I've been cramming this week, writing a thesis on the origin of sin. While I have no intention of going into details here on the blog, I did want to put something out there to think about.
We don't know when sin originally started. We do know WHERE sin originally started.
It started in the heart of Lucifer. Remember the prophet said, Isaiah 14:12-13 (KJV)
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
My thought for the moment is that the original sin was not an action. We do not read about Lucifer smoking or doing drugs or anything like that. His sin was in his heart. It was in his heart that he took the LORD of Glory off of the throne of his heart and put himself in place.
Usually when we think of sin, we think about an immoral or otherwise ungodly action.
Ungodly actions are the result of sin. The sin is not exalting the Lord and keeping HIM as the supreme ruler in your life!
You could even say it like this, actions follow inaction. The man lies, because the Lord is not ruling his life. The woman cheats, because the Lord is not ruling her life. They kill because the Lord is not ruling in their lives.
There are a great many good people who pride themselves by not stealing, lying or committing some other spiritually egregious act. Yet while they pride themselves for their lack of bad behaviour, they fail to realize that it's what they are NOT doing that makes them a sinner.
They rule their lives, not the LORD.
They sit on the throne of their lives, not the LORD.
In reality, they do exactly what Lucifer did.
That's scary!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas !!!
Mery CHRISTmas!!! or, Happy Birthday Jesus!
What if YOU had a birthday party where people exchanged gifts with one another, yet they did not give a gift to YOU, on YOUR birthday????
I wonder if that is how Jesus feels each Christmas???
What a wonderful time to be with family and friends! Eating and resting and enjoying one anothers fellowship.
This morning found a few of us discussing our wonderful saviour over a delicious cup of coffee. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace, the Everlasting Father. Truly HE is all of these and so much more!
I'm not really wanting to preach this morning, but my heart is full of thanksgiving and praise this morning for my Lord!
As we exchange gifts of love one to another, let us ever remember to give HIM the best gift of all. Control of our lives.
Whoever you are, where ever you are, remember on this beautiful day that you are loved!
Merry Christmas
Michael & Nancy Flowers
What if YOU had a birthday party where people exchanged gifts with one another, yet they did not give a gift to YOU, on YOUR birthday????
I wonder if that is how Jesus feels each Christmas???
What a wonderful time to be with family and friends! Eating and resting and enjoying one anothers fellowship.
This morning found a few of us discussing our wonderful saviour over a delicious cup of coffee. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace, the Everlasting Father. Truly HE is all of these and so much more!
I'm not really wanting to preach this morning, but my heart is full of thanksgiving and praise this morning for my Lord!
As we exchange gifts of love one to another, let us ever remember to give HIM the best gift of all. Control of our lives.
Whoever you are, where ever you are, remember on this beautiful day that you are loved!
Merry Christmas
Michael & Nancy Flowers
Sunday, December 23, 2007
A Just man or just a man?
As usual this time of year, I read the story of the birth of my saviour over and over again. I personally enjoy comparing the stories written in the different gospels and getting a better grasp on the whole picture.
Last Wednesday night I preached about the Cast of Christmas characters. When we reached Joseph, there was such an incompleteness in my spirit that I have felt compelled to visit him again this morning. I am especially intrigued by Matthews description: Matthew 1:18-21
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
KJV
Joseph was described as a "just man." I'm not sure that the term really synchronizes of what we think of as justice.
If I had been Joseph, my thoughts would have been filled with rage. Hurt, anger and other horrible human emotions would have stopped any "mercy" immediately. I would have been concentrating on how to "get even". Joseph was different. Here was a man who thought he had been done very wrong by his sweetheart--and yet his thoughts were focused on how he could deal with this in a way that brought as little shame to the one who had wronged him as possible.
This bespeaks a very tender and forgiving nature, and a willingness to take the high road of mercy.
We get ourselves ready to enter a New Year. One of the things most of us pray for is renewed vision and spiritual revival. Maybe we need a dose of Mercy. Joseph had 2 supernatural visitations. Both of them came as he was contemplating mercy, wondering how he could shield Mary from what he couldn't help but believe was the consequences of sin.
This I do not believe to be a coincidence.
If you want the visitation of the miraculous, fill your mind and focus your thoughts on His mercies, which are new every morning...and also upon what opportunities might come for you to show mercy.
The old prophet Micah heard from God regarding what the Lord required of him, namely to do justly, love mercy,and walk humbly with God.
Everybody loves mercy when they are in a position to need it. That doesn't really mean you love mercy; it just means you love yourself.
The acid test for whether or not you truly love mercy comes when you find yourself in the position of deciding whether or not to grant it when you have the upper hand and someone else needs mercy.
Are you a Just man (woman)? Or "just a man" (or woman)?
Last Wednesday night I preached about the Cast of Christmas characters. When we reached Joseph, there was such an incompleteness in my spirit that I have felt compelled to visit him again this morning. I am especially intrigued by Matthews description: Matthew 1:18-21
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
KJV
Joseph was described as a "just man." I'm not sure that the term really synchronizes of what we think of as justice.
If I had been Joseph, my thoughts would have been filled with rage. Hurt, anger and other horrible human emotions would have stopped any "mercy" immediately. I would have been concentrating on how to "get even". Joseph was different. Here was a man who thought he had been done very wrong by his sweetheart--and yet his thoughts were focused on how he could deal with this in a way that brought as little shame to the one who had wronged him as possible.
This bespeaks a very tender and forgiving nature, and a willingness to take the high road of mercy.
We get ourselves ready to enter a New Year. One of the things most of us pray for is renewed vision and spiritual revival. Maybe we need a dose of Mercy. Joseph had 2 supernatural visitations. Both of them came as he was contemplating mercy, wondering how he could shield Mary from what he couldn't help but believe was the consequences of sin.
This I do not believe to be a coincidence.
If you want the visitation of the miraculous, fill your mind and focus your thoughts on His mercies, which are new every morning...and also upon what opportunities might come for you to show mercy.
The old prophet Micah heard from God regarding what the Lord required of him, namely to do justly, love mercy,and walk humbly with God.
Everybody loves mercy when they are in a position to need it. That doesn't really mean you love mercy; it just means you love yourself.
The acid test for whether or not you truly love mercy comes when you find yourself in the position of deciding whether or not to grant it when you have the upper hand and someone else needs mercy.
Are you a Just man (woman)? Or "just a man" (or woman)?
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Update on Bethani Roam and livers in general
We need to continue to pray for Bethani Roam. If you are not aware she is a young preachers wife in Northern California who had liver failure and a miracle replacement. For her story and updates, check out this blog: http://bethaniroam.blogspot.com.
She is now suffering moderate rejection and is in constant pain and unable to eat.
Last night we received some saddening news. A few weeks ago a young man and his girlfriend came to church. They really got into the services and came to the altar. Alex received the Holy Ghost! A week or so later we baptized Alex in the name of Jesus! I was trying to get a Home bible study group set up with Alex, when he became very sick and quit coming to church. His liver completely failed and he passed away this past Sunday night. Thank God, he met Jesus just in time!
It goes to prove that every service is valuable! You never know when this service just might be the only opportunity for someone to receive salvation.
She is now suffering moderate rejection and is in constant pain and unable to eat.
Last night we received some saddening news. A few weeks ago a young man and his girlfriend came to church. They really got into the services and came to the altar. Alex received the Holy Ghost! A week or so later we baptized Alex in the name of Jesus! I was trying to get a Home bible study group set up with Alex, when he became very sick and quit coming to church. His liver completely failed and he passed away this past Sunday night. Thank God, he met Jesus just in time!
It goes to prove that every service is valuable! You never know when this service just might be the only opportunity for someone to receive salvation.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Could I have your attention, PLEASE ?!
My throat was aching last night as the symptoms of the bad cold I have today began to set in. I stood beside the roaring fireplace at Sportsman's Lodge in Studio City and tried to get the attention of 50 or so people that I did not know. It was time to start a wedding rehearsal. "Ahem! Could I have your attention, PLEASE ?!"
This morning has been wonderful! In spite of the bad cold I have felt a noticeable serenity around me. I have prayed without interruption. I have read the bible without interruption. I have even conducted a small amount of business without interruption. Then it dawned on me, "I forgot my cell phone at home this morning!"
I wonder if God ever feels like I felt last night, "Could I have your attention, PLEASE ?!" "Please? I have something I want to share with you." "I have an answer for one of your many questions!" "I want to spend time with you!"
In the Ozark mountains of Missouri, there is a Buddhist monastery. The monks there allow people of different religions to come in and use the monastery for prayer and meditation. I have a friend who has taken a few journeys to this monastery to practice solitude. (Do we remember what that is?) Jay told a few of us about his experiences there. In that stone building, with no heating or air conditioning, with nothing electrical of any kind, you sit. Jay said that after about an hour of sitting the silence almost becomes deafening. As you continue to sit there you become acutely aware of how loud your own body is. Your stomach growls, your joints groan, your heart loudly pounds in your chest. He went on to say that as you acclimate to the silence and the noise of your body, you face the greatest noise of all. The noise in your head. The brain is that kid in class that always has to say something, no matter how ridiculous or in appropriate it is! Jay told us that the hardest battle is to get your mind to be quiet and wait upon God.
Isaiah 40:31 Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Most birds molt at least once a year. That is they lose their old feathers and get new ones. The old feathers have lost their freshness and their ability to lift the bird through the air. They become tattered and old. The bird is not able to soar quite as high as with fresh feathers. A new set of feathers is needed to reach the heights of yesterday.
It is said that most of the bird family quit molting after they reach their prime. As the bird ages it has to adjust to the reality that it will never do what it used to do. It doesn't have the fresh feathers that it used to have.
The exception to the rule is the eagle. Eagles continue to molt until they die. The heights of the heavens are never lost to them.
The prophet tell us that if we will wait upon the Lord, we will renew our strength. Our spirits need never get old. Our Holy Ghost needs never get old. Our vision never should get old. Like the eagle we will mount up, lift up on fresh wings.
We can continue to run, without becoming "...weary in well doing". We can walk on, without passing out!
Wait upon the Lord!
He's the one over there calling... "Ahem! Could I have your attention, PLEASE ?!"
This morning has been wonderful! In spite of the bad cold I have felt a noticeable serenity around me. I have prayed without interruption. I have read the bible without interruption. I have even conducted a small amount of business without interruption. Then it dawned on me, "I forgot my cell phone at home this morning!"
I wonder if God ever feels like I felt last night, "Could I have your attention, PLEASE ?!" "Please? I have something I want to share with you." "I have an answer for one of your many questions!" "I want to spend time with you!"
In the Ozark mountains of Missouri, there is a Buddhist monastery. The monks there allow people of different religions to come in and use the monastery for prayer and meditation. I have a friend who has taken a few journeys to this monastery to practice solitude. (Do we remember what that is?) Jay told a few of us about his experiences there. In that stone building, with no heating or air conditioning, with nothing electrical of any kind, you sit. Jay said that after about an hour of sitting the silence almost becomes deafening. As you continue to sit there you become acutely aware of how loud your own body is. Your stomach growls, your joints groan, your heart loudly pounds in your chest. He went on to say that as you acclimate to the silence and the noise of your body, you face the greatest noise of all. The noise in your head. The brain is that kid in class that always has to say something, no matter how ridiculous or in appropriate it is! Jay told us that the hardest battle is to get your mind to be quiet and wait upon God.
Isaiah 40:31 Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Most birds molt at least once a year. That is they lose their old feathers and get new ones. The old feathers have lost their freshness and their ability to lift the bird through the air. They become tattered and old. The bird is not able to soar quite as high as with fresh feathers. A new set of feathers is needed to reach the heights of yesterday.
It is said that most of the bird family quit molting after they reach their prime. As the bird ages it has to adjust to the reality that it will never do what it used to do. It doesn't have the fresh feathers that it used to have.
The exception to the rule is the eagle. Eagles continue to molt until they die. The heights of the heavens are never lost to them.
The prophet tell us that if we will wait upon the Lord, we will renew our strength. Our spirits need never get old. Our Holy Ghost needs never get old. Our vision never should get old. Like the eagle we will mount up, lift up on fresh wings.
We can continue to run, without becoming "...weary in well doing". We can walk on, without passing out!
Wait upon the Lord!
He's the one over there calling... "Ahem! Could I have your attention, PLEASE ?!"
Sunday, December 9, 2007
An Interesting tag line
I read an interesting tag line this week. I'm not sure who came up with it, but I like it.
"Talent will take you to places where anointing isn't permitted,
Anointing will take you places talented isn't needed!"
"Talent will take you to places where anointing isn't permitted,
Anointing will take you places talented isn't needed!"
In Debt
It's not a very spiritual thought, but I've been thinking about "debt" the past 2 days.
In it's simplest form, debt is caused by owing more than we can pay.
How many people are running around our stores and malls right now getting themselves even deeper into debt?
How many marriages will be pushed over the brink of no return because of newly acquired debt?
How much frustration will be poured out upon helpless children and other victims because of debt?
Even our national leaders seem to not be able to control debt. As a nation we are spending ourselves into oblivion. Dreams of european vacations and exotic ski trips are quickly becoming a thing from yesteryear. With our soaring national debt, the U.S. Dollar is pathetically weak. Have you noticed all the foreigners that are now coming to the U.S. for vacations? Not too long ago, it was U.S. citizens descending upon 3rd world countries as vacation paradises. Because of their weak currencies our dollar could go farther than it did here at home. Now it seems the tables are turned.
America needs God today!
Americans need God today!
The only good debt, is that debt that we will forever owe our Lord. He paid the price of our redemption. I owe Him daily, much more than I can ever repay!
In it's simplest form, debt is caused by owing more than we can pay.
How many people are running around our stores and malls right now getting themselves even deeper into debt?
How many marriages will be pushed over the brink of no return because of newly acquired debt?
How much frustration will be poured out upon helpless children and other victims because of debt?
Even our national leaders seem to not be able to control debt. As a nation we are spending ourselves into oblivion. Dreams of european vacations and exotic ski trips are quickly becoming a thing from yesteryear. With our soaring national debt, the U.S. Dollar is pathetically weak. Have you noticed all the foreigners that are now coming to the U.S. for vacations? Not too long ago, it was U.S. citizens descending upon 3rd world countries as vacation paradises. Because of their weak currencies our dollar could go farther than it did here at home. Now it seems the tables are turned.
America needs God today!
Americans need God today!
The only good debt, is that debt that we will forever owe our Lord. He paid the price of our redemption. I owe Him daily, much more than I can ever repay!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
I held HIM in my hands
Last night at service the preacher ( Dave Dibble - missionary to the Phillippines) preached an awesome message. He preached about Simeon. I don't know if he read my blog, but our minds were in the same vein.
Simeon, being led by the spirit to the temple on that famous day, knew in his spirit that this baby is different! As he went home that night, we wonder what was on Simeons mind. "In these hands, I just held the Redeemer!" "In these hands, I just held the El Shaddai" "In these hands, I just held the King of Kings!"
I will repost a picture that I took down about Simeon. I called the picture, "...Holding the object of your expectation!"
God never fails! He only knows how to be faithful to us!
Simeon, being led by the spirit to the temple on that famous day, knew in his spirit that this baby is different! As he went home that night, we wonder what was on Simeons mind. "In these hands, I just held the Redeemer!" "In these hands, I just held the El Shaddai" "In these hands, I just held the King of Kings!"
I will repost a picture that I took down about Simeon. I called the picture, "...Holding the object of your expectation!"
God never fails! He only knows how to be faithful to us!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Sunday Morning Thoughts
We have been working feverishly (doesn't look right, but I spell checked it!) on our garage this week so I have not posted as much as I've wanted to. The clean garage is kind of a christmas present to my bride from the rest of us.
I preached a bit on Cain's attitude this past Wednesday night. I'm not able to get him out of my mind and spirit yet and probably will go there for a thought or two today.
Cain wanted God's approval so badly. He put so much effort and hard work into his crop trying to please God. In the meantime, his brother Abel simply raised a lamb. Abel did not have to give birth to his sacrifice. He only had to take care of it and then at the right time present it to the Lord. Cain on the other hand, had to do everything.
When God had "respect" for Abel's offering, but not for Cain's, Cain lost it!
Mankind has from Adam and Eve, through Cain and until today tried to please God with the fruit and works of our own hands. God has already provided the WORK at Calvary. He simply wants us to OBEY.
I came across something that Thomas Jefferson once said that grabbed my attention, see if you like it.
"I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. - Thomas Jefferson
I preached a bit on Cain's attitude this past Wednesday night. I'm not able to get him out of my mind and spirit yet and probably will go there for a thought or two today.
Cain wanted God's approval so badly. He put so much effort and hard work into his crop trying to please God. In the meantime, his brother Abel simply raised a lamb. Abel did not have to give birth to his sacrifice. He only had to take care of it and then at the right time present it to the Lord. Cain on the other hand, had to do everything.
When God had "respect" for Abel's offering, but not for Cain's, Cain lost it!
Mankind has from Adam and Eve, through Cain and until today tried to please God with the fruit and works of our own hands. God has already provided the WORK at Calvary. He simply wants us to OBEY.
I came across something that Thomas Jefferson once said that grabbed my attention, see if you like it.
"I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. - Thomas Jefferson
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