Have you ever heard the saying, “The devil made me do it….”?  It’s often an excuse people use when they do what they know they shouldn’t.  But in reality, it’s a pretty lame excuse, for the devil cannot make you do anything unless you let him persuade you.  It is written in James 4:7, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Continue Reading »

   There are accounts in the Bible where people often missed out on the blessings of the LORD, simply because they failed to believe.  Remember how the Israelites were told to go and take the Promised Land, but they didn’t, because they feared the people of the land?  In fact, ten of the twelve spies sent to spy out the Promised Land came back and said there were giants in the land, and they were as grasshoppers in the sight of the giants.  Only two, Joshua and Caleb said, Let us go up immediately and take the land.  Later in life, Joshua and Caleb were the only two of that generation who had actually held their faith and took their promised land. Continue Reading »

   There is an old hymn called JUST AS I AM, which starts out “Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me.”  Have you ever given any thought to what that means?  That song implores God to accept one just the way they are, sins and all.  Would God really do that?  If so, why, and if not, why not?  Let’s have a look. Continue Reading »

   I like that saying, “IN GOD WE TRUST”.  It’s printed on our money here in the United States, but are we REALLY trusting in God, or are we trusting in the wisdom of men?  By what I read in the news, I cannot find much if any evidence of trust in God in any of our governmental affairs.  They say, “As the people are, so is the government”?  Really?  Then we’re in a lot of trouble, folks, for our leaders are continually voting God out of our daily lives, and when God’s gone, so are His blessings.  Because those in our Nation who hate God are doing all they can to get our leaders to remove every Godly influence from our society, those of us who love God will be adversely affected.  Or will we? Continue Reading »

    Healing was a powerful tool the Lord Jesus used as He ministered to the masses.  Now, the primary reason He came to earth was to redeem mankind from their sins, but He had to get their attention first before they would listen to the Gospel message, right?  As multitudes came to hear His words, people were healed of whatever was afflicting them.  Healing wasn’t the sole reason He came to the earth, but rather, it was a by-product of His work here. Continue Reading »

   Everywhere I go, I hear people who say they want more of God’s power working in their lives.  They read books, go to seminars and conferences, attend church regularly, but yet they just don’t seem to grow in power in their everyday lives.  Year after year is the same old story, stuck in a rut and unable to break out of it.  Though they are seeking God, the devil just keeps defeating them on a regular basis.  That shows me study and prayer is not enough.  That “something missing” will continue to cost them defeat until they deal with it.  Do you know someone like that?  Could that someone be YOU? Continue Reading »

   There’s an old saying “What goes around, comes around”.  And while that is not a quote directly from the Holy Bible, it is true nonetheless. 
   I know people who say they believe the Bible, but you’d never know it by the way they talk.  One day they are talking about how they are “healed by the stripes of Jesus”, then calling everyone they know and telling them how sick they are, how it must not be God’s will for them to get well, and how things never seem to work out for them.  To me, that’s like living in a house that is cold, and complaining how cold it is in there, then turning on the air conditioner.  Their words say they don’t like how cold it is, but their works defy their words by taking action that makes the house colder yet.  Another example is sitting in your car saying you want to go somewhere, but you are sitting there with the transmission in park, with your foot on the brake.  Words are powerful, but they must be coupled with corresponding action.  Sort of like telling people you don’t have a job, but you won’t get out of your chair and go look for one.
   It’s fine to say “In Jesus’ name I believe I receive a good job, one that I can excel in, where I will be a fine employee and a blessing to my employer, where I will work hard, obtaining favor and promotion.”  But if you sit home all day watching television and won’t go look for that job, how do you expect God to bless you with a job and promotion?  That is real life, and that is also the Bible. It is written in Galatians 6:7-9, Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
   Did you see that?  God is not mocked.  In other words, what He has set up and ordained to work, will work.  Now what most people don’t realize is that God’s word can work FOR you, or AGAINST you.  We all want God’s word to work for us.  But it’s like a two-edged sword, in that it cuts either way you swing it.  That is exactly what applies in Deuteronomy chapter 28.  It starts in verse 1and 2 saying: And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
   People deceive themselves thinking they can hold God to His promised blessings when they are living contrary to the conditions set forth in order for them to receive those blessings.  God warns us, Be not deceived.  That means we have a choice whether to be deceived or not to be.  God won’t deceive us, but the devil certainly will, and sometimes we even manage to deceive ourselves, and we can’t blame the devil when we deceive ourselves.  I know of certain people who go to church, having heard the blessings that are available to them from God, who are perhaps living together out of wedlock in fornication, or bearing unforgiveness against others, or are in some other way living in direct and flagrant disobedience to God.  And they have the nerve to blame God, thinking He lied, in that they are not living in the blessings.  Well, they are simply living out their choice, of which God will not deprive them.
   When we choose to disregard the “IF”, which is the condition of the promise, we only hurt ourselves.  No amount of confessing the Word of God will change a situation where one persists in disobedience to God.  Now, God is quick to forgive when we repent, but repent means to change one’s mind and go the right way.

   When we read the first fourteen verses of Deuteronomy chapter 28, we get all excited about the wonderful promises of God.  And He would have it so, for He wants His children to be blessed above all the others on Earth.  He sets forth the promises for all to see, that He might draw us to His heart, that we might live happy and fulfilled lives.  But, like it says, God is not mocked.  He will not bless those who defy His Lordship over their lives.  Oh, He WANTS them to be blessed, but His Word has gone forth, and according to Isaiah 55:11, His word will not return unto Him void, but will accomplish that to which He sent it.  There are conditions to be met by His children in order to live in those blessings.  Now, I don’t seek God in order to be blessed.  I seek God because I genuinely want to know the One who loves me so much, He laid down His life for me, so that I might live, and not just live, but to have life more abundantly, to the full.
   Going back to the old saying “what goes around, comes around”.  If we seek God with all our heart, we will surely find Him.  And when we find Him, we have also found all He has with Him.  And God is not stingy, in that He freely gives unto His Children eternal life, and all things that pertain unto life more abundantly.  By virtue of our relationship with Him, we are forgiven of all our sins, we are healed of all our diseases, and all that we have need of is freely given us.  However, if we find we are in lack of any of these things, we must look more closely at His promises, and especially the conditions of His promises, preceded by “IF”.  Upon finding we are ignoring the “IF”, or are not diligently hearkening to obey His Word, there is a remedy called “REPENT AND DO THE WORKS OF GOD”.
   Do not be deceived, if you are sitting in a dark room and wish for it to be light, it will not be so unless you get up and switch on the light.  You can speak to the light switch until you are blue in the face, but it will not respond to words, it only responds to action.  God’s Word requires action, and those who would live in the blessings of God must couple their words with corresponding action.  God said, BE YE HOLY, AS I AM HOLY.  BEING Holy and TALKING Holy are two different actions.  God wants us to do both.  So there you have it.  What goes around, comes around.  If you live a holy life before God, speaking His Word continually over your life, blessings will sneak up on you and overtake you, and your life will be blessed above measure.  Will the devil try to rob from you?  Sure, he’s a thief, and that’s what he does.  But the blessings of God will be so hugely abundant in your life that what the devil manages to steal from you will be like a single crumb that falls to the floor off a cake the size of a football field.  That’s not to say to let the devil get away with even that one crumb, for you don’t have to.  But remember, GOD IS NOT MOCKED.  He won’t let YOU get away with mocking Him, any more than He will let the devil get away with mocking Him.  God WILL have His way, so you might as well make sure you’re on the winning side, right?

   There’s hardly a day that goes by that we don’t ask God for something.  On what are we basing our faith upon that He will honor our request?  Is it the assurance of our pastor or a parent, relative, or friend?  Or is it based upon what you have read in the Holy Bible about the faithfulness of God to perform His Word?  You know, no matter how much you value the opinion of your friends or family, it doesn’t guarantee they are always right.  But there is one who IS always right, one you can count on no matter what.  No, I’m not talking about your mother-in-law. Continue Reading »

   Sometimes I wonder, how long will it be before people believe the Holy Bible?  How many miracles must God do in our midst before we take Him at His Word?  Well, if you’re like most people, if you don’t say it you’re at least thinking, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”  And I can’t really criticize, because I’ve done it in the past, but not in the past eighteen years.  Why? because I’ve seen it with my own eyes, just like the early disciples did. Continue Reading »

   Most of you reading this know at least something about computers.  Just like a vehicle, they require maintenance on a regular basis if they are to work at their peak capabilities.  There are security updates available on a daily basis to keep viruses and malware from taking over and destroying your files, as well as updating of software to make your computer work better.  Of course, you can accept or reject those updates according to your will.  If you choose to reject the updates, you risk the latest malware attack, and you’re stuck in the same-old, same-old performance wise that you’ve always had.  If you choose the updates, you are better protected against risk, plus your computer performance will be enhanced.  I told you all that to ask you, do you regularly update your spirit? Continue Reading »