2 Corinthians 3: 15-17

“15. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

16. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

17. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ”

The purpose of a veil (or vail -alternate spelling), is to conceal or cover.

Liberty is the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views.

After Moses’ time with God on the mountain where he was given the law, the Glory of the Lord still shone in his face. That glory was so great that it made the children of Israel nervous. Moses used a veil to cover his face when he would read the law to them.

As time progressed, Moses moved off the scene, and Joshua, then other men of God took his place. However, that same spirit persisted. So much so that whenever the people would hear the Old Testament read, that same veil would still be in their hearts.

People have a hard time letting go of tradition. To many, it matters not if the tradition is based on biblical truth. It is more a case of “we have done it this way for so long, we should not change.” However, when Christ came to fulfill the law, and usher us into a new dispensation. However, many would rather stay bound to that old law.

People are the same today. They either want to do away with the scriptures altogether, and make something new – turning the truth of God’s word into a lie. Or they want to go back to the past and live according to old traditions. Whatever the case, God came to set us free and show us a better way through a new dispensation.

God is a heart changer.

Light overcomes darkness, every time. The veil over the heart is like a person who refuses to accept the light. They would rather fight it than change. The only power strong enough to win this battle is God. When that heart is exposed to the light, a change happens. Jesus is that light. He has the ability to change the heart – to remove the veil.

Jesus is liberty. You can be free in Christ. It is God’s will that we walk in liberty. We are to live a life that is not bound by the tradition of men, but rather a life that is governed by the word of God. This may sound restrictive, but it is, in fact, the opposite. God’s yoke is easy and his burden is light. You will find rest for your soul. (See Matthew 11:29-30 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ”

The only requirement, we have to be willing to take the yoke, and learn about God. Really take the time to search the scriptures to find out who he is and what his will is for his people. As they say, knowledge is power. We have to know what the promises of God are before we can stand on them, and expect to receive. Knowing the word of God brings freedom. The light of the word illuminates the areas of bondage in our lives, and is also the power that can break them. Sometimes we do not even recognize that we are bound by a thing until the word reveals it.

The Breaking of bondage frees us. It is then our job to maintain our freedom. We do not have the luxury of entertaining “walks down memory lane” with the intention of reliving the things God has delivered us from. This is dangerous, sort of like playing with fire. When you play with fire you usually get burned. We cannot afford to fall back into bad habits. No looking back. We cannot walk forward and look back at the same time. Trying to do so will just cause you to fall

Be brave, be strong, remove the veil from your heart. No more concealment. Do not hide from what God is trying to accomplish in you life. Rather, embrace it and walk in the light.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

“8.We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9. Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;”

It is so good to know we serve a God who is always on our side. We are designed to go through trials and troubles. But the amazing part of our design is that the trials and troubles do not invade us.

What does that mean? Consider the 3 Hebrew boys in the book of Daniel – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – When they were cast into the fiery furnace. They were so insulated by God that not only were they not burned, the smell of smoke did not get on their clothes. See Daniel chapter 3.

We have this same insulation. Yes, we will go through trouble, but we have no distress about them. Yes, we are perplexed, but we are not in despair over the things that perplex us. We are even persecuted and my feel like we are knocked down by life, but just as God was in the fire with the 3 Hebrew boys, he is also with us. He has not left or forgotten about us. He makes sure that we are not destroyed by these things.

God promised not to put more on us than we are able to bear. There is a certain comfort in knowing that no matter what I face, God is in the fire with me to keep me insulated. No matter what I face I am designed to be victorious.

It is certain that you will go through trouble. Think about Job and how God recommended him to be tested. But understand that God is in control. There are parameters that the enemy cannot breach. If you are in it, you can bear it, you can (and will) make it. You are designed that way.

Move forward and conquer. Keep going. Don’t give up. You are victorious. Trust the God that has called you, will also keep you and bring your victoriously to the finish line.

Psalms 37:23-24

“23. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord:

and he delighteth in his way.

24. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. ”

What to do when you don’t know what to do. This is a question most people have asked at one point or another in their life. The best course of action is to not make a move, but to seek the Lord.

Seeking God humbles us and opens our hearts to hear from Him. Or at the very least, allow his spirit to guide us.

There are times when God speaks to us and we do not understand what he is saying. Generally speaking, God shows us parts of a picture or plan, but not the whole picture. It is our job to continue to seek him until an understanding comes.

Many times we have an unction from God to make a move. We do not understand why, but once the move has been made, we feel a sense of righteousness.

Obedience is essential in our walk with God.

It is the essence of being a believer. We must truly be a follower of Christ. We must move in the direction he leads. Even when we don’t understand why.

God desires to order our footsteps. We must allow him that do so.

Our job is to allow him to lead without fighting against him, or trying to interject our will over His. When you allow God to direct you, the path you take is right for you. Do not compare it to other people. It is unique to you, and God ordered for you.

You may make mistakes and fall on the path. But don’t worry, God has your back. He will uphold you with his hand. Just stay on the path he has designed with you in mind.

Job 23:10, “But he knoweth the way that I take:

when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. ”

The wonderful thing about God is that he has a reason and purpose for everything. The things you go through or face are just a part of the journey. Don’t let anything move you off the path God has chosen for you.

Stone on the path and be blessed.

Isaiah 61:3

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness,the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. ”

God’s exchange policy is beyond compare. It is his will that you relinquish everything that keeps you bound, and exchange them for the things that will improve your life and set you free.

It is not God’s will for you to be sad, depressed, lonely or in despair. It is God’s will that your life be filled with beauty, joy, and an constant attitude of gratitude. Once you make this exchange you will have a life of light that draws people to you. Provides you the perfect opportunity to share Jesus with them.

The best benefit is that the garment of praise is a powerful tool that should be worn daily and used always. Praise grabs God’s attention and keeps him in the forefront of your mind, as well as in the center of your every circumstance.

Praise also confuses the enemy. While he is busy trying to war against you, your focus remains on giving praise glory, honor and thanks to God. Praise diminishes what the enemy is trying to do in your life, and amplifies God and his purpose for your life.

This is the best exchange policy around. You give up the things you don’t really want, and gain the very things you need. After this exchange, you are able to live a victorious life that glorifies God, and brings you a peace that you have never enjoyed before.

How can you make this exchange? Good question, with a simple answer. Peter provided the instructions in Acts 2:38-39 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

God is so awesome. The love that he has for us is beyond compare. Take advantage of the perfect exchange and walk in the light of his love.

James 1:19-20

“19. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. ”

By definition, to hear is to perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something).

Is there a difference between hearing and listening?

By definition, to listen is to give one’s attention to a sound.

The definitions may be similar but the implication is different.

To hear what a person is saying indicates that your recognize when someone is speaking. To hear requires the hearer to give attention to what is being said.

We live in a time where our listening skills are imperative. There are so many voices out there and they are saying a lot of stuff. Some is right and some is wrong. We as believers must we able to recognize what is Godly (of God), and what is not.

We must be able to recognize when God is speaking, and who he is speaking through. But also just as important, we must be able to recognize what is not of God.

We must develop our hearing and listening skills to discern what is of God, and what is not. We must listen to what is being said at all times (swift or fast to hear). However, we should not be too hasty with our response (slow to speak). We must take time to weigh the words that were spoken. If they be of God, we should accept them. For the word of God is always right and true, and fit to use to govern our lives.

If the words spoken are not of God, they must be rejected. It should be done in decently and in order. We do not act in a way that is contrary to the will of God (slow to wrath). Everything we do or say has a foundation in love. Especially rebuke. Godly rebuke is to correct, so the person can get back on the right path. It should never be done so that a person is so deeply wounded that they turn away from God. He that win souls is wise (Proverbs 11:30).

Extreme anger (wrath) on our part does not bring Glory to God. We should avoid it at all cost. We do not want to go there, nor do we want to drive people to that point either. Our goal is to always bring Glory to God.

We must hear and listen. Then breathe, take any action that is necessary only when the spirit of God leads. Do not feel pressured into action, it is okay to slow down to consider, to weight, and to discern. Slow is an acceptable speed. Sometimes, moving to quickly is an enemy of growth.

1 John 4:7-8

“7. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. ”

With all the hate that is freely flowing in the world today, I just want to share some love with you all.

We may not always agree or see things the same way. But we should always be able to disagree without malicious intent.

Showing love is so easy. We just need to have a made up mind to do it. To that end, here is some love for you. Please feel free to take this love and spread it to some one else.

Do not despair if the love is not returned to you. Shake the dust off your feet (so to speak) and be willing to continue to show love. Do not let hate, dampen or diminish the light of love in you. For if our light be hid, it is hid to them that are lost (2 Corinthians 4:3). This we cannot allow, for they are the ones who need us the most.

Be encouraged and let love continue.

James 1:22-25

“22. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24. For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. ”

It is easy for a person teach the word of God. It is another thing to live or walk in the word you teach. But to be effective for the cause of Christ, we must live the word we teach. This causes our witness to be effective. People not only hear the words you speak, but they also see your life. The life that they see should be the word in action (2 Corinthians 3:2). Most often, the life we live speaks louder than the words we say.

We must be careful not to fall into the trap of “do as I say, not as I do” syndrome.

Romans 8:19, tells us that the world is waiting in expectation for the children of God to take their place and be effective. We need to work under an anointing that breaks and destroys the yoke of bondage the people are toiling under. Our purpose is to point, rather, usher the people to God. For his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matthew 11:30).

For this reason we must be a doer of the word, and not just a hearer (or not just a teacher). We cannot afford to deceive ourselves. Faith, without works is dead. We are going to be tried, we are going to face temptation, and we are going to go through troubling situations. But we must come out victorious (for God always causes us to triumph, 2 Corinthians 2:14). This requires a level a maturity in Christ. It requires us to study the word, find the right ammunition (scripture) with which to fight the enemy. Then boldly and skillfully use the sword of the spirit (the word of God), against the enemy, in faith.

It is time for the people of God to go forth and conquer.

I don’t know what you are facing, but if you are in a battle, it is only because God knows you can come through it victoriously.

Do not fall back into your old behaviors. Its time for you to do things differently. Its time to do things God’s way. You can make the change, just trust God, and not your own strength or power. Keep you mind and eyes focused on him, and stay the course. Victory is in front of you, not behind.

Go Forth and Conquer!!

John 8:32

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ”

If you take the time to read the teachings of Jesus, you will see that people were often offended as he spoke the truth. Yet, the truth was exactly what the people needed.

We live in a time where people don’t want to hear the truth. They do not want to come to church and be offended. They want validation that they are “okay” as they are. They can live life as they choose to, as long as they acknowledge God n a cursory manner.

They do not want a deeper relationship and will shun the very thought of it.

But we must know the truth, because that is the only thing that can free us. What is truth? Truth is the word of God (John 17:17). We must “know” the word to be able to walk in truth.

By definition, “know” is:

1. be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information.

2. have developed a relationship with (someone) through meeting and spending time with them; be familiar or friendly with

To know the truth is imperative. It requires more than knowledge alone. It also involves relationship. It involves getting to know Jesus, by spending time with him (prayer, Bible study, praise and worship). But the real mark of a good relationship is the ability to walk day in and day out with them, to understand how the other thinks. We must have this same type of relationship with God. Knowing him (truth) will indeed make us free.

In regards to being offended by the word, we must understand it is necessary for growth. When light comes, darkness flees. With darkness out of the way, we are free to see exactly where and what we are. This can be a painful view. However, it is also the perfect place to repent, tear down, and rebuild what is pleasing to God.

This is true freedom. Knowing we do not have to stay the same old way. We have a choice. We can receive the truth and be changed.

We just have to be willing to know the truth.

Make a sincere prayerful declaration – “Lord, teach me the truth in Jesus name.” Watch God work on you.

Be blessed.

James 1:6-8

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. ”

If you are like me, you need God to make a way for you in every aspect of your life.

God’s way is easy. He said “ask, and he shall receive, seek and he shall finds, knock, and the door shall be opened (Matthew 7:7-8). But he also warned us, not to ask amiss (James 4:3).

By definition, amiss is: not quite right; inappropriate or out of place.

We must check our motives behind our requests to God. You must understand that God already knows the thoughts and intents of your heart (Hebrews 4:12). He understands what motivated you to make your request. If your motives are not quite right, inappropriate or out of place, don’t think that you are going to receive the the things you asked for.

When your motives are pure or appropriate, you are on the right path to receive. However, the next step is to check you faith. Faith in God is a requirement to receive anything from God. Faith is a requirement to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Whatever we do that is not faith, it is sin (Romans 14:23). This especially includes asking God for help – it requires faith.

In the James 1:6-8, this foundational truth is further explained. When we seek God for help, we must ask without any wavering.

By definition, wavering is to be undecided between two opinions or courses of action; be irresolute.

To he in this state, as a believer, is unsafe. You must be settled in the area for which you are trying to receive from God. No doubt is allowed or accepted.

We are not superhuman. Generally, when we seek God for something specific it is because we are weak in that area and need God to strengthen us just to be able to receive from him. But this is according to God’s design. Whatever area we are seeking God, we will also be tried in that area.

For example, if you need God to heal you and you ask him for healing, immediately the enemy comes to test and try you in this area. The news gets worse from the doctor, the pain increases. It begins to look like things are getting worse rather than better. However, we must press threw this crowd of contrariness, settle in your heart that God IS able, that God IS a healer, and keep pressing (just like the woman with an issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48). No matter the obstacles, keep pressing.

Through this process, we miraculously move from attitudes of “I hope” God will heal me, to “I think” God will heal me, to” I believe” God will heal me, to “I know” God will heal me, to “God is my only hope – he has to heal me because, he said it in his word, I am standing in faith, pressing my way through this crowd and if I can just touch him I know I will be made whole.” This progression should move us completely out of the realm of wavering, and doubt, into a state of walking by faith and not by sight.

This is a progression from immature faith to mature faith.

It is also an example of patience having her perfect work (James 1:4).

As we begin seek God for other things in different areas of our lives, we may start this progression all over again. But be encouraged, keep seeking God for everything. Seeking leads to receiving, and receiving leads to spiritual maturity. Ultimately, that is the goal for every Christian believer.

Be blessed and live abundantly in Christ.

James 1:12-13

” 12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

13. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:”

As a follow up to the last post “Strange, But True” it is important to understand God does not deal in sin. Yes, as long as their is breath in our bodies, we will always face temptation. But we must understand God does not bring temptation to you.

God allows the enemy to work while it is still his time, but there are limits to what he is allowed to do to God’s people (see Job Chapter 1).

God knows you will be tempted. But he does not temp you. His expectation is that you will endure the temptation without falling to it.

God knows what he has invested in you. The trying of our faith is so that we can better understand what God has invested in us. As we emerge victorious from these trials we learn a little more about God, and a little more about who we are in him. Patience will have its perfect work.

The temptation itself shows us something about ourselves. We learn how vulnerable we are to certain things. Enduring the temptation teaches us that even though I may be vulnerable, I still do not have to be a partaken of that sin anymore. Why? Because the power of God is strong enough to keep me from falling. This is the Blessed knowledge referred to in verse 12 above. God is so faithful that he provides a way of escape – every time, without fail.

God bless you all.