No to Satan, and Yes to God

 Mat 5:37 (AMP)
But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’ [a firm yes or no]; anything more than that comes from the evil one.

“Don’t you understand the word “No! When I say “No”, I mean “No.” These are words often spoken to someone, often a child, who persists in asking for something they want. There is no budging or compromise. Our minds have been made up. Our statement is final, we have decided what is right and will stick with it. Satan will tempt us to take another course that God has already set before us. “This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.” (2 John 1:6). There are countless stories of those we know that started out to run the race, but failed to say “No” to the devil, and “Yes” to God. Satan tempted Eve in the garden, “Has God said.” God already told Adam and Eve they were not to eat from the tree with the forbidden fruit. Instead of telling Satan “No”, Eve started to listen to Satan, and was deceived by his words. Saying “Yes” to God and “No” to the devil requires help from a higher source of power. The Holy Spirit is able to give us the grace and strength to overcome the temptations of the devil. The chorus we sing, “I'll say, yes Lord yes to Your will and to Your way. I'll say, yes Lord yes, I will trust You and obey. When the Spirit speaks to me, with my whole heart, I'll agree, and my answer will be, yes Lord yes”. It should be the cry and desire of our heart.  Let us say “No” to Satan, and “Yes” to God! 

Disobedience to God

 Gen. 2:17
​​ But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

The fall of Adam and Eve points to a tree placed in the garden. The tree was put there for a purpose. God does all things with a purpose. The tree of knowledge tested man’s obediences to God, the one who created them. The command was simple, “Don’t eat this fruit”. God’s commandments are given for man’s good.  A tree with fruit that God forbid them to eat. The fruit was no doubt a fruit to be desired. Eating of the forbidden fruit would open Adam and Eve to the dark evil ways of sin. It was not so much the fruit itself, but the disobedience of Adam and Eve that caused them to plunge into darkness, causing their hearts now to seek the pleasures of evil.  God made man a free moral agent, the ability to choose right, or wrong. God did not predestine Adam and Eve to make the wrong choice, they could have abstained from the temptations of Satan, but they choose to listen to the deceptive lies of Satan and disregard God's words. We all have choices to make each day. Sometimes choices are made without all the information, but such choices are not willful disobedience to God’s word. But, “Thus saith the Lord.” are made clear in His word. Our human judgment may falter, but we can have a heart perfect toward God. Draw close to God, and He will draw close to us. Follow the Holy Spirit’s leading and do what He saith. 

Real Happiness

  Philippians 4:11
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
The question is often asked, “Are you happy?” the dictionary defines happiness; “Happiness is a sense of well-being, joy, or contentment.” People seek happiness by gathering things, material possessions. Some seek happiness in emotional or freshly gratifications.  They may also seek happiness in connecting with others, a meaningful relationship. What does it mean to be truly content with life or your circumstances? Paul acknowledged his desire for earthly things, want of food, water, shelter, and connecting with people, but he realized that there are times that these things are out of reach. Ultimately, contentment is a choice, a learning process to focus on God’s desire. Submitting your life and life’s circumstances into the hands of God. Having the Peace of God in the storms of life, knowing that God is in control, and He cares when life throws you a curveball.  Seeking happiness is not the goal of life, seeking God’s will, trusting and obeying His voice will bring real contentment. It is not wrong to desire what God has created and find pleasure in the desires that God has put in our hearts. Doing good for others, caring for each other, and being loved by others brings contentment, but lasting joy and contentment comes only by knowing God and being loved by Him.

Obey God, Not Men

 Act 5:29
…We ought to obey God rather than men.
The laws of our land are slowly shifting away from the moral laws of God. Christians in America are facing challenges that they never had to deal with in the past. A nation that once honored the Bible and the Ten Commandment has turned its back on God and what is morally right. The laws of marriage between same genders is not only accepted, but it is to be celebrated. Anyone who speaks against such lifestyles is condemned as a bigot and hate monger. We are living in the days of Noah, and Sodom and Gomorrah, every man doing that which seems right in their own eyes, refusing to obey God, and the moral law He has given to man. The world is attempting to silence the church and the teachings of Jesus. They only take from the word what is pleasing to them and fits their ideology and philosophy of life. God is love, and we as Christians need to love others by showing God’s love to others and sharing God’s grace. But it is an injustice to others and their eternal soul not to preach the whole counsel of God. Paul obeyed God when he penned the words to abstain the appearance of evil, putting off sin and all that is unholy. We have a message of deliverance from sin, and a lifestyle that loves and gives. Let us continue to share Christ to others, and to obey God rather than men.

Bleeding of the Sheep

1 Samuel 15:14  
And Samuel said, What meaning then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?

Doing good deeds to cover up sin will not work. Saul was given direct instructions to destroy the enemy and all they possessed. His ambition to save the best for himself backed fired on him.  He thought he fooled God and got away with his actions by justifying his actions by saying he was doing it to honor God. Good intentions are not good if they go against the commandments of the Lord. Giving offerings to the church or some charitable organization does not do away with committing sin. Eternity is not determine by the balance of good deeds out weighing evil deeds. When God speaks, it is best to trust and obey. The word of God makes it clear that the only way to eternal life is through Christ. Seeking the approbation of God by any other means is futile. Walk in the light, follow Christ, and obey His voice, and the bleating of the sheep will have eternal benefits.

Sing Unto The Lord

Psalm 98:1b, 4 O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things:…Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

Worshiping God is demonstrated in many ways. We enter into the house of God expecting Him to meet with us. We express our love and faith by giving Him praise. He is worthy of worship and it is only right that we make a joyful noise, rejoicing by singing praises to Him. True worship of God is more of an attitude of spirit than a physical demonstration of emotions. We can sing with gusto and lift our hands toward heaven all we want, but if our heart is in rebellion against God, then we worship in vain. For to obey is better than sacrifice, or giving lip service by speaking words of praise. God is pleased when we recognize His holiness, His majesty, His greatness, but coming to Him with a song that has been places there by Jesus Christ is what He desires. Let us enter into His gates with thanksgiving in our heart, and worship Him for who He is and what He has done in our lives. 

For Those Who Love Him

Nehemiah 1:5 “and said: “I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and fearsome God, who keepeth covenant and mercy for those who love Him and observe His commandments,”-

The promises of God most often come with some conditions. He promise never to leave us or forsake us. But if we rebel against His will and walk away from His commandments, then He is not obligated based on His word to be with us. He still may pursue us and entreat us to return, but His presence in our lives is no longer assured. For those who truly love Him and are doing their best to follow His will, He will stay true to His word. He will not forsake us if we wholly submit to His will and keep His commandments. Their is a work to be done and He calls each of us to answer the call. He has promised to go with us to guide and direct our path. The task may seem unsurmountable, but He is a great and awesome God who is able to give us the power and grace to do what needs to be done. For those who love Him, He will make a path and walk with us. 

Ordinary People

Judges 6:15,16 “And he said unto Him, “Oh my Lord, with what shall I save Israel? Behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” And the Lord said unto him, “Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.”-

God calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Many times those things never get noticed by others. Our name may never be splashed on the news headline or make the evening news. Our name may never be called out from the pulpit extolling the things we do for the Lord. There is a work for each one of us to do in God’s kingdom. Gideon was a might man of valor, He had the courage to fight for what was right and do what was right even when things didn’t look good. He was a brave man, yet not a man of high statue. But, Gideon was willing to listen and obey God, and in due season, he was exalted in honor and position. We may never get the recognition for what we do, but God honors those who will follow and do His will. It is God who lifts up and brings down. The 300 men that stood by Gideon were never mentioned by name in scripture, but God use them to accomplish a great work. We may not always understand why God has us where we are, but He has a plan and we are to trust Him to make it happen. We are vessels that God can use for any purpose He chooses. It may not be a very pretty vessel, but in the hands of God it can be used to accomplish great things. “I’m nothing special, but with God all things are possible”