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God is Lord, the Lord God of Hosts, most high and worthy, whose kingdom is forever. His judgements are true and righteous altogether. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, righteous in all your ways and holy in all your works. The holiness of God is trumpeted from the heavens for illumination by the saints on earth wherever God has revealed Himself to men.

The name of God is to be glorified in heaven, the heaven of heavens, and all the earth for eternity.  We, the people of the Church are the body of the Church. Whatever we are doing, so goes the body. As the body, are we glorifying God to the fullest, are we fully surrendered to Him in our hearts, minds, and with all our strength? Is salvation as far as we carry our cross or are we in full service to His will? Has the glory so deserving of God departed from times past? Are you or your Church in need of a revival to the true glory of God and to the power of His sovereign and righteous Spirit?

It is very clear as I watch Christians debate and divide over issues that aren’t foundational to Christianity that the Church has lost or is losing the concept of the majesty of God. We have substituted focus of His Majesty with issues such as, what is the right type of church music, the continuation of tongues, the date of Christ’s return, home schooling, drinking a glass of wine, just to name a few.  As my wife says, “the non-heaven or hell issues”. What are the heaven-hell issues – the essentials  – such as the existence of God, Christ’s deity, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, the atonement of our sins by Christ, and faith alone. Belief, a hearts’ belief, in these things are foundational to the definition of a Christian. Jesus prayed for the disciples and added, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one. (John 20-22). A Christian that truly believes these foundational truths are “one in the body” of Christ – a member of the same glorious Church with Christ alone as the head. So why are Churches, the body, so bent on dividing what God has joined?

Controversies such as the recent one surrounding Duck Dynasty member and father, Phil Robertson, just tempt me to throw our television out into the back yard.. Liberal biblical views, conservative biblical views, and what is a Christian gay rights activist?  Really?

How does this happen? Try this experiment: Take a group of people and ask them to write a list of the attributes of Jesus. The list will probably include words like holy, without sin, loving, patient, wise, trustworthy… you get the idea. Now take the same group and ask them to write an attribute list of a Christian. Emerging words might include, hypocrite, judgmental, arrogant… So how can a group of saints, commanded to bring the holiness of God and the gospel of Christ to the whole earth, men and women that are defined to be “Christlike”, be viewed by the world so differently than Christ? I really think it is because so many brothers and sisters have lost a sense of majesty and consciousness of the divine Presence and Almighty. Many have lost their spirit of worship and have withdrawn inwardly to praising God in silence. Life with only salvation is much different than life or experience in the Spirit.  As churches become more prosperous and find growth through complex technological advances, ear-tickling messages, thunderous musical performances, and many other very creative endeavors, it may be that our supposed gains are but losses spread over a wider area – the world.  The decline of the knowledge of God has brought on our own troubles. A rediscovery of knowing God and His majesty will go a long way toward uniting the Church and being one in the Body once again. This is what the world needs to see from Christians, the glory of God!

A.W. Tozer perfectly describes the antidote needed today by the Church and each member within, “Acquaint thyself with God.” It’s that simple. Know His glory, know His omniscience, know His grace, mercy and love. Tozer further states, “To regain her lost power the Church must see heaven opened and have a transforming vision of God. But the God we must see is not the utilitarian God who is having such a run of popularity today, whose chief claim to men’s attention is His ability to bring them success in their various undertakings and who for that reason is being cajoled and flattered by everyone who wants a favor. The God we must learn to know is the Majesty in the heavens, God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, the only wise God, our Saviour. He it is that sits upon the circle of the earth, who stretches out the heavens as a curtain and spreads them out as a tent to dwell in, who brings out His starry host by number and calls them all by name through the greatness of His power, who sees the works of man as vanity, who puts no confidence in princes and asks no council of kings.”

This kind of knowledge of God does not come by study or listening to a prepared message each Sunday morning alone. The knowledge of God must be spiritually discerned. There must also be a complete committal of ones whole life to Christ in faith – to “believe in Christ”. One must also surrender your ways of the world, of sin, and be transformed alive unto God in Christ Jesus, followed by a throwing open of the entire personality to the inflow of the Holy Spirit. And then walk in obedience in the Spirit. With this, let go of the things that bestow the hearts of the world’s unbelieving and cherish the simple enjoyments that God provides. Lastly, meditate upon the majesty of God. God is a person and can be known personally and intimately.

The God who gave all to us will continue to give all through Jesus to us as we come to know Him better. Our prayer, our witnessing, our singing, preaching, and writing should all center around our faithful and Almighty Lord of All. I pray that all come to know God better everyday and to allow His Spirit to lead their steps in all things.

We all remember the story in Genesis (Gen 18) concerning Sodom and Gomorrah. Sodom, an ancient city near the Dead Sea, with its people, the Sodomites, were well known for the practice of the worst unnatural vices including sodomy. “Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.” (Gen 13:10) This vice, we are told “cried out to Heaven” for vengeance. The vengeance came in fire and brimstone from Heaven, utterly destroying the city. Abraham had pleaded with God to spare the city, for the sake of any good persons who still remained in it. But even ten were lacking. Only Lot, nephew of Abraham, and his small family could be claimed. The two angel visitors to Lot warned them to flee for their lives.

The fact is that we have witnessed a sexual revolution. Our present day national leaders and many ecclesiastical establishments are now officially tolerant of and merciful toward unchastity of all kinds. This very week two Supreme Court rulings entitled married same-sex couples to federal benefits and cleared the way for same-sex marriages to be performed again in California. Scripture clearly declares sodomy as sin, an abomination to God’s natural laws, or more mildly, disorder. But in practice, such sins are largely ignored, especially by the the young. What does Scripture say on this issue?

Romans 1:26-28: “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for this error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a mind to do what ought not to be done.”

Leviticus 18:22: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.”

Isaiah 3:9: “For the look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them!”

Genesis 19:24-25: “Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of those cities, and what grew on the ground.”

Where Sodom once stood there is now the Dead Sea. Nothing grows there. Do not believe the hope that God will overlook this heinous wickedness that is being accepted and legalized in America. Where is Sodom, Gomorrah, Rome or any society that accepted the act of sodomy today? How much more will this once blessed country curse what is acceptable to God before His patience, mercy, and wrath are loosed?

The sins of the Sodomites are of the vilest nature. God’s hatred of their abominations is revealed throughout Scripture. Sodomy is not an alternate life style, it is a sin, it is a style of death and condemnation. The only hope for the Sodomite is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the  proper time.” I Timothy 2:5-6

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”

“No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3

Wake up people of America!  Romans 1:21 declares,”For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” The root sin here is the failure to value God above ALL things, so that he is not honored and praised as he should be. Human beings are foolish, not in the sense that they are intellectually deficit, but in their rejection of God’s Word and His lordship over their lives.

Repent, Repent, Repent – not just the law, but also the sinful acts that are abominations to God, “For it is written, as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14:11-12.

And if you missed this great sermon, by Rev Joel Hunt, or just want a refresher – click here – “Sincerely Faithful”

We are all familiar with the phase, “United we stand, divided we fall.” With this sound doctrine, I have always wondered why there are so many different forms of religion, so much division among the children of God. Merriam-Webster defines religion as, “a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices.” This is what is meant when someone asks, “What faith are you?” Wouldn’t it be awesome and a great pleasure to God if we all answered, “The faith of the Word of God.”

Churches, fellowships, and other Christian groups too often criticize fellow believers. Churches that excitedly worship criticize those that quietly worship, the same can be seen between individuals inside a single House of God. Each group thinks the other should be just like them. That’s strife, that’s satan, not God and UNITY. How can the power and glory of God operate in this environment? The church and churches collectively are God’s House. Hebrews 3:6 reads, “…Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house…”. This speaks to the corporate identity of the church as God’s own abode. Paul writes, in 1Timothy 3:15, “You may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the truth of the living God, a pillar and a buttress of the truth.” Church of the living God highlights the church as the assembly or unity where God most clearly manifests His presence. Paul continues that the foundational calling of the church and the Christian is the task of promoting and protecting the gospel. The imagery presents the church’s responsibility of holding up the gospel before a watching world. What is the world seeing when a pastor denigrates another faith during a sermon or a believer with strong faith belittles a brother of weaker faith?

The theme of the book of Acts is about “accord” or unity. I love what it says in Acts 4:31, “The place was shaken where they were assembled together.”  Acts 2:46 speaks of the faithful worshiping together daily with gladness and “singleness of heart.” For me, that says it all! When we, the Body of Christ, unite ourselves in the power of the Word of God, and not of earthly desires, we’re going to see some things shaken as never before.

So why are some Christians not in unity? Because they don’t have enough of the Word of God, they have not fully submitted to the Word of God, they are not fully grafted into the Tree of Life. The devil is subtle and cunning. Song of Solomon 2:15 reads, “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes (the little things) that spoil the vine.” A church or Christian operating according to the Word of God is identifiable by the fruits of the spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. These come from the teaching and obedience to the truths of God’s Word. When we are working together in love and unity, we will only be interested in building the Kingdom of God, not of self or any one religion.

Christ is returning to establish His kingdom on earth. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if His children were already united, having put away divisions, through the binding Word of God. Why do we sit on the river bank with our bobber in the water, waiting for Christ’s return towards a better tomorrow. All believer’s can have an effect today towards “heaven on earth” by simply uniting per the will of God and breaking the strongholds of division among His people. Let the mind of Christ live in each of us. His purpose is our purpose, set the world free!

A church can be alive and growing even though the number of members is not changing. If those in the church are growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus, submitting to His will for their lives, both individually and corporately, that is a church that is experiencing true growth. This is the most important growth of the body, “spiritual growth.”

When the transformation of salvation takes place, spiritual growth begins. The Holy Spirit indwells us (John 14:16-17). We are new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old nature is replaced with a new one (Romans 6-7). Spiritual growth is a life-long process that depends on our study and application of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and our walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26). As we seek spiritual growth, we should pray to God and ask for wisdom concerning the areas He desires us to grow in. We can ask God to increase our faith and knowledge of Him. God desires for us to grow spiritually, and He has given us all we need to experience spiritual growth. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can overcome anything and steadily become more like our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you’re being watered and fed by God’s word, you should have continual spiritual growth in your life. It should be happening automatically. The anointed preaching of the pure word of God always produces growth. And the apostle Peter says that all who desire the pure milk of the word will grow.

Paul describes our spiritual growth as a work of the Holy Ghost. He says the Spirit is ever at work, changing us from glory to glory. He’s constantly renewing our minds, mortifying our flesh and bringing forth purity in our inner man.  And he produces in us kindness, tenderness and forgiveness toward one another.

Paul further urges us, “Let a man examine himself…” (1 Corinthians 11:28). We’re to constantly ask ourselves, “Am I changing? Am I becoming more loving and tenderhearted? Am I treating my family and friends with Godly respect? Are my actions becoming more righteous? Or am I still more interested in doing my will instead of God’s?

Spirituality is:

  • an on going endeavor to grow in our relationship with God
  • a vision of life & way of living, not just belief in our mind
  • involves choices & is action oriented
  • gives direction to thinking & decision making
  • Goal – to Grow with God !

Spiritual Characteristics:

  • Lives life as a living sacrifice – not self centered (Romans 12:1-2).
  • Lives a holy life – avoiding sin; being set apart from the world and being undefiled (1 Peter 1:13-16)
  • Strives to live a way that pleases God, not man or self

Spiritual maturity is learning how to walk in obedience to God. It is making the choice to live by God’s viewpoint rather than your human viewpoint. Galatians 5:16 and 25 give the key, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature…Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

With today encompassing the 2013 Presidential inauguration, my mind and sprit are struggling with the direction our nation is moving – away from God. Morally, ethically, upon it’s very foundation, America has moved itself as a collective body away from the sovereign will of God. Our nation exists currently under the permissive will of God vice the determined will of God. Put another way, God says if you want the controls, have at it. In addition, the leadership of this once Christian nation now shakes its fist at God when vowing to move the nation’s future by the will of government leaders while completely ignoring the warnings and true will of God.  I do believe that there are enough Christians in America today that God still embraces this country with love and grace. But as the book, “The Harbinger”‘ very meticulously points out, any country that walks without God will fall under His judgement and will be destroyed.

America today may very well be existing or living on the edge of safety. We see pictures of foreign countries in civil war or distress as we watch the evening news. The reason these countries have fallen can be found in America today. Failing national economics, massive unemployment, growing governmental control, and dis-trust of it’s leaders, just to name a few. America may be one national incident or disaster away from complete tumult and revolt. Why, because we have walked away from God. It’s that simple.  How can we completely re-steer the entire path of a nation before the grace and mercy of God is removed through final judgement?  Though what I may see as impossible, God sees as simple. The answer is – PRAYER. We, the entire nation should pray for our leaders, without ceasing, to cause a national movement back to God, to His blessings, and to His safety.

1Timothy 2:1-5 states clearly to Pray For All Men; “1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”

We’ll should pray for each other, pray and ask for divine guidance during national and local voting and elections for Daniel 2:21 states, “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings: He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” And don’t forget that we are to pray without ceasing.

Please join me today and every day to pray not only for each other, but also for our country’s President and ALL leaders. For the President and leaders aren’t just elected by personality, power, money, or influence, but appointed by the sovereign will of God. For, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” Proverbs 29:2

As I was writing this, a Dr Charles Stanley weekly broadcast aired and he gave a short list of 10 things we should continually pray for our leaders.

  1. Pray that our leaders know that they are chosen into office by the will of God.
  2. Pray that all leaders will look to God for wisdom and understanding.
  3. Pray that our leaders will restore dignity, trustworthiness, and honor to their appointed office.
  4. Pray that our leaders will know to forsake their office or career if for the best interest of the country or it’s people.
  5. Pray that our leaders reverse the dethroning of God; Set in motion a foundational change.
  6. Pray our leaders respect and honor the full Constitution without change.
  7. Pray that our leaders reject all council that weakens our national defenses…true friends can’t be bought.
  8. Pray that our leaders refuse to make people more reliant on government. People need to know personal dignity if the nation wants the best from their people.
  9. Pray that our leaders remember they ARE ACCOUNTABLE to God.
  10. 10.  Lastly, pray that our leaders resolve to return the foundations of our great nation to God in all things.

No matter the trial, the first thing we should all do is PRAY! Christ himself gave this example. Prayers aligned with the will of God will always be heard and answered. Returning the ownership of this nation to God is the will of our Holy Father and Creator. Let us pray……

Every Age has its own thoughts, ideas, and values that influence the culture, the “spirit of the age.” It is the kind of growing consensus that morally lulls us to sleep, gradually causing us to accept society’s latest values.

The apostle Paul called this corrupting atmosphere the “course of this world.” Describing the lives of the believers at Ephesus before they encountered Christ, he said that they were “dead in trespasses and sins” and “walked according to the course of this world” (Eph 2:1-2). This is the world’s peer pressure – a satanically inspired system of values and ideas the cultivates a lifestyle that is independent of God.

Jesus intends for us to live in the world (John 17:15), so worldly influence is nearly impossible to escape. But He’s given us His Word to so permeate our thinking that we don’t have to become conformed to the world’s values (Rom 12:1-2). Instead, God helps us walk in His light (Eph 5:8), in the Spirit (Gal 5:25), in love (Eph 5:2), in truth ( John 4), and in Christ (Col 2:6).

As we walk in God’s power and spend time in His Word, He gives us the strength to live according to kingdom values and not the spirit of the age. – Dennis Fisher