1/30/17 – Genesis 22

“The Test of Life”

Life is crazy at times. The different ups and down. One minute you feel like you are on top of the world and the next you feel like you are in a deep valley. That is nothing new, it has been that way from the beginning, it is called LIFE. We might as well get use to it. But what if these moments are all about growing us and not harming us? What if it is about letting us see us for who we really are, so to not stay the same?

I believe the story of Abraham gives us a clear picture that life is a journey. And Faith is a life long endeavor not a one time statement. Think with me about a few of Abrahams moments leading up to Genesis 22.

• Abraham was Relocated from his home in Genesis 11-12. God gave him a command to GO and that’s exactly what he did. From Ur of Chaldees to Haran and finally to the area near Hebron. At different times Abram lived in Shechem, Bethel, Hebron and Beer-sheba. 500 miles on foot he traveled
• Abraham experienced Sorrow in Genesis 11. Abraham’s father Terah died in Haran and also his brother Haran.
• Abraham was in the middle of Economic collapse in Genesis 12. On his GO journey he is guide to Egypt and famine drove him out again for survival.
• Abraham was apart of Deception that lead to failure in Genesis 12. He lied about Sarai being his wife to Pharaoh.
• Abraham experienced Success in Genesis 13. He become wealthy and powerful near Bethel.
• Abraham apparently did not have the perfect family either. He had a Family argument/disagreement in Genesis 13. He and Lot separated. Lot goes to Sodom and is ultimately captured by the Elamites. Abram goes to rescue. There is magnetic appeal of family! You can’t live with them and you can’t live without them.
• Abraham meets Melchizedek in Genesis 14 and is Blessed by this mysterious priest. He gives tithe to Melchizedek.
• Abraham Lacks Faith in Genesis 15. Because of 24 years of no off springs, Sarai offers Hagar to Abram. Ishmael born. Which leads to the Jerry Springer show in Genesis 16
• Abraham has a Transforming encounter with God in Genesis 17. God changes their names to Abraham and Sarah.
• Ishmael mocked Isaac in Genesis 21. Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael packing to another country.

Whew, I’m tired just thinking about it. Imagine sitting down in a rocking chair listening to that story. Guess What? These are things common to humanity. Abraham’s journey may remind you a little bit of yours, minus the 500 miles on foot, ha. It helps me see that Faith is not a one time stand but a life long journey with ups and downs. Sometimes life is hectic. Other times life is miraculous.

Oh wait, Abraham’s journey is not over.

• Then came The Test on Moriah with Issac in Genesis 22.

That is what I want to focus on briefly today. The Test of Life. In Genesis 22:1, the bible says “God tested Abraham”. Now this is interesting. I looked up the word “tested” and what I found amazed me.

There is more parallel verses in Genesis 22 (Old Testament) to the New Testament than almost any other Chapter. The examples of Abraham’s Faith is made known throughout the New Testament. He passed this test in Genesis 22. It grew his faith and ultimately He was blessed.

I looked at the actions of Abraham in Genesis 22, to see what He did. I want you to put yourself into the story. Change Abraham’s name to your name. Now ask yourself!

What are some things that we I am tested on to see where our heart is? Read and follow alone. I want you to use your imagination. How would you pass these test?

• To see if I will Go – V.2-4

How many times has God asked me/you to go somewhere even if it’s just to say Hello to someone else? What about when you see someone that looks like they are in need and you get this feeling in your stomach like you need to go help or ask if there is anything you can do? Those are relatively easy GO’s that I mess up.

• To see if I will Worship – V.5

Let’s be honest. I don’t find myself in a state of Worship sometimes.

• To see if I will Sacrifice – V.7-8

When is the last time, if ever, that I have sacrificed to the point of trusting God for everything that will follow? Notice that in Sacrifice – GOD WILL PROVIDE.

• To see if we will Surrender – V.10

What in my life have I surrendered to The Lord? All of me or part of me? God wants ALL of me: my life, marriage, children, occupation. Everything for The work of The Lord.

God never intended to take Isaac – only to test Abraham. And the test was not for God’s sake, but for Abraham’s. God intended to bring Abraham to full surrender to Himself and to full faith.

• Blessings come from Surrender – Abraham Obeyed and was Blessed. He and His Son. V.11-18. I know this. I’ve been blessed when I surrender. Why then is it so hard to stay in surrender?

So I ask myself: Do I believe God will provide in my time of need on my journey? Will I Go when He says Go? Worship regardless of the circumstances? Sacrifice for the sake of The Gospel? Surrender ALL of me for His name sake?

“FAITH IS NOT A ONE TIME STAND BUT A LIFE LONG JOURNEY”

How’s the life-journey working out for you right now? Remember, it’s a test.

Bro. J

1/23/17 – Genesis 15

“The Response to Prayer”

There is said to be three responses from God to prayer request; Yes, No, and Later.

It’s the last two that we really struggle with. YES is the heart of us all. We are by nature YES people. It brings us joy that, at times, our genie in the bottle god would answer us in what we commanded with a powerful – YES, your wish is my command. But a Prayer Warrior Christian knows that it doesn’t work that way and that YES is not always the best response.

In selfishness we pout, throw fits, or isolate ourselves from community and worship during the NO’s. NO is not the greatest answer to our finite minds and at times seems like an insult. (I’m just being honest about how I’ve felt at times. It seems devastating)

People of the YES and NOW nature can barely stand for LATER. If I feel like I’m being told YES but not NOW, hold on, it’s coming LATER. I’m going to drive myself crazy waiting on the LATER.

Even Abram and Sarai took issues with the YES and LATER response. So much so that they tried to make LATER – SOONER (Chapter 16). The problem with that: It’s not God’s doing. It’s mine or yours. It’s not His blessings. It’s my lack of contentment. It says I’m gonna help because I trust myself more than I trust your promise.

What can help us in these moments? Just a few things that I thought of.

1. We have no need to Fear any response if God is in it. He told Abram “FEAR NOT” during his impatience to what God had already promised him.
2. I need to learn to be still. Psalms 46:10 says, “Be Still and know that I am God”
3. I need to learn to wait on The Lord. Psalms 27:14 says, “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!”
4. I need to learn that His presence is enough. Psalms 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
5. I need to learn His time and His ways are always better than mine and to live in Faith. I love what Habakkuk 2:3-4 says, “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it, it will surely come; it will not delay. ⁴  “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.
6. I need to learn that in Him, I’m going to be OK. He has proven His Faithfulness over and over and over again.

What are some things that you could add to the list that you need to learn?

God has Big plans for us. Don’t forget your Purpose.

Would you pray for God to teach you if you desire to learn. Examine those areas, listen to His response, and be Obedient in Faith to except the response, whatever it may be.

Pray for me and I’ll pray for you,

Bro. J

“Just a Closer Walk with Thee”

Noah’s world was evil. Sounds much like todays world. So I think there is much to learn from Genesis 6.

1. The Earth was corrupt – v.11

This is interesting to me. In Genesis 1, God created the earth and saw it “Good”. But in Genesis 6 it is corrupt. Why? Sin, Remember that God cursed the ground. So with a fallen world that continues in sin and works a cursed ground, it produces manipulation of the earth or no regard. It had been corrupted. Now I’m no “tree hugger”, but I do think we have a responsibility to take care of “mother earth”. This place is a gift from God.

2. The Earth was filled with violence – v.11

Obviously sin hurts, damages, steals, and kills. So look at the imagery of John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” That was exactly what was going on.

3. It was continually getting worse – v.13

God had had enough. He had determined to end this madness – v.13. How was God going to do it?

God was going to bring judgement. Not just any judgement. Death to All, through a flood, except 1 family. That would be the family of Noah. We learn a lot about Noah.

1. Noah was Righteous – v.9

Righteous means “conformity to expectations” or “justifiable, morally right, very good.” So, when we walk with The Lord, we walk in righteousness.

2. Noah was Blameless – v.9

Blameless means “innocent of wrongdoing”. Noah didn’t go along with the flow. He was his own man. Desiring to be who God had called him to be, not who the world was.

3. Noah Walked with God. – v.9

You can only be “righteous” and “blameless” when you walk with God. The closer you walk with God, the more you hear from God. I can attest to this. Now we must understand the New Testament implications to what righteousness is and who righteousness comes from.

Romans 3:21-26, “21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law,although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’srighteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and thejustifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

So my only way at righteousness is to surrender to the one that can make me right, Jesus. I can’t do it. My only way to be blameless is to walk in surrender to this Jesus. There is absolutely nothing good in me, except for Jesus.

We need men who are willing, like Noah, to walk with God. We need daddy’s who are willing to surrender ALL for the sake of themselves and their families survival, eternally. We need families sold out together for King Jesus in the face of a fallen world. Not only that but we need men that hear from God.

4. Noah heard, listened, and did – v.22

God was going to spare Noah and His family because he found “Favor” with him. I would suggest that breaking the “Sin Cycle” would be exactly what Noah did. Instead of See-Desire-Take, Noah Heard-Listened-Did.

Now Noah probably had a WHAT moment when God told him that He wanted him to build an ARK from Gopher wood – SAY WHAT? Yeah, not only that but here are the dimensions. WHAT? A football field and a half? Yep, it’s got to be big enough to house 2 of every animal (kind) and enough food for you and the animals to make it a few hundred days.

It is in that “Closer Walk With Thee” that we can receive clarity. If that was you and I on a whim walk with God we probably would have went, Pah, it must have been my lunch speaking. But, when we are walking with the Lord, closely, I promise he speaks with clarity. You may and probably will have to pray through it, but it will become clear. His plan is to help you, not to harm you. And this was how He was going to help Noah, his family, and his continued creation.

Noah did what was asked of Him. For about 75+ years Noah and his family worked and built this Ark. Remaining faithful, working tirelessly, persevering through obstacles and peoples, enduring to the end. It all happened because he (Noah) had “A Closer Walk” with The God.

I’m going to encourage you once again to head on up to Williamstown and Petersburg  Kentucky. Take your family. It will open your eyes up to the truth of God’s Word and the truth of this flood. It’s a vacation that you will never forget.

https://arkencounter.com

https://creationmuseum.org

So today I want to encourage you to walk closer to God than you ever have before. 

Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?”

Bro. J

 

1/16/17 – Genesis 6:1-8

“Heartbroken”

Have you ever did something that afterwards you were heartbroken over after you realized, I should have never done that? Or, I can’t believe that the one that I love did that?

I met with a lady last night that was heartbroken over a child. Her exact words, “my child’s heart is not just hard, it is evil.” That Is Heartbrokenness. I cried and prayed with this dear lady because I care genuinely about her child as well.

So imagine her heart. Knowing that flesh of her own flesh has brought about devastating heartbrokenness. That is what is taking place in Genesis 6.

A few things that God showed me this morning.

1. Man’s Heart is Evil – v.5

Not only is man’s heart evil. The longer it is left unchecked the more evil it grows. The bible is clear that all of sin comes from an evil heart.

Matthew 15:18-19 – ¹⁸ But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

2. An Evil Heart brings about Evil Intentions – v.2, 5

I saw this in V.2 and just said, my – my. It’s the “Sin Cycle” once again.

Genesis 6:2 – the “sons of God” SAW that the “daughters of man” were attractive (DESIRED). And they TOOK as their wives any they chose. SAW – DESIRED – TOOK.

So the “Sons of God” saw something they perceived to be beautiful in the “Daughters of Man” (which was two conflicting lifestyles or spiritual sides), desired them in their heart and took which ever they wanted. Now I’m gonna spare the gruesome details that was likely going on during this time. But, let’s just say that it was moral decay.

What does sin do to God’s heart and how does He address it? So imagine His heart. Knowing that flesh of His own flesh has brought about devastating heartbrokenness.

1. Evilness Grieves God’s Heart – v.6-7

Sin breaks God’s heart. There is no way around it. That’s why sin had to be dealt with. Sin broke God’s heart even at the event of the Crucifixion of Christ. To the point that He turned away from it. His heart is Sorry, which means distressed for His people.

2. His Spirit will not abide in Evilness – v.3

God is not going to bless sin or be a part of it in your life.

3. God will bring Judgement on Sin – v.7

The great flood is about to come. Judgement will take place. Evil will be destroyed (for a short time) but once and for all at the Triumphant return of Christ. We need to make sure that we, today, are on the right side of Judgement.

I see the evilness that was real in this moment and how it broke God’s heart. But, there is one more truth that I see. It is one we need to look closely at. It’s one that we need to contemplate.

Even in the midst of one of the most evil moments in world history you can remain faithful. You do not have to go with the flow. You do not have to be around bad company that corrupts good character. You do not have to subside to what every one else is doing because it seems to be popular. You do not have to give in to the deceptions of the enemy, that everything that appears to be beautiful is good. You do not have to grieve God’s heart.

v.8 – Noah found FAVOR – The word favor means Grace. God was going to spare one. One who would listen to people mock him and his God. Critic his ever move. But yet, Noah would remain faithful. God’s Grace would be evident. The “Sin Cycle”, for a time, would soon be broken.

You can remain Faithful. I can remain Faithful. The question is, Will We?

1/14/17 – Genesis 3:20-24

“Were it not for Grace”

I’m an 80’s child, born in 1980 to be exact. My mother however, born in the 50’s, loves music and musical plays. I know most of the 1950-1960 musicals; The Sound of Music (The hills were alive on the deer stand this morning, ha), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Singing in the Rain, Mary Poppins, Fiddler on The Roof. You get the point.

Also, during the 80’s all Christian women were drawn to one (1) female singer in particular, Sandy Patty. My mom would try to sing like Sandy and every other person (sorry mom). I had to listen to Sandy Patty all the time. I think I knew her songs better than she did. But I once heard someone sing with Sandy Patty and it brought me to tears, literally. His name is Larnelle Harris, the song, “I’ve Just Seen Jesus”.

He has one of the most amazing tenor voice and I wanted to hear other things he has done. Then it happened, I was about 14 (not even a believer) and I heard a song that I continue to be reminded of. Even last night laying in the bed after I had been reading on “The parable of the lost Sheep” and knowing what we would read today during devotion, I just turned it on and went to sleep.

The song, “Were it not for Grace.”

I would like for you to listen to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6FH5oq3J-M

But read the chorus with me:

Were it not for grace, I can tell you where Id be, Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere, With my salvation up to me, I know how that would go, The battles I would face, Forever running but losing this race, Were it not for grace.

Were it not for Grace. 2 Things that God showed me about His Grace in Genesis 3:20-24

1. God Clothed Them – v.21

They no longer had to hide under fig leaves in Shame. He (God) slaughtered one of His created kinds to cloth His imaged creation. Now we could think about and talk about the theological stance that this one verse means for them and for us even today, but I don’t have the time nor the space. It has to do with the shedding of blood. Now just think of the New Testament implications in light of Genesis 3:15.

I was sitting in the deer stand this morning, singing “Were it not for Grace”, and a scripture came to my mind.

Isaiah 61:10 – I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness

The thought came to me. How can I, a sinner, be clothed in Righteousness? The only logical answer I can come up with is GRACE. That’s it. WOW, This word now has a greater effect on my life. So I sit and sing, with tears in my eyes, “Were it not for Grace.” I don’t deserve to be clothed. I deserve to be naked in my Shame but now because I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ and I desire to live for Him, I’M CLOTHED. That is Huge. Bigger than Donald Trump H-U-G-E. I don’t have to live in SHAME. WOW, That Is Freeing.

2.  God Showed Compassion and Grace – v.23

There were consequences to their sin and breaking God’s rule, yes. But, He showed them Compassion. Here is how, get this. By putting them out of the garden so they would not eat of the fruit again. What? Yeah, He sent Adam and Eve out of the garden because they had already “fallen” and if the ate of the tree again they would never die and have been “fallen” forever. Well that’s crazy, we may think. But think of this that God showed me.

It is to my benefit that I die – In Christ, WOW. I can live in Grace and I can die in Grace. And though I will die a physical death in Christ I will live a Glorious, Heavenly, Eternal, Complete life WITH CHRIST. Man I’m about to shout. Why would I want to stay in a “fallen” world forever? No thank you.

One last thing that this has taught me.

The word Grace means, God blessing us despite the fact that we do not deserve it – extending kindness to the unworthy.

It’s one thing to know what the word Grace means but it’s another to experience what the word means. I’ve preached on Grace before, knowing by definition what it means. But, not experiencing at the time what it means.

So, I have to think (would you think?). How many times have I sinned? How many times have a lived in sin? How many times have I given two rips about anything other than myself? How many times have I been arrogant, proud, unloving, uncontrollable? Sin is easy. Yet, GRACE.

Grace has recaptured my heart today. Don’t just know it – FEEL IT.

You can. Let the words of Ephesians 2 come alive.

Ephesians 2:1-9 – 1And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

Bro. J

1/13/17 – Genesis 3:16-19

“The Consequences of Sin”

One of my favorite quotes, ever, is by the late Adrien Rogers, who was the long tenured pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis TN. He said, “You are free to choose, you are not free not to choose, but, you are not free to choose the consequence of your choice.”

His point was this. Making a choice or not making a choice, is still making a choice and you need to be careful because there could be consequences.

Webster’s defines consequence as, “a result or effect of an action or condition”.

So, Sin has an effect. Its effect is not good. One of the greatest things that God has ever taught me is that my sin just doesn’t effect me, it effects every one around me.

4 things I see that the effects of sin brought on Adam, Eve, You, and I.

1. It brought Pain (v.16, 17)

All types of pain. For Eve it was the pain from 9 months of pregnancy and labor. Not only that but in the raising of her family. For Adam it was the toil and pain that came through working the ground to survive. Pain is a reminder of our Sin nature.

Think about what physical pain that you experience today because of Sin?

2.  It brought Work (v.19)

Hard, Physical, Tiring work is also, according to Genesis 3, a result of Sin. When Adam and Eve were given Eden their work was not toilsome but pleasing. Now after “The Fall”, that changed. It went from here is everything you need to survive and enjoy my creation to an honest days work gives an honest day wages, and the pain that comes from it.

Not only that but a question that came to my mind is this.

Have I ever tried to work harder undoing the wrong that I did and the continued pain it brought me? Why Yes, yes I have. I was miserable.

3.   It brought a Nagging Reminder (v.17-18)

“Thorns and Thistles”

So I’m working hard. Trying to provide. I’m already experiencing pain and exhaustion from my toiling and bam, a thorn.

Or, I’m getting ahead, everything is going good, I feel like I’ve got the cat by the tail and then, are you kidding me, a thistle.

I’m then reminded that I don’t have life together and I’m truly not over the sin effects of my past.

I have thought about this all day. I was up reading my devotion at about 5:00 this morning and writing in my journal before Jude and I were going hunting. When we got in the deer stand on the SECOND week of JANUARY, mosquitos began to attack. They nagged and nagged and nagged. I though to myself. This is what sin does every once in a while. It reminds you that it is still there when you least expect it.

4.   It ultimately leads to a physical death (v.19b)

God told Adam what would happen. He would return to the ground in which he came. So Adam is the first person to realize that he would die. And today, we all need to be reminded that life is but a vapor. It is here today and gone tomorrow. You are not guaranteed the next breath. We all will die.

Sin has a Death Sentence.

BUT, I WANT YOU TO NOTICE SOMETHING.

There is one word that you do not see in the judgement that comes upon Adam and Ever as a result of their sin. Read Verses 14-15. Ready to give up? CURSED. You don’t see the word CURSED.

I want you to know something, IN JESUS you are a sinner, BUT, you ARE NOT cursed.

V.15 let’s us know that through this family there would be SALVATION.

What does that mean? Well, it means that if I am in Christ that I will still experience things such as Adam and Eve. But, those things are not final.

For Instances:

I will experience pain, But I will survive.

I will have to work hard, But God has provided everything for me to eat.

I will die a physical death, But in Him I will Live.

There are consequences to sin but understand that in Christ those consequences are not final and should ultimately draw me closer to Him. That Is Freeing.

HE IS NOT DONE WITH YOU YET, KEEP PRESSING.

Bro. J

1/12/17 – Genesis 3:8-15

“his days are numbered”

I can’t miss Genesis 3. It’s the gospel in it’s fullest. I want you to notice a few things that stick out about God, you, and the enemy from these few verses.

1. God knows me and where I am – v.8
2. I can’t hide from Him – v.9
3. I can’t lie to Him – v.10-12
4. I can’t blame someone else for my mistakes and sin – v.12

That’s not just in Genesis 3, it is throughout the bible.

Jeremiah 17:10 – I the Lord search the heart and test the mind

Psalm 139:7-8 – Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

James 1:14-15 – But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

So if I can’t outsmart God, or hide from Him, if I can’t talk my way around it, or even blame someone else, What Must I DO?

I have to Admit my wrong! The woman ADMIT’s that she has sinned against God – v.13.

The word sin means to fall short. How many of us have fallen short of who we should be spiritually?

5.  Repentance begins with admittance – v.13

Sin is deceptive. We believe we can get away with it, hide it, talk our way around it, blame it on someone else, but we can’t. The bible says in Numbers 32:23, “you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.” 

It’s just a matter of time. So Why not Repent? Repentance is a good word. It’s not a negative connotation that many people believe it is.

Luke 13:3, says, “Unless you Repent, you will Perish.” It would seem to me the opposite of repentance is what is negative – Perishing.

So what happens when I repent?

The bible give clear answers in Genesis 3. First, You have to know that there are consequences for you sin, v.16. However, I want you to notice who it is that fights your battles. THE LORD, and He is going to deal with the enemy for you, through repentance.

He goes toe to toe, face to face, calls it like it is, and tells the enemy.

1. you will be curse (bound under a curse) – v.14
2. you will be the lowest of creation (you and all) (talk about being humiliated) – v.14b
3. you are The enemy, Alway (The Lord calls him out and gives him a title that he will always have. That’s what it means to put enmity between. There will be battles) – v.15
4. you are going to be defeated. v.15b

Did I just hear that right? The Lord told the enemy that his days are numbered. Not only that but he told him how he was going to do it. From the woman’s offspring would come one that is gonna stomp a mud whole on his head. But it would not come without a cost, the Cross of Christ.

Here is the thing. The enemy could and can do nothing to protect his self. his days are numbered because of the work already done on The Cross. SO being humiliated what’s his only response. Drag as many people through humiliation that he can.

You don’t have to go through humiliation.

Jesus fought your sin battle and his days are numbered. What a SAVIOR!

1/11/17 – Genesis 3:6-7

“The Sin Cycle”

There is a such thing that is called “The Sin Cycle”. It looks like this; Saw – Desired Took. For instance, in Genesis 3:6 we see that everything good Eve heard and saw about the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, she began to desire. The word desire literally means to lust after. So she saw and she began to desire and then her desire (lustful heart) took what it sought.

She saw and thought it was good.

She desired because she thought it would make her better.

She took to fulfill her desire.

However, what she though by seeing, desiring, and taking did not bring her fulfillment. It brought her SHAME.

We see this throughout the bible:

(Judges 16) – Samson Saw Delilah, Desired her and then Took her in. It lead to his blindness and death.

(1 Samuel 19-28) Saul saw Power, Desired it More, and tried to Take more. Saul and all of his sons were killed in battle because of the judgment of God. (1 Samuel 31)

(2 Samuel 11) – David Saw Bathsheba, Desired her, and then Took her. David became a murderer to cover up his sin and lost a child in the process. He was however repentant and we will talk more about that later.

(Joshua 7) – Achan Saw some of the devoted thing, he Desired them and then He took them. His whole family was stoned and burned to death.

There is more, way more.

The point is that all of them were filled with SHAME because they thought that what they saw would be fulfilling.

I was in the same boat because, I’m a sinner. My life has been ravaged by “The Sin Cycle”. I have saw things, desired them, and taken thinking it would bring me fulfillment. But, it didn’t. It brought me SHAME. If it was not for Jesus I would still be in my SHAME. Genesis 3 is also a declaration for the Gospel. The enemy will be crushed and he has been already because of the work of Christ on the Cross.

You don’t have to live in SHAME any more. You can repent like David who was filled with SHAME. He said in Psalms 51, due to his sin with Bathsheba,

“1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

Don’t let your seeing lead to desiring unless it is JESUS.

Lord, help me to be aware of the enemy and his schemes. Lord I ask for the wisdom to be self-controlled and alert to avoid my tempting heart. Lord I pray that I would seek you for perfect fulfillment that can only be found in you. In Jesus Name.

Let Jesus Break your Sin Cycle: He’s a Chain Breaker, Way Maker, and Pain Taker.

Bro. J

1/10/17 – Genesis 3:1-5

“The Enemy”

There are several truths about the enemy:

1) The enemy is real. There is a real enemy. The real enemy is not someone else or even yourself, as some say. The enemy has a name; Satan, the devil.

2) The enemy is crafty. Genesis 3:1, says, “more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.” That word crafty literally means cunning or deceitful. So, to say that the enemy is a snake is an understatement.

3) The enemy wants, looks, aims, desires to Deceive you. I’ve quoted 1 Peter 5:8 more than any other verse in the bible, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Now most of us would say that the enemy wants to kill me. But what if it’s not your physical life that he wants to destroy, but your spiritual life. The enemy is not out with a band of bandits to snipe you from 1,000 yards out. he (I refuse to make the snake have a big H) looks to get close to you, I think just like this snake in Genesis 3.

Here are just 2 ways from Genesis 3:

1) To Cause Doubts (V.1) “Did God actually say”. I think we need to look and listen to God’s Word and question what it says and what Truth He wants to speak in our lives. Not to lead to doubt, but knowledge. To stand in Truth and not waiver in uncertainty.

2) To Cloud your Faith Walk and lead you to walk to Spiritual failure (V.4) “You will not surely die”. I’m not calling myself or anyone else a failure. I even struggled writing that word. Webster defines failure as, The lack of Success. When I don’t have success, I have failure. If I’m not in the game, I can’t even win.

That, in my opinion, is what the enemy desires to do. Make you doubt yourself, your relationships, your callings, your passions for Christ that you do have, who you should be, how you should serve. I can go on and on. Because I know these are things that he has tried to make me doubt and some I times, I have.

I know that I have walked in spiritual blindness, even as a Christian, because I was not walking it in faith and following close to Jesus. When we walk away from His presence we begin to walk in the presence of another, the enemy.

So how do you combat “the snake”, avoid deception, keep clear spiritual vision, and walk in victory?

Just a few things:

1) Know The Truth – Grow in Truth. I’ve had John 17:17 stuck in my head for weeks and I’ve desired to preach this way recently and let God do the changing as only He can. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” Jesus even says in this high priestly prayer that God’s Word would keep them from “the evil one” (John 17:14-15) – Read it.

2) Submit To The Truth – James 4:7-9 says, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

3) Resist the enemy – Look at James 4:7 – “Resist the devil”. Also 1 Peter 5:9, after we have a command to be on the lookout Peter says, “Resist him, firm in your faith”.

4) Let Christ Guide Your Life and Fight Your Battles – I love how Paul writes in Ephesians. IT’s ALL OUT WAR. And a battle we are in. This is a call to be warriors in Christ.

Ephesians 6:10-20 – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

5) Tell Someone About Jesus – I’ve found when I get down and feel out that the greatest cure is to be who God has called me to be and tell someone about Jesus. Paul asked Jesus to give him the strength to allow his mouth to open so he could boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel.

You may feel like a failure. That you have been deceived. That you are walking in Spiritual blindness. You’ve been beating up on yourself and you allow the enemy to keep pushing you down. You can STOP NOW. You can overcome Spiritual failure.

Jesus told his disciples that He would Overcome and He did. Jesus Overcame the enemy so you can stand victorious in Him. Run to Him!

John 16:25-33 – You made it this far, so you might as well open your bible and read it.

I Love You in Jesus,

Bro. J

I FEEL LIKE PREACHING