The Week in Review

What could "overturn" such a big house? While this is a exhibit in Wisconsin Dell, it is a good example of what can happen in our lives. God can overturn any forces that come against us.  it doesn't matter how powerful they seem, God is stronger than even our strongest enemy (the devil).  We have victory in Jesus, today.

II Chronicles 20

Taught at Langley Avenue Church of God

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Now we finish the end of this lesson as we review the last verses of this chapter.

Verse 25 through 27 – "So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, where they praised the LORD. This is why it is called the Valley of Beracah to this day. Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies."

When the battle was over, God gave them the plunder from the battle. There was so much that it took 3 days to gather it. What this tells us is that when we come through the battle, God will give us the increase. He will increase us so much, that we won’t be able to gather it all in on one single day. The increase will come over time. He will increase us from the provision of his riches. He will increase us in power and he will increase us in standing. He increased Jehoshaphat in such a way that the fear of God fell on other nations. God will increase us so that we can put the enemy on notice that God is alive and reigning in our life.

We will face some unusual battles in our lives. We will face those battles were the enemy will come at us even through those that we think should be walking with us, and those situations may shake our faith. But when we put our faith in God, God will never let us down. God wants us to praise him; because that is our greatest weapon we have for the battles were we are being overtaken by great forces. We must acknowledge that we don’t have the power in ourselves, but in God alone.

We must take our position in the battle and be still, stop trying to fix it ourselves, or do things in our own understanding, but wait on God and praise him in the process. As we do that, God says he will show up and save us from the enemy. And when we trust the instructions of God, no matter how strange the instruction, we can win the battle without being wounded or tired from the assault. And then the wonder of it all is when we get to the end he will increase us. He will take what the enemy was using to destroy us, to bring us increase. So I remind you, the battle is not yours but it is the Lords. He will show up and save you, so stand still and know. Where is your faith? Are you trusting in those around you or are you aligning yourself up with God and God alone? So tonight, God says we must put all of our trust in him. When we do, we will be victorious in the unusual assignments.

The Week in Review

The Nature of Salvation

Written January 2006 by Jewel D. Williams

Jesus gathered disciples, who later came to be called apostles, to show them how to have a true relationship with his Father. The lives of two of Jesus’ apostles, Peter and Thomas, will be examined to see how they handled their relationship with Jesus. This relationship with Jesus brought newness to their life in belief and fellowship with God. They both had their own struggles, but they also had successes. These two apostles’ lives will be looked at to see what they can tell believers today about the struggles and successes of being new in Christ.


Thomas, also called Didymus the Greek word for twin, was given power against unclean spirits, to cast them out and heal all manner of sickness by Jesus (Matthew 10:1). Thomas, like the other disciples, was equipped for the service of Jesus. Thomas was willing to walk with the Lord and even die for Christ as we see in this scripture, “Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his follow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16).


Thomas, however, did not always understand the things Jesus spoke of when referring to his death and resurrection. This is evident when Jesus spoke of his death and his leaving to prepare a place for his followers. Thomas did not understand the spiritual implication of what Jesus spoke of as stated, “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5). Jesus did not rebuke Thomas but gave him the answer to his question. Jesus responded by telling Thomas he was the way, the truth and the life and that it was only through him that one could get to the father (John 14:6).


Thomas was best known for doubting Jesus’ resurrection. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary states, “For that inability to believe, he forever earned the name ‘doubting Thomas.’” (1247). When the other disciples came to Thomas to tell him of Jesus’ resurrection, he wanted proof. Thomas voices his doubt in this verse, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Jesus came to them and this time Thomas had his proof that Jesus was in fact raised from the dead.


Jesus offered to Thomas the proof he needed when he spoke these words to him, “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27). Thomas was able to believe because his own eyes had in fact seen the risen Jesus. This scripture speaks of what Thomas himself could very well have said, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;” (1 John 1:1). Many look at Thomas’ doubt and condemn him for it, yet Jesus does not. He heard Jesus speak of what was to come, but Thomas did not understand it, so therefore he doubts. It was not until Thomas has the Word before him that he understands and believes. For believers, when faced with difficult situations, doubt can also lead to unbelief or lack of faith. Yet, Jesus in his love for his people, will allow the living word to bring clarity to any situation, to remove all doubt. Even though Thomas walked with Jesus and saw the miracles, he was not able to fully grasp the true message and purpose of Jesus.


This was a new way of thinking for Thomas. Jesus’ resurrection may have been hard to accept because it went against what the physical eyes could see. The apostles walked with Jesus but now they would have to go on without his physical presence. To walk with Jesus without “seeing him”, is still challenging for believers today. Jesus knew this would be a challenge so he called for someone else to walk with the believers, the Holy Spirit, until he returned.


The second apostle reviewed is Peter. Peter was deeply moved when he encounter the Lord. “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). Peter saw Jesus do the miraculous and realized Jesus was more than just a man. Jesus tells him that from that point forth, he would catch men.


“Peter was the first disciple to be called (Mark 1:16-18) and the first to be named an apostle (Mark 3:14-16). His name heads every list of the Twelve in the New Testament” (Nelson 974). Peter had a close relationship with Jesus. He was present for the miracles that Jesus performed (Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51). Peter was one of the first to recognize truly who Jesus was when he stated he was the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:13-16).


Peter shows a willingness to trust Jesus when he went to him on the water (Matthew 14:28). Peter sank because he looked away from the Lord, but his willingness and faith to try, speaks about Peter’s readiness to follow Jesus. Peter wanted to understand the deeper issues when he asked Jesus how many times should one forgive (Matthew 18:21). Even though Peter recognized Jesus as the Messiah, he still denied him before men when he felt his own life was in jeopardy (Matthew 26:75). This is important for believers to understand, even in the strongest of relationships, one can be tempted to deny Christ when faced with personal difficulties. Peter was moved with grief when he realized he had denied knowing Jesus. This response from Peter shows what repentance looks like. One should be grieved at their sin because of what it causes to happen to the relationship with God. Jesus’ love, however, was evident when the message sent was to let the disciples and Peter know of his resurrection (Mark 16:7). This is encouraging to know that when one sins and asks for forgiveness, God is ready to forgive and bring you back into a right relationship.


Peter is instrumental in the growth of the Church after Jesus’ ascension. “The earliest information about the early church comes from the Book of Acts. This shows clearly that Peter continued to exercise a key leadership role in the church for a number of years. Indeed, the first 11 chapters of Acts are built around the activity of the apostle Peter” (Nelson 975). Peter received a vision from God about eating “unclean” animals (Acts 10:9-16). Peter’s response was no, but God was showing Peter a bigger message, that the Gospel would be available to all people. Peter was able to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles because he accepted God’s directive.


Peter’s relationship with Jesus was close. If there were questions he willing asked Jesus to give him clarity. Peter did not always get it right. Peter could have clarity one moment and not fully understand something the next. Jesus rebukes Peter when he does not fully understand why Jesus would be crucified (Matthew 16:20-23). Peter was willing to trust Jesus (when he walked on the water). Peter, however, like others when faced with difficult situations, can deny whom they belong to. Yet, Jesus continued to love Peter (when message sent including him to come to meet the risen Jesus).


Thomas’ coming to the Lord is not listed as Peter’s, which was a more stirring encounter. Either way, both became followers of Jesus. This stands as evidence to all that come to Jesus that one’s experience may not be like another’s, but it is equally important to God. These apostles serve to show that a close relationship with Jesus is necessary to be able to do what Jesus calls for believers to do. Peter and Thomas both were given power to do the work for the Lord. Without this power, they could not have accomplished God’s mission or made any impact on the future church.


Both of these apostles were drawn to follow Jesus because they understood he was offering something they could not find in themselves. Their lives show that one can love the Lord and yet struggle. They questioned what the message meant and did not always have a complete understanding of it. Their own doubts were placed before the Lord at times, yet they were able to continue to live for the Lord. These apostles show that when one walks with Jesus, there will be questions, doubts, and regrets. There will also be great successes when one continues to trust in Jesus. The apostles’ lives were changed in many ways. They learned from Jesus the importance of relationship with him (to get to the father) and of a relationship with each other. When Jesus sent them out two-by-two it was to show them the importance of working in fellowship with one another. They had to adjust to a different lifestyle and reevaluate their pursuits in life. The apostles’ gave up their lives for the work of Jesus. He told them their reward would be in heaven. This is a new way of thinking for all believers. The rewards one looks to receive should be eternal. These apostles, regular men, were able to allow Jesus to change their lives, and their thinking, to change the world. God is still requiring his people to be willing to allow him to change their lives and thinking to change this world for Christ.

Work Cited

Alden, Robert L., et al. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995.


Thompson, Frank Charles, D.D., PH.D. The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, 5th ed. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbridge Bible Co., Inc., 1988.

Words of Encouragement

We could see the mountains in the backdrop of the landscape.  What a wonderful sight.

He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil[a] spirits and to heal every disease and sickness - Matthew 10:1

Discipleship. Bestows Power. I was once joking with someone (but yet I was serious) about the power of the disciples. What I said to this person was, I have not laid hands on anyone and they rose from the dead, so Jesus' got some more work to do in me.

What I was saying is this.  The scripture plainly states what Jesus was doing to his disciples.  He was giving them power and authority to drive out evil spirits, to heal diseases and sickness.  Now I believe there are individuals with the gift of healing.  Yet I also believe this scripture speaks to the ability of disciples to have the power of God in their lives.

We should be able to pray, fast and seek God to pray for those sick in sin and he change them.  We should be able to pray for individuals that have sickness in their body and they get well.

I think this is a scary thing for many to believe they can pray for someone and it really happen.  That is why I believe Jesus continually showed his disciples first what he could do so they could believe they would be able to do it likewise. I am radical enough to believe if Jesus said I can have power to pray and the sick get well, then I will continue to believe that is what he can do.

I had the opportunity to pray for someone that was bothered in their mind with voices.  When I was first asked to pray, I will admit fear first gripped me.  I said, I can't do that, who should we call?  God spoke to me and said, you call on me.  I am the power you need.  So that is what was done.  I later got a praise report from the person that as soon as I laid my hands on her and prayed, the voices went away and have not come back.

That is praises to our God that he is able to do in us what he first showed capable through his Son.  So today you and I as disciples of Christ can gain understanding and wisdom on how to follow after God.  We can grow through our storms that following Jesus will bring.  We can experience the miracles that others miss because they refuse to step out of the comfort zone.  We can have the power and authority of God because we belong to him.

Lord today we say thank you for this covenant relationship that brings us many benefits, protection and stability.  So when you go to worship this week, go seeking from God how you can be a stronger disciple for Christ.

Words of Encouragement

Just as quickly as the storm came, the light broke through the clouds and the sun shown.  It is a glimpse of what happens with us.  As quickly as the storms strike our lives, the "light of Christ" breaks through the clouds of doubt, the clouds of fear and Son shines bright.  Lord shine bright in our lives today.

The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" - Matthew 8:26-27

Discipleship. Grows Your Understanding. The disciples went and woke Jesus because they were sure that he was not aware of what was happening outside and that he needed to come and save them.

Jesus' response when they woke him was, you have little faith, why are you afraid?  Then he rebuke the winds and everything was completely calm.  There was amazement at what Jesus could do.

Let's look at these few verses to see what Jesus was really saying to his disciples.  Why would he question their faith?  Well, they were afraid that the storm raging outside of the boat was more power than the one on the boat.  Isn't that how we are sometimes?  We look at our storms around us raging and we become afraid and say, Jesus are you sleep?  Wake up and come and see about me!

We then have to realize just as the disciples learned, that Jesus is far greater than any storm we face.  The winds that blow the storm are under his command.  The waters that fall are under his command.  The dark clouds are all under his command.

No matter what comes our way, it does not have more power than our savior. So just as Jesus asked his disciples, why are you afraid, Jesus asks us the same today. Why are you afraid of your sickness, or your lack of money or you relationship problems?  Then Jesus will take the time to teach us.  He will increase our understanding in that storm and let us know that he is the one that will calm it.  Jesus is going to calm the storms of our money problems, our relationship problems, our sickness problems and any other problems that rise up suddenly.

So today, Lord we thank you for giving us a greater understand as you bring us through our storms.  If we follow you from the comfortable shores you are going to teach us how to better trust you in our stormy situations.

Words of Encouragement

As the storm was coming, what must these individuals must have felt?  Could it be fear that the boat would not contain them?  God has a way of removing our fears and letting us know we can trust in him in every situation and circumstances. Do you?

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. - Matthew 8:22-24

Discipleship. Calls for Sudden Storms. I have read this scripture like many of you before, but as I was reading it now, it struck me in a different way.  Jesus got into a boat and his disciples followed him.  When they did, a storm came without warning upon them.

What struck me was this, if the disciples had not been following Jesus, would they have entered this storm?  If they had decided to stay on the shore, they would have missed this experience of the storm on the water.  While you and I might say, that is a good thing, let's look at it differently.

There was something that the disciples had to experience and see that needed them to be in the midst of the storm.  Jesus needed to teach them something about themselves.  He was going to teach them something they would not have gotten if they were still standing on the "safe" shores.  Jesus needed them to leave the comfort of the shores and be on the boat in the midst of this storm.

They needed to be in this storm and Jesus needed to be "sleep".  These factors were all part of what God was going to use to teach as well as show his power to the disciples.

Did you know that is true for us today.  To be disciples of Christ we must be willing to follow him, even into the storms.  We cannot try to be safe by staying on the shores because we don't want to face the sudden things that hit our lives.

Jesus wants us to follow him so that he can teach us something about our hearts and where we are in him.  He want to use the "stormy" situations to grow us and help us to find just how sure our faith in him is.

Today Lord help us when we find ourselves in the midst of the sudden storms and you seem to be "sleep".  Help us to learn what you want us to learn so that we can grow as well as experience the miracles that we will only experience if we have left the shores and gone into the "storms".

Words of Encouragement

I am always amazed at what we can learn from animals.  A dog can learn to follow someone because they are the one in authority.  They will follow and know that at the end of their obedience they will be rewarded.  How much more then should we know this?  We can follow God's son Jesus, because he is the one in authority.  We can know at the end of our following we will be rewarded for our obedience.  Lord help us to obey you.

When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." - Matthew 8:18-22

Discipleship. Calls for Complete Sacrifice. What a strange message in these few verses of scripture.  We have one that is a teacher of the law saying to Jesus, I'll follow you where ever you go. Jesus however does not say to him, good come.  Instead Jesus says to him the foxes have holes but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.  What kind of response is that?

Could it be Jesus response to the teacher of the Law is to show that this is not a walk of self importance or of personal rewards?  As I have been studying the Old Testament influence on the New Testament I have learned some very interesting things.  One thing was just how much being a teacher/priest had moved from being just about following God's commands but had become a political/power struggle.  Those in power sometimes were more concerned with their personal gain and the importance of holding these offices.  So could this be Jesus' way of saying, in order to follow me, you must be willing to give up what political or power you might have in this world.  You very well may have to even give up your creature comforts.

Another comes and says Jesus let me go and bury my dead.  What a strange answer Jesus gives.  How can the dead bury the dead?  Could Jesus be telling this disciple you must be willing to let go of every earthly importance to follow after me.  If there be anything that would stand in the way of you following me, you must release it.  Is family, career, or relationship standing in the way.  Then Jesus' call is let them go.

Does this mean that God does not want us to have family, relations or friends?  Not so.  However, if we want to be disciples of Christ we must not allow anything to take the rightful place of God in our importance, not even ourselves.  There is nothing that can be in front of our obedience to God.  There are sometimes in your life that you will have to make some stands that others will truly not understand.  Yet, if God is telling you to do it, then you must not let anything keep you from making that stand.

I pray for us today that we count the cost of what it means to be a true disciple of Christ.  Lord help us today to not only count the cost but to step out and begin to follow you as you call us.

Words of Encouragement

Jesus went up on the mountain.  Could it be that just getting away to the mountain makes you feel that much closer to the maker of the mountain?  It is a beauty to behold the majesty of the mountains that God took the time to carve out with his finger tip.

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:1-3

Discipleship. Grants You Wisdom. Jesus saw the crowd and scripture says he went up on a mountainside and sat down.  When he did, his disciples came to him and he began to teach them.  We are familiar with this scripture it is what we call the "Beatitudes".

Right now I want to reflect on the these few verses and what they mean to those that have accepted the call to be a disciple of Christ.  A disciple is one that accepts the teaching and instruction of a teacher/leader.  A disciple is one that is a follower, student, devotee or believer in the one that is leading.

In this instance that leader/teacher is Jesus.  His disciples have decided to follow him as his students, devoted to him and learning to believe in what he teaches.  This is one of those many instances where Jesus takes the time to teach his disciples. In this time there were many that had "followers", however how many can say they were following the right one?  The one sent by God?

Jesus would take the time in the midst of his teaching and traveling to explain things to his disciples.  They did not often understand the things Jesus was speaking so he did not turn them away, but addressed the issues that needed to be addressed with them and taught them.

Can you and I expect to receive the same today as a disciple of Jesus?  Yes we can.  As one that follows after Christ we too can receive of the wisdom of our master.  He has left first the evidence of his teaching as revealed in the Bible.  We also have the opportunity to be guided by the Holy Spirit.  We can gain the wisdom we need to be able to be successful in our walk as disciples of Christ.  God would not place us on a path that we could not win.

Today, let us thank God for the access we have through the Covenant relationship with him to gain of his wisdom.  We can grow in our understand and in the knowledge of our savior.

The Week in Review

II Chronicles 20
Taught at Langley Avenue Church of God
Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Verse 18 & 19 – Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with very loud voice.

Jehoshaphat bowed himself and worshipped. And all of Judah worshipped God for his answer to their situation. What they were doing was thanking God and praising him for the victory that had not come in the natural but they were accepting in the spiritual realm. A miracle is simply the physical reality (what we see) and the spiritual reality (what is true) coming together because of the power of God. We have to begin now thanking God for the victories in our lives, for the miracles we do see yet, but are soon manifesting themselves to us. We want to wait until the battle is over and then thank God, but we have to begin before we even see the answers to praise him. For we walk by faith and not by sight. And as we praise what happens is, we bring the spiritual reality closer so that the physical reality (what we see) and the spiritual reality (what is) become one. And at the moment we experience the miracles of God.

Verse 20 – Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.

So the people rose early in the morning and trusted in what the prophet had told them. A note, do you realize a lot of scripture talks about how individuals rose early after getting an answer that means, “move quickly” when God gives you directions. Move early in the situation, move quickly before the enemy comes and tries to convince you the answer is not truly from God. See had they waited, they may have begun to doubt the answer for it was indeed a strange one. The scripture also says, believe his prophets and so shall ye prosper. Ahab had refused to listen to the word of God and because of his disobedience he died. But Jehoshaphat was listening and heeding the word of God and because of it he would prosper. Disobedience and sin leads to death, but trust and faith in God will prosper the soul of man. Who do you want to be? Do you want to be Ahab calling on God, but having no intention of heeding and therefore setting yourself up for a spiritual death? Or do you want to be like Jehoshaphat and not only seek God, but obey all that he commands and therefore, prosper in the ways of God? Do you want the message of God coming to you as a rebuke or do you want the word of God to come to you as a word of encouragement? Then you must chose to do either as Ahab did and die or as Jehoshaphat and live.

Verse 21 through 24 – After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever." As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.

We know the rest of this story; the singers go out before the army and sing songs of praise to God. God sets an ambush against the enemy and they win the battle. There are a few things that are important to note here. All that had come against Judah were destroyed. Not one enemy was left. And the amazing part is the people did not have to lift one finger to do anything. Image if you will what it must have been like to think about going into battle without any weapons. No sword, or shield. Yet the people did have armor. Their armor was praise. One of the greatest weapons we have in our spiritual warfare is our prayer and praise. We cannot even enter into the king’s court without praise. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise (Psalm 100:4).

What does this mean? When we enter into our battles following God’s directives, we can come through to the other side of the battle without carrying the scar of the battle. The men of Judah came through this battle without being wounded, scarred or tired. In the fight with Ahab, the men were tired, bruised and defeated from the battle, because God was not in the battle with them. Jehoshaphat however had God with him and he was given the victory. God will give those that are obedient to him, victory in the battles. And we can come through more than conquers. We can come through our battles without the scars of what we have gone through. And not only that but the enemy is destroyed on every avenue with no trace left. So the battles we face are not half won, but completely won with no trace of the enemy left to defeat us in this battle.

The Week in Review

God's beauty is evident in everything we see when we look around at his creation. Do you see His hand at work.

The Nature of Holiness
Written February 2006

The apostle Paul wrote several letters to encourage believers on their Christian journey. His letter to the Romans was one such letter that gave instruction to believers on how to live the Christian life. However, chapter 7, verses 14 – 25 will be examined more closely to find out what the apostle Paul wanted the believers of his time to understand. The next step to understanding his writing is to considerate how it applies to the believer of today.

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

When the verses of scripture are read, it is difficult to understand if Paul is speaking about himself in the past, his current situation or someone entirely different. This has been a debate between theologians for a very long time. In Newness of Life, Richard Howard states, “It is true that this portion of Romans 7 (14-25) has been a theological battleground since the days of the Reformation and even back to the Greek and Latin fathers. The crucial question is the status of the person identified as “I”. Is Paul talking about himself – is it autobiographical? Most New Testament scholars agree that this deeply personal language could be nothing else. If Paul is indeed speaking of himself, then what period of his life does he refer to? Is this his experience as an unregenerated Jew under the law, or as a newborn Christian struggling against sin?” (51).

In Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Matthew Henry states, “Here is a description of the conflict between grace and corruption in the heart, between the law of God and the law of sin. And it is applicable two ways: - 1. To the struggles that are in a convinced soul, but yet unregenerated, in the person of whom it is supposed by some, that Paul speaks. 2. To the struggles that are in a renewed sanctified soul, but yet in a state of imperfection; as others apprehend” (2209).

This picture of Paul is most likely how he viewed himself when he lived under the law but now sees through the eyes of his life in Christ. “It was also argued that Rom. 7:14-25 is a picture of the enlightened Jew struggling to save himself by the law (autobiographical of Paul as seen through the eyes of faith) and thus does not describe the new man in Christ” (Howard, 163). “Regardless of how this crucial passage is understood, there can be no doubt that it portrays total enslavement to sin” (Howard, 51).

Paul states in this first verse that the law is spiritual but he is not because sin rules his life (Roman 7:14). When sin rules one’s life that person is a slave to sin or in bondage to it. As stated by Henry, one struggles when they are not yet changed. They want to do what is right (as Paul states), but sin still has the control of their life, and sin controls their passions and behavior. Even the man that has been saved has to allow that which he now possesses to work within him or else he will revert back to allowing sin lordship in his life. Man is unable to live victoriously over sin and it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit he is able to do so. Howard states it this way, “While he, through self-discipline, can perhaps for a time resist the temptation to gross evil, as the demands of love come into focus, he increasingly discovers that such are possible only by the Spirit. This is why he cannot live victoriously in his own strength” (155). An example that comes to mind is the releasing of a prisoner from jail. He is guilty of his crime, but he has received pardon from it. Yet when he is released back into the society, he does not know how to live without doing the same things he did before. He has the temptations to go back to his old ways. He is going to need someone to intercede for him to get him into a new way of thinking and a new way of behaving. He still has a prisoners mind set and behavior. That is what Jesus does for those that are under the control of sin. Jesus fulfilled the law and set the prisoners free. Yet, the prisoner needs to have a different way of thinking and doing because that which is inside wants to do the old things. Therefore, God provided the Holy Spirit to help believers change their way of living.

Paul says he does not do what he knows to do, but he does what he does not want to do. Why is that? He says in verse 17 that it is not really him doing it but the sin that lives inside. Man is unable to do what he knows is right in his own power. It is only under the power of God that man is able to do what is right. Paul is not stating that man is not culpable for his sins. As believers this statement should no longer be used. Believers have the power of God to help them to do what is right. “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Galatians 5:17).
Paul says he knows that no good thing lives within that part of him that is earthly and sinful. It is from this part of man that all thoughts of evil, and sinful activities flow from. “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” (Genesis 6:5). Paul is acknowledging the sinfulness of man. Again Paul is pointing his readers to the point that man in himself is unable to live a righteous life, no matter how deep the desire is.
In verse 23, Paul states, “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” This causes him to cry out in the next verses about what a wicked man he is and ask, who shall deliver me? “Howard states, “In the revealing struggle portrayed in Rom. 7:14-25, conviction is seen as coming through frustration under the law, so that Paul could write elsewhere, ‘For through the Law I died to the Law, that I might live to God’ (Gal. 2:19). Regardless of how it comes – and an all-knowing, all-loving God knows exactly how is best – there must be self-frustration and self-disillusionment before there can be self-realization in Christ” (83).

What is the clear message Paul is trying to give to his readers? Man is under the control of sin. Sins control cannot be broken with the simple wishes of man, but only by the power of God. Paul starts the book of Romans off with the example of marriage. He is using the example to show that in marriage, the law has a right over the person as long as both are living. They are not free to marry another. One does not have the freedom to do as they will without suffering the outcome of breaking the law. It is the same with men under the law of God. Even if man chooses to do as he wishes, he is still responsible for the outcome of disobeying the law. In the marriage example, they are not free unless one of the two dies. It is only through death that they are released from the bonds (law) of marriage. Therefore, Paul was trying to show man is not free from the bond of the law and the slavery to sin unless death has occurred. Howard states it this way, “Rom. 7:14-25 pictures total servitude to sin under the law…First, the law – in this case the law of marriage – has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives. Second, a man is discharged or freed from the law only through death. This is true in the case of the marriage law – and all the law…Paul’s meaning is clear. The believer’s death with Christ to sin brought freedom from the law and the slavery it had produced” (106).

After Paul gave the illustration of marriage to show how death can free from that law, he begins to show how man wants to do right under the law, but is unable to do so. He is not able to do it because he is still a slave to sin (under it’s bondage). Howard states, “His is a state of moral frustration and wretchedness” (161). Matthew Henry states it another way, “The remainder of indwelling corruptions which he here speaks of, to show that the law is insufficient to justify even a regenerated man, that the best man in the world hath enough in him to condemn him, if God should deal with him according to the law, which is not the fault of the law, but of our own corrupt nature, which cannot fulfill the law” (2210).

These verses are important because at the start of chapter 8, Paul says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). Paul was pointing the readers to the only one that could do what the law was incapable of doing. Under the law, man was condemned because he was not able to fulfill the requirements of the law. The law was meant to show men their sin, but it was only Jesus that could fulfill the requirements of the law.

Paul was also allowing the reader to understand the there had to be death for the releasing of the bond of the law. Men and women would not be released from the law without the death of Christ. Believers participate in Christ’s death and therefore, are released from the bondage of sin. No longer does one have to try and fulfill the law, when they are not able to do so. What man is released from is the burden of trying to live up to something they are totally unable of doing. Gone is the frustration of trying and failing. That is why there is no condemnation in Jesus. Paul is not however saying that once man releases his will to God he is perfect and sin is gone. What has been released is sins control over men. Believers in Christ will still face temptations but, they are no longer a slave unable to resist sin’s pull. As stated earlier by Howard, man is able to have a victorious life in Christ because of the enabling of the Holy Spirit (155).

Paul wanted believers to know it is not by ones on trying that they are saved. Man cannot will himself to do what is right before God. The law is righteous, but man is unable to follow without failure. Jesus came and gave men an escape route. Jesus died to fulfill the law. He then opened to all men the power to stand before a holy God. Paul was able to tell what God required of believers because he knew how to do it. Paul understood it was God’s strength and power that allows the believer to stand against the temptations of the flesh. Paul’s encouragement for the believers of his time as well as today is this, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:” (Romans 8:2-3).

Paul was encouraging the believers of his time to live by the Spirit of God. Do not try to walk after the flesh because it will only lead to sin. The message for believers today is the same. Follow after the Spirit. God gave to all, the ability through the Holy Spirit to have a victorious life. It is the grace of God that will help the believer even when he goes away from what is right. He can be brought back into a right relationship and not have to pay the price of the transgression. Jesus paid it all. So believers today can say as Paul did, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).

Work Cited

Howard, Richard E. Newness of Life. United States of America: n.p., 1975.
Matthew Henry’s Commentary On The Whole Bible. 9th ed. Peabody, Ma: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1991.

Thompson, Frank Charles, D.D., PH.D. The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible. 5th ed. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbridge Bible Co., Inc., 1988.

Words of Encouragement

How vast are the areas of the mountains?  The are far greater than my little mind can understand.  God took the time to fashion the mountains with their slendor and beauty.  If he took such time with the mountains, how much more does he take with his people?  God extends to us his mercy so that we can make it.  Shouldn't we be willing to extend the mercy of God to someone else so they too can see a glimpse of the vastness of God's beauty? (picture taken at a rest stop in PA)

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. - Psalm 28:6

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8

God's Way. He Gives Mercy So That We Can Show Mercy. It is so wonderful to know that I can cry out to God to forgive me for any thing that I have done that has not been pleasing to him.  I can cry out for him to show mercy to me not because I deserve it, but because of his love he freely gives it.  See, you and I do not deserve mercy (that's why its called mery).  We can never do enough, be good enough or try hard enough to deserve his mercy.

God gives mercy to whom he chooses.  What then is our requirement when we have received from God mercy?  We are to become lovers of mercy.  Not just for ourselves.  We are to become lovers of being merciful.  We forgive when the individual hasn't even asked.  We extend a hand when others would not.  We go the extra mile when some want even take the first step.

Lord, today we seek you to help us be better lovers of mercy.  You have given to us your mercy over and over again.  For they are new every morning. So Lord help us to be more like you and be willing to extend mercies new every morning to someone because you have extended it to us.

Words of Encouragement

We were on our journey to take Joselyn to school.  As we looked at the mountains we were amazed at God's beauty.  What if God had not given us this beauty to inspire us and encourage us?  It is the same with our gifts.  God gives them to us so that he can inspire and encourage someone through us.

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." -  Ephesians 4:7-8

So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. -1 Corinthians 14:12

God's Way. God Gives Gifts to be used to Bless Others. I have a question.  What good is it to be able to sing with such passion and conviction, but no one knows it?  What good is it to be able to pray and heaven seems to open up, but you won't do it?  That would seem quite foolish to you.  You would say, if you have a gift use it so that it can bless someone else.

However, do you know many of us do that, sit on our gifts?  We let fear or what someone might think about us stand in the way of us using our gifts to the fulliest.  Did you know they are not really "your" gifts.  Whatever gifts that God has planted in you are "someone elses" gifts.  God would not give you a gift of discernment and allow you to see dangers up ahead for you to simply brag about what you knew after the danger has come and set it.  He would give you the gift so that you can warn the people of God of the dangers.

Now if someone does not accept the gift, that is between them and God, but it is still your responsiblity to share the gifts you have been give.  If you can pray, pray.  If the gifts of healing, heal.  Whatever the gift allow it to do what it was given for, the build up the body.

Today, my prayer is Lord help us to be extreme about the gifts you have given us.  Help us to us what you have given us to bless the body.  When we all begin to function as we should with our gifts, the body will be stronger, and more able to withstand the defeats we face.  So help us to build each other up with the gifts places within the body.

Words of Encouragement

The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.  To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. - Psalm 18:24-26

God's Way. He Calls Us Faithful, so that We Will be Faithful. As I read this scripture I found something quite interesting.  The writer says, God has rewarded me according to my righteousness.  Doesn't that sound strange?  What righteousness did the psalmist have?  Better yet, what righteousness can we claim?

What is important for us to understand is the psalmist is not claiming his "own" righteousness but what has been imparted to him by God.  When we belong to God we have been given his righteousness and because of it, he calls us faithful.  That is because he now views us through his son and not through our sins.

God changed what we look like so therefore he expects us to start looking the way he wants.  Another way to say that is, if he gave us his faithfulness, shouldn't we be able to exhibit that which we have?  If I am righteous, I should live, act, and be as he has changed me to be.

God shows himself to us according to how we present ourselves.  How foolish it is to have been changed to one that is faithful, blameless and pure and then present yourself as one that is unworthy because then you will see the shrewd side of God.  The question then is, how do you present yourself unworthy?  When God has given you the opportunity to be changed and you refuse to accept it or to turn away from what he has given you, then you no longer appear as one that is worthy.

Today I pray for us to walk in that which God has given us.  He has given us his righteousness, his faithfulness and his purity so that we can stand as one that is righteous, faithful and pure.  Help us to do things your way.

Photo Gallery - 2

This is my daughter and her roommate, which they found out they are quite alike in many areas.  The best thing is both are Christian girls.  Doesn't God make a way for you?

Me cleaning up after our day of shopping with other people getting their students ready for school. 

The desk look great put together.  There wasn't a lot of light so we put light everywhere.

A brother and Sister from our church that came share their blessings with her at the trunk party.

Many family and friends came to show support at the Trunk party.  The food was great also, supplied by her aunt Emma and other members that pitched in to help with the games and everything else.

Mom after a long drive ready to get to the end of the day.  Besides, have you ever drove in DC.  Nothing is straight!  You have to go in circles!  After this I was ready to go sit down and not move again.

Keep you eyes open we will share more about our road trip.  Also, take a look on the Fearfully and Wonderfully Made blog for other photes.

Words of Encouragement

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem. - Isaiah 66:13

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

God's Way. God Comforts Me to Comfort Others. It is important for us to understand how important the will of God is.  We often seek God to bless us with the things we stand in need of.  There is nothing wrong with that, however we sometimes get stuck in that place. 

We forget sometimes that God blesses us so that we can turn around and be a blessing to someone else.  God gives us comfort from the things that trouble us.  Like a mother, he will catch us up and help us to feel safe and loved.  Do you remember what it felt like when you fell and hurt yourself and ran seeking your mother?  You wanted her to acknowledge your hurt and to kiss it and make it better.  There was something magical in that kiss.  It made the hurt go away.  It was because the kiss was just the evidence of love.

God gives us that same love. He will catch us up when we have fallen or when we have faced some of lifes difficulties.  We reach out to him to acknowledge our hurts and for his love to make things better. God does this for us, but there is another purpose for it. God gives us the comfort so that when we see someone else in the same place we have been, that we will offer to them that which will comfort them.

What is that comfort?  It is two fold.  Our lives can be an encouragement to those that are facing the same or similar things that we face.  Then we can also direct those that we encounter to the one that gives comfort to the weary and the hurting, God.

Today, my prayer is that God would comfort you in whatever trouble you face.  When he does, may you remember to comfort others with the same comfort you have been given.

Words of Encouragement

Love is what motivates a father to love a child or a grandchild.  Love is what motivates a mother to care for a child. If we being human, how much more does the love of God care for us?  How much more is the Heavenly Father willing to give for his children?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. - 1 John 3:16

God's Way. We will Reflect Love. Last week we talked about God's way and I felt compelled to continue this week with the same lesson. People are often heard talking about themselves and their great ability to love.  However, I would like to interject here that we really have no idea about the depth of love until we understand something about God's love.

God loved us so much that he gave his son for us. Not when we were cleaned up and receptive, but when we were filthy and unappreciative of the gift he was giving.  His love did not depend on us.  His love did not change because of our foolishness or lack or ability to show love in return.  As humans we love those that love us, but given time those that treat us bad we can release that love for them.

Something changes however when you accept the love of God through Christ.  What changes is your ability to love because of your relationship with God.  Where you once would only love the lovely, you learn to love the unlovable.  This is because you were loved when you were still unlovable.

God's love as it grows within us changes us so that we can now lay down our own lives (our ideas, our agendas, our ways and our rights) so that someone else may live.  We can do it even if they do not return our love.  We can do it because we are no longer motivated by what we receive in return, but by what we have already gotten from God.

Today, Lord I pray that you would help us to show more of your love to others.  Help us to obey you by how we love even those that do not love us in return.

Words of Encouragement

If Jesus went to the cross for you and I, how much more will he care for us that we succeed in this walk?  God cares enough to keep us from falling.

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. - Psalm 9:9-11

God's Way. God's Way Requires Trust in Him. One of the most difficult things for believers to do is trust in unseen things.  We hear the scripture read often about how we do not walk by sight, but by faith.  Well it sounds all good, but in our secret places we sometimes struggle with this one.

How easy is it to trust that God will heal when the report you have is that you will not get better?  How easy is it to trust that the impossible will be made impossible?  How easy is it to trust that God will heal a marriage or save a child when everything before your face speaks differently?  I don't come to condemn you because I too will admit it is difficult at times to trust what I do not see.

Yet, I remind myself, Lord to say that I love you requires me to obey you.  One of the things you require of me is to trust you to be faithful to your children. I can rejoice like the psalmist when I think about the fact that God has never forsaken me.  Whatever I needed, he took care of.  When I did not see how a situation in my life would be changed, he changed it far beyond my imagination.  When I was sick and no one could figure out why, God healed me and I never experienced that illness again.

When I have been in trouble and the enemy seemed to be ready to destroy me, God stepped in and rescued me.  Today I simply come to encourage someone that no matter what your situation looks like, God works in the impossible.  God shows up in the incredible.  He makes the unbelievable, believable.  He makes the unseen, seen.  God is one that we can trust in. He will never let his children down.

So today, I pray Lord help us to take refuge in you.  Help us to know without any doubt or fear that you are the one that will care for us and you will change our situations.  Today Lord I ask from my humble heart, that today you would manifest yourself in someone's life in a way that reassures them that you are present and you will never leave them alone.  This I pray, amen.

Commercial Release!

It's here! Take a look at the Fearfully and Wonderfully Made promo. I see it and think, isn't God awesome!

Words of Encouragement

Jesus is God's truth.  He came into this world so that you and I would not be put to shame for our inability to know what the will of the Father is.  Jesus came to be the truth that protects us from the shame of our sins. 

Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. - Psalm 119:29-31

God's Way. Your Truth keeps me Safe. Have you ever thought about what trust in God does for your life?  I mean how it really protects you?  As a believer we sometimes cannot understand how we can be obedient to God, yet seem to be standing all alone.  How can I be obedient to God and still find myself alone?

The word does not promise us that everyone will understand us or why we do what we must.  But it does promise us that when we are willing to keep the truth of God, it will keep us from the danger of believing things that are not true.  The word becomes a guard for our hearts.  The light of truth will dispel the darkness of lies and help us to make right choices.

When we make those right choices in God, he promises us that we will not be ashamed.  We will never be ashamed of choosing God's way.  Yes, we may suffer sometimes for doing what is right simply because others do not always understand or sometimes simply because the enemy of our soul wants to destroy us for doing what is right.  But even in our suffering, if we are willing to suffer for what is right, we are able to stand.

God's way is not always the easiest way because it calls for us to yield what we want to do.  However, one thing I do promise it is always the most rewarding.  To know within yourself that you are obedient to God's will is the greatest thing you can every experience.  To have God's Spirit speak to you and say, "I have tested your heart and I have found you faithful", is a great reward.

I pray for us today, that we follow God's way so that his truth can keep us from shame.  God help us to allow your truth to guide us daily so that we can live this life your way.

Words of Encouragement

Are you ready to talk to others about God's goodness? Are you ready to give an account of what you believe and why? We do not judge others, yet we are required to share the Gospel of Christ with a dying world.





To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. - Titus 1:15-16





Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. - Matthew 10:32-34 (King James Version)



God's Way. He Requires My Total Commitment. Yesterday my family and I were looking at some things on you tube. We came across a very popular preacher where he spoke about the Gospel on Larry King Live a few years ago.



Larry King asked this preacher if he believed that individuals that didn't believe in Christ were going to hell, he would not give him a straight answer. He said it wasn't his responsibility to decide who was going to hell or not and that only God could judge the heart. He also said when he went to India with his father how the people loved "god" and how could he judge if they were going to hell or not.



Larry King again asked him so if you are Muslim or some other religion then you are not going to hell if you do not believe in Jesus Christ. Again he would not answer the question. He said, I believe in Christ and in "my way" but I cannot judge.



While some individuals posted to this recording and said they did not see anything wrong we must be careful how we view such things. He never acknowledge Christ as the way. He spoke as if he was simply one of the ways and that all ways lead to God as long as you have a sincere heart.



God's word speaks clearly to how God views us when we deny his Son and his word. God says if your actions (that means you speech as well) are not pure by his standard you are disobedient and good for nothing.



Jesus speaks himself about how we should view him. He tells us if we refuse to confess him (acknowledge or admit he is true) before men so will he refuse to confess us before his Father (acknowledge us as his and admit we are true believers).



Many are uncomfortable about saying Jesus is the only way to the Father because they feel it will be viewed as judgmental and not received well. That may be true, but do not try to make the message of truth "softer" so that someone will accept it. Give the truth as it is. Allow God to convict the heart. If the refuse to accept the truth, that is between them and God. You do not have to beat someone up, you simply give the truth in love and let God do the rest.



While it is true that we do not go around pointing a finger at individuals saying you're going to hell or you are not. We are called to proclaim the truth of God's word and to be ready to give an account of what we believe and why. This preacher did not do that. That is the sad thing about it. He was in a position to show the message of truth as one of blessings but he refused to acknowledge that Jesus is the only way. So many that follow him may believe that all ways are good as long as you have a sincere heart.



A sincere heart can still lead you to hell if you are going in a direction contrary to God's. So today I pray for us that we be willing to make a total commitment to God, his way. Let us be ready with boldness and with love to tell the world about Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and the Light and no one (I didn't say it, the word of God did), no one comes to the Father accept through him.

Words of Encouragement

One year at Williams' Camp we made mask for the children. As I looked at this picture I thought about the "unmasking". We can think we know who is behind each of these mask but until we remove them, we will not know for sure. That is how it is with our understanding of the things of God. We think we might understand what something is saying, but until God unmask the truth of what is hidden from our natural understanding, we simply are guessing at what something means. Lord "unmask" for us the truth of your word.





"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. - Proverbs 30:5-6





God's Way. Can I Trust God's Word? I have heard it said before, the word of God is flawed. The reason many believe that is because it is hard in our own understanding to accept that the Bible was written by men and still flawless. Some will say, it is flawed, but it is still "just another good book".





The amazing thing is while the book was written by men over many, many years it was still the word of God as he instructed each to write. The writer of this Proverb states his assurance in that fact. He states that the word of God is flawless and he warns do not add to it or God will rebuke you for changing the meaning of his word. He also confirms that ones belief in the word of God as flawless receives God's protection and assurance.





When we want to ignore God's word or discount it the Bible speaks to what happens to mankind when they do this. (Therefore this is what the LORD God Almighty says: "Because the people have spoken these words, I will make my words in your mouth a fire and these people the wood it consumes. - Jeremiah 5:14). God's word is able to convict a heart by his word or he is able to judge an unrepentant heart because of his or her refusal of his word. ("Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? - Jeremiah 23:29).





If we accept the truth of God's word, it is what will lead us to God's plan of salvation. (I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. - Romans 1:16)





(For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart - Hebrews 4:12) God's word is different from just another good book, it is timeless and it never loses it power. The Bible is the written word of God as he has given to mankind. His word convicts, judges and changes the heart. His word is given to lead people to Jesus, which is the gift of salvation.





Can you trust God's word, yes is the answer. Do not allow the vain babbling of this world to confuse you and make you believe God's word is not true. Read it and ask him to help you gain understanding of it.





I pray for us today. Lord we cannot understand the word of God in our own understanding because it is understood by your Spirit. Help us this day to gain a clearer understanding of your word and your ways. Help us to stand strong against the tricks of the enemy that comes to change your word and confuse us and trick us up in vain ways. Help us to gain a firm grasp on the truth of your word and to live in it.

Words of Encouragement

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6



God's Way. How do I understand God? This scripture played in my head over and over again early Sunday morning. I would drift off to sleep and then wake up to this scripture again playing in my mind.



Lord what is it you want me to understand and see, was my thoughts? There were several people he placed on my heart to pray for. As I thought about this scripture again today, I thought about the fact that we must be careful if we are to understand God's ways.



This scripture gives us one of the important steps me must take to understand the things of God. We cannot depend on ourselves. This means I cannot depend on my intelligence, or my ideas or even my thoughts alone. Yes it is good to have a good mind and to think, because I know I am always thinking about things. Yet I am very careful not to allow my own thoughts to take me in directions that are contrary to God's word.



Every thought and idea I have, I ask God to show me if this is in line with what his way is. This is done in two parts, through prayer and the reading of God's word. When I do that, this scripture confirms for me that God will help me to understand his ways.



He will make my path straight. This means when I have an idea or thought if I acknowledge God through trusting his word and his Spirit he will make my path lead straight to him. He will keep me from going in areas that would confuse me and lead me to destruction or cause me to invent my own theology. When this has happened in men and women before, out of it came many of the cults we see today. People were not willing to discern God's word his way. Because their human understanding could not grasp God's way, they hardened their hearts and God allowed them to continue to believed things their own way. ( They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. - 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12)



So you and I cannot depend on our own understanding because our thoughts are not the same as God's. ("For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55:8-9).



So while you and I may want to believe we have the intelligence and the capacity to understand the things of God, we cannot do it alone in our own understand nor can we understand it without the Spirit of God's help. (The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. - 1 Corinthians 2:14).



Today I pray for us that we seek God's ways, by his standard. May our hearts be softened to hear the things of God and to accept his ways, even when we may not fully understand them yet. God give us the ability to discern your truth your way. Help us not to puff ourselves up and depend on our own way of thinking, but to come to you and ask you, what does your word require of me. This I ask in Jesus' name. AMEN.

The Week in Review

Can you image if the waters that surrounded the city of Chicago were filled with the enemy coming to attack us. Yet, the instruction you have been given is to stand still and you will not have to fight this battle. God tells us still today that he will fight our battle no matter how hard the battle looks.

II Chronicles 20
Taught at Langley Avenue Church of God
Wednesday, July 18, 2007

II Chronicles 20
Verse 15 though 17 – He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "

The answer was don’t be afraid of this multitude, for the battle is not yours but God. So he tells them to go down, and they won’t need to fight but they will only need to set themselves in place and be still and watch the salvation of the Lord.

What does this mean? Jehoshaphat tried to do things in his own way when he aligned himself with Ahab. Maybe in his mind he thought he might be able to bring back the broken kingdom through his son that had married Ahab’s daughter. Maybe he was willing to overlook Ahab’s sinful way, for he thought he might be able to have faith in what could become of this relationship. Whatever the reason, Jehoshaphat could not trust in his alliance with Israel. Yet, he could trust in his alliance with God. He was putting his faith in the wrong place when he was trusting in his relationship with Ahab. But by putting his faith in God, he was saying I will align myself up with what God is saying and when I do, I will see the salvation of the Lord.

There are times we put our faith and total expectations in people and God is telling us not to do it because we are setting ourselves up to be let down. I don’t mean we cannot have some expectations in others, but God is the only one that we are to look to for our completeness, for our total joy and happiness. God was telling Jehoshaphat I am greater than this multitude and you are not going into this battle alone. The ones you thought would stand with you or that would go into battles with you are not there, but have in fact become part of the cause of the battle, but I am still there. When your own brother will forsake you, I will never leave you or forsake you. And you don’t have to be afraid because you will not have to fight, but I will.

But you do have to do something; you have to show up for the battle. We don’t always want to show up for the situations and circumstances we are in, instead we want them gone and we want to hide our heads in the sand, but we have to show up. We have to come and take our place. And like a tree planted when the storms blow around us, we can stay rooted in our place in God and the storm will not blow us over. And then he tells them to be still.

Do you know what it means to be still? To be still means to be unmovable, motionless, at rest, tranquil, silent. So when God tells Jehoshaphat to be still what he is saying, do not move in your own thoughts anymore. Do not move to the left or the right, but stand instead. Be at rest and at peace and feel my joy, for the joy of the Lord is my strength. Be silent do not be restless for that is fear at work, but be tranquil or still because you know who’s battle this belongs to. And when you stand, unmoved, unchanged, you will see me show up and bring salvation. I will save you from everything that the enemy is trying to bring your way. And because God is so merciful he will tell us when we move, to get up and stand still. You know what happens, we decide it must be time for us to advance or move and we make a step in our own power, what happens? We slip and fall. So in his mercy he tells us get up, and keep standing. So if you have been moving when God has said be still and you slip, stop moving, get up and be still. God says, Get up, and stand still. Stand still so I can work.