Division Leads to Desolation

Mat_12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

We live in a time here in the United States of America, that it is fashionable and accepted to be divided. I am not speaking of different points of view or opinions. I am speaking of a division that will cuase this once great nation of God to crumble and fall.

I know many will disgree but this nation was founded on the principles of the Bible. Down through history, ideas and laws have been changed. History itself has recorded prayer taking place in Congress, not to false gods but to the one true God, Jesus Christ. The prayer life of many of the founders of this nation has been recorded in history.

Looking at the words Jesus spoke, we see that He says a Kingdom divided agaisnt itself is brought to desolation. Looking in the Strong's concordance we see the word desolation defined as er-ay-mo'-o From G2048; to lay waste (literally or figuratively): - (bring to, make) desolate (-ion), come to nought.

The United States is dying. If we don't turn back to God, we will be laid waste. The leaders of this nation have lost their desire to know God and to do what is right in His eyes. They keep passing laws and putting burdens upon the citizens of this nation which we cannot bear. They take from those who have little and give to them which have much.

The EPA has been given so much power, it can shut down corporations at will. Men and women losing thier jobs because the EPA says so. A sad time indeed for coal miners and all other jobs they say hurt the environment.

The Church is in the same boat. We are so divided that we cannot get along with one another. I heard a Pastor saying, "We had a business meeting one day and it took 3 hours to decide whether to use 40 or 60 watt light bulbs." It is hard to believe that division can come from such a small thing but it happens. How can we decide important things when we have so much trouble with a simple thing?

If the Church does not unite, it will be laid to waste also. We have to come together in one accord before we can gain the victory over the principalities and powers of the world. the Word of God tells us what we need to do as believers in Christ.

2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. God was talking to the children of Israel at the time. They had gone astray after idols and God was dispelased with them. He was trying to turn tham back to Him.

First, we have to humble ourselves. The realization that we are nothing compared to God is humbling indeed. To be humble is only the start. We have to pray and seek the face of God, not His hands. Too many times we pray and ask for things we do not need. After we pray and seek Him, we must turn from our wicked ways. I know, maybe you don't think you are wicked or maybe you don't think you sin. The Bible tells us that, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

If we do what God told us to do, He will hear us in heaven and will forgive us and heal our land. We can blame the leaders of this nation for all that we go through but it falls upon the shoulders of the children of God. Jesus gives us power to become the sons and daughters of God.

Isaiah wrote, "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land." (paraphrased) The church as a whole, seems to be eating the leftovers. We are eating from the fields that have already been harvested and are gleaning what little is left.

We must come together and fight against the enemy that so wishes to destroy us. Purpose it in your hearts right now to agree with me and pray and seek the face of God. Healing must come and it can only come from God Himself but it starts with us.

Just as the wind blew over the dry bones in Ezekiel, we need that same wind to come and revive us. We have lived a dead life long enough. it is time to rise up and fight the good fight of faith, i

n the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Trying to Outrun God

“But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa.”

- Jon_1:3

Have you ever run from the Lord? If so, did you outrun Him? Jonah ran from the Lord and wanted nothing to do with the task that God set before him. He was unable to outrun God. God knew where Jonah was and where he was going. He was going in the opposite direction that he was directed to go.

God could have just let him go but His love for Jonah was great and he went after him to put him back on the right track. There are times in our walks that we may go against the Word that God gives us and He pursues us to set us back on the right path. We may run out of fear of what might happen or out of our hatred for what we are asked to do.

We must hold to the scripture, "2Co_9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: " God will not lead us to do something that He will not see us through to the end if we obey His voice.

Grace, Mercy and Forgiveness

“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.”

- Isa_44:22

Imagine what it would be like if God remembered all of our transgressions. We would all be miserable wretches. We would all be lost and headed to the very hell that Satan and his angels are going to go to.

I thank God that He would love me so much that He gave His only begotten Son to me and that my transgressions are forgotten along with my sins. They have been "blotted out" by God Himself.

Thank you Jesus for the gift of grace and m

Sin in the Heart

Many do not seem to understand, God destroyed the world with a flood because of the sin that was in the hearts of men. The Word of God says that the hearts of man was evil, continually. It means there was nothing good about what they thought or what they did.

Gen 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. God still gave them space and time to repent. Gen 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. Noah preached for 120 years but they refused to listen.

Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because their sins came up before God. Gen 18:20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

God always gives space to repent. No one is left out in the cold without a chance to make things right. God will take care of sin in one way or another. Those who choose to hold to their sin will be cast into the lake of fire. Those who repent and confess Jesus will be spared from the wrath to come.

Don't you think it is time to make things right with God? Repent of your sins and be saved from His wrath. There is no promise of tomorrow and we cannot know if we will still be here. There is no time like this time right now to give your life to the Lord.

Independence Day

In a few days, we will be celebrating the birth of the United States of America. Men and women have fought and died for the freedoms that we enjoy. Contrary to popular belief, the Founding Fathers of this nation founded it upon Christian Principles.

You can find quote upon quote by searching Google. The mention of God was not something to be ashamed of then and even today, should not be ashamed of. Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you." Who wants Jesus to be ashamed of them?

The freedoms we enjoy right now are under attack. The enemy has come in like a lion seeking whom he may devour. The passing of laws that legalize sin will destroy a nation. Not only laws but idols also.

This nation is on a downward spiral but those whose hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ, will be spared from the wrath to come. Judgment has come to the USA. We have been found lacking. Repent now before it is too late. Let the Lord Jesus Christ save you from your sins and the death that comes, for the wages of sin is death.

I know many will not read through all of this without rolling their eyes. Some will think I am full of delusion but that's OK. I still love you but even more importantly, Jesus loves you.

As the preacher said a few days ago, first there is the lie. At first the lie feels good but eventually, you want to get away from it. The person who believes the lie, will fall deeper and deeper into sin.

Finally, no matter what someone might say, no one wants to hear those three words at the judgment seat of God, "Depart from me." Hell is not a party place but I am positive many are praying there and seeking repentance but finding none. Once there, it is too late.

Just as the rich man lifted up his eyes in hell, many others will be there before you finish reading this. He wanted Abraham to send Lazarus back to warn his brothers to not come there. Abraham proclaimed that even though one would come back from the dead, they would not believe it. Jesus Christ proved it. He is the first and the last.

God Judges Sin

God judges those who refuse to repent.

Ezekiel 6:6. In all your dwellingplaces the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your images may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.

7. And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

God is the Creator, and the whole creation is responsive to God. By His rights as Creator He can do whatever He wills with all people and all things He has created. Good is not capricious (impulsive, irrational) in the use of His power, and He can do no evil, but He has the absolute right to rule as judge over His creatures, to reward righteousness and punish evil as He sees fit.

God, because He is God, has an absolute right to our ultimate devotion. God's hatred of idolatry (and all other sins) is in direct proportion to His love for us and His desire to have us be all we can be as His creatures. God hates idolatry because He alone is God, and only by having a relationship with Him can we, His human creatures, reach our full God-given potential.

When we say God is sovereign, we mean that by virtue of His being the only God, He rules over the whole creation with supreme power and authority to do whatever He wills to do. As the sovereign Lord of the whole creation, God is also the judge of all His creatures.

When people deny God is the creator, there is doubtlessly involved in this a deep seated desire to be free from the accountability to God. God is the creator, we are accountable to Him, and He has the right to tell us what is right and wrong and also to judge us for wrongdoing.

Why does the fact that God is the only God give Him the right to our devotion, and the right to judge us if we are not devoted to Him?

One hundred and thirty- five years passed between the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel to the Assyrians in 721 B.C. and the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., the first Jews were deported to Babylon. Over the next 20 years, more Jews were deported to Babylon. The final day of God's judgment on ancient Israel was long in coming-so long in coming that many believe it would never come.

King Solomon wisely observed, "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Because God is long suffering toward sinners, not desiring that any should perish in sin, it becomes easy for many to think a day of reckoning will never come. Slowly but surely it became evident to the Jews of the captivity that the day of reckoning had arrived for them, and God was repaying them for their centuries of idolatry.

According to Scripture there will be a final Day of Judgment at the end of the age. (Revelation 20:11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.) However, we need to be mindful that the days of judgment come continually to nations and individuals, whenever and wherever God puts an end to evil.

A Final Thought

We live in a time when many give no serious thought to the fact God will judge sin. Others think God is "too good" to judge sin.

Trust

Psa 40:4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust

Do you trust in the Lord? Trust is a big issue with people. Trust is not given overnight. It takes time to build trust in someone. Our friends and family will fail us many times in our lives, but God has never failed man, when we trust in Him.

Trust is mentioned several times in the Bible. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Our understanding is not even close to what god actually knows. We also know that His thoughts are so much higher than our thoughts.

When a situation seems impossible to reconcile, God is able to make things right. There is nothing to small nor too large for Him to handle. Let's purpose it in our hearts to trust in Him and stop allowing small things to get us down. Our problems are merely opportunities for God to show His power and might.

Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 2Sa_22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
2Sa_22:31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

Trust in Him now, while time is still here. Seek His face while He may be found. In all our iniquities and transgressions, His arms are stretched out still.

Get Onboard

You got your passport, bought the plane ticket, packed your bags and now you stand in the airport. You do not board the plane because of fear.

So many are afraid to get on board even after getting everything together to make it to their destination. The fear of the unknown holds them back.

I am here to let you know, God thoughts are always good toward you. (Jeremiah 11:29) You will never know what He has in store for you if you do not board the plane.

Go ahead, get on the plane. You ticket has been paid for, passport is free and it will be the flight of a lifetime.

Word of God

Heaven and earth will pass away but my Word will always stand. (paraphrased)

The Word of God is better than diamonds and precious stones. it is what gives us life and keep us alive. God has offered many benefits to those who come to Him with faith, through Jesus. Let us love His Word by studying daily and believing everything He says.

Eternal Life

“And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”
- Joh_10:28

What does eternal life mean to you? God is eternal meaning time has no effect upon Him at all. These fleshly bodies are temporal and will wither and die one day. This spiritual body is eternal and was always meant to be eternal. God created man in His image and likeness.

Just think about what Jesus has promised to those who believe in Him. our minds cannot comprehend eternity because we are fleshly and carnal in our thinking. When it is revealed unto us., then we can see eternity for what it truly is. Let's keep our hearts open to the Word and our minds clear of the clutter that is so easily picked up these days. If we do this, we shall never perish, though we may die, yet shall we live forever and ever.

What are God's Thoughts Toward you?

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Why are we so afraid of what God has in store for us? We seem to think God wants to destroy us at times when we mess up but that is far from fact. God has declared His thoughts toward us in that he wants to give us peace.

God also states there is an expected end for us. The Bible declares that Jesus will come back with a shout and the trump of the Archangel to call His children home to the place He went to prepare.

How about we stop being so fearful of what God is doing in our lives? Let's start living up to our full potential in Christ. Jesus' disciples were able to heal all manner of sickness and disease while casting out devils. What they could do, we should be able to do also. Purpose it in your heart to draw closer to God and allow Him to use you for His thoughts are always good toward you.

Who is Jesus?

Jesus has been discussed, spoken about, sung about, poems have been written about Him. He was beaten, hung on a cross and died there. He was buried and raised Himself from the dead on the third day. He ascended back to heaven on a cloud. We can tell people about Jesus until doomsday, but they will not receive Him until He is revealed to them. God always reveals.

Jesus asked Peter, "Who do people say that I am?" Peter said, "One of the prophets." Jesus then asked Peter, "Who do you think that I am?" Peter stated, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."Jesus replied to Peter, "Blessed are you Simon Son of Jonah for flesh and blood did not reveal this unto you but my father who is in heaven revealed this to you."

It takes a personal revelation to meet Jesus. Each person will have Jesus revealed to them at some point in their lives. Then a change will take place in them. Some will accept and believe while others reject and get more vile.

Fear No Evil

Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

We are told many times throughout Gods Word to fear not. We are told to not fear what can destroy the body but fear only that which can destroy both body and soul in hell. When we receive Christ as our Savior fear will leave us and peace will settle into our hearts. There are times that fear will try to come back to life in us and at these times we must rebuke fear and cast it back into darkness. The love of God towards all men is enough to cast out any and all f ear that we have.

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

What can Satan do to us that would make us so fearful at times? Can he "make" us go to hell where his dwelling place has been reserved? He cannot do anything without God's permission. If we look at Job we will see that God told him to consider Job. God knew that Job would not give in to the devil, but Satan thought he could make Job curse God and die. I know some ask why do we have to go through things like this. I have asked it myself a few times and the answer I get is this.

God already knows what we can or cannot handle. He knows if we are going to make it through or not. He knows what strength we have and he also knows our weaknesses. When Satan comes at us trying to cause us to fear we must stand strong on the Word of God. This is the only way we can gain confidence in God.

I remember a story someone once told me. This man had a son and was at church one night with his son down stairs in the basement. His son was only a little over a year old. They were just sitting watching a mouse going through the hallway. The man tried to put his son down on the floor and the child would have no part of it. He put his legs straight out to keep them off the floor. He tried this a couple of times. The child was fearful because of the mouse he had seen. The man then got up and took his sons hand and walked down the hallway with him. The child was no longer fearful because he had hold of his daddy's hand.

This is how we are with God. If we are alone we will be fearful. We will refuse to walk where we see something we are afraid of. But when we come to Christ fear will leave us, but only if we keep trusting in Him. Jesus will always hold our hand as we walk through the world and everything in this world that could cause us to fear. When we become weak in faith or lack confidence in God we become fearful.

Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

There are times that God will command us to do something that will cause us to fear. Noah was moved with fear to build the ark. He knew if he refused to heed the voice of God that he also would be destroyed with those that were wicked and evil. God will not destroy the righteous with the wicked unless the righteous refuse to come out from way of the wicked. There are many verses that mention fear.

Psa 147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Pro 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

Pro 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

We see in these verse God speaks about fear. God takes pleasure in those that fear (revere) Him and they that hope in the mercy of God. The fear that one must have toward God is reverence of His might and power. Because God is merciful we can then find grace in His mercy. There are other types of fear also. Fear also means to be scared. If we fear (be afraid) what Satan can do to us then we have no fear of God.

Pro 14:26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

By fearing the Lord we will have confidence and a place of refuge. We shall have a hiding place when it is needed for us. We need not fear evilness or wickedness anymore. Why are we so fearful of Satan? For what reason do we resist the Lord? Why not accept God's Word for what it is? It is time to stand up and be counted among God's children. It is time to stop being afraid of the devil. It is time to put Satan in his place.

There is no weapon formed against us that shall prosper. Jesus came and died for us so that we no longer are under Satan's power. We have freedom in Jesus Christ. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. (Liberty LIB'ERTY, n. [L. libertas, from liber, free.] 1. Freedom from restraint, in a general sense, and applicable to the body, or to the will or mind. The body is at liberty, when not confined; the will or mind is at liberty, when not checked or controlled. A man enjoys liberty, when no physical force operates to restrain his actions or volition.) Freedom from restraint. This is what liberty is. Who or what can constrain us if we are at liberty?

Satan has no power over us. The spirit of the world has no power over us. There is nothing that we cannot accomplish if we are in Jesus Christ. I can do all things through Christ. What is left to hold us back? The only thing that can hold me back is myself. I have said it many times, I am my worst enemy. Self is selfish and wants everything done its way. But when we crucify self we can then become one with God. We are then a new creature created in Jesus Christ. The time to repent is now. There is no better time than this very moment. I assure you, if you repent, you will not be disappointed.

Prayer

Father God I thank you for this Word that you have given me. I thank you for the whole Word and everything that it means to us. It is my sincere prayer that those that read this Word be moved to draw closer to you. Those that are lost Lord I pray that they will turn their whole lives over to you. I praise you for you are great and powerful. There are none that can stand against you Lord. in Jesus precious and mighty name, AMEN!!!

Sweet or Bitter?

Jas_3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

Jesus said out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water. Bitter water will not taste good and makes a person sick, sometimes it even kills. I see people speaking of how good God is many times and those same people, other times will curse others. They will talk about praying for someone one day and then drop the F-bomb all over the place the next.

This reminds me of what Jesus said to the pharisees. If you're not going in, at least get out of the door because you are preventing others from going in. To be born again means to be something you were not before. If you have not changed, then you are not saved. To be a new creature, one must change. This doesn't mean you will not make mistakes, I have made many over the years, but it means you will repent when you do mess up.

The time of salvation is now. For now has salvation come to you. When you feel that convicting spirit upon you, please take the time to ask Jesus to save you. ‪#‎Jesusthesavior‬

Why are so Many Unhappy?

Failure to read the Word of God makes it impossible to know the Word of God. It is possible to know the words of the Bible and still not know the meanings.

Understanding doesn't come in an instant. It is a process which takes time, not because God is lacking but because we lack the ability to absorb everything that God has given us. ( Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; ) Understanding comes as we are enlightened by the Word of truth. it takes time to understand. It is like a child in school. Most first grade students can't do high school algebra. Some will not get it even when they go to high school. Others will get it when the time is right (but then only if they desire to get it).

God requires us to walk in HIs ways and abandon selfcenteredness and sensual indulgences.

Psa 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

God is Always There

“I will never leave thee.” Heb_13:5

God never left anyone holding the bag. He never left anyone when the going got tough. In fact, He never left anyone at all. Those who are distant from God are the ones who left Him. We walk away from Him even as He calls out to us trying to get us to listen and heed His word.

This shows the faithfulness of God. Even as we are unfaithful and go after strange gods, God still reaches out to us. Let us decide to be faithful servants and take God at His Word. Let us walk in faith, doing those things that God has commended unto us to do. The reward is worth all that we go through.

The Dark Times

“For there stood by me this night the angel of God.”
- Act_27:23

Through the darkest time in Paul's life, the Angel of God stood by him. The scripture above was written as a storm raged for two weeks so strong and powerful that the sun was blocked for the duration of that storm. Paul was told to tell everyone to just stay on the ship and there would be no loss of life.

At the darkest times in our lives, we will cry out and ask God where He is. We accuse Him of abandoning us, much like the disciples did when the storm raged and they asked Jesus, "Don't you care?" Of course, God cares. He cares about everything in our lives.

No matter what is going on, no matter how dark it looks, the angel of God will stand by those who love Him and seek Him. If we listen closely, we can hear His voice and discern what we need to do, whether it be to stand still or move. Listen for the voice of God and heed His Word. You will be surprised at what he can do.

Signs of the Times

Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

The first time Jesus came, it was to show the love and mercy of a God full of giving grace. Though we cannot know the hour that He will come next, we do know the signs because we are no longer in darkness.

When he comes back again, it is to call His children out of the Earth and the wrath of God will begin pouring out. God's wrath has never been poured out without a warning first and time to repent.

For 120 years, Noah built the ark and preached the salvation message. No one listened to him. We do the same today but many will not listen, calling us fools and psychotic. "Those Christians are delusional," is what many say.

Their unbelief does not negate the truth. God is true and will always be true even if no one is save or believes. There is only one winning side. Jesus defeated the devil at Calvary. The cross is the symbol of the great sacrifice made on the behalf of all men.

It is written, "I set before you life and death. Therefore choose life, that you may live." Don't you think it is time to come back home to the one who loves you more than anyone else can? Even when we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

War Between Flesh and Spirit

Introduction

In our walks with Christ we are constantly at war. The flesh is against the spirit and the spirit is against the flesh. We fluctuate from spirit to flesh and vice versa. In order to gain a spot in the Kingdom of God we must be holy and acceptable to the Lord. Sin cannot enter into God's kingdom. Blameless, spotless and perfect in every way is what is required of us. Until we get our flesh under subjection, we cannot be perfect in the Lord. To walk by faith and not by sight means to walk in the Spirit.

Adam

Adam was the first man created by the hand of God. Everything else, God spoke into existence, but Adam was formed by God's own hand. God molded and shaped him completely from head to toe. I can imagine God working like an artist sculpting out a statue. Massaging and rubbing getting everything perfect. His head and face created in the image of God. His body in the likeness of God. We must understand that God is spirit. He has no fleshly form as we do. Man likewise at the time had no fleshly form as we have.

Adam also warred against the flesh after he sinned in the sight of God. His sin caused flesh as we know it to come upon him and opened his eyes so that he no longer saw in the spiritual realm, but in the flesh. Knowledge of good and evil came upon him and cause him to be ashamed. He tried to hide from God because of his nakedness. This is the beginning of the war between flesh and spirit.

Cain

Cain murdered his own brother because of jealousy. His sacrifice was not acceptable to God. Some say it is because it was not a blood sacrifice. I can understand what they mean, but I am not sure that is the reason. The Bible states that without the shedding of blood there is no remission. God said to Cain, "Sin lies at the door." Sin was there and Cain had every opportunity to deal with his sin. He chose not to deal with it but to give in to it.

Samson

Samson was a strong man. The spirit of the Lord would come upon him and shake him causing him to have enormous strength like no other man ever had. He did many mighty works against the enemies of God. God had ordained him from birth to be a prophet. With the spirit of the Lord working so strongly in him, Samson still warred against the flesh. Many times the flesh won and eventually became his downfall.

King Saul

Samuel anointed Saul to be the first king over Israel. He followed God's instructions in doing so and Saul was a good king up to a point when he tried to do something that was not his calling to do. Saul failed in walking in the spirit at that time. The flesh has won again.

King David

David was a man after God's own heart. The Bible states that David was the apple in God's eyes. He was a mighty man of war against the enemies of God and worshipped God in spirit and in truth. Even with all that David did for the Lord, he still warred against the flesh and the flesh did win. he saw a married woman bathing from his rooftop one day and gave in to the desires of the flesh.

Simon Peter

Peter was a fisherman whom the Lord called to follow Him. There is no doubt that Peter loved Jesus but many time Peter failed to walk in the spirit. He walked on the water to meet Jesus but became afraid and when the flesh took over, he began to sink. When Jesus was arrested, Peter ran away but followed from a distance. He ended up denying knowing Jesus three times and each time the flesh was prevalent.

Grace of God

Even in our failures, God's grace is sufficient. His mercy endures forever and never ends. God claims in His Word that He will have mercy upon whom He will. In order to stop fulfilling the lusts of the flesh we must get closer to God. The only way to get close to someone is to get to know them personally. This is the essence of a relationship between two people. If there is no communication, there is no relationship. God always speaks in a still small voice and that voice is like a whisper. A whisper cannot be heard by a person who is distant from the whisperer. We must be close to God to hear His voice.

Once we get close enough to God to hear His voice, we must then be obedient to Him. (1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obeyis better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. .) Jesus said, "My sheep know my voice and a stranger they will not follow. " How many times have we followed the wrong voice? When Peter walked on the water then began to sink it was because he became fearful. He doubted that he was able to walk on water. This is what caused him to sink. His faith failed him and he started walking by sight. What he saw was not pretty but scary indeed to the flesh.

Until we bring our flesh under subjection to the spirit, we will continue to fluctuate between spirit and flesh. it is like being double minded. The book of James states that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. What it means is that a man can't make a decision. Why do you hesitate between two decisions?

Make a decision right now whom you will serve and serve him with all your heart, mind, body and soul. (Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom 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. ) We must renew our way of thinking. We must be conformed to what God wants us to be. This is how we can put on holiness without which we cannot see God.

How to Live a Life Devoted to God

Introduction

Are you devoted to God according to His Word?

God has always been concerned with the affairs and state of those who follow Him. This concern for direct focus upon Him is revealed in the first commandment. (Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.) The same focus was affirmed by the Lord Jesus Christ. (Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ) If you want to know where your focus is, examine how you spend money. What you spend money on is where your focus really is. If you spend money to buy things that are not needed but only desired, maybe your focus is on the wrong things.

Can Riches Bring Happiness?

Many people have gained riches beyond anything they will ever need. They always seem to want more and more. They like the power that money brings and they like the respect they get from others who look up to them. Even with these riches, they are not happy. I am reminded of Uncle Scrooge. he had riches and kept them locked up in a giant vault. Even with his riches he wasn't really happy. he worried all the time that someone might come and get some of his money. This caused him to check his vault constantly making sure it was all still there.

Now I ask you, where is your focus? Do you buy things just to have something to play with? Do you hoard up your money to try to gain power and respect from others who have less? You do not have to answer these questions in comments. Just answer yourself with an honest heart.

Psa 119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

The word blessed in this verse and other verses throughout the Bible means happy. The word walk suggests moving toward something. Undefiled means clean in every possible way. It means unpolluted in any way. I wrote above that money is sought after by many in the world today. They seek happiness by gaining money which in turn brings power and respect. The power and respect gained by being rich are both false. The respect is not for the one who is rich, but for the money the rich has. The power will only last temporarily because money will eventually fade away. (1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil:)

Does Fulfilling Desires of the flesh Bring Happiness?

Others think fulfilling pleasures of the flesh will make them happy. They do anything they want to do in the hope of fulfilling their carnal desires. The things we think will make us happy often have the opposite affect upon us. Only a life devoted to God completely will bring happiness to us. We must give Him all that we are able to give and hide His Word in our hearts. Living a life of integrity and abstaining from potential defilements which could bring us pain and anguish.

God requires us to walk in HIs ways and abandon selfcenteredness and sensual indulgences.

Psa 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

To keep His testimonies means we walk in His Word completely. These testimonies are often considered restricting and negative. The Psalmist says they bring blessings (happiness). Can happiness be restricting or negative? In order to keep His testimonies, we must study, understand, and hide the Word of God in our hearts. (Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. )

Why are so Many Unhappy?

Failure to read the Word of God makes it impossible to know the Word of God. It is possible to know the words of the Bible and still not know the meanings.

Understanding doesn't come in an instant. It is a process which takes time, not because God is lacking but because we lack the ability to absorb everything that God has given us. ( Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; ) Understanding comes as we are enlightened by the Word of truth. it takes time to understand. It is like a child in school. Most first grade students can't do high school algebra. Some will not get it even when they go to high school. Others will get it when the time is right (but then only if they desire to get it).

Happiness

 We must love His testimonies. If we do not love the Word of God, we will never understand it. When we understand that the Word of God comes from a God who loves us and wants to give us His best, we can then be happy and we will love His ways. It is impossible to love God and reject His Word. We read about many who say they love God, but yet they refuse to accept His Word. Let's not be like those who have no understanding. Let's be more like Lazarus who died and was comforted instead of being like the rich man who died and was in torment. Let us not be like the prodigal was before he realized where he was and who he was. It wasn't until he came to himself and realized his position in life, that he was able to come home to his father.

Finally, keeping His testimonies means to obey Him. His Word does more than just teach the mind. His Word also gives guidance and direction in life bringing us to a place where we can find peace and happiness. It isn't enough to only know His Word, but it is essential to also do His Word.