Doing Life God's Way

My good friend, Sam, asked me about the Biblical account of emerods and what that was all about the other day.  It deserved a little research.

In I Samuel 4, the Israelites had lost a major battle with the Philistines.  About 34,000 men were killed and the Ark of the Covenant was taken.  This was a devastating defeat for Israel and a great victory for the Philistines, until they got back home.  They soon discovered that having the Ark under these conditions was a curse.  The image of their god, Dagon, was destroyed in the presence of the Ark and their people began to get miserable sicknesses, which included itching, sores, and probably worst of all, emerods.  A look at the Hebrew tells us that these weren’t just hemorrhoids, which are bad enough, they were tumors, rectal tumors.  They began moving the Ark from town to town and every place experienced the same thing.  Wherever they moved it there was disease and mice ravaging the land.  It occurred to them that this Ark was a problem.

The Philistine leaders finally, after seven months, consulted the experts, the priests and diviners, about what they should do.  Interestingly, these guys knew their history.  They recalled what God had done to Egypt under Pharaoh (I Sam 4:8) and how Israel was delivered so they immediately advised that they send the Ark back.  They also knew that one did not approach the Most High God without a sin-offering.  They did their best to fashion an offering according to their own knowledge and custom.  They made images of the curse that had come upon them, the mice and emerods, out of gold, a most precious metal, to be specific about their deliverance, but they somehow missed the fact that God required the shedding of blood for atonement.  They also put it on a new cart, so they were trying. 

For some reason, our human nature tends to hold us back from the very deliverance we need from God.  We see this in Exodus 8:10 with the Egyptians.  When Pharaoh finally decided he has had enough frogs, he asked Moses to pray that they would be taken away TOMMORROW!  Amazing.  “Please give me one more night of misery before my deliverance.”  I think it has something to do with our tendency to hedge our bet, so to speak, against God’s power in our lives, not really wanting to admit that we are powerless.

Here’s how they hedged their bet.  Just to make sure that it wasn’t just coincidence that everywhere the Ark went, the curse went, they hitched the cart up to two milk cows which had never been hitched up, and, who had just had calves.  They then set them free to leave it up to God to get the Ark back to Israel.  The tendency of course for cows that had never been hitched up would have been chaos to begin with.  They also would naturally want to return back to their home and calves, instead of heading out across the wilderness to some place they had never been.  “Just in case the curse was a coincidence, lets make it almost impossible for these cows to go the right direction.”  They didn’t want to give up the very thing that was causing their problems, and we are the same way today.  “Let’s just hang on to this a little longer and see if things will work out anyway.  A little bit of compromise won’t hurt.  Maybe it’s just a coincidence that things are going badly.” (I Sam 6:9)

Interestingly, Israel had similar problems when the Ark came back.  Some looked inside it and died, the people panicked and sent it elsewhere.  It was some 20 years before the people finally determined that they needed to give up their idol worship and serve only the true God (I Sam 7:1-14).  Once they did that, and offered up the proper sacrifice, they were delivered from the Philistines and lived in peace.

We always want to do things our own way.  We want to deny that God is the only true power in our existence so we keep trying to prove we have control, hedging our bet against the possibility that our problems are more than just coincidence.  It was simple for the Israelites; you don’t look inside the Ark.  You know that!  You handle it correctly, according to the way God said, and you offer the proper sacrifices.  You do what God said to do and you prosper (Deut. 28:1-14).  If you don’t do what God said to do you suffer (Deut. 28:14-68).  He has set before us a choice, life or death, blessing or cursing. Choose life! (Deut. 30:19)  That choice is still ours today.

We can live our whole lives trying to prove we don’t need this Jesus, or God’s Word, or religion of any kind, but it doesn’t change the fact that the one true God, Jehovah, is the almighty one.  Even the Philistines knew that, they just rejected the truth.  Saul of Tarsus resisted God’s move also (Acts 9:1-2) and then when faced with the truth (vs.3-18), submitted to it and became Paul, the Apostle (vs.19-31).  It’s amazing what God can do in us if we submit to the truth and do what He says.  James 1:22-25 tells us to be doers of the Word and not hearers only and we will be blessed.  What if Ananias had not done what God asked him to do? (Acts 9:10-18)  What would have happened to Paul?  What if you don’t do what God asks you to do?  Who will be affected by hedging your bet that simple obedience to Gods Word will change your life as well as those around you?

Let’s stop hanging onto our comfort zones, traditions, pride, habits, laziness, and arrogance that keeps us from simply doing what God asks us to do today and becoming everything He wants us to be.  Let’s get rid of the emerods, itches, boils, and mice by doing life God’s way and then we’ll have life and life more abundantly! (John 10:10)

A Scripture that will Change Your Life

1Corinthians 1:30 
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Once we become born-again we are in Christ.  Eph. 2:6 says we have been raised up together to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.  The Father considers us one with Him through Christ making us heirs according to the promise and sons and daughters of God. It is from Him that we gain our new life in Jesus and we live that life through Him. 


He has made Jesus to be wisdom to us, revealing His plan and giving us the wisdom of God, or the mind of Christ (I Cor 2:16).  If we lack wisdom all we need to do is ask, as James 1 says, and He will give it without holding back. He has made all wisdom and understanding available to us through His Word and the mysteries of the spirit that were hidden for so many years are now opened to us.

We are also sanctified, or set-apart for holy service through Christ.  We are not as we were.  We are holy vessels for the purpose of worshipful service to God in this place.  We should never see ourselves as unworthy or unqualified to do anything God has asked us to do and we should never see anything that we do simply as an earthly excersize.  When we are set apart as a holy vessel, God is in everything we do.  Whether we are at work, play, or otherwise, it is an opportunity to make a difference in someone's life.  Our jobs and associations are for the purpose of serving Him and He supplies our need according to His riches in glory (Phil 4:19).  God will never create a vessel that He is unable to fill.  He will never ask us to do something He is unable to sustain in us.  It is the walk of faith that we step into God's leading, not seeing, but expecting that the provision to fulfill His purpose will always be there (Heb 11:1).  We are each set-apart for a holy purpose with specific giftings and graces to do the work God created us for (Eph 4:16).  


Christ is redemption unto us.  He has redeemed us, or bought us with a price out of slavery under the curse of the law.  We are free to live in Christ and flow in the calling and anointing he has given us.  We are no longer encumbered by the curse of the law but instead live in the blessing of God.  The blessing and curse is spelled out in Deut 28 and it is very clear.  God has made us victorious over sin. sickness, and poverty.  In verse 2 it says that the blessing will come upon us and overtake us!  If we will walk in the blessing by faith in Christ and His Word, we won't be able to get away from the blessing.  The key is in verse 1.  To obverse and to do His commandments.  Do what God has told us to do, or as James 1 puts it, be a doer of the Word.


We need to act like we are the redeemed of the Lord, expecting to be blessed as we do His Word and live obediently.  We should act like we're set apart for holy service walking confidently in our position  as sons and daughters of God with all the privileges that includes, listening for, and responding to the wisdom of God.  If we do we will be blessed in every part of our lives.  The blessing will overtake us and will overflow into the lives of those around us (Gen 12:2).  


We'll never be the same once we have gained a revelation of our position as sons and daughters of the King of Kings.  If Christ is in me, I have been set free, set apart, set in place, and set upon by the wisdom and blessing of God.  

Go into all the world

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

 16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

 17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

 18 "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

 19 ¶ So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. NKJV

It’s a good day for America and the world when we get one of our most notorious enemies.  Our intelligence and military forces do themselves proud every day but once in a while they get a chance to pull off an operation that is big enough that we hear about it and can celebrate it.  The negative always gets reported but we don’t often hear about the small victories that go on every day in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Schools are built and infrastructure improved and rebuilt.  Girls allowed to go to school for the first time where there were no schools.  Positive relationships are formed with the common people every day through interaction with our soldiers. 

It’s a shame when we have to have one of those good days due to the death of another human being, but it’s part of war and the way of this world.  We are completely justified in defending ourselves in whatever way is necessary against someone who will plot and carry out the cold-blooded murder of innocent people and we should feel good about bring them to justice.  As Christians though, it also brings a little bit of sadness. 

I watched as people rejoiced in the streets waving flags and chanting “USA” jubilantly and it was refreshing to see so many excited and celebrating their patriotism.  The representatives of those who lost family and friends on 9/11 were somewhat more subdued.  I’m sure it stirs up a lot of mixed emotions for them.  Like seeing someone convicted for a crime against your family, it brings feelings of satisfaction, and closure.  There is gladness that there is some small amount of equity in this world but also the empty realization that it really doesn’t right the wrong. 

The truth of the matter is that our brave troops and even the perfect system of justice only treat the symptom and not the disease.  Osama Bin Laden is dead and unfortunately for him his 72 virgins are 72 demons and his paradise is an eternal lake of fire.  I don’t know why they buried him at sea, my first thought was that he should be brought back to the US and be buried in a pig farm as an example to other religious zealots that would mess with the United States.  I found it an empty victory when they hanged Saddam Hussein (who I always called Sad’n Insane) because it just seemed too easy, but he too is finding his eternity to be much different than he expected. 

Unfortunately these are just examples of the way the world system of justice works.  It’s reactionary instead of proactive.  If we want to make a real difference in the world we have to treat the disease instead of the symptoms.  I’m not in any way taking away from the tremendous job our military and civil servants do every day protecting our loved ones and way of life.  Nothing makes me prouder than to hear of them pulling off an operation like these Navy Seals did or our police and firefighters do every day.  I just wish the Church operated with as much fervor and efficiency.  There are ministries, however, that do have a significant effect every day and sometimes could be compared with such an operation.  Teen Challenge, founded by the recently passed David Wilkerson, has had a very significant effect on gangs and misdirected young people the world over.  It took a man with a vision to jump off the faith diving board into an empty pool to see God add the water on the way down.  It’s not an easy thing to do and we’re not all called to be Wilkersons, or Oral Roberts, or Billy Grahams.  We are all called to do our part though.

It is important that we budget our resources toward some of these ministries that do reach out to the world in ways that we cannot within our own callings.  Giving to our local church is our first responsibility but we need to always be aware of the need for support of ministries that are treating the disease of a fallen, sinful, misdirected world.  There are a number of ministries that are worthy of our support so we have to seek God’s direction for where he wants us to lend a hand. 

One of my favorites is Kenneth Copeland Ministries, not only because I have gained so much over the years from them, but because they give into other ministries all over the world and provide support toward humanitarian needs everywhere.  Through financial support and networking with their partners they have been able to make a great difference in Haiti since the earthquake and have made ministry possible in many places where it wasn’t possible before. 

Jesus said in Matt. 10:41 "He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.”  This means that if we support a prophet, a ministry, we take part in the whole work of that ministry and God sees it as if we were doing it ourselves.  We see the results of our giving at our church every week so it’s easy to give there and get instant gratification and that’s a good thing.  When we give to other ministries, however little it is, we are linking ourselves with the results of that ministry’s work all over the world, treating the disease of false religion, hatred, demon possession and every other destructive work of the devil.  When James Robison’s group digs a well or provides food for people in Africa it gives them an opportunity to bring the message of hope and truth to a multitude of adults and children who are being deceived into believing there is no hope.  When we support that effort we are credited with the work ourselves. 

KCM has verified responses from over 6 million people over the years that have received Christ as a direct result of their ministry and I have a part in that.  KCM supports Reinhard Bonke and Christ for all Nations in his evangelistic efforts all over the world and they have received responses from over 60 million people, since the year 2000, who have made first-time decisions to follow Christ.  My support of KCM means I have a part of that reward too.  Now, I’m really not concerned with my reward because it all goes back to the feet of Jesus anyway, but, I will never touch that many people in my lifetime unless I link myself to someone else.  As I support these ministries who are the front-line troops in the Body of Christ, I have an effect on the world I could not have otherwise.  In this way I am able to go unto all the world as well as influencing those around me. 

I’m glad we’re making progress in the war on terror, but I pray that the Church will take up the sword of the spirit and the rest of the armor (Eph 6:10-18) and start making similar progress in turning hateful hearts to Jesus before the bullets and bombs are necessary.  Many Muslims the world over are tuning to Christ and for every one of them there are uncounted others who are also influenced.  Children who don’t grow up hating America and Israel but grow up loving Christ and His people have an immeasurable effect on this world as a whole and they deserve a chance to know the truth. 

I long for the day when Jesus comes back to rule and there are no more Osama Bin Ladens, or Saddam Husseins, or Adolph Hitlers.  In the meantime, there is another Osama somewhere who is waiting for someone to bring the truth and release him or her from the torment of hatred and deception and into a life of joyous service to Christ.  Who knows, maybe he or she will turn out to be a Billy Graham instead.  How much better it is to treat the disease.  

Finishing Strong

April 27th was a sad day for many people.  I was saddened by the loss of life in the southern United States due to the terrible tornadoes.  I was also saddened by the loss of a true leader and visionary of the Church, David Wilkerson. 

I don't read a lot of blogs.  I don't have time for it.  I spend most of my reading time in God's Word trying to get better acquainted with Him.  David Wilkerson's blog was the only one I followed.  I didn't read it daily but when I did I found it inspiring and encouraging.  

For those that don't know, he was the founder of Teen Challenge, born out of courageous ministry to the gangs of New York in the 60s.  He wrote The Cross and the Switchblade chronicling his efforts to bring the Gospel to those who had been written off by most.  I always found it amazing that someone from completely outside of that environment would not only be called by God but would actually respond to that call to put himself in real danger working with some of the most violent and dangerous people on earth.  That was only the beginning of his ministry impact on the world.  

It is a great loss to the Body of Christ and the world that David isn't with us any longer, and the fact that it happened so suddenly is shocking to us.  If the truth be told, there is much loss of a similar nature, which we never hear about.  Many die every day having left a gap in the mission of the Gospel.  We hear about the celebrity ministers, Oral Roberts, D. James Kennedy, Bill Bright, and others and feel a sense of loss to the Church for their absence but there are many more who leave us with a similar, albeit, less well-known impact every day. Even more tragic are those of us who continue living, have a call from God on our lives, and don't fulfill that call.  

Eph. 1:4-5 says:...just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will...

We were each chosen before the foundation of the world to serve and love God.  Jesus paid the price to redeem us from a destiny that dictated failure and separation from God.  We are all chosen to do a specific work in a specific time.  

Eph 4:16 ...from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Each of us has a specific purpose and mission to accomplish in this life, and without us the Body of Christ, and the world, suffers.  God needs us.  He has a plan for each of us and it is only right for us to honor Him for the sacrifice He made for us by finding out what that purpose is and fulfilling it.  

We all have times in which we feel insignificant and even useless, but the truth is that we all have a circle of influence. We all know people who are affected by our lives and even if we don't realize it, those people are counting on us to fulfill our calling. It's not always building a university, or starting a worldwide ministry.  It's mostly giving an encouraging word, praying with someone in need, lending a hand when it's needed, or giving a blanket to someone who is cold.  In Matt. 25:31-46 Jesus tells us that when we help each other it is the same as helping Him.  When we act in kindness to others, we are honoring God and fulfilling our purpose.

I am the fifth of five children in my family.  My Mother was 35 years old when she became pregnant with me and it had been 7 years since her youngest was born.  I was not planned.  However, I was not a mistake.  My parents may not have planned me but I am sure that God did.  One thing my Mom always made sure I knew as I was growing up, and even after, was that she viewed me as a blessing.  I was there as a stabilizing factor in her life during some very difficult times.  She said that she had responsibility and couldn’t just fall apart when things got rough.  I also know that I have had some influence on those around me.  I believe God put me on this earth for a purpose.  That purpose is not yet fulfilled so I continue to seek God for His direction and wisdom.  Even if I haven’t done many of the things that God has called me and gifted me to do, I know I have the ability to seek after those things and finish strong. 

We each can live in hope that Rom. 11:29  says that “the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable”  He has instilled in each of us on this earth giftings, abilities, talents, and a specific call to service that He will not take away.  If we will submit ourselves to Him, and His purpose for our life, He will renew those giftings and calling.

It’s important for us to each realize that living from day to day is not guaranteed.  The recent tragedies in Japan, and the South show us that we can’t predict or be prepared for every possibility.  The only thing we can control is right now.  If I plant the seed of submission to whatever God asks me to do today, however small it may be, I will see the fruit of that seed in further direction, the blessing of God on my life, and lives changed around me.  I will finish strong. 

New Year's Re-evaluation

I quit making New Year's resolutions years ago.  I just don't have the discipline to keep them and don't see the point in kidding myself.  I do value the idea of re-evaluating my life and considering how it might be made better during this time though.

Examining my current life there are many things to consider.  Maybe I should lose some weight or get in shape.  That would be good.  Perhaps set up a better plan for my finances; maybe seek out a second job or better job.  That's a challenge on many levels these days.  How about personal care?  Maybe I could just take better care of myself, start taking vitamins, or drinking more water.  The one thing that seems to get the least attention though is my spirit man.  It doesn't get much attention because it doesn't demand it like other things do.  My spirit can get pretty unhealthy without me even realizing it.

Scriptures show that we are made in the image of God.  We are a spirit, which will live forever. We have a soul, our thinking, reasoning abilities, and personality.  That also is eternal.  We live in a body, which is subject to, and necessary for our existence on this earth.  Unfortunately it is our body, the shortest-term entity, which gets the most attention.  Anytime it needs something we are quick to respond, but how often do we respond when our spirit needs something?

Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."  In context, Jesus was comparing the importance of the spirit over the flesh.  If we put God first and seek after Him with a true heart we will receive everything we need from Him.  If we give Him the chance to speak to us He can guide us into blessing.  What we don't usually see is how dependent our natural lives are on the spiritual world around us.  If we realize that the natural world is actually shaped by the spiritual we will begin to understand how important our relationship to God is.  If we put our relationship with Him and spiritual growth first then we will gain everything we need, and more, through Him.  

Eph 3:20 says: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”.  That power is the Word of God.  The more our minds are renewed to His ways, and the more we are tuned in to His voice, the more blessed we become.  The great thing is that we cannot even imagine what God is able to do in and through us as a result.

Proverbs 4:20 - 22 says "My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.

 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;

 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh."  Pay attention to His words, hear what He has to say, keep them in front of you at all times, and make them preeminent in your heart.  Then He can add all the rest to you.

Proverbs is all about seeking the wisdom of God for our lives.  He says to seek wisdom and understanding more than anything else, because when we do we make it possible for God to bless us with life, health, and abundance in every part of our lives.

III John 1:2 says: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”  Notice that the prosperity is in ALL things and it, and the health, are dependent on the prosperity of our souls.  That’s another way of saying we need to renew our mind.  In other words, as we renew our mind, change our thinking patterns, to God’s way of thinking, our soul prospers.  When our soul prospers, we gain health, and prosperity in all things. 

I’m thinking that it might be a good idea to spend more time in the Word of God this year.  Some more one on one time with Him might just be a good thing too.  Maybe if I get my thinking adjusted to the way God thinks and nourish my spirit-man I might worry less and actually be able to work my faith.  What a concept!

New Year's Day

by Rod Barnes

When I think of New Year’s Day

I think of years gone by

Of Christmases and seasons gone

And memories so nigh

I think about the tree right here

I’m about to unadorn

And how it must have been for it

To grow the years before

Of all the reaching, stretching, growing

All spent to reach this day

And how my life is so much like

That Christmas tree today

From small to large my growth has come

With ups and downs in life

I’ve tried so hard to reach my place

Through seasons, pain, and strife

The one thing that I know for sure

About this life I’ve led

Is that my God has always been

Just one small step ahead

He saw the picture from beyond

Before I was conceived

And even though I didn’t know

Or even yet believed

He put me down in fertile soil

And watered me with love

He sent me angels to guide me through

With power from above

The ones He put around my life

Were precious and sincere

To help me reach and stretch and grow

Until His day appears

And like that tree I one day soon

Will reach my final days

And stand in glory of His light

To sparkle in His ways

But when my season comes to end

He’ll take me from my place

And sit me down in perfect peace

Eternity in grace

So when I look upon these days

The year that’s up and coming

I have to think about His plan

And beat that He is drumming

I’ll stretch and reach and grow some more

Keep looking to the sky

To catch the tinsel He has thrown

Upon my branches high

Then one day soon he will return

To take me from my stand

And place me safely in His love

The final chapter planned