Issues and Circumstances

Watching TV in the late 1950's and 60's one phrase I heard on cowboy shows was "Let's cut 'em off at the pass!"  The good guys would take a different trail.  It was more difficult but more direct and stopping the bad guys before they could arrive at the stagecoach they had planned to rob.

Parents (most, well some) know that discipline at an early age curbs some behavior problems in later years.  The child is too immature to see that it is for their own good, as well as for future relationships. The development of children and in changing adult behavior will be a "cutting the issues off at the pass."  Deleting many of the issues and circumstances of an untrained lifestyle.

In our own lives we hope to be growing and maturing.  On the other hand, we have or know someone that stopped investing in themselves much less others.  The result often is to flow through life later bouncing off one circumstance floating aimlessly

The Bible calls it being tossed to and fro.  A Christians lifestyle can be ordered and submitted to the loving teachings/doctrines of God's Word.  Many a Christian either untrained or distracted from quiet time of prayer and reading God's word soon find themselves throwing toddler like tantrums or falling for an incorrect teaching or secular worldview. The term "selfie" comes to mind.

So let us draw near to God and He will draw near to us. The Bible also directs us to have our minds set on the things above because our citizenship is in His kingdom!  Then we will shine in a dark world, giving God glory!

"As you therefore have received Christ the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." Colossians 2:6,7.

"Chasten your son while there is still hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction." Proverbs 19:18.

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."  Philippians 2:3,4.

"He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses instruction goes astray." Proverbs10: 17.

Seasons Change

   

We see the consistency and authority of God when we see the changing of seasons since time began. Like "clock work" seasons in order, come and go. 

  You and I are guilty of taking changing seasons for granted. Not only seasons but the location of the planets and stars as well. God most likely sits back in amazement that many are not amazed.

  Maybe the reason is, we think the solar system and its' weather revolves around us.  Why, even God died for ME, He even answers MY prayers. We complain when He doesn't answer quick enough.

  Let's not forget it wasn't long after creation, humans given a choice, chose self, and how is that working out for us. They say we're even ruining the events of seasons with climate change.

  I know that in spite of us, God is in control! Anyone with any discernment can see that.  We have many questions but reading His Word, we have many answers. 

 Read throughout the Psalms and you'll find those questions and the answers. The book of Genesis tells the how and why this world is as it is.

  Your personal life goes through seasons. We experience the Fall, Winter, Spring and summer of life.  Emotions that are high and low, Seasons of joy and those of sadness.

  Look to the Seasons once again to see the love and control of God.  See the God that deserves our worship. This is all simple but yes, it's not easy. 

  I  pray that God would open the eyes of your heart, that you might see His love and wisdom. That He might incline forward to the season you might find yourself and divinely meet you there and comfort you.

Check out; 

Genesis 1-11

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Psalm 37: 1-7

  

In Christ!

What a miracle it is, being "in Christ." At one point you are dead in sin, realizing the call/draw of His Holy Spirit.
you then hear: "Follow Me." And you do.  You then are born again.  Your sin is covered/blotted out by the blood of Jesus. The believer walks now in Spirit and in truth. Now I'm dead to this world but alive unto God.

When it comes to God, your "Do I have to?" turns into "I love to." Religion turns into a relationship!  

 That person now knows what it means to have old things passed away; all things are made new.  Paul wrote that, His Spirit and Word, assures us we are the Children of God.  John said that those who received Him, to them, He gave power to become the children of God.!

 "But God who is rich in mercy, because of His great love, with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses,  made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been sasved), and raised us up together, in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus."  Ephesians 2:4-6.

HOSANNA! HOSANNA!

I have read that in the history of Israel, kings and military generals have returned to the cheers of Hosanna. The Maccabees in victory heard the crowds chant Hosanna.  Jesus the carpenter's son, humbly riding a donkey into Jerusalem receives the kingly praise. 

HOSANNA! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!
(quoting Psalm 118:26).

Crowds headed to Jerusalem for Passover festival (another picture of Christ Jesus). Those already in town had heard that Jesus was coming,  they and all the people already on the road, came to meet Jesus waving palm branches and laying them and their coats on the ground before Him, hailing Him as King and Messiah.

Hosanna has everything to do with Salvation (save us now), and the palm branches, everything to do with victory.  Jesus was/is who he had said He was; The Son of God! and worthy of their praise and ours. Jesus through His death, resurrection and ascension has defeated the power of sin, death and the grave!

"O' death where is you sting? O' grave where is your victory?  Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." -1 Corinthians 54-57.

 Previously, Jesus had asked those He delivered and healed, not to tell anyone . Now here in John 12, He allows everyone to shout sing and announce that He was King and Messiah!  As always the jealous, power grabbing Pharisees show up and tells Jesus to silence the crowd, Jesus reply to that was: " If these be silent , the rocks would  cry out in praise"  There will be those  people and events, in your life that will try to hinder your praise and devotion and ministry.  Whether we are approved of or not, we can continuously have a dip in our hip and a  praise on our lips.

HOSANNA!

They say Sunday He rides down the road hearing Hosanna!  By Friday they are shouting "Crucify Him". That day He hung on the cross dieing for the sins of the world  (we remember it as "good Friday") and said "Father forgive them".  Finally He said "It is finished".  Watching them roll the stone in front of the tomb, His followers might of said "It's over all right".  The events and paradigms of today, make many feel like it's hopeless and over.  

How about you? still have some praise left?  He was crucified, but on Sunday what happened? (stay tuned in for more).  It wasn't over. It was just beginning! We have great opportunities for ministry ahead.

John 3:16.

We serve a God that is very much alive. He is not dead!  We are then to die to this world yet be alive unto God.  Today Christ followers can give Him that praise of deliverer and King!  Worshiping Him with our voice and life.

HE IS RISEN !!



 

Stormy Life.

Occasionally off in the distance, you see storms clouds rolling in. Other times you are caught in the middle of nowhere, rowing as fast as you can, knowing you will not make shore in time.

Emotional, financial, mental, storms arise.  These storms can be a result of our lifestyle or no fault of our own.  The wrong or even sinful decisions of friends and family, can effect the every day of someone else.

The Word of God assures us we can experience peace, while being smack dab in the middle of a storm.

"Peace I give you. Not the peace the world gives, but my peace."-Jesus.

Paul wrote "Let your requests be made to God and the peace of God that passes all understanding, will keep (guard) your heart and mind, through Christ Jesus our Lord."

You can read Acts 27 for starters.  I believe it will encourage you or someone you know, that hasn't seen the Sun for days.

The Way of the Cross - A short film for Good Friday and Easter

He is risen, no prison.

Resurrection

Flowers rising,

surprising,

within green grass,

shining alas.

Flowing in mass,

victorious through winter,

even because of winter,

displays a splinter,

a stem.

Spring proves resurrection!

He is risen

no prison

no death or grave

Risen indeed will save.

First sign of life after death

giving the dead new breath.

New colors, new hopes.

Spring displays through green,

colors seen...

The death of Christ and resurrection!

                                                   tim flener

Don't be fooled!

 I could write about the snowstorm that I woke up to. That might fool some people but not those who lived near me.

This might work on April fool's day but not in the heat of the Summer.

Spiritually speaking, (you knew I was going there), We get occasionally fooled by our emotions or experiences and ultimately by the ol' devil.

Those near to God and staying in His word and truth will be more likely to recognize the lie. While those that are distant and unaware what God's truth is, will often be fooled by the twist or out and out lie which is not meant for a joke but the destruction of the unaware victim.

Stay in the Word and be aware of your surroundings thinking "That doesn't sound right."

John writes for us to test the spirits, if we do run everything through divine discernment, we won't hear satan yell "Gotchya!"

Armed and Dangerous!

You can bet in the dark realms of the one we call; Devil, Satan, Smuttyface and Lucifer, there is planning for an attack on his enemy.  His enemies are known as, Christ followers and prayer warriors.

We've seen "Wanted" posters.  Wanted posters also line the meeting rooms of hell, The heading on the bulletin board is titled:
 "ARMED and DANGEROUS!"

These terrorists, against the gates of hell are Moms and dads, grandmothers, and elementary age prayer warriors. It includes Pastors and Sunday school teachers and small group leaders.

Those on the bulletin board of hell, are called dangerous because, they stay in a spirit and attitude of prayer! They are dangerous followers of Christ. The Apostle Paul after telling us to put on the entire armor of God, said to "Pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints"

James makes the devil anxious with; "The effective prayer of the righteous man avails much." The Apostle Paul inspires the Believer when he tells them in their prayer warfare, they receive; "peace that passes all understanding."  While James says the demons are so disorientated; they believe and tremble!

So, satan attacks the emotions and twists the word of God even makes good things distract from God things. He's out to destroy the Glory of God and the influence of the church in the community.  He strives to have the prayer warrior to busy, or to go ahead and pray just make it a number on the list of things to do.  He encourages them to be content, in their comfort zone of; career, family and "church work" he also loves it when the Church lowers the alert status to safe, while they laugh off the seriousness of his guerrilla tactics.

"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/schemes of the devil."  Ephesians 6:10,11.

"Take Out the Garbage!!"

It's Garbage day!  Gather up all that is unusable and toss it.  Take what is undesirable and stinks up your daily life and discard it.

You have replaced these with something beneficial and new to enjoy.  Some items in the garbage might have even been at one time, good and useful, but now outdated.

The Apostle Paul wrote for us to : "Get rid of, mortify, be renewed, put on new clothes of righteousness."

Bring all of those negative or evil thoughts, attitudes, hurtful behaviors, and destructive addictions. Replace those with the new and fresh, that God is wanting to do in and through you!

Take that old garbage, and toss it.

Stay the course

I believe God's Word encourages/commands us to remain faithful or stay the course.  With the Bible being our map, we might  have to do more than glance at it. Some of us should ask ourselves are we on the RIGHT course.  Many times we say we are sincere in the direction we are headed. We know we can be sincerely wrong as well. Confession and repentance will change our mind as well as our direction.

If you and I are guided by emotions or culture's behavior, we will soon discover, we have slowly gone off course.  The Word of God, prayer and depending on empowerment from His Holy Spirit is what the true Christian will need in order to navigate the "seas of life."

Truth will lead us where we NEED to go. Truth is not what we always want to hear. Paul writes to Timothy that in the last days we'll desire to hear only what we want to hear, having our ears tickled.

It is no secret that this culture and its paradigms are headed for the "rocks of life."  The church in general, is joining the convoy as we veer off course away from God and his Truth.

We have been obsessed about painting the cruise ship, swabbing the deck (mopping?) Some are even down below sleeping in our bunks. We have lost sight of the mission and destination, content with floating aimlessly.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

We have been sent (rough waters and all) into all the world with the Gospel. We have chosen rather to dock in safe harbors on every street corner.  We are singing the songs of the sailor while actually being land lovers.  We have counted the cost and we're staying in safe waters. Ships are safer there but are built to handle the stormy seas.

Then there is joy and rest from a job well done.

We have been cruise ships alone for to long. We must also be rescue boats in the fog shouting "come aboard, come aboard!"  We need all hands on deck and full speed ahead.

Let's get the map out and read it. In these uncertain waters, we have to get back to the truth and stay the course!