires of this world.  It no longer tries to reach heaven with works. Not only is this promise for you but for your children and grandchildren.  The purpose of this transformation is so that your whole existence will be to Love God and bring Him Glory and Honor. You whole heart, your whole soul will live every day to bring about Glory to God.

    Behold, He is standing at the door of your heart knocking.  You cannot change your heart, habits or desires.  The Only thing you can do is answer the doorbell and open your heart to Him.  He is not bringing in any rules. He is just bringing in Love.

    Prayers for each of you every morning.

    Larry

  • Bloom in Pain

    Blooming in Pain and Every Pinch of Pain is for a Purpose.

    Two of the most beautiful statements that have got me through the last year.  I shared this example at church yesterday as a testimony and help to a grieving family.

    Every Year at this time Donna and I must do something to our vegetables and flowers that I personally don’t like.  But the Lord has used our garden to teach both of us so many life lessons. Everyday we give praise to Him for a new lesson learned.

    Every Pinch of Pain is for a Purpose.

    In the early growth of plants, you must go through and pinch off the best early stems.  Both Flowers and Vegetables.  I have about a dozen Jimmy Nardello pepper plants. They are by far the best peppers ever, (my opinion).  Once the reach about 10-14 leaves you pinch back to eight leaves.  Even if the top has little pepper shoots already coming out. We do this to all the vegetables and many of the flowers Donna grows.  I fully believe that plants talk. Our ears may not be able to hear, but they are talking to each other and God above. So, I know they scream out in pain when the top is pinched off.  Their most beautiful bud is gone.

    But the greatest lesson of life is now going on display for us to learn about Pain. How does the plant respond?  You see you all know people that have had tragedies happen in their lives. Death, Abuse, Affairs, Illness and Chronic Pain. Some respond with depression, curling up and giving up on life.   Withdrawing from friends and family and society.

    But you see that the Plant does something much different.  I had pain given to it even though it was a good plant. Amid producing a beautiful flower of pepper. It had done nothing wrong. Yet it was Pinched. How did it respond?

    Within a few days the pepper plants responded with Blooming in a manner that only can be explained by God. Each plant went from one or two buds to 8 buds or more.  It responded by blooming more than it was ever going to do before the Pain.  It did not curl up or go into shock or depression.  It bloomed to show the Glory of God in the best way it knows how to.

    It did not ask why I got pinched.  It did not complain to God about its treatment. It accepted Pain for what it is. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all”. 2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV

    It is a lesson I have learned the hard way.  Some of you know that I have and am experiencing pain that made walking extremely difficult.  I wanted to just lay in bed and moan. But from growing in my walk with God and being watching what the flowers do.  I changed my whole attitude about Pain.  I started thanking God for the Pain and getting up anyway to go about my day.  Did the pain leave. NO! You see I was put on this earth for only one purpose. That is to bring Glory to God and to share with others.  The plant blooms more so it has more to share.  Nobody saw God in my wallowing of suffering and pain.

    God is not glorified by your negativity and depression. Some people will say they are just being “real”. Well, that is a very harmful form of negativity.

    No matter what “Pain” has happened in your life. Stop asking God Why and Start Blooming from the pinch of Pain. Tell God Thank-You.

    Bloom in Pain.

    Prayers for All.

    Larry