Archive for January, 2014

To Know His Voice

January 31, 2014

To walk in the destiny which God intended for us to have, it is imperative that we come to know His voice on an intimate basis and not those which continually vie for our attention.  It seems that there will always be an influx of individuals who love to declare “The Lord told me you’re to do this.” when in fact that is not the case.  Unfortunately, some will heed to the deception and set out on something which was never of God.

Many years ago, I knew a woman who appeared to have a word from God, for me, on a 24-7 basis.  The Lord, however, knew my heart and as I sought Him for His direction, He revealed to me that the voice and words from this person were not His own.  He said in John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice.  I know them and they follow Me.”  I will continue to praise Him for that daily.  

The Holy Spirit

January 26, 2014

As Catholics/Christians, our relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ, is and should be the key element in our lives and the core of our existence. He is our Master, our Savior, our Lord. Clearly He died in order that we may live. However, to effectively sustain that relationship it is vital that we allow the Holy Spirit entrance into our day to day existence.

In John 15:26, Jesus, during the Last Supper, assured His disciples that “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, He will testify on My behalf.” In the following chapter, John 16:13, Jesus went on to say “When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own but will speak whatever He hears, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.”

As evidenced in these two verses, the Holy Spirit is the revealer of truth. Neither He or the Son operate independent from each other or apart from our Heavenly Father. Saint Paul stated clearly in 1 Corinthians 12:3 ” Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says ‘Let Jesus be cursed!’ and no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.”

When we yield ourselves to The Lord, and pray to the Father in Jesus’ name, it is the Holy Spirit who responds and will disclose what our Savior wants us to know.

Holiness

January 12, 2014

The world’s diminished moral structure has readily embraced ungodliness as a treasure to be strived for. Unfortunately there are also those within the church who despite their vocal affiliation with The Lord, have pushed holiness aside like an antiquated relic. And yet, the Bible is replete with numerous references to holiness and how God expects us to live. In 1 Thessalonians 4:7, we are told “For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness.” We are further instructed in 1 Peter 1:15-16 “Instead, as He who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct for it is written “You shall be holy for I am holy.”

The emphasis on holiness has been largely relegated to a casual mention in our churches and other places of worship. We condone that which The Lord has called unclean as we do not wish to offend or to be ostracized. We speak against certain sins yet we continually vote politicians into office who blatantly put laws into effect that contradict the Word of God.

In 1 Corinthians 6:9, St. Paul warned the church “Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived…” Our tendency towards deception is again addressed in Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived. God is not mocked for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit.”

In response to those passages, though a few will agree, I’ve heard many say “Well, God knows my heart…” “I’m a work in progress.” “God is a God of love. He won’t condemn me.” “I’m a good person which is all God really wants.” “There is no hell and even if it did exist, God is too good to send people there.” There is no conviction but rather a perpetuation of excuses. Yet Jesus Himself said in Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name and do many deeds of power in your name?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me you evil doers.’

God is calling us into a life which glorifies Him. When we choose to adapt ourselves to holiness, He will direct us every step of the way.