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To Fear or not to Fear (Part 2)

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A continuation of Yesterday's post. I have a tendency to overwhelm people so I cut it in half.

The unhealthy fear is fear of condemnation. Jesus said that He came into the world to save sinners not condemn them. The Apostle Paul tells us that there is no condemnation for us in the Messiah Yashua. After all, we are pretty good at condemning each other, don't you think?

Jesus said that if we loved Him we would obey His commandments because they are not burdensome. If you are keeping a mental checklist because you're afraid God is going to punish you then you don't understand grace very well, or the love of God for that matter. The whole duty of man, as written by Solomon (the wisest man in the Old Testament who had the most ladies I might add) declared at the end of Ecclesiastes that the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments.

If you study the law of God, or law of Moses, you will notice that from a holistic perspective all you have to do is put God first out of a heart filled with love and turn around and demonstrate that love to your neighbor. After all, how can you love a God you can't see and not love those around you that you can see?

Idolizing the Government: Separation of Church & State

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I was reading I Corinthians 6 today and noticed how Paul starts off talking about how believers were taking trivial matters to the courts and suing each other. This was actually damaging their reputation as worshippers of the Living God & His Messiah. Paul reminds us in the first few verses that the Saints will inherit the earth which includes the governing authorities. Therefore we should be letting the church take care of the trivial matters concerning morality.

This sounds like the Separation of Church & State and also why our Founding Fathers were in favor of smaller government. When we depend on our government, then government has to expand to meet the needs of the people.

I’m actually in favor of the Democratic system that helps the working man and in some ways the Capitalist system of every man for himself (not without God) to a point. A working economy is typically a mixed economy; as long as it’s not Communism where no one has any freedom.

The problem lies when we become dependent on our government to provide for our needs and we get locked into our comfort zones. In I Samuel God only allowed us to have kings rule over us because of our lack of faith in Him.

So why is our nation in debt? Because they are giving us what we want. People nowadays seems to have a sense of entitlement where they think the government owes us something. If we go deeper into debt it’s because of our own dependence on it. We should use the programs to help us get back on our feet so we can provide for ourselves using the resources God gives us.

In the following verses, the latter half of Chapter 6, Paul goes on to mention that the righteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is our Father and His Son’s rule and reign over the earth. Those that die with Christ will reign with Him. Those that commit idolatry by “fornicating” with the world rather than renewing their minds to become more like Christ will not.

Following this comes judgement on adulters and those guilty of sexual immorality; those that have sex outside of marriage. In my liberal opinion this means those that have sex without being committed to each other (regardless of whether you have a marriage license or not since a piece of paper doesn’t necessarily mean you’re committed).

For example, homosexuals who are petitioning the government to make gay marriage legal. I like what Tony Campolo has to say on that in his book Red Letter Christianity; actually the name of his ministry. He says he doesn’t think gay marriage should be legalized. Then he goes on to say neither should straight marriage. Again with the separation of church & state. Some matters should be handled by the church. However the church is so divided all we can do is squabble about who’s right and who’s wrong and judge those who don’t agree with us. Then we wonder why people are looking to the government to settle their issues of morality.

Bloom Where You’re Planted

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Hopefully Joel Osteen’s secret service won’t bust me for borrowing that title from one of his sermons a few years ago. Actually motivational speeches is more like it; but isn’t that what a true sermon is supposed to be?

Since God directs our steps that technically means we don’t master our own destiny. However, we are accountable for the choices we make because to a point they affect how God leads us. Choosing your own selfish will (sin) affects your destiny. Of course, God knows everything you’re going to do before you do it so He is still directing your steps; you just won’t be aware of it unless your eyes are open to His working in your life.

So do you choose where you are at on any given day? Yes. Did God lead you there? Yes. Could you have went somewhere else? Yes. Would God have led you there? Yes.

Is anybody else confused by predestination? It’s the topic that’s divided the church between Calvinism and Arminianism (not sure if I spelled that one right). The point is, God can use you anywhere; although wherever you go you will still have the same mission: To go fishing.

I heard a pastor once tell about the story of Joseph in the Old Testament. Even if his brothers hadn’t sold him into slavery, he still would have had the same mission that God called him to.

Or in my case, since I live in men’s dorm that serves as a homeless shelter (I don’t consider myself homeless as long as I’m paying rent of $100 something a month), I have the same ministry as I did at the Bunkhouse Men’s Dorm (not a homeless shelter and would have more freedom if I went there but saving money-don’t know if that’s a lack of faith or not); even though one serves as a shelter and the other one is a dormitory for men, there are still men at both settings that have hit bottom and have come to a place that’s cheap till they get back on their feet. Therefore, I would have the same ministry for two reasons:

1. Most of the guys are alcoholics, drug addicts, and mentally ill meaning they are in desperate need of the Spirit of God to be allowed into their lives.

2. When you’re at the bottom in life, there is only room to go up. It’s the best time to find God because you are usually at your most humble position and receptive to the call of God.

God always directs your steps towards Him, but when you don’t respond to His gentle voice you get deeper into sin and you can no longer hear His voice as your heart hardens. Those that really want God will respond.

As the Word of God warns, if you hear His voice today don’t harden your hearts like they did in the wilderness; you never know when, or if, you will get the opportunity to receive God’s gift of salvation. You don’t know what you’re missing if you’re in this boat. That goes for many “christians” that sit in church pews thinking they are right because they “believe” the right doctrine but have never trusted God with their life. The latter is the most dangerous place to be.
Blessings & Peace,
E Wooten Jr

Achievement v. Faithfulness

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Reading on this in my daily devotional time. I’ve actually heard some believers say they’re “only ambitious for the Lord.” Some actually go as far as to think a person’s goals & dreams are part of your sin nature and are to be renounced; therefore they spend years living a frustrated walk with God trying to renounce desires that He’s already put upon their heart. My friend, that could be a little self-righteous and pious behavior just even thinking that you are so far from God that you just manufacture your own desires. God gives you the desires of your heart, sin is where you try to pursue them apart from a relationship with God, and God promises to give you your desires when you delight yourself in Him; i.e., find all your fulfillment and significance in your personal relationship with your Creator. Jesus said apart from Him you can do nothing and He even said He only did what He saw His Father doing. So Jesus was fully human yet lived a perfect life because He was fully in tune with His Father through the Holy Spirit which qualified Him to be our Savior.

There is nothing wrong with achievement in and of itself except when you take credit for your achievements and start to become proud. Faithfulness is the realization of your God-given goals & dreams and pursuing them as an overflow of your relationship with God. Each day you pray for your daily bread which is what God gives you to do that day ask Him for His blessing as He sees fit. Jesus says whatever you ask in His name will be granted if you abide, or remain, in Him.

The key is to remain (abide) in the vine and find your fulfillment being lived out of your relationship with God. So faithfulness is a daily battle against Satan as you do what God puts upon your heart to do. Jesus said “what good is it for a man to gain the whole world yet forfeit his soul?” You may have a lot of achievement but apart from God it’s filthy rags.

You can follow your dreams but God gives it purpose and meaning. The only way you should give up any dream or goal is if it keeps you from seeking first the Kingdom of God. If if does that, then it’s probably not a something God has put on your heart. Or you’re just not ready to pursue it yet. Hmmm. . .maybe that’s why I got sidetracked from my dream of being a freelance journalist.

Get Your Own Blessings

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I believe one of the last of the 10 commandments was thou shalt not covet. Why do we covet someone else’s blessings? Even when we have the same “stuff” as others, or even something that society deems “better”, it still seems to be human nature to covet what someone else has.

Ever heard the phrase “keeping up with the Jones’s?” One of the reasons we work so hard to amass so much stuff that we could only enjoy in our next life is because we want what someone else. I.E,; Peter sees the boat that Paul bought for him, Mary, and the kids; therefore, Peter has to get a second job so he can pay for the same boat. Even though he may never get the opportunity to go out in it because he is too busy working and can’t even spend time with his wife and kids because he’s working so much to pay for his toys.

Hebrews 11:6 says “to believe in God is to believe that He is and is a rewarder to those that diligently seek Him.” Seek first the Kingdom of God. Your Father already has blessings in store for you; provided you are seeking an intimate relationship with Him for who He is and not for what you can get out of your heavenly Daddy.

Each person is unique. We are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of our Creator and restored to a divine relationship with Him through the blood and the cross of the Messiah. We may be interdependent on each other as far as fellowship because it’s not good for man to be alone but we are also still individuals as well. Each person is a unique part of creation and has their own destiny to fulfill along with their own blessings to receive.

Go after God and receive what He has for you rather than chasing after what you think you want solely because someone else has it. Remember, he who dies with the most toys not only dies, but dies younger due to the stress and anxiety of trying to keep up with his toys. Either way, he is still dead.

Progress Not Perfection

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A counselor once told me a story about a man who found God through Jesus Christ. Before this man’s conversion he was enslaved to the buying of prostitutes. After his salvation he still gave in to the urge to purchase women for hire, or ladies of the evening if you will. People in the church kept telling  him he needed to get right with the Lord. What most people failed to notice is that after he gave his life to his Creator he did it less and less every year. The Moral to the story: Just because someone appears to be “living in sin” doesn’t mean they are. The only real sin is not trusting in God. If you are stepping out in faith and striving to overcome whatever is keeping you from reaching your potential in Christ, then because of you repentant heart God doesn’t see your sins because it’s under the blood. Proverbs 16:3 says that if you commit your way to the Lord your plans will succeed. That doesn’t mean you can do anything you want but it does mean you have the freedom to pursue whatever desires God has placed on your heart as long as you seek first the Kingdom of God and live your life out of your relationship with Him. Some people assume you’re not right because you aren’t changing fast enough for them. The most dangerous sin is that of spiritual pride because it can be a subtle form of self-righteousness when you start seeing yourself as being so good you end up blaming others and nothing is ever your fault. We are all equal before God. What if you made it to heaven and Hitler was the first person you saw? He could have gotten right before he killed himself. They would have executed him anyway so you can’t presuppose someone’s in hell. It’s human nature to judge subconsciously without realizing it. Anxiety disorders and Paranoid Delusions are often the result of feeling judged by people. The less judgemental one becomes the more compassionate towards people who need the love of God you become. This love for God and others that is Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit working through you what fulfills the Law of God.  Remember we are all a work in progress. None of us are good entirely on our own. It’s the longing of the return of the Messiah the love of things of the living God that makes us pure (I John 3:3). Progress Not Perfection!!!

 

Falling Off The Wagon

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Usually a term used for alcoholism. I can safely say I’m not an alcholic but that only applies when I don’t go out drinking. I’ve only stumbled in that area twice in the last year. Of course I am working on keeping closed-minded people out of  my life who think psychosis has to be dealt with antipsychotics only. I found a natural antidepressant to  be unfriending negative influences on your life on Social Media sites such as Facebook. These are people who try to control you by making you feel guilty because you aren’t living right in their eyes. Oddly enough when you don’t let them control you and they sense your faith they will usually avoid you. Sadly enough I’ve experienced more persecution within the walls of church buildings and probably met more true believers/worshippers of the living God on the streets. One friend on Facebook even told me they quit going to church because there was too much unbelief. You can have just as much fellowship, if not more, just by meeting with a handful of your true friends and uplifting each other in the Mighty Name of Yeshua Mashiach. Isn’t there a book entitled “Why I Love Jesus and Hate the Church?” My new motto is “I fell of the wagon but some bandwagons aren’t worth your being on in the first place.” Just keep the dreamkillers who like laying up guilt trips on you out of your heart. They’re sneaky.

Soul Detox #3-Heavy Souls

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The topic of this past weeks sermon at City Life Center Fort Worth. There are four main fears that weigh on our spirits:

Fear of Loss is the underlying issue of my depression for the last seven years or more; as well as fear of failure. The latter every man could probably own up to since we’re success driven. Having lost two parents and your spouse leaving you because it was too hard for some to be married and deal with Bi-polar. Especially when one spouse may need their meds and the other one learns to manage without it. Side note: If taking meds would’ve saved my marriage I’d gladly stay on them if they had helped me. I’m not going to exalt myself because each person is different. It’s when we judge each other for our differences that creates control issues and anger. This leads to fear of rejection. We want to be accepted so badly  that we do anything to stand out or be popular with the in-crowd. Mentally ill types and addicts are usually above average intelligent types that are different from the normal people. When you excel intellectually you lag behind socially and this creates emotional problems since life is all about relationships.

Fear of the unknown and fear of failure go hand in hand because they are both based on unforeseen future events. Without faith in God we can have no hope in anything else so we tend to worry about our future, our eternal destiny, and bust our butts trying to make something of ourselves. Fear is the underlying issue of anxiety disorders which can lead to depression and eventually full psychosis. While medications can relieve the symptoms the problem won’t go away until you seek God and deal with it. However we in America take the path of least resistance. Stress & anxiety can attack your body in other ways physically; for example heartburn. Your insecurities could lead to laziness and poor dieting & exercising which can cause other illnesses. This would explain how the Great Physician & Mighty Counselor was able to heal people when He was here on earth 2000 years ago. Although God is under no obligation to heal now, let alone save you, there are natural ways to deal with many sicknesses. So far I’ve been fortunate enough to find them. Mental illness was the hardest one because I fell for the system telling me that I had a lifelong mental disorder that required me to stay on antipsychotic mood stabilizers the rest of my life. I almost regret losing everything when I stepped out in faith last summer but I think I get the full meaning of what putting God first can cost you. However I’m not any better than someone that needs their meds. The Assembly of God stance on medicine is to go to God first before you go to your doctor. If you dr. tells you to take medicine but God leads you to step out in faith then who are you going to listen to?

 

Shabat Shalom & Baruch Hashem in Yeshua

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This was intended for yesterday but thanks to the Christian church we can have a sabbath all weekend. Hey, I’m down with that. :) The sabbath is another example of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) helping you as you seek to honor G-d. Since I started a content writing business I made a decision to work six days a week and take the Jewish sabbath off. Actually since the sabbath starts Friday after sunset and ends Saturday after sunset I could literally work seven days a week. Of course the L-rd has been showing me the dangers of being overcommitted. Which I’m going to have to learn if I go back to University of Phoenix to finish my original major I started back in ’97-Communications. I wanted to be a journalist but they have a program geared toward Sales & Business writing but that’s another story entirely. Anyway the last few weeks I have been tempted to “work” on Saturday but for some reason that’s the one day I can’t seem to get motivated to pursue the cares of this world. Not that G-d is calling me to make that sacrifice. He doesn’t delight in sacrifices; just the committed that’s behind it. If He called you to make sacrifices then it wouldn’t be a sacrifice, it would be obedience. Jesus teaches us that the sabbath was made for man and not man for the sabbath. It’s to keep us from wearing ourselves out. Even though I don’t feel worn out yet, that could change any day with as many jobs as I bid on through Elance. All I have to do is get 3-5 jobs at one time then I’ll need a sabbath. If you don’t take advantage of the benefits of a sabbath, you may need a whole Sabbatical like I’ve been on for the last year. Now it’s ending as I prepare to go back to finish my Undergraduate, start a writing business, and get more and more involved at my new church. City Life Center at 915 Florence in Forth Worth 76102 if you’re in the area and looking for a church home that’s barely a year old.

 

Be In The World: Yet Not Worldly

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You’ve heard the saying “be in the world but not of it.” Some churchgoers take this to the extreme like everything other dogma taught by a denomination. Another old saying is you can be so heavenly minded that you’re of no earthly good. Not a wise idea to get so focused on church activities that you virtually are cut off from the world. That’s compared to trying so hard to live for God that you end up walking on eggshells afraid you’re going to sin. It’s also fear based and doesn’t require any faith.  The Great Commission says to go into the world and make disciples. Step out in faith. If you put your trust in God He will give you the strength and self-control to resist sin and the wisdom to know when to resist Satan. You have all the authority to do that yourself through the power of the Holy Spirit. For that matter not everything that most churches deem as sinful is exactly as big a sin as they think it is. God did give us all things to enjoy to some extent as long as you possess the wisdom and grace to not let it control your life.