ONE THING IS NEEDED!!!!!!!

“Embrace surrender”… That is absolutely what He is driving home right now, and then the truth of the Gospel… God in us. We can of ourselves do nothing, yet He can do everything through us. I have found that church can be such a scary place because it is easy to get caught up in the commandments of men, and the serving of God in the flesh rather than the serving of God through the Spirit.

If we read the Bible and say “I am going to do that, or this”, then we are in the flesh. All things done in the flesh are antichrist, and we must fight to maintain them as the work is from within ourselves. The things that are done in the Spirit are done in faith, through full surrender unto the Father in Jesus’ name, and are done in peace. These God maintains.

It is the Gospel that says God will do it for us, for it is impossible for us. Jesus tore the veil between us and the presence of the Almighty, and the Holy Spirit has been poured out on us. We are to be empty vessels useable to the Lord as we are living sacrifices in Jesus’ name. Chosen vessels of mercy is what we are, according to the purpose of His own plan from the foundation of the world.

We stand open before Him in complete humility, and He does everything for us. I just feel the utmost urgency to speak the truth of the Word that the Lord has given me. ALL things are His, and He is absolutely sovereign. We are nothing, and He is everything.

I keep saying “In Jesus name”, because the Holy Spirit is telling me that this is the missing part of knowledge His people need. In the verse in Matthew 4:19. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” I have heard a focus on the “fishers of men”, and the making of disciples. This is the wrong focus. The focus should be the “follow me”, because it is Him who will MAKE us fishers of men. If our focus is to be the following him, then what does that look like?! How do we make that a reality?!

“Follow me”… It is when we are in the Spirit of Christ, in Jesus’ name, that the Holy Spirit writes the Word on our hearts and mind. If we read the Word and simply try to obey, we will find that we cannot.

It is obvious that as we follow Jesus, speaking the truth of God and the Gospel of the Kingdom, that not all will be able to fully grasp or comprehend, but just as He did, so must we speak the same regardless. What God chooses to do within a person with His Word is not our business.

When we make war against the enemy, we make war in our own hearts against the taint of Satan that is in our hearts. This is where the Kingdom suffers violence, for the Kingdom of God is within us. This is where we put on the armor and get to business.

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

-         Matthew 11:12

Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

-         Luke 17:20-21

As we make war, taking the Kingdom by force as we surrender to the love and grace of our God, we are sanctified and made usable by the King. As we are consumed by the Kingdom, kept by the power of the Spirit, God Himself moves through us as we walk in humility. This should be the focus of every man. “Follow me”.

Let us put on our armor, take up our cross, lay down our lives as living sacrifices before the Almighty God, and let Him make disciples through us. Make war to crucify our flesh my brother. Let us make our call and election sure!!

And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

-         Galations 5:24-25

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

-         2 Peter 1:10-11

Just as we cannot just muster up love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control, neither can we produce disciples or bare fruit. BOTH of these are done by God Himself, and are FRUIT of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

-         Galations 5:22-23

“As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”

-         John 15:4

The bearing of fruit is done by the Spirit, and is the evidence of the Spirit. Jesus CHOSE us and He has appointed us to bear fruit, and so we shall. Remember… HE WILL MAKE us fishers of men.

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”

-         John 15:16

Those who do not bear fruit, which is the evidence of not abiding in Christ, will be take away.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you.”

-         John 15:1-3

But knowing that God will finish what HE has started in us, we are NOT those who fall back to perdition. We will fight the good fight of faith, and not love our lives to the end.

… being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; …

-         Philippians 1:6

But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

-         Hebrews 10:39

Now, awaken your soul my friends, and remember who you are. Remember to whom you belong, and press in for all that you are worth. We are in this together, and we are one in spirit with the Lord Himself. All praise be to the Lord who has called us. Only ONE thing is needed!! Let us give all we have for this one thing!!

“But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

-         Luke 10:42

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,  who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

-         Matthew 13:45-46

I KNOW He will glorify His name in us, for He is God of ALL.

The Kingdom of God

When Jesus Christ was crucified, the veil that separated us from the holy of holies was torn. Prior to His sacrifice, none could enter into God’s presence except for the high priest, and then only once a year for atonement.

Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

- Hebrews 9:6-15

Jesus preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God. He said to repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. Jesus came to bring the Kingdom of God to us.

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

- Matthew 4:17

The Kingdom of God is not something to be observed, but rather is within us. This is a true statement, because the Holy Spirit of the Living God comes to reside within us. In the presence of God Himself is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

- Luke 17:20-21

Before Jesus death it was not possible for us to directly commune with God, hence God’s elect awaited the coming of the Messiah in Abraham’s bosom. There are those who must declare this to be a parable, but Jesus always used terms like “it is like” and never gave names in His parables. Jesus tells this a point blank fact using specific names.

So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

- Luke 16:22-26

Jesus told us that He would not leave us to do this on our own, but that He would send the Holy Spirit for us. It is the very indwelling of the Holy Spirit that is the Kingdom of God within us. When the veil was torn, we could then finally enter into the Kingdom of God, into Heaven and the very throne room of the Almighty.

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”

“A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.”

- John 14:16-20

But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

- Hebrews 10:15-17

Knowing that He was removing all separation from God, reconciling us to Himself, He knew the gates of Heaven would be forever open to the sons of God. This was not some future thing to take place, but Jesus knew it would happen as soon as He finished His work. He told the thief on the cross next to Him this in no uncertain terms.

But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

- Luke 23:40-43

Jesus death removed the veil, and the very proclamation of His teaching that the Kingdom of God was at hand was made manifest on the day of Pentecost when Jesus fulfilled His promise to send the Holy Spirit. From that day forward it is the very presence of the Living God within us that enables us to walk according to the will of God. This is the very act of salvation. We pass from death unto life.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you.

- Ezekiel 36:26-29

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

- Acts 2:1-4

‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.
I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved.’

- Acts 2:17-21

The Holy Spirit is our umbilical that directly links us to Heaven. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to have the gates of Heaven eternally open to us.

Open the gates,
That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

- Isaiah 26:2-3

Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

- 2 Corinthians 5:5-8

To die is to go directly to Heaven via the Holy Spirit that lives within us. For this very reason Jesus says we will never die. We may leave this body, but the eternal life is already complete.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

- John 11:25-26

Broken Home

I am a single father, and both of my children currently are suffering the consequences of my failures as they are being raised in broken homes. They both live with their mothers, but I make every effort to be as involved in their lives as I possibly can. I see my daughter nearly every day, and she stays the night with me a couple days a week. My son doesn’t like to stay with me because he is 12, and has his own routine at home.

I know that my son is at the age that he is ready for me to really disciple him, and help him grow into the man God made him to be. I must be diligent to pour into his life, and thankfully his mother desires for me to do so. Being a father is a huge responsibility before God, and I know that He will hold me accountable for how I manage this great task. Just as my son needs me to disciple him and teach him how to be a man, I know that my role in my daughter’s life is just as important. She needs my love and affection.

I am setting the standard, and raising the banner for my children. The world is so concerned about our children’s education, their self-esteem, and their future ability to earn an income that the most important things are absolutely ignored. Is there really anything greater we can teach our children than the knowledge they need for salvation, character, and what life and love should look like?

There are times that the weight of what they are going through is heavy on my heart. Right now they are so confused about what love is, about what family should be, about what the roles of a wife and mother are, and the roles of what a father and husband are. My heart breaks even as I type this. I know what the answers are. I know what it should look like. However, in God’s great wisdom He has determined that this is the plan for now.

I know that tomorrow isn’t even promised though. Each day I rest in the sovereignty and great love of the living God. I know that if I will lay my life down to Him in Jesus name that He will show Himself powerful on my behalf. My children are worth dying for. I am willing to trust the Lord and lay down my life. I believe the promises God makes. Not only do I believe them, but I see His hand in their lives. There is no doubt that God is present in my family.

“As for Me,” says the Lord, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the Lord, “from this time and forevermore.”

-Isaiah 59:21

The desires of my heart are to be married, preferably to my daughter’s mother, and to have a family that glorifies God. God has demanded me to continue to love my daughter’s mom as Jesus loves the church. Not only do I feel as though He loves her enough to expend my life to reach her, but I know that everyone is watching. The people on the outside want to see what God has done in me, and if He is true, and my children are watching as I show them what a man is called to do. I know that I am the one who is responsible for my family before God, and I do not take my role lightly. A man’s family is his number one ministry.

Faith without works is dead. Jesus says that “only one thing is needed”. I believe Him. I have tried my hardest to make my life and family be what I knew it could on my own, and I failed miserably. I do not want to fail, nor do I want any more regrets. I stand before my God in humility, and cry out to Him day and night to make good on His promises as I follow Jesus for all that I am worth. Only He can do what I cannot. I am but a man.

And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

-Luke 10:41-42

^“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

-Matthew 6:32-33

Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
-1 Timothy 4:15-16

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

-2 Chronicles 16:9

 

BEWARE BELOVED

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
- James 1:22-25

I have found that church can be a scary place. It is so easy to get caught up in the christianeze, become preachy, and become so pious that we are no longer any good to reach the world. If we make ourselves unapproachable, what good are we?

Church is scary, because it is easy to get caught up into the idea rather than living in reality. The very culture around us, in every sense, tries to draw us into a works based way of living. When our religion becomes more about the external than the internal, the words Jesus spoke to the Pharisees begin to become personal.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
- Matthew 23:25-28

Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.
“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”
- Luke 11:39-44

If we get caught up in the cultural ideas of church, letting our religion become superficial, then Isaiah's words come to our ears.

Therefore the Lord said:

“Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work
Among this people,
A marvelous work and a wonder;
For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,
And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”

- Isaiah 29:13-14

Let our focus be on our walk with the Lord, in humility of spirit and surrender of heart, and let our outward lives simply be the reflection of the truth that lies within us. Jesus says He will take care of EVERYTHING external for us, if we will but seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. The Kingdom of God is within us, so let us allow the Word to have its perfect work in us.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
- Matthew 6:33

Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
- Luke 17:20-21

As God has brought conviction and caution to me, I now share the same with you. Let us be sure that the truth in our hearts is our concern, for whatever is on the inside will come out no matter what. Let us be sure also that our lives are louder than our words. Let us not get caught up in some dog and pony show, deceiving ourselves, but rather let us live in the spirit to our Lord in truth. God bless you!

COUNT ON THIS LIKE YOU CAN COUNT ON GRAVITY

When human behavior is evaluated, Biblical understanding is different than worldly understanding. The world says to change the behavior, but the Bible says to change your heart. Granted there are some programs used for behavioral change that suggests a deeper cognitive approach to that change, but they still miss the mark. These programs state that it is up to the person to take control of his thoughts by managing his beliefs, but they are still a far stretch from functional.

If we begin to examine some of our beliefs that drive our thinking, there is a common one that will come up. You will hear the person state that they do what they want. This is the closest to the truth that many people will ever openly confess, but this is enough to follow a logical evaluation.

The words “I do what I want” are the same declaration as “I am god”. Many would adamantly deny they would ever state such a thing, but our actions say much more than our words.

Here are the fundamental flaws with every other system out there. They fail to deal with the single core issue. It does not matter how many changes you make outside of dealing with the submission to God, you will never reach true change.

If integrity is “doing the right thing even when nobody is looking”, is it even truly integrity if right and wrong are variable? If morality is relative, then there is no such thing as integrity. There is no standard. Only with an absolute standard can there be integrity.

If I consider myself to be god of my own universe, then I can justify whatever I want, whenever I want. After all, I decide what is right and wrong. This very concept is the flaw to every single behavioral change system. No matter how good things sound, or how bad a person might want something, if they believe they are god they are able to change their mind at anytime.

We are NOT god, and unless we submit to God as God, glorifying Him as God, then we are living out the belief that we are god. Unless this issue is addressed, there is no other change a person can make that will be lasting and complete. We are left to follow the dictates and desires of our own heart, and there is nothing good in our hearts.

“The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?”

- Jeremiah 17:9

The belief that we are god, able to discern right and wrong, began in the Garden of Eden, and is still alive today. Satan told Eve the lie, and it is the same lie believed today. We believe we are god, so we do what we want. We decide right and wrong, and we make the rules.

Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

- Genesis 3:4-5

This is the separation from God, and because of this single core belief the wrath of God is being poured out on the unrighteousness of man. He alone is God, and our failure to worship Him as God is the condition of our heart that brings forth the destructive behavior as the wrath of God is brought to fruition. Because we are lifted up in our hearts, believing that we are god, God has sent His great army to bring destruction.

 

“Because your heart is lifted up, and you say, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, in the midst of the seas,’ yet you are a man, and not a god, though you set your heart as the heart of a god. Because you have set your heart as the heart of a god, behold, therefore, I will bring strangers against you, the most terrible of the nations; and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom, and defile your splendor. They shall throw you down into the Pit, and you shall die the death of the slain in the midst of the seas. Will you still say before him who slays you, ‘I am a god’? But you shall be a man, and not a god, in the hand of him who slays you. You shall die the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of aliens; for I have spoken,” says the Lord God.”
- Ezekiel 28:1-2, 7-10

It is not possible to just change the behavior. The behavior is the consequence of God’s wrath.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
- Romans 1:18-32

It is God giving them over to all of these things because they fail to glorify God as God. In Acts the writer warns the readers to “Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:” The writer is making a clear warning. The enemy waits outside of the protection offered in Christ. They are cruel, vicious, and ready to destroy us for our pride and arrogance. It is the work of the demonic host that brings about the behavior in a person’s life that is so destructive.

 

Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:

‘Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’”
- Acts 13:40-41

The writer of acts is referencing the prophet Habakkuk. These verses dispel the very concept of EVERY 12 step program. Listen carefully. In Habakkuk 1:5 you see the words referred to by the writer of Acts to confirm the prophecy we are being warned about.

“Look among the nations and watch—
Be utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told you.
- Habakkuk 1:5

In the very next verse of the prophecy we are warned about in the book of Acts, Habakkuk says that God is raising up the Chaldeans. However the Chaldean Empire was destroyed in 539 BC, and since that time the word Chaldean was no longer used. Why then, nearly 600 years later is the writer of Acts warning that God is raising up the Chaldeans? He is not talking about a physical army. He is describing the demonic host.

For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans,
A bitter and hasty nation
Which marches through the breadth of the earth,
To possess dwelling places that are not theirs.
They are terrible and dreadful;
Their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves.
Their horses also are swifter than leopards,
And more fierce than evening wolves.
Their chargers charge ahead;
Their cavalry comes from afar;
They fly as the eagle that hastens to eat.

“They all come for violence;
Their faces are set like the east wind.
They gather captives like sand.
They scoff at kings,
And princes are scorned by them.
They deride every stronghold,
For they heap up earthen mounds and seize it.
- Habakkuk 1:6-10

Listen to this though. After Habakkuk describes the demonic host, he goes immediately into this verse. The god a person has in their life, whether it be alcohol, drugs, sex, stealing, or whatever it may be, is NOT the problem. We will blame that god, but that does NOT make it the problem.

Then his mind changes, and he transgresses;
He commits offense,
Ascribing this power to his god.”
- Habakkuk 1:5-11

It is this separation that is the root of all things. This is sin, and the wages of sin is death. God’s army marches carrying out the orders of execution.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Romans 6:23

No matter how bad we want to do something different, or make things right, we do not have it in us. We may be able to change some things, and change them for awhile, but this is all superficial.

For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 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. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
- Romans 7:15-25

We are protected from the enemy as we trust in Him. Through our faith we are given life, but the proud in heart are slain.

“Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith.”
- Habakkuk 2:4

Knowing that the enemy marches with their specific orders, and that Paul says that Jesus is the One who can deliver us from the horrible cycle of sin, we are to find shelter in Him. There is a spiritual war taking place, and this is reality. As the prophet Habakkuk said though, people will not believe even if it were told to them. We are strictly warned of this truth though, and told that the battle belongs to the Lord.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
- Ephesians 6:10-13

 ^“O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
- 2 Chronicles 20:12

“Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
- 1 Samuel 17:47

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
- Acts 4:12

The Greek word used here for guard is literally a military word. It has definite warfare connotations.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:6-7

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
- Isaiah 26:3

Only through Jesus Christ are we saved from the wrath of God, today and in the day of judgment. Salvation is truly in the moment. If we can abide in Him we can have the joy of our salvation every day, AND in the day of judgment. Jesus showed us what it is to glorify God as God.

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’”
- Hebrews 10:5-7

The author of Hebrews is referencing when the Holy Spirit spoke through King David in Psalms.

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;
My ears You have opened.
Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”
- Psalms 40:6-8

This call of yielding entirely to God’s will is stated again by Paul in the book of Romans.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
- Romans 12:1

When we come entirely before God in surrender, He keeps us in perfect peace.
Jesus made the call of full surrender absolute in numerous ways.

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”
- Luke 9:23-24

Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”
- Luke 14:25-33

Jesus draws a very clear picture of what a servant glorifying God as God looks like, and what is required. As we have deduced thus far, this is the key to true change and being saved from the wrath of God.

"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life."
- John 5:39-40

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
- John 1:1-2

The "He" in these verses is Jesus, which is easily discerned as you continue to read the proceeding verses. The Greek word used here for "Word" is logos. It literally means the creative power of the Universe. This verse says that Jesus is the Word, that He "was in the beginning with God", that He "was God", and that He "was with God". Easy enough since the words and wording mean exactly what they say.

A person must fully turn to Jesus Christ as Lord, which makes the Word of God supreme in their lives. Only then will there be true change to character, which inevitably changes behavior. A person must submit themselves, in every aspect of their lives, to the sovereignty and will of God. This is the only hope, the only salvation, and why salvation is found in Jesus alone. Anything short of this is just a lie and fairy tale.

ABOUT ME

I want to clarify something to those who are in my circle of influence. I am going to share some things you may not know about me.

 

I was convicted of four felonies in 1999, and was on probation for ten and half years and am now on parole. I graduated from Maranatha Christian School in 1997, and had gone to church nearly every Sunday growing up. I called myself a Christian through it all, but it wasn't until 2010 that God decided to reveal Himself in me.

 

God brought me to a place of broken surrender where I was finally able to let Him be God. I lost my freedom, my family, and every physical possession except my clothes when I went to jail in August 2010 for violating my probation. It was there that I learned the Truth of Jesus' words "Only one thing is needed". Through God's grace I was given 20 months to get to know my Lord, and we spent 6-8 hours a day for the whole 20 months praying and reading the Word.

 

I have been out of prison since May of 2012, and God has been rebuilding my life as He continues to write His story. I am a five point Calvinist as defined by the world, but I am only who God has made me to be and I only know what He has given me. I hold to the absolute truth of the word of God, of the written Word's inerrancy, and to the sovereign God's ability to preserve His Word. I am the King's, and I am His to do with as He pleases.

I manage a flooring store in Boise. I have two children from two different moms. I am engaged to an amazing woman with two of her own kids, and I am constantly just in awe of what God is doing in our lives.

WORSHIP

So many get caught up in the emotions behind worshipping God in song and dance, or in their worship rituals, yet fail to worship Him in the manner He desires most. Let us talk about it.

This topic is to promote self examination in us, for it is easy to deceive ourselves. People may go to a church and enjoy the singing and worship, yet it is possible they are doing so in vain. It is even more likely that a person may be in church worshipping an idol instead of the true God. They may be singing to a god of their own imagination instead of the God of the Bible.

Therefore the Lord said:

“Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men"

- Isaiah 29:13

 

What does the worship of the Bible look like?

 

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

- John 4:21-24

 

If that is the kind of worship God is looking for, what does it look like?

 

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;
My ears You have opened.
Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”

- Psalms 40:6-8

 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

- Romans 12:1-2

 

So... Whether you worship God with hands in the air, singing out loud, singing in your heart, with your head bowed and eyes closed, or in dance, know that all these things are great, but this not the worship the Lord desires most. He desires us. He desires our lives. This is the evidence of our true worship.