Tag Archives: Paul

Seeking God (Day 3 of 48)

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Today’s Scripture:

Introduction:

Three days in to this series, and I don’t know about you…but it’s clear that this is exactly where the Lord wanted us to go.  Do you know that without Seeking God that I wouldn’t even know what in the world I’m supposed to write about, and furthermore I can’t imagine how horrible a read these messages would be without the Lord’s help.

I know I’m not the greatest writer.  I re-read many of my messages to find grammar and spelling errors, wrong words, and there’s so many mistakes…so that’s how you know I’m not a professional writer, but what I am is a man with a heart for God…and I write these messages as best I can…and it’s amazing and encouraging every time someone likes my messages…and it’s even more encouraging when you choose to fan us on Facebook or follow us here on WordPress or Twitter.

It let’s me know that I truly am doing this in accordance to God’s will, I’m writing what He wants me to write, and as a reward He’s drawing people to this ministry.  I know I’m not a literary genius, I’m certainly not a world renown theologian (I’ve never even been to Bible College), but what I am is a like I said…a man seeking the heart of God…and doing the best he can to do what he feels God has designed and destined for him to do.

So…let’s get into today’s message and see what more we can learn about Seeking God…

Today’s Message:

I am thankful that God lead my family and I to a church that has the following Vision Statement:  Seeking God, Loving People, and Making Disciples.  Part of the reason I’m so thankful for is because they were the ones who helped the Holy Ghost (and my wife) give me that gentle Holy Ghost kick in the butt that got me off the sidelines, and into ministry by getting Christlike Ministries NWA off the ground.  The other part is because I have come to understand that God joins people together based upon vision and mission.  What I mean is…the desire of my heart matches my church’s vision statement.

This is what they say about the “Seeking God” portion of their mission.

Seeking God:  Bringing people into a true encounter with God!  When you encounter God’s presence and person, your life will be transformed.  God has invited us to draw near to Him and we have accepted the invitation.  It has become our determined purpose to know Him. 

“It has become our determined purpose to know Him.”

Every now and again, I believe it’s important for churches and ministries to state what their purpose, vision, and mission is.  Here at Christlike Ministries NWA first and foremost, our determined purpose is the same as , and the great Apostle Paul.  Remember what Paul wrote in Philippians 3:8 (AMP)?  In case you forgot here it is…and I’m posting it in the Amplified Version because it helps to describe the determined purpose we ought to have when it comes to knowing God.

Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),  Philippians 3:8 (AMP)

Listen.  Paul is regarded as what we like to refer to as a “super” apostle.  I mean he wrote two-thirds of the New Testament, he was awarded the opportunity to see Heaven, God gave him the gospel that is to be used to save the nations, God also revealed the mystery to Paul that He hid from Daniel, and Paul was extremely intelligent, but he also had wisdom and common sense along with that intelligence.  So…he talks about all that he knew and had revealed to him as RUBBISH compared to his desire to be intimately acquainted with God.

Do you desire to be intimately acquainted with God?  Is your determined purpose to know nothing except Christ and Him crucified like Paul’s was?  I would like to answer those questions with an emphatic yes myself, but the truth is I allow worldly cares to interrupt my purpose.  I allow the cares of the world to choke out that determined purpose, but I can say with all honesty that I really do have a deep, burning desire to be more intimately acquainted with God…and realize that the less of a hold the cares of the world has on me…the more likely I am to be able to have that intimate relationship with God.

Around twelve years ago, Psalm 143 was like a daily medication for me. I was consumed with worry over my health. I became anxious about the possibility of an early death. After several months of feeling defeated and going from bad to worse, God convicted me of my lack of faith and trust in Him.

I never really had much in the way of medical concerns, but I can remember that I had a similar experience while I was unemployed for an extended period of time.  I remember in the midst of that time was the first time I saw the movie “Facing the Giants”, and in that movie came what God would use to convict my heart of my lack of faith and trust that He had things under control.  The line that caught my heart’s attention was this one:  God opens doors that no man can close, and closes doors no man can open.”

What that line did was remind me of not only the sovereignty of God, but that He was in complete control over every door that was opening and closing in my life…and my role in all of this was to trust Him to lead me to the doors He opens and lead me out of and away from the doors He closes.  Furthermore, my job is not to complain about the doors He closes…but to rejoice that He’s moving in my life.

I began to recite and meditate on verse eight in this psalm. I chose to believe God’s Word and overcame my fear with the truth that nothing could separate me from God’s love not even death! I now live free of fear. God’s truth has set me free!

I don’t remember if I recited any Bible verses, but I do remember during this time just constantly confessing that I didn’t know what God was doing, but that I was trusting Him to lead me where He wanted me to go.

I also failed to mention that while I was unemployed it allowed me to get Christlike Ministries NWA established, and I began writing these messages while the doors to employment were closed.  Once I got this ministry well established…don’t you know doors started opening, and it wasn’t long before I found myself sitting in front of a Christian man as he interviewed me to become a part of the Krispy Kreme family.

Friends…God is sovereign and always in control.  He knows exactly what we need, and how to bring about what we need in our lives.  He knew that if I was working I would be way too distracted to start-up this ministry, and that He wouldn’t have my full, undivided attention.  So…until I learned to hear His voice while writing…He had to keep the doors to any job closed…otherwise…I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have known what kind of job I was looking for.

Eventually, I began to figure out that I wanted a job that would allow me to be able to work, and help provide for my family…but also have hours that would allow me to write and continue to establish the ministry He called me to.  What God gave me was the exact job I asked Him for.  It’s a blessing to be able to work for Krispy Kreme as a route driver.  I may not always see it that way, but when I take a step back…like I am now I realize that this is exactly where I need to be.

It allows me to make a little bit of money to help provide for my family.  I work in a van that allows me to listen to awesome Bible teaching, and plug-in my phone to listen to some of my favorite worship songs.  I spend 5 – 7 hours a day listening to Bible teaching, and sincere worship music.  Then I come home to take a nap, and then when I get up I write my messages.  There’s no one here during the day other than my dog to distract me from writing.  So, it’s quiet and I’m able to hear from the Lord.  Some times I’ll listen to worship music…others I’ll just sit here and write.

I’m here when my son gets home from school, and I’m able to be here waiting on my wife to get home from work.  Some times I’m able to make dinner, and then we relax, watch television, and then before you know it…it’s time for bed.  I need to go back to getting up a little earlier so I can start my day with the Lord, and then I head to work…and before you know it…I’m in my van listening to more Bible teaching or worship music.

God gave me the exact job I asked for…and now the challenge is remembering to look at it that way…and not see it for being mundane, and some times not yielding the profit financially I’d like.  I need to see it as what I just described, and learn to be a better steward of that job…and become a better Christ-like example to those I work with.

Is your heart anxious? Are you worried and burdened with the ‘what ifs’?

The title of this Psalm is:  “An Earnest Appeal for Guidance and Deliverance”.  Where do you have an earnest need for God’s guidance or deliverance?  Let me assure you that if you’ll get a sincere desire in your heart to seek God for His guidance…remember Proverbs 3:5-6:  “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

You, too, can be free of your fears! Take all your burdens to God in prayer. Give them to God and realize that He is completely able to care for you. Choose to fully trust Him in everything.

Be A Doer…Not Just A Reader:

Memorize a favorite verse from Psalm 143 today. Write the verse out, read it aloud Repeat these steps until you know it., and meditate on it continually.

It can be any verse actually, but for the purpose of today’s message…try to find one in Psalm 143 that encourages or stands out to you…maybe write that verse on a sticky note…and put it on your bathroom mirror.  Maybe write it on a couple of them, and stick them in places you’ll see it…and read it all the time…and get to a place where you declare it out loud…get it deep down into your heart…and as you speak it out…faith will arise…and you’ll receive that guidance you need…Amen!?!

Conclusion:

Well…good grief.  I thought I already posted this message, but God’s timing is always perfect.  I needed to write what I did about my job to remind me that I’m exactly where I am supposed to be…and why I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.  I told you that many times I am ministered to by my own messages…and today…I needed the Lord to say just what He said…that I need to bloom where I’m planted because He’s still got purpose for me where I am.

See…guidance comes when you seek God’s face.  I was honestly praying about my job lately asking Him to reassure me that I’m where He wants me to be…and I got that assurance as I was finishing up this message.

Seeking God’s face on a matter is always better than doing it your own way…Amen!?!

 

15 Days in the Word with John Piper – THE LOGIC OF FEARLESSNESS

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Today’s Scripture:

  • “27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;” (Philippians 1:27-29)

Introduction:

How appropriate is it that we finish this series talking about what we’re going to get into next…Fearlessness.  I can tell you that I honestly had no idea that we were going to end this message this way, and that our next series was going to be “Fearless:  A Six-Week Journey” when we started this series.

See…this is how you some times know that you’re on the same page as the Holy Ghost.  It was about a week ago when I began searching for our next series, and the one that caught my attention was this “Fearless: A Six-Week Journey”.  It’s to take us from being fearful to fearless…and then we come to find the last message in this series is on “The Logic of Fearlessness”.

I couldn’t have made this up if I tried.  So…again…maybe if there are some of you wondering if I am really doing this by inspiration of the Holy Ghost…here’s yet more evidence that this really is a ministry that’s totally dependent upon the Holy Ghost for it’s direction…and as I always say…I hope that’s okay with you.

Today’s Message:

Paul told the Philippians that living worthy of the gospel of Christ meant fearlessness before enemies.

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ . . . not frightened in anything by your opponents (Philippians 1:27-28).

Have I said to you enough that not everyone is going to be excited about you either becoming a Christian or serving God?  We just talked in our last message about serving God, and I hope it’s a catalyst for helping some of you to know and understand how you are to serve God, and in what capacity…but I’m also going to be honest and let you know that the enemy is not going to be happy with your decision to serve the Lord.

I can tell you that I’ve had people I don’t even know try to discourage me from doing this because I’ve not been to a four-year seminary school, or because of my past.  I’ve had people I know try to discourage me from doing this, and I’ve had things go wrong.  I’ve had technical difficulties with my computer and ability to check on my sites with my BlackBerry.

The devil is not going to be excited about you becoming a Christian or deciding to serve God…that much I can promise you…and Jesus does too.  He said that persecution and difficult times will come…and believe you me…when it comes to taking that step into embracing the call of God on your life…there’s a whole new level of enemy that you have to deal with.

The devil is constantly trying to get me to give up, and  quit writing these messages.  There’s always someone who will comment or message me about how I’m preaching false doctrine or have no clue what I’m doing.  I’ve had to block people from my Facebook page and other sites because they put hateful stuff on them for people to see.

However…I can also tell you that NONE of this discourages me.  In fact, it does the exact opposite.  It excites me.  The more the enemy attacks me the more I know that I’m having an impact upon his kingdom, and that’s the reason I get so excited.  I used to get mad at things like technical difficulties or people coming against me, but the Lord has helped me to realize the reason this stuff happens is because the devil knows my name…and he’s trying to stop me because what I teach is truth, it’s solid, sound doctrine, and he doesn’t like it.

So…along with the encouragement I’m offering to those of you who are wanting to serve God…I’m also going to let you know that there’s a cost, and that the devil isn’t going to clap his hands in excitement.  No, friends, he’s going to work to shut you up, and discourage you from walking in the vocation in which Christ has called and ordained you to walk in…but we are MORE than conquerors through Christ Jesus.  Greater is HE that is in us than he that’s in the world…and through Christ the victory has already been won.  The devil is a defeated foe…and whenever he comes against you…we have the power, authority, and ability to tell him to shut his mouth in the name of Jesus…and he has to obey us.

Then he gave the logic of fearlessness.

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake (Philippians 1:29).

Do you see that?  Paul writes just as Jesus said.  We are going to suffer for His name’s sake.  We’re going to experience persecution, hardship, and enemies coming against us because we’re doing what we’re doing for the glory of the Lord…and so that the name of Jesus will be glorified in our lives.

The logic is this:

God has given you two gifts, not just one: Faith and suffering. That’s what verse 29 says.

In this context that means: Both your faith in the face of suffering, and your suffering are gifts of God. When Paul says, don’t be frightened by your opponents he had two reasons in his mind why they don’t need to be frightened:

1. One reason is that the opponents are in the hand of God. Their opposition is a gift from God. He governs it. That’s the first point of verse 29.

2. And the other reason not to be afraid is that your fearlessness, that is, your faith, is also in the hand of God. It too is a gift. That is the other point of verse 29.

So…there’s a lot that was said here.  Let’s break this down to see what we can uncover, and then get into these two reasons separately.

The logic is this:

God has given you two gifts, not just one: Faith and suffering. That’s what verse 29 says.

In this context that means: Both your faith in the face of suffering, and your suffering are gifts of God.

Remember that we talked about ALL of the promises of God having the answer of “YES”.  Remember that we talked about persecution being one of the promises of God?  We know that our faith is a gift from God, but how many of you know that suffering is also a gift from God?  I can tell you that I never really thought of the suffering that I’ve had to endure as a gift from God, but in all reality I understand that it is…and I understand why.  It’s because the trials that come our way are meant to build our faith…not in us…but in Him.  When we endure suffering if we take it by faith, and understand that God is doing something in our lives through it…when we’re on the other side of what we’re going through…we will see the reason we’ve had to endure that suffering.

Remember.  God causes ALL things to work together FOR good to those who love God and are called according to HIS purposes.  We all know that God never said all things would BE good, but that they would work together FOR good.  That includes the persecution and suffering that we endure for His name’s sake.

When Paul says, don’t be frightened by your opponents he had two reasons in his mind why they don’t need to be frightened:

Aren’t you glad for Paul?  I know I am.  I’m also glad for someone like John Piper who can dig out these reasons.  Let me say that I know that some of John Piper’s beliefs are extremely Calvinistic…but let me say that I believe that he teaches a lot of good stuff…and that the Holy Spirit can help me use what John writes…and turn it into a good message full of sound doctrine.  I’m not a Calvinist or anything else…I am a Holy Ghostist…and that’s where and how I get my direction and unction…that was a criticism I recently got for doing this 15 Days in the Word with John Piper series…another example of someone trying to discourage me from doing what the Lord has called me to.

Anyways…lets’ get into these two reasons:

1. One reason is that the opponents are in the hand of God. Their opposition is a gift from God. He governs it. That’s the first point of verse 29.

Remember how in the book of Job that satan had to get God’s permission to test Job?  Remember how God gave the devil permission, but told him that he could not take Job’s life?  Can I tell you that the persecution and suffering that we go through has to get God’s approval?  He governs the opposition that comes into our lives.  Any time the devil wants to do anything in our lives…he has to seek God’s permission…and if God feels that we can handle it (1 Corinthians 10:13) He’ll allow it.

Friends…we are in God’s hands.  Nothing that comes against us can pluck us from His hand.  We’re protected by God, and He’s not going to allow anything into our lives that we cannot handle…without His help.  He may allow things to happen in our lives that are too big for us to handle on our own because He wants us to always lean upon Him.  Everything we go through in our lives whether we know it or not…God is with us through it all.  It’s up to us to choose to allow Him to walk us through it…or try to handle it on our own…but He’s always there by our side waiting for us to reach out to Him.

2. And the other reason not to be afraid is that your fearlessness, that is, your faith, is also in the hand of God. It too is a gift. That is the other point of verse 29.

Friends…whether it’s our faith or our struggles to strengthen our faith…it’s all in God’s hands.  We are in God’s hands.  I don’t know about you, but that’s of great comfort to me to know that I am in God’s hands, and my life is in His hands…and all things that come in my life are in His hands.  He is in complete control of my life…and the best thing I can do is recognize that…and allow Him to lead, direct, and guide me…and that’s the best thing that you can do too.

So the logic of fearlessness in the face of adversity is this double truth: Both your adversity and your faith in the face of adversity are gifts of God.

Both our adversity and our faith in the face of the adversity we face are gifts of God.  In other words…the adversity we face and the faith we have to stand up to the adversity we face are both gifts from God.  The adversity that comes is coming to build up the faith that we need to face the adversity…it’s a cycle.  We face adversity…we use our faith in God to overcome the adversity…our faith grows…and then we get to face…yep…more adversity.  It’s all designed to help us grow up and mature in our walk with God…and along with that comes the knowledge that what we face is allowed by God…and He’s the One that’s in control…I don’t know about you…but that just makes me happy.

Even the adversity I face is a gift from God so that the other gift from God (my faith) can be stronger and more deeper.  Friends…it really is all about God…and His desire for us to grow up in ALL things…as Paul writes in Ephesians 4…and the awesome thing of it is…He’s the One who helps us to grow up…by allowing us to go through things…to…well…grow us up in our faith.  Like I said…it’s a cycle that leads us to having more faith…but not faith in us or our abilities…faith in God.

Why is this called “living worthy of the gospel of Christ” (v. 27)? Because the gospel is the good news that Christ’s blood of the covenant infallibly obtained for all his people the sovereign working of God to give us faith and to govern our enemies — always for our eternal good.

Therefore, fear not. Your adversaries can do no more than God grants. And he will grant you the faith you need. These promises are blood bought and sealed. Gospel promises.

Fear not…our adversaries can do no more than God grants.  Just like the adversary had to get God’s permission to test Job…since God is no respecter of person…and He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever…that means that our adversaries have to get permission from Him too.

The awesome thing is the God will grant us the faith we need to defeat the adversity He allows us to face.  It’s like He allows us to face the adversity just to prove to the adversary that he has no more power  than he is allowed.  Let me balance this out by saying we have the power to give our adversary more power or less power depending upon how we respond.

We give the devil the power of our lives…because Jesus has already defeated him.  So any power the devil has…we give him.  We allow him to work in our lives to the degree that we let him…because if he’s working in our lives God’s already granted him the permission to work, but He’s also given us the faith and the ability to use the faith we have in Him to overcome…but it’s up to us to choose whether to use our faith or give in to the adversity.  We can either use it to grow or we can use it to fall…but we must never point the finger at God…because while it’s true He allows us to face adversity…He returns the ability to overcome it to us…and how we do that is by faith.

He has already secured the victory…it’s up to us to believe Him for it.  I don’t know about you…but I’m fully persuaded that there isn’t anything that comes into my life that I cannot overcome by faith in what Jesus has already done.  I may sound weird to some that I am glad when persecution or adversity comes, but I am…because that let’s me know that God believes in me…and believes that I will use my faith in Him to overcome…how about you?

Conclusion:

Well…this wraps up our series 15 Days in the Word with John Piper.  I’ve really enjoyed this series.  I’ve gotten a lot of good stuff out of this series to put into practice in my life.

I understand that some of John’s beliefs are very Calvinistic, but I believe that even though that’s the case…the Holy Spirit can take what’s wrong with what he believes or teaches…and give us the ability to rightly divide things for good, sound messages.

Please know that I don’t subscribe to all of Mr. Piper’s beliefs because I know there are some things he teaches that aren’t quite right, but there are also some really good things he teaches…and it’s a good thing for us that most of what we went through in this series was good, solid teaching.

I hope that you’ll join us as we get into the next series starting Wednesday, September 5, 2012…”Fearless:  A Six-Week Journey”.  It’s going to take us the entire month of September, and part of October to get through it…but I believe it’s going to really help us go from living in fear…to being able to live in the fearlessness we talked about today.

Thank you so much for following along, and I’m so happy to know this series has helped and touched many of you.  I appreciate all of you who follow along with this ministry, and I’m extremely thankful for the ones who are following along in the shadows.

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.” (1 Corinthians 16:23-24)

Blessing & Grace to you
Bryan J. Kizer
Christlike Ministries NWA

 

 

15 Days in the Word with John Piper – PRAY AND PONDER YOURSELF INTO SYNC WITH PAUL’S SENSE OF WEALTH

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Today’s Scriptures:

  • “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”  Romans 2:4
  • “And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory.”  Romans 9:23
  • “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”  Romans 11:33
  • “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.”  2 Corinthians 8:2

Introduction:

As we enter another time where the Powerball jackpot is well over $300,000,000 there’s always someone who asks you the question of what you’d do if you won that kind of money.  For me, I can’t wrap my mind around having that kind of money, but to say I haven’t considered what I’d do with that kind of money would be a lie.

However, what I’ve discovered is that I am really a simple person, and I really don’t have these extravagant dreams of what I’d do if I won $300 million dollars.  The temptation is to say that I’d buy this huge house, fourteen cars, and travel…and buy all kinds of stuff.  Aren’t we told in the Bible about a man who had an abundance of stuff, and was called a fool because he was unwilling to share his abundance with people who either didn’t have enough…or anything at all?

I’m interested to see where today’s message is going to go, and what Paul’s sense of wealth was, and if it lines up with mine.  I’m also interested to see what John Piper adds in to this devotional message for today…so without taking any longer to get into it…let’s see what we can do with today’s message:  PRAY AND PONDER YOURSELF INTO SYNC WITH PAUL’S SENSE OF WEALTH

Today’s Message:

When the apostle Paul thinks about “wealth” or “riches” what springs to his mind? What should spring to ours? Where should our efforts at enrichment be invested?

I would have to imagine that Paul’s sense of wealth is much like mine has become today.  We’re going to get into a list of Scriptures and points by John Piper…and the Word of God, but before we get into that I guess this is a moment where I’m able to share some personal revelation on what I believe true Biblical wealth is…and contrast that with what the Prosperity Preachers (or Pimps as Brother Donnie Swaggart calls them) teach us about wealth.

First of all…I should give a precursor here.  I think that we all to some extent (thanks to the prosperity doctrine that’s invaded the Body of Christ) has a distorted view of what the abundant life is, and I think that because mine was distorted by it too…until the Lord dealt with my heart on what true abundance of life really is…and is not.

For quite some time I believed that true prosperity (wealth) was about…well…stuff.  After all, there are many preachers on television these days that would have you to believe that God desires for us all to wear Armani suits, have a Mercedes-Benz or BMW or Cadillac in the garage, and a mansion to live in.  In addition to our homes, all of us should have these huge mega churches, and maybe even a private jet, private yacht…and if we don’t…then we’re not sowing enough seed or we don’t have enough faith…and therefore I began to have this distorted view of the abundance of life.

You see, friends, I talked in the introduction about not being able to wrap my mind around having hundreds of millions of dollars because in truth…I can’t really wrap my mind around having hundreds of thousands of dollars…and in many cases over the course of my life…just hundreds of dollars.

I know…I hear the prosperity teachers already.  Well…you have to have $5.00 faith before you can have $5,000,000 faith.  You have to start where you can, and just begin to sow seeds…and before long you’ll be reaping rewards off of the prosperity gospel’s Ponzi scheme…because that’s really what it is friends…it’s a Ponzi scheme.

Listen…I’m not saying that it’s not possible to reap 30, 60, and 100 fold off of your tithes and offerings because I know it is.  What I am saying is that this prosperity message has gotten the Body of Christ to believe that if we’re not all multi-millionaires it’s because we’re either not sowing enough seed or we don’t have enough faith.

Can I tell you what God showed me about true biblical abundant life?  It’s not about money, it’s not about houses, cars, airplanes, boats, expensive suits, jewelry, watches, or  vacation homes in the Caribbean Islands.  The abundant life is about riches that money cannot buy.  Things like having a restored relationship with my parents that was broken for the better part of a decade.  Having a restored relationship with my in-laws after a time where I paid for sowing a bad seed with my father in law.  Having a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and a bed to sleep in at night without worrying about whether or not the bills are going to be paid.  Having the love of a good woman, and enjoying the life of having a family…and a house that feels like a home.  Having the ability to serve God with a gift I’ve had all my life, and not only is it being used to cultivate my relationship with God…but it’s being used to help others to cultivate their relationship with God.

It’s about finding an awesome Bible teaching church to become a part of and be fed by knowing that God’s presence is frequently invited to attend their services, and the people there really do care about you.  It’s about having a job that I can enjoy doing while making sure that I’m able to write these messages.  It’s about having come to the point to where you realize like Paul did…I have discovered that I’m able to be content with life.

It’s about beginning to realize that there are more fruits of the spirit in operation in my life.  It’s about love actually being a part of your life.  It’s about discovering there’s peace in your life that surpasses your understanding…and even though we do live paycheck to paycheck…God always provides for us the ability to pay our bills, keep a roof over our heads, and foods in our stomachs.  It’s about discovering that there’s a little bit of joy that accompanies that sense of peace that you’ve never really had before…and then one day you realize you smile a little more, you enjoy life a little more, and you are actually living a little…and not just existing.

It’s about realizing that you’ve even begun to have the ability to be long-suffering with people, and that instead of holding on to resentment, bitterness, and grudges you find that forgiving people comes easier, and you don’t hold on to stuff and dwell on things…because you realize that you have that love that’s shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost…and that love over rides the feeling of resentment or desire to hold a grudge…because you realize that God’s not holding anything against you…so you don’t have the right to hold anything against anyone else.  You realize how LONG suffering God is with you…and therefore you learn to extend more grace, mercy, and forgiveness to others…even when they don’t deserve it because you realize that God extended those things to you…and still extends them to you…even though you don’t deserve  to have them extended to you.

It’s about realizing that you’ve become a kinder…gentler person.  That goes along with the long-suffering…and the ability to extend love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace a little easier.  Then you realize that you extend goodness…which is another fruit of the spirit tied to love, long-suffering, and gentleness…there are some of these fruits of the spirit that kind of work together…and one day you realize that you’ve just become a nicer person in general.  You get laughed at for being someone who animals and children naturally like to come up to…but you realize that’s part of the fruit of the spirit…and that’s part of becoming a gentler, kinder, and much better person.

It’s about realizing that your faith is growing, and that you have the belief that you may not know when or how God will intervene…but you know He will.  You know He has your back…and you know there’s no circumstances that are beyond His control.  It’s about having this humility that you never had before…even in serving God.  You’re grounded enough to realize that the ministry you have isn’t yours, the people who you’re ministering to aren’t yours, and the ability that you have to minister with isn’t yours…it’s all Gods.  The people are God’s, the ministry is God’s, and the gift you have is from God…so the glory and honor for your ministry goes to where it belongs…God.

It’s about learning temperance…other wise known as self-control.  It’s about realizing that you’re learning to balance life a little better, and that you are getting better at getting out of God’s way.  This is one of those areas I’m still working on…but I have the faith in God to know that will be worked out on His time and in His way.

So…you see…my idea of the abundant life really has nothing to do with stuff at all.  It’s not about stuff that money cannot buy…it’s about the stuff that money cannot buy.  It’s about realizing that you’ve grown into someone who you can stand to live with…and that whether you had hundreds of millions of dollars, hundreds of thousands of dollars or just hundreds of dollars…that you’re going to be the same person, and that…is what I believe the abundant of life is all about.

I realize that this is about as far off the path the message is meant to be, but I believe there’s a time to be on point, and there’s a time where it’s okay to maybe go off point a little bit.  But…I believe it’s time to get back to the message now…and if this is too much or too long…I apologize…but maybe there’s someone out there who needs to read this stuff…and therefore…I guess I’m not sorry after all…if you have an issue with the length of this message…then talk to the One who is helping me write it.

Here are all the uses of Paul’s favorite word for “riches” (Greek: ploutos). Taste and see what he lives for.

I’m not sure if the Lord’s going to want me to break any of these down…or just give them as a point of reference…or a little of both…but that’s where you learn to rely upon the Holy Spirit for the direction…and not your own understanding.

- The riches of God’s kindness and forbearance and patience. (Romans 2:4)

- The riches of God’s glory for vessels of mercy. (Romans 9:23)

- The riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! (Romans 11:33)

- A wealth of generosity on their part. (2 Corinthians 8:2)

- The riches of God’s grace. (Ephesians 1:7)

- The riches of God’s glorious inheritance in the saints. (Ephesians 1:18)

- The immeasurable riches of God’s grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7)

- The unsearchable riches of Christ. (Ephesians 3:8)

- The riches of God’s glory. (Ephesians 3:16)

- God’s riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

- The riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)

- The riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ. (Colossians 2:2)

- The rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:17)

Well…I waited upon the Holy Ghost…it seems good to just make these as points of reference, and maybe for you to come up with your own understanding of Paul’s thoughts on wealth and riches…and maybe…hopefully you came away from my testimony about my views of wealth, riches, and the abundant life…that maybe somehow can help yours.

So…I am going to close this message here…and trust the Holy Spirit to teach you the rest.  You’re welcome to comment or contact me should you have questions or maybe a desire to talk about this message further…some times…it’s just good to allow the Holy Spirit to teach than to try to write something just for the sake of writing…Amen!?!

Conclusion & Prayer:

I think this message turned out to be alright after all.  I’m not sure if it’ll make sense or that it’ll become the most popular message I’ve ever written…but I hope it’s helpful in some way to you and your walk with the Lord.

Heavenly Father…I don’t have much to say…I just would like to ask that You would help us to understand what true wealth, prosperity, and the abundant life really is.  Help us to not buy into the lies of the prosperity message that says that we don’t have stuff because we don’t have enough faith.  Help us to know that’s not true…and help us to know what is true.  Lord…I thank You for the revelation that You’ve given to me about the abundant life…and I ask that You would give us all wisdom and understanding about riches…and more importantly YOUR riches…and we ask that You would continue to open the windows of Heaven and pour out Your riches upon us.  In Jesus’ name…Amen & Amen

Living the Surrendered Life (Day 4 of 21)

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Today’s Scripture:  “11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”  Philippians 4:11-12

Introduction:

I remember loosely making reference to these verses the other day, and I’m excited that they are a part of this series.  I know that the Lord is going to have a lot of good things to say through this message today.  So, rather than try to say a whole bunch of stuff I think this is one of those messages that’s best to get out of the way, and pray for the Holy Ghost to take over…yeah…surrendering the writing of this message to the Holy Ghost…that’s part of living the surrendered life.

Today’s Message:

Lord Jesus, I come before You today to seek the anointing, unction, and utterance for this message that You supply through the supernatural power of the Holy Ghost.  I surrender my abilities, and ask You…Holy Ghost…to anoint my fingers…and help me to write only that which You would have to say this day.  I pray for open ears to Your voice, open eyes to see what You have to say, and open hearts to receive what You would have to teach us this day through this message.  We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus…Amen & Amen

So what’s the secret that the author of Philippians, Paul, learned that would allow him to be content in any circumstance?

Friends, today we’re going to learn the secret to being content in any circumstance.  That means that…like what Paul writes…whether times are awesome or horrible, whether we have a lot or nothing, and no matter what life may throw at us…we can learn to be content in all situations and circumstances…and that’s what the Holy Ghost is wanting to teach us today…to understand that no matter how bad we think we may have it…if you are a believer…we have God with us and in us…and that means we have enough to shout about all the time.  There are millions of people who cannot claim they have God…so the truth is…since we do have God…we have it better than almost 93% of the world.

Gratitude.

Yes, friends.  That’s right.  This is the key to being content in any circumstance of life…Gratitude.  Being grateful for the things we do have, and as I just said as believers no matter how bad the circumstances of life might get…we still have something that almost 93% of the world doesn’t have…the assurance that this life here on earth is the worst it’s ever going to get.

Do you know that once I got the revelation that this life is the closest I’m ever going to get to spending eternity in hell…it allowed be to stop wishing and pining for the “greener pastures”.  Listen, as a Christian, knowing that as a child of the Most High God…knowing that at the end of this life I’m going to spend eternity in Heaven…knowing that…it allows me to look at life and be free to be content because I have the revelation that no matter how great things are here or how horrible things are…this is only temporary.  The best day here in the world pales in comparison to spending one day in Heaven.

Once you have that understanding, my friends…then no matter what you face…you can be content in this world…and that’s the understanding I believe Paul had.  Of course, he had one advantage the rest of us didn’t have…he got to see the third Heaven.  He got to see the Heaven that all of us have waiting for us some day…but even though we don’t have that advantage…even though we haven’t been able to see Heaven…one thing we do have is the assurance that at the end of this life…we will see the sweet face of Jesus.

I don’t know about you…but that’s enough assurance for me to not ever really let abundance or lack get me down.  Sure, there are times where I wish I had a nicer home, but when I think of the homeless, people in third world countries…then I realize that I need to praise God because I have a roof over my head…and that eliminates my wishing for a nicer home.  I sometimes wish I had a nicer vehicle, but then when I realize that there are many people who don’t even own a car…that makes me grateful for the car I do have.

I may wish for a better job with better money, better hours, and better benefits.  However, when I realize that almost 10% of people in this country don’t have a job at all…that helps me to be grateful that I even have a job…and it also gives me cause to praise the Lord…because it’s only by His favor I have the job I do…and while the hours and pay not be the greatest…the facts are I have the exact kind of job I want because it allows me to work…and be able to operate the ministry.  I am so grateful for the job I have because I prayed for one that would allow me to work and write these messages…and God blessed me with a job that allows me to do exactly that.

Listen, when ever you look around at what you have wishing that it could maybe be a little bit better…you’re no longer content with what you have…and that means you’ve lost your gratitude. I have come to a place in my life where I’m extremely grateful to God for everything I have because I realize just how blessed I am.  That, my friends is gratitude.  That is being content…being grateful…and realizing that every blessing we have is from God.  I used to think that the abundant life was about stuff…after all that’s what the “prosperity pimps” would have you to believe.  Prosperity to them is having a Mercedes-Benz, your own private jet, $5,000 Armani suits, and being a millionaire.  However…I’ve come to discover that true Biblical prosperity has nothing to do with stuff at all…it has to do with the things that money cannot buy.  Things like family, love, joy, and true happiness.  Sure…it would be nice to drive a Mercedes, wear expensive suits, and have a big house…but that’s never really been my dream.

My dreams have always been simple, and I believe that’s where our hearts ought to be.  As far as my personal life.  My ministry dreams are bigger…if your goals and dreams ministry wise aren’t too big for you…if they aren’t big enough to where you know the only way you’ll accomplish them is with God’s help…then those dreams and goals aren’t big enough…and you’re limiting what God can do through you.

Gratitude.

Yep, I believe it’s really that simple. Oh, it may not be what Paul was thinking when he wrote what he wrote. But for me, it’s the very mindset that is the catalyst to contentment in my life.

I agree with the writer of this devotion.  It really is that simple.  Gratitude is one of those hidden fruits of the spirit that come as a result of a…what…totally surrendered life.  I believe that gratitude could’ve and maybe should have been listed as one of the fruits of the spirit…but I guess in a way it is because when you’re truly grateful for the blessings you have in your life…then that’s where joy comes in.

Today, you have a decision to make. I do, too. We can choose either to be content and grateful or we can choose not to. And we must choose before we are placed in a situation where we are comparing or complaining or wanting. During temptation is not the time to decide whether or not we are content.

I’m going to close today’s message with this thought.  Are you living with gratitude or are you living with this wish that the grass was greener?  Are you grateful for the blessing you have or have you bought into the prosperity message where if you don’t have an expensive car, house, or stuff that you just don’t have enough faith?

Can I tell you that Paul wrote about being content while he was in prison, and that prison in his day wasn’t anything like what prison is like today?  I am sure he didn’t get three meals a day or showers or other prisoners to hang out with.  I’m positive that he didn’t have the kinds of amenities that most people in jails and prisons enjoy today…and Paul wrote in the middle of his circumstances that he was content.

I have found in my life that I actually am that content, but I can always learn to be more content.  I’m not perfect.  I find myself day-dreaming about having “nicer” stuff too, but what I don’t do anymore is lose my gratitude for the blessings I do have…and I hope that this message encourages you to think about the things you have…and gain gratitude knowing that while it can always be better…the reverse is true as well…it can always be worse…so instead of taking what you do have for granted…and dreaming about the greener pastures…take some time to enjoy the pasture you are living in…and be thankful for what you do have…and soon you’ll discover you have found like Paul…that no matter what circumstance you’re in…you can be content…if for no other reason…then the one I gave you in the beginning.

This is the worst life is ever going to get for those of us who believe, and have called upon the name of the Lord to be saved.  We have an eternal destination that will be far greater than this one will ever be…and the only way to have this life here be joyful for us now…is to be content and grateful for what we have…and not pining for what we don’t.

My pastor and father in the faith used to say it this way:  “Bloom where you’re planted.”

Points for Pondering:

  • Is there a particular area of your life where you don’t feel grateful?
  • What is it that you think would help you be more grateful?
  • Spend time in honest, open dialogue with God about these areas. He can handle it. Your lack of gratitude Is no secret to Him.
  • From this day forward, begin each day naming ten people/things for which you are thankful. If ten is to small a number, do more!

Conclusion & Prayer:

Here’s a list of ten right off the top of my heart that I’m thankful for right now.  The list isn’t in any particular list of importance, but perhaps this will help you to see that I’m writing these messages to myself…just as much as I’m writing them for you.

Ten Things I am Thankful For:

  1. My Family:  I have a wonderful family life these days.  I’ve a restored and improving relationship with my parents that I’m extremely grateful for.  I’ve a fantastic new family with my wife and son.
  2. My Job:  My job may not pay the greatest, and the hours may leave a lot to be desired, but like I shared earlier this is the exact job that I asked God for.  One where I can work and maintain this ministry…and the job allows me just that.  I also work with people who are believers…and that makes a great deal of difference to me.
  3. My Home:  I am extremely thankful for the roof I have over my head, the furniture we have, and that our home is one that serves and praises the Lord.
  4. My Church:  I am blessed to have a church and pastors who believe it’s still okay to preach the Word of God.
  5. My Car:  My car was actually gifted to me by my parents.  It enables me to get around…but it’s a reliable vehicle…and that’s exactly what my family and I need me to have.
  6. My Ministry:  I am so thankful for what God is doing through this ministry, and that I even have a ministry to begin with.
  7. My Father In The Faith:  I am extremely grateful that I had a pastor who really took the time to teach me well, and build and establish within me a good, strong foundation that’s built upon the rock of Jesus Christ…and the foundation of the Word of God.
  8. My Wife:  God has blessed me with a wonderful woman who loves the Lord, and is a great help mate to me.
  9. My Mom:  My mother and I may not have always had the greatest relationship, but God has really done wonders in that area.  My mom has always been one of the most important people in my life…and I appreciate the mom that God gave me.
  10. My Life:  There was a time where I wasn’t always so grateful and thankful for my life, but that’s because I didn’t have the understanding that I do today about the very topic of this message…gratitude and contentment.

There’s a quick list to show you that I do, indeed participate in my own messages.  I hope that you’ll take some time to write down your own list…and hope that it will give you reasons to be grateful…and find that you too can be content with such things as ye have…Amen!?!

Father, how blessed we are.  Lord, help us to be grateful, thankful, and content with the things we have…and not pine for the things we don’t.  Help us to look at the things we have now, and realize that they’re all blessings from You…and that we need to be thankful for every blessing You have given for us…and also to realize that we won’t be blessed with more or nicer…until we’re truly thankful and grateful for what You’ve already blessed us with.  Help us to see and know that for those of us who have called upon the name of Your Son to be saved that the greatest day we have here in the world is nothing compared to what we’ll have in the world to come…the one where we get to see Your face…and please…Lord give us the understanding that all that we see here is only temporary…whether we’re in a million dollar mansion or in a prison like Paul was…teach us…Lord God…not to find true contentment in our stuff…but our relationship with You.  In Jesus’ name…Amen & Amen.

Why Read the Bible? (Day 26 of 32) “Passing Them on to Others”

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Today’s Scripture:  “ And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”  2 Timothy 2:2

Introduction:

Well, you can’t really talk about why we read the Bible without talking about something that we know is near and dear to God’s heart.   The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV) tells us to go into all the world teaching…and making disciples…of all nations.  Paul writes about it here to Timothy about “teach others”.

Not only is reading the Bible important for our own growth and maturity in the Word of God, but so that we can in return take what we’ve learned and teach others.  That’s what Christlike Ministries NWA is all about.  Equipping the saints to do the work of the ministry.  How in the world can we equip the saints if we don’t know or read the Word of God…what else is there to equip them with?

I’m not even through with the introduction, and I know this is gonna be a good message.  So, let’s get in to the message for today…”Passing Them On To Others”.

Today’s Message:

A couple of messages or so ago I brought up the parable about the man who had so much corn that rather than share the excess of corn he had…he decided to tear down his barn that was sufficient to feed him and his family…and build another barn big enough to hold the surplus.  I said in that message that a lot of us (myself included) have the tendency to become spiritual hoarders when it comes to knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and revelation we have received from either personal study or hearing the Word of God.

Friends, God doesn’t allow us to have revelation solely for us to keep to ourselves.  Listen, if there was ever anyone who had excess of revelation it was Paul.  Can you imagine what would’ve happened if instead of writing two-thirds of the New Testament he would’ve kept all of the revelation, knowledge, wisdom,  and understanding he had?  Do we know that there was another man so qualified with knowledge than Paul?  I mean, I am certain that if it wouldn’t have been Paul that God would’ve raised up another person who He could’ve imparted such revelation to, but take a moment to kind of chew on thought for a minute while I go and warm up my coffee.

So, what came to your mind?  I know what came to mine.  I’m so thankful to God that Paul shared what God imparted to him.  I’m glad that we have Romans through Philemon…aren’t you?  Can you imagine what the Bible would be like without Paul’s writings?

That’s exactly what we do, though.  I’m included in the “we” as well.  For those of us who don’t go to church to socialize, but actually have an encounter with God and receive revelation knowledge in the Word of God…and study our Bibles on a regular basis.  We take our notebooks, we take our notes, and as we learn and apply the Word of God to our lives…get results…have our faith grow…and have our wisdom and understanding grow…and most of us keep that to ourselves when there is a lost and dying world of not just unbelievers, but lukewarm…backslidden Christians who are perishing for their lack of knowledge.  Knowledge of what?  The Word of God.

The Bible talks about how we are blessed to be a blessing, but so many of us when it comes to revelation knowledge of the Word of God become spiritual hoarders.  Not only do we not take anytime at all to preach the gospel to the lost, but we also don’t take any time to disciple others.  We are totally ignoring the command from our Commander and Chief…and I’m not talking about the President of the United States.  I’m talking about OUR Commander and Chief…Our Commanding General…the Commissioned One…Jesus Christ our Lord, our Savior, Our Commander, Our Chief…the One who said go into all the world preaching, teaching, and making disciples.

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Jesus said in Mark 16:15-16.  But we don’t do that we build ourselves bigger barns, and keep the knowledge we have to ourselves instead of sharing it with a world that is starved and hungry for the Word of God.  Yes, I know many people are going to reject the Word…Jesus said that if the world rejected Him then they will reject us too, but He never said that since the world was going to reject us that it was okay for us to keep what we know to ourselves did He?

No, friends, part of our job as Christians whether we want to or not is to disciple others.  We’re to be “teaching others” about our knowledge, our wisdom, our understanding, and our revelation of the Word of God.  The two places that Jesus tells us to go into all the world here in Matthew 28 and Mark 16…these aren’t suggestions…they are commandments.

See, that’s what this ministry is all about.  This is what we’re doing to share our knowledge, our wisdom, our understanding and our revelation of the Word of God.  I can no longer keep the revelation I have to myself because Christlike Ministries NWA is a discipleship ministry.  Our vision and mission is to this point.

THE VISION: of this ministry is simple.  My heart is to share the love of God with you, introduce those of you who don’t know God to Him, and help those of you who do know Him…to know Him better. – The Vision of Christlike Ministries NWA by Bryan J. Kizer

THE MISSION: To assist believers in developing their relationship with Christ through Bible study, prayer, and worship. Building quality believers so that they can experience God in a more intimate way. The Mission of Christlike Ministries NWA by Bryan J. Kizer

Building quality believers so that they can experience God in a more intimate way.  Ephesians 4:12 is our mandate.  “Equipping the saints for the work of the ministry.”  Do you know what that is?  That’s discipleship.  That’s what this ministry and all the messages we write are about.  That’s why we’re taking on this 32 day series about “Why Read The Bible?”.  We’re about The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV).

I am thrilled to know that there are people in other parts of the world following Christlike Ministries NWA.  There are pastor’s in India, Sierra Leone, and all throughout the United States that are following Christlike Ministries NWA.  That means we’re reaching people in other parts of the world.  I never imagined that I would see the day when I would impact other parts of the world.  When I started this ministry my vision was actually quite limited.  I figured that most of my Facebook friends, family, and people I knew would become fans and followers.  But now, I see that we’re attracting interest from people in other countries, and that’s got me excited beyond belief that what I’m writing is impacting people in other nations.

What an honor!  What a joy it is to know that I’m impacting the world, and it’s all because I answered the call to share what I know about the Word of God through writing these messages.  I don’t have to go on a mission trip to India…I have a couple pastor’s over there who are reading the messages I write.  I don’t have to go to South Africa because there’s people there reading these messages.  I’m reaching people here at home in the States, and in other countries.  There are even people in the United Kingdom that are following along.

Hallelujah!  That’s amazing to me.  I never even imagined that I’d have a global impact, but I am.  All I have is a mandate and ordination from God…and I’m doing what He’s called me to do…and now I’m impacting other nations…the Holy Spirit is reaching other nations through what I’m writing under inspiration of the Holy Ghost…is that awesome or what?

It just goes to show friends that what’s needed are people who are willing to do whatever they can to share the knowledge of the Word.  People all over the world are starving for the Word of God.  What if I would’ve just thumbed my nose at God, and decided not to follow through with this?  Now I have the question of what if I didn’t do this…who would reach those I’m reaching?  I am sure they are following other  ministries too, but just to know that they are following Christlike Ministries NWA is awesome.

So, who are the others that you can teach?  Are you in the midst of building a bigger barn…or are you sharing what you have with others?  Don’t answer that question for me…answer it for yourself.  We Read The Bible, friends…so that we can take what we know and “teach others”.  Amen?

Points for Pondering:

“ And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2

  1. What are we to do with God’s Word?
  2. What does it look like in your life to teach the Word of God?

Conclusion & Prayer:

Well, as we wind down this series it’s sure getting to be pretty good isn’t it?  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series, and I’ve been challenged and convicted right along with you.  You do know that I am writing these messages to myself just as much as I’m writing them for you…right?  I go back and read the messages I write myself.  Not just to see how good they are, but because sometimes I don’t even know what I write…so I have to go back and read my own messages so that I can get revelation from them too.

We’ve been doing this for 6 months now, and what fun it’s been.  It’s exciting to have people in other countries following this ministry.  It’s exciting every time I see a new follower whether it’s here on WordPress, Facebook, Twitter, or visitors to our website.  I remember in the beginning how I’d beg and plead with people to “like” our Facebook page, and now there are almost 50 fans.  If you follow us here on WordPress, and you’re on Facebook…please take the time to “like” our page…and if you have one let me know…I will “like” your page as well.

Heavenly Father, thank You for helping Christlike Ministries NWA to reach the world for You.  Lord, I admit that my vision for what You were calling me to was smaller than Yours, but You have turned this ministry into something I never even imagined.  Thank You for the ability to write, and thank You for speaking through what I write.  Thank You that we’re discipling people not only here in the United States, but other nations as well.  I never imagined that I’d be preaching and teaching to nations, but Your vision is always larger than ours.  I thank You, Lord that You have a greater vision than I do.  Please continue to draw people to Christlike Ministries NWA, and help us to have a global impact that will cause people to come to You.  Help me, Lord, to continue to reach nations.  I thank You that the Holy Spirit can use me to reach the nations, and I thank You for continued growth, and maturity.  I am so very thankful that You can take someone like me…and use me to advance Your kingdom.  What an honor it is to write for You, Lord.  Please bless each reader.  Please give them hearts to receive, and the ability to understand all that is within each message I write (even the ones that are hard to read).  Please help me to become a better writer message by message, and thank You for being with me.  I love You so very much…and I give YOU all the glory, all the honor and all the praise because this ministry, Lord God isn’t about me at all…it’s all about You…and so You deserve all the honor, glory, and praise…because it’s Yours.  In Jesus’ name…Amen & Amen.

Why Read the Bible? – Day 2 of 32 – God and Engaging the Bible: Part 2

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Study Scripture:  “ But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” – John 20:31

Introduction:

I can tell that this is going to be a “right on time” message because one of the first posts on Facebook I saw this morning was a question about the main issue facing the world-wide church today.  There were some that listed a few sins, some that listed a few other things, but there was only a few of us who really understands the main epidemic that is killing the power in the church.  What is the real issue facing the church today?  How about that statistic I found yesterday from 2009 that said that 12% of the Christians they polled read their Bibles on a daily basis, and that means the other 88% use it as home decor.

That, my friends, is the number one issue facing the church today, and the reason I say that is because all the other issues that people were making comments about would be solved by simply returning to the Word of God.  There isn’t a problem in the church today that cannot be corrected by a sincere return to having the Bible as the cornerstone…but the words of Paul to 2 Timothy 3:1-7 ring out as a prophetic message that’s being fulfilled right before our faces.

Today’s Message:

In today’s verse we read that one of the reasons we read the Bible is because that’s how we find out who Jesus is.  If it weren’t for the Bible we wouldn’t know about Jesus, and we wouldn’t know that really the Bible is about Him.

We wouldn’t know things like:  “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  We would never have come to understand that every Bible we hold in our hands is Jesus.  How do I know that?  The Bible says that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”.  Now at first that might not resonate with us until we couple that with the first verse.  When you understand that the Word was God, and that the Word became flesh…then the logical conclusion to draw here is that Jesus is the Bible…and the Bible is Jesus.

The Bible is the very foundation of the Christian faith, and it saddens me when I read statistics like I did about how out of the people polled in that survey in 2009 that only 12% of them read their Bibles every day.  That’s why the church today has a form of godliness, but there’s no power in them…because there’s no Word of God being preached or taught in a correctly divided context.  Today’s sermons are about the “feel good” religion, the prosperity message, and lately “positive thinking” messages.

Those doctrines are absolutely killing the power of the body of Christ especially when you think about the fact that 12% of the people in Joel Osteen’s church read their Bibles everyday.  The more startling thing to me is that those 12% who read the Bible daily still attend his church.  I liked his messages at first until I started to realize what he wasn’t teaching, and how everything he taught had such a “positive thinkers” mentality behind it.

Ummm.  I am all for taking every thought into the captivity and obedience of Christ.  That’s Biblical.  What isn’t Biblical is that we can “think ourselves” into a better life.  Jesus didn’t say that if we had faith the size of a mustard seed if we looked at that fig tree and thought about how wonderful it would be if it would just get out of our way it would obey us…did He?  No…He said to do what?  Speak to it.

By the way, I’m not part of the “name it and claim it” crowd neither.  I do believe in positive confession.  I do believe that the power of life and death is in the tongue, and I do believe that we can speak ourselves right out of a blessing if we’re speaking from a place of doubt and unbelief.  However, I don’t believe that if I name that I’m going to be the owner of a $250,000 house that God is suddenly going to bless me with a title-deed to a house.  The practical side to that is that we have to be good stewards of our finances, and eventually one day save the kind of money we need to buy a house.

Now, I do believe in positive confession.  I do believe that you can confess your way to healing and out of healing.  I do believe that you can speak good things, and bad things into your life.  However, I believe that in all reality faith speaks, and while I believe having a positive mindset is a good thing.  I’m fairly certain that when Paul wrote Philippians 4:8 he had some thing much deeper in mind that “positive thinking”.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I believe when it comes to our thought life, what Paul was trying to get at here was that our thinking ought to line up with the Word of God.  Whatsoever things are true.  The Bible says: “Your Word is Truth” John 17:17 (KJV).  Whatsoever things are honest.  The Bible says:  “God is not man that He should lie.” Numbers 23:19 (KJV).  Whatsoever things are just.  The Bible says:  “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:12 (KJV).  Well, who gave the law?  God did right?  So that means God’s Word is just.  Whatsoever things are pure, lovely, of good report, and praise worthy.

Every single part to Philippians 4:8is an attribute of the Word of God.  God’s Word is spoken in love.  God’s Word is always a good report.  God’s Word is pure.  So, instead of using this as a way to illustrate that we as Christians ought to be “positive thinkers” really isn’t Biblical at all.  We’re to be Word of God thinkers, and that only comes by making sure that we are searching the scriptures daily, studying to show ourselves approved, and making sure that the book of the law is our meditation day and night.

If you want to have a powerful, positive thought life…then feed your mind on the Word of God, and start confessing and speaking it out over your finances, unsaved loved ones, and those who are sick…especially if you’re sick.

No friends, this isn’t some cognitive thinking class…this is about the unadulterated, unblemished, and perfect Word of God that’s profitable for everything…and tells us the most important thing of all…about Jesus.

Interactive Study Questions:

This verse is said to be written only about the Gospel according to John, but I believe the Bible is written to tell the story of Jesus.  Maybe I’m just one of them old-fashioned Jesus Freaks who believes that everything is about Jesus, but then again when I read the Word of God…it’s confirmed to me that I’m right.

  1. Based on today’s scripture…what is the purpose of John?
  2. What does John mean by “the power of his name”?

Conclusion & Prayer:

The Bible is written for Jesus, it’s written about Jesus, and it is Jesus.  After all, if you can come to a different conclusion then I have about what the Bible means when it said three different times:  “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  Here’s a bonus study question for you…who can tell me all three places where that’s written?  If you can’t…then I suggest that’s a good reason to get out your Bible and look it up.  There’s no prize for knowing where they are…other than knowing where the Bible says the same thing three times.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for departing from Your Word, and help us to understand that Your Word is life, it’s truth, and it’s got everything we need to solve the issues and problems not just in our lives, but in the church.  I pray, Lord God, that You would raise up a generation of preachers, teachers, prophets, pastors, and evangelists who still believe, read, teach, and preach the Word as You instructed and commanded us to do through Paul’s letter to Timothy.  I pray all who read these messages would have a burning passion in their hearts that’s only quenched by spending time in Your Word…for thy Word is Truth, and I thank You for it.  I pray these things in Jesus’ might name…Amen & Amen.

The Grace of God ~ Day One ~ (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

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Paul was given a thorn in his flesh, and we see hear that he pleaded with the Lord three times for it to be removed. See we were just talking about repentance, and here we are back to talking about The Doctrine of Spiritual Pride. If Paul had a thorn in his flesh that he had to plead with the Lord to take from him…don’t you think that we’re going to have a few of them ourselves? I submit to you that the difference between us, and Paul however isn’t that we ask God to take these things from us…but we ask one time. I submit to you that we ask Him once, and if it’s not removed from us we give up. Then we find ourselves saying “that repentance stuff doesn’t work”.

As Paul pleaded with God to remove this thorn the Lord said to him; “My grace is sufficient for you, My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

The revelation Paul receives here is that even though his flesh can be weak, and that he sometimes gives in to those weaknesses. He knows to come to God…with a heart of repentance…and God responds with grace.

God’s grace is sufficient for all of our needs, but let me say this again. If Paul needed God’s grace…how much more will we need it? If Paul had infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses…it’s a guarantee that we will too…and we will also need God’s grace to overcome them.

But, I believe that sometimes we will have to continually seek God for the thorns in our flesh, and I also want to encourage you that if you continue to struggle with a thorn in your flesh…that you aren’t alone in that struggle.

Come on…if Paul had a continual struggle in his flesh…it’s a sure thing that we will too. But just as God’s grace was sufficient for Paul’s thorn…His grace is also sufficient for yours…and the whole reason for these thorns in our flesh isn’t to make us feel like failures or cause us to get into condemnation…but to help us to remain humble…and realize that every step we take…God’s grace is there.

If your struggling with some thorns…don’t get discouraged…be encouraged that they were given to you so that you would continue to rely upon God’s grace, and not your own abilities…if Paul had to…we will too.

The Doctrine of Spiritual Pride

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During our 5 day study Acts of Repentance the Holy Spirit kept drawing me to a subject that I believe is invading the body of Christ, and that’s what I like to call “The Doctrine of Spiritual Pride”.

What is the doctrine of Spiritual Pride?  It’s got three parts to it.  The first part of the doctrine is the belief that we can be holy.  The second part of the doctrine is the belief that we can live a sinless life.  The final part of the doctrine is the belief that we can get to a place where we no longer need to repent.

First, I would like to address this idea that we can be holy.  Once we come to know Jesus as our Lord & Savior…we will never become more holy from that day no matter how hard we try.  Why?  Because the holiness that we receive is not our own, and it cannot be earned or worked for.  We are not holy because of what we do or do not do.  We are not holy because we abstain from drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, doing drugs, or never uttering a swear word.  We are not holy because we go to church every Wednesday, and Sunday.  We are not holy because we hold a Bible study, or attend every revival service we can.  No…the ONLY reason we are holy is because of one simple, yet very offensive reason…we are in Christ.  It is not our holiness, it is not our righteousness, and it is not our works that make or give us anything in Christ…all we are, have and become is SOLELY because we are in Christ.  In other words, the holiness we receive is HIS.  The righteousness we receive is HIS.  That’s what the great exchange was all about He takes from us what we deserved, and we receive from Him what He has.  Therefore, there is never a time where I will be more holy than I was the day I confessed Christ as Lord & Savior.  We don’t grow in holiness we grow from glory to glory and faith to faith.  Everything we are, have, and become is because we receive it from Christ because of what He did on the Cross…everything that we would ever need was purchased & provided by His death, burial, and resurrection on the Cross.

Secondly is this belief that we can live a sinless life.  I John 1:8 – 10 was written by a believer for a believer through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  Let’s first take a look at the most well known verse in this passage.  Verse 9 states; “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Listen, if we are told in the Bible that “if we confess our sins” that means that even if we are believers there is still going to be sin in our lives that we need to confess.  If we look at those three verses in it’s entirety we see that there isn’t an “if” we sin, but “when”.  These verses are written by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and what we are reading here is that if we walk through our Christian life acting or talking like we have no sin in our lives we deceive ourselves.  There is no question in my mind that this passage was written to believers because unbelievers do not have “fellowship with the saints”, and if you go on to read the first few verse of 1 John 2…it’s made even more clear that John is not writing to people who aren’t saved.

Now I am not saying that we should go ahead, and live our lives any way  we want.  The Bible is also clear that we should work with the Lord to change how we live our lives.  We also ought not to continue willingly practice sin.  The problem with this belief in the doctrine that we can live a sinless life is usually only looking at the outward sins, and it’s proven by the fact that anyone who believes they can live a sinless life is already deceived.  The very thought that we can live exactly like Jesus did is prideful in itself.  There is and will only be one person who ever walked this earth living a sin-free life…and He’s the One with Whom our eternity relies upon…the only perfect, sinless is Jesus Christ.

There is so much more to sin than just the visible sins we commit on the outside.  That’s why it’s impossible to live a life without sin.  Remember when Jesus spoke of the law?  Let me ask you a few questions.  Do you ever look at a woman, and think to yourself about how hot she is?  Believe it or not…that’s lust.  Jesus said if you even look upon a woman with lust you have committed adultery with her in your mind.  You don’t have to touch her, you don’t have to try to imagine what she looks like naked…if you merely look upon a woman (or a man) with lust in your mind…that is a sin.  Have you ever met someone that you think in your mind that you just don’t like that guy (or woman)?  Jesus said if you hate your brother your guilty of murder…and let me be clear here.  There’s no middle ground here.  You either love your neighbor or you don’t, and if you don’t then you are guilty of murder.  Do you ever talk or gossip about someone?  That’s being a tail-bearer…and that is a sin as well.

See, I believe that those who believe they can live sinless lives focus on sins of commission, but not the ones of omission.  They look at the sins that can be seen, but not the ones that cannot be seen.  Jesus spoke on this as well saying to the Pharisees.   In Matthew 23:25-28 Jesus had a lot to say about how the Pharisees, scribes, and hypocrites looked on the outside like they were clean, but inside of them was disgusting filth.  The belief that we can live sinless lives is similar to the belief that the Pharisees had that just because they looked holy on the outside…they were anything BUT holy on the inside.

Finally, this idea that we will reach a point where we’ll never have to repent again.  There is NO scripture that you can point to in the Bible that says that as believers we’ll reach such a point of perfection that we’ll never have to repent for falling short of the grace of God again.  Let’s take a look at four of the most prominent people in the New Testament church…Peter, James, John, and Paul.    These four men are probably the most well known, and if they had to constantly repent in their lives…how much more likely is it that we will have to repent too.  Paul, himself talks about his own struggles in Romans 7:14- 20.  Later in 2 Corinthians 12:7 he talks about having a thorn that buffets him continually so that he will not be exalted above measure.  And, later Paul writes that even he at his advanced stage…and let’s not kid ourselves.  Paul was the Pharisee of Pharisees, he knew the law, he knew what was and was not sin, and he writes with all of his wisdom & knowledge, and what he witnessed, and received from the Lord…he still writes that he hadn’t considered himself to have attained anything…but was still striving to press toward the mark of the calling upon him.

Listen, if Paul had to continually strive then how much more will we have to continue to strive?  How much more will we miss the mark?  None of us have written two thirds of the Bible.  None of us have ever been able to see the third heaven.  None of us received the mystery.  None of us have the wealth of knowledge both of the law and of grace that Paul had…and yet he fell short.  He still found areas of his life that he needed to die in.  He still found that he needed to repent from time to time.  So if he had to continuously repent then we are clearly going to have to repent for the rest of our lives.  If Peter, James, John or Paul couldn’t live perfectly sinless lives…there’s absolutely NO way we can, and any belief that you can is prideful…and dangerously deceiving to our walk with God.

It sounds religious, and really wonderful to say that we can gain in holiness, we can live sinless lives, and reach a pinnacle of success where we’ll never have to repent of sin again.  However, there’s more than enough scriptures to prove that this “Doctrine of Spiritual Pride” is nothing more than a lie straight out of the pit of hell, and it has no place in the body of Christ.

Here at Christlike Ministries Arkansas we will never reach or preach that we can reach a place where we believe we can grow in holiness because we know the holiness we have isn’t ours, but Christ’s.  At Christlike Ministries Arkansas we will never reach or preach that we can live sinless lives because we realize that if Peter, James, John, and Paul couldn’t live perfect lives neither can we.  We also believe that there is and will only ever be One who lived a perfect, sinless life…and that’s Christ…and there will never be one that comes after Him.  Here at Christlike Ministries Arkansas we will never reach or preach that we can or will ever reach a pinnacle of success in our walk with God that we will never have to repent again.  Again, if Peter, James, John, and Paul had to repent…there’s no way in the world we live in today that we’ll be able to walk through life without having some sin to repent of…and in the case that we believe, think, or preach that we do…we believe that we will have to repent for getting into spiritual pride.

I hope that this has been helpful to you.  I’m not a professional blogger, and I have no journalism experience.  So, I hope & pray this is a good read.  I basically write the way I think, and I hope that you enjoy this.

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.” (1 Corinthians 16:23-24)

Blessing & Grace to you
Bryan J. Kizer