The Thorns of Carnality

 Matt 13:7
And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up and choked them.

The thorns in our lives that keep us from growing in our faith and grace take on many shapes. The main throne that keeps our roots from getting firmly established and grounded in the Lord is the thorn of carnality. Carnality is not a popular topic among many progressive thinking “Christians”. Many feel it is a thorn that can’t be removed, we just need to keep them from overtaking us. But scripture says, “The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be (Roman 8:7). This thorn keeps many from growing and being all that God desires one to be. The carnal mind is pulled toward self and the desires of the flesh. It seeks to make sure that self is first and is cared for. Paul said we are to present ourselves a living sacrifice to God, fully surrender our heart, soul and mind to the will of God. Take self off the throne and put Christ first in our lives. This work of living sacrifice is also called sanctification. Allowing God to set us up apart, making us a holy vessel for His service. The Holy Spirit is given right away to move in us, and through us to accomplish the will of God. The thorns of carnality often spring up unaware and choke out the seed of the Gospel that was planted. The things of the world and the cares of life have a way of stifling Christians from growing to maturity. God’s desire is to remove the thorns in our lives so that we can be fruitful for the kingdom and live in harmony with the will of God

Exalted Above Measure

 2Corinth 12:7
​​And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

One of Paul’s temptations in his life was to think that he was someone great. He had reason to “brag” about himself. “Circumcised on the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; according to the law, a Pharisee;” (Phil 3:5.) He was brought up in the city at the feet of Gamaliel, a respected member of the Sanhedrin, a teacher of the law of Moses. He was charged by the high council with eliminating this new uprising of people who claim that Jesus was the Messiah. 
Paul was a man filled with the Holy Spirit, who consecrated his life to doing the work of God. He was not ruled by the carnal nature, he was a man sanctified wholly to do the will of God. Yet, he was tempted to think of himself more highly than others. Satan would tempt him to exalt himself above measure. To think his abilities were the driving force in spreading the gospel of Christ. Being sanctified does not immune one from temptation. Satan works to scatter the power of God’s people (Dan 12:7) and sees those who have great influence fall. God was faithful to send Paul a “throne in the flesh”, something that would affect his humanity. Causing him to struggle and keep him from boasting and depending on his own strength. He realized that the charge given to him could not be made by any ability of his own, that he needed God to give him the grace to do what was needed. Acknowledging our weakness in not admitting to defeat. It is an opportunity to show the awesomeness of God’s grace and power to work in us and through us. He desires that we provide Him with a vessel, an earthen vessel to do what He wants to accomplish in us and in the world around us. 

That Good Thing

 2 Tim. 1:13,14
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

“That good thing.” We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (2 Corinth 4:7) We pray that good things will happen. We desire the blessing of God to bring us things that will bring joy to our lives, and bring contentment. But we know that for reasons not always known, bad things also happen, because that is the consequences in living a fallen world. But despite all the bad things that are happening, we have “That good thing” that God has given us through Christ. He has given us a clean heart, through His blood shed on the cross we have forgiveness of sin. We have the assurance that God is good and He does all things well. “That good thing” that is given to us remains in us because the Holy Spirit is living and guiding us each day. Giving us the power to overcome the bad things that come our way. We hold fast the sound teaching handed down through scripture and feed on the  good things of His word. We hide His word in our hearts and integrate them into the way we live our lives. Let us not let go of “That good thing” for it is the treasure He has given us. 

Grieve Not

Eph. 4:30
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Distressing, or causing  the Holy Spirit to be sad happens when we do something or say something that is contrary to the nature of God. Our renewed vessel was made to bring honor to His Name. When we say things that hurt or demean others, we grieve the Holy Spirit. When we allow bitterness, anger, and evil speaking to dwell in our vessel of clay, the Holy Spirit will not abide. He will depart from us if we don’t take action. It is true that a vessel that is fully consecrated and sanctified to God will be sensitive to the checks of the Holy Spirit, and will guard against things that will grieve Him. But Satan is out to destroy what God has made new, and will bring temptations that will play with our emotions and humanity. We are still human, and subject to the temptations of the flesh. We are admonished to put off any behavior or actions that would cause the Holy Spirit to depart. God will never leave us or forsake us, but His Spirit cannot abide where sin abides. He will continue to deal with us and call us back to Him.

In The Potter's Hand

  Isaiah 64:8

But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand
“Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.” is the chorus often sung in our worship services. We are nothing until we are made into a vessel that God can use. Our humanity is like a lump of clay. It is not until we let God, the maker of life, mold us into something that can be used to His glory.  He is the potter that wants to form us into a vessel that can be filled with the Holy Spirit. Satan would desire to make us a vessel that is filled with self, malice, corrupt communication, and all manner of sinfulness. The Father wants to take the works of Satan and reshape us into His image. When we yield our lives to God, we surrender our desires and ambitions, we allow Him to be the Lord of lives. We are crucified with Christ. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me..” Gal.2:20. This is what it means to allow God to mold us and make us. We are the work of His hand, let God mold you into something special, someone He can use for His Kingdom.

Let God Speak Through You

 Matt. 10:20

For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you.

For some people like Peter, speaking out for the Lord is second nature, they have the gift of speaking. There are many like Moses that find it hard to speak in front of others. Most of us are somewhere in between these spectrums. Finding the right words to say without coming across too aggressive, or overbearing is always a concern. Not saying the right words for the situation is a fear that others may have. There are times that it is best not to say anything, and let your presence speak for you. But, there comes a time that God wants us to speak, He has something to say, and He wants to say it through us. We are His vessels of honor, we are the instruments that He has chosen. At that moment, we speak to Him in prayer. “Lord, may the Spirit of the Father help me to say what needs to be said, no more and no less.” We can take comfort in the words of Jesus, for He has promised when the time comes to speak, the Holy Spirit will speak for you.

The Self-Made Man

Psalm 100: 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

The self-made man is know as a person who successfully rises to the top without the aid of inherit wealth. From rags to riches, against all odds the self-made man perseveres to achieve wealth, power, or popularity. Such a man or women is praised and used as examples that anyone who does not quit in the face of failure can make something of their lives. No doubt, such tenacity plays a part in the earthly success of individuals. But for a Christian, the reality is we can do nothing without the help of God. We were made from the clay of the earth and our lives depend on the mercy of God who gives us breath. We can strive all we can to rise to the top, but ultimately true success comes when we have submitted ourselves as clay in the hands of the potter. Allowing Him to mold us and make us into a vessel that will honor and glorify Him. The true self-made person knows that he/she can do all things, but knows that it is only through Christ that our achievements are truly realized. We our not are own, we are bought we a price. We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. May our lives glorify Him in everything we do.

The Fingers of God

Psalm 8:3.4 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

The psalmist sees the Almighty as a artist, sculpting with His fingers the universe. The Creator of heaven and earth calls into existence the suns of the universe, the stars in the heaven are made for His pleasure. He has ordained the creation of the moon to help light the earth at night. He has gifted man with the intelligence to peek into the vastness of space. We have but scratch the surface of the vastness of His creation. The fingers of man have invented and constructed things of marvel. but it is God who can take what is not and make it into something that is. Who is man, but once again the fingers of God forming him from the dust of the earth. He is molding man into His image. We our the clay in the Potter’s wheel willing to let God make us into the vessel of His desire. The same God who with His fingers creating the worlds, wants to make us a vessel of honor, ready to be used for His pleasure.

Filled With The Holy Spirit

Acts. 9:17 …the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

The Bible is filled with scripture where believers in Christ are filled with the Holy Spirit after they have turned their life over to Christ and their sins have been forgiven. The Day of Pentecost is a historical event that demonstrates that the Holy Spirit desires to indwell all believers to equip them to live a victorious life in Christ. Empowering them to preach the gospel of Jesus without fear of man. This is the foundation principle of holiness. A Holy God through the Holy Spirit, living in and through those who name the Name of Christ. There is no formula, or procedure manual showing how this takes place. It is  base on Bible teaching, that God will not dwell in an unclean vessel. The vessel must be sanctified before it can be filled. This is the Wesleyan doctrine. Believe in the Lord Jesus and be saved. Consecrate and surrender your life to the will of God, and the Holy Spirit will come to all who trust and obey.

Treasures in Earthen Vessels

2 Corinth 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

We all are earthen vessels formed by the hand of God from the dust of the earth. The breath of life is given to us by our Maker. He sent His son to take on the form of this vessel, to walk and live among us. The true treasures of life is to know the Son, and to know that His blood covers every sin that besets us. Though we breath the air of this earth, we are all dead in our sins. The excellency of the power of God has made it possible for us to have this earthen vessel filled with the Holy Spirit. Pauls says, I’m crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live” Not by any power that we possess, but by the power of God we are made alive in Christ. This treasure is available to anyone who allows Christ to come into their heart and is made Lord of their life. “There was a day, that this earthen vessel was empty and lifeless, but a day came when He filled my vessel with His presence, and now I possess a treasure that comes from God alone".

A Lamp with Oil

Matt 25:3 “They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them”

A lamp without oil is useless. Religion without the presence of God is also useless. Being ready for the returning bridegroom is more than having a form of religion. Professing to be a Christian goes beyond the dressing of going to church or being raised to believe certain truths. The wise that have their lamps filled with oil are those who have trusted Christ for salvation and depend on the merit of the blood of Jesus to cleanse their heart from all unrighteousness. Being ready is to have your vessel (your heart) filled with God’s love and living in His presence in every situation and circumstance we find ourselves in. A lamp filled with oil is to have the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts, leading us in our daily walk with God. “Fill my lamp Lord, and help me never to be without”. 

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”