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Proverbs 24(KJV) verse 6 “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety”‘

In every generation of mankind, there are ‘fighters’ and ‘non-fighters’. All fighters claim to make war with wise counsel which is an essential commodity ‘lost’ to the human race! ‘Wise counsel’ is simply counsel based on wisdom. However there are two kinds of wisdom that is employed in any warfare and each differs in its source, nature, and effects:-

James 3(KJV) verse 13 “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” verse 14 “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.” verse 15 “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” verse 16 “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work”. verse 17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” verse 18 “And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace”‘

The first kind of wisdom is adequately described in verses 14-16 of the above scriptures. This is the type of wisdom that makes fighters do one or more of the following foolish actions:-

1. Facing the wrong enemy. 2. Fighting the right enemy with the wrong kind of weaponry. 3. Fighting the right enemy with the right kind of weaponry using the wrong strategy at the wrong time and place.

The second kind of wisdom is found in verses 17-18 of the above scriptures-this is true wisdom and it is by this that any fighter can face, fight, and win in any battle of life. Therefore ‘wise counsel’ is actually counsel based on true wisdom. And it is this brand of wisdom that is ‘lost’ to the hearts of human beings.

Job 28(KJV) verse 12 “But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?”

This all-important question has to be corrected answered for anyone to truly experience real victory in this world!

Job 28(KJV) verse 23 “God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.”

This statement of truth is what brings the turning point in the making of true champions! But how can this be relevant to us today?!

Job 28(KJV) verse 28 “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”

From the above scripture, we learn from God Himself the fear of the LORD is wisdom!

This reverential fear is possessed only by those who have a personal covenant relationship with God. Anyone can enter into this relationship by humbly coming to Jesus Christ (Matt 11:28); repenting from one’s sins (Acts 2:38); and receiving Him (John 1: 12-13) as personal Lord and Saviour. It is only in Christ that this brand of wisdom is ‘found’!

How does any covenant child of God access wise counsel?

This is done regularly by the indwelling Spirit of God who teaches God’s people from the scriptures directly or indirectly through lives and words of others (written or spoken).

The Lost. This lesson is intended for the believer and the
unbeliever, that believe that the Bible is the inspired word of
God. Jam 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest
well: the devils also believe, and tremble. There are many
passages in scripture that state who will and who will not enter
into the Kingdom of Hevan. In this lesson we will look at the
latter. Who will Not. This message is not to be used to judge
but to inform those who are lost but still believe that the
Bible is the inspired word of God. We cannot touch on every
situation but only give an insight on what God expects from His
Children. Those that die under circumstances that are, shall I
say unusual, we leave up to God to decide. We never
underestimate the Holy Spirit and His work, such as to say that
a death bed confession is useless, for this is not true. God can
save at any time and any where. Salvation is directed by the
will of God to accept or reject that persons act of repentance.
Mat 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple,
and departed, and went and hanged himself. For example; Judas
could have been forgiven but instead of asking for forgiveness
he committed suicide {Self-Murder} and was not forgiven.
[Psa_55:15, Psa_55:23; Mat_27:5] [bloody and deceitful men shall
not live out half their days: Heb. men of bloods and deceit
shall not halve their days. Psa_5:6; 2Sa_3:27, 2Sa_20:9,
2Sa_20:10; 1Ki_2:5, 1Ki_2:6; 2Sa_3:27, 2Sa_20:9, 2Sa_20:10;
1Ki_2:5, 1Ki_2:6; Job_15:32; Pro_10:27; Ecc_7:17; Mat_27:4,
Mat_27:5] This is a listing, according to God, of the types of
people that will not be allowed into His kingdom but are doomed
to spend eternity in Hell. The life of an individual is left in
their hands, to make their own choices and decisions, but the
death of an individual is in the hands of God. Lets Read. 1Ti
1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man,
but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for
sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and
murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 1Ti 1:10 For whoremongers,
for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers,
for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing
that is contrary to sound doctrine; Rev 21:8 But the fearful,
and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall
have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and
brimstone: which is the second death. Rev 22:15 For without are
dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and
idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. [Gen_19:5;
Lev_18:22, Lev_20:13; Rom_1:26; Jud_1:7] Gal 5:19-21; Now the
works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft,
hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions,
heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such
like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in
time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the
kingdom of God. 1Co 6:9-10; Know ye not that the unrighteous
shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither
fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor
abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous,
nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the
kingdom of God. Now lets look at the Biblical Meaning of each.
1. Abominable; Very hateful; detestable; lothesome. This word is
applicable to whatever is odious to the mind or offensive to the
senses. 2. Adulterers; Those that comitt Adultry. 3. Abusers of
themselves with mankind; [Homosexuality] The softness, delicacy
and weakness in men, which are characteristic of the female sex,
but which in males are deemed a reproach; unmanly delicacy;
womanish softness or weakness.Voluptuousness; indulgence in
unmanly pleasures; lasciviousness. 4. Covetous; Inordinately
desirous; excessively eager to obtain and possess; directed to
money or goods, avaricious. 5. Drunkards; One given to ebriety
or an excessive used of strong liquor; a person who habitually
or frequently is drunk.A drunkard and a glutton shall come to
poverty. Prov 23. 6. Defile themselves with mankind;
[Homosexuality] The softness, delicacy and weakness in men,
which are characteristic of the female sex, but which in males
are deemed a reproach; unmanly delicacy; womanish softness or
weakness.Voluptuousness; indulgence in unmanly pleasures;
lasciviousness. Inordinately desirous; excessively eager to
obtain and possess; directed to money or goods, avaricious.
7.Envyings; Envying; being uneasy at another’s possession of
something which we have a desire to possess.GRUDG’ING, n.
Uneasiness at the possession of something by another.Reluctance;
also, a secret wish or desire. 8. Extortioners; An extortioner;
one who compels another to pay more than is legal or reasonable;
one who demands something without pity or regard to justice.He
that demands by authority; as an exactor of oaths.One who is
unreasonably severe in his injunctions or demands. 9.
Effeminate; The softness, delicacy and weakness in men, which
are characteristic of the female sex, but which in males are
deemed a reproach; unmanly delicacy; womanish softness or
weakness.Voluptuousness; indulgence in unmanly pleasures;
lasciviousness. 10. Emulations; The act of attempting to equal
or excel in qualities or actions; rivalry; desire of
superiority, attended with effort to attain to it; generally in
a good sense, or an attempt to equal or excel others in that
which is praise-worthy, without the desire of depressing others.
Rom 11. In a bad sense, a striving to equal or do more than
others to obtain carnal favors or honors. 11. Fearful; Affected
by fear; feeling pain in expectation of evil; apprehensive with
solicitude; afraid. I am fearful of the consequences of rash
conduct. Hence,Timid; timorous; wanting courage. 12.
Fornicators; In a scriptural sense, all manner of lewdness or
unchastity, as in the seventh commandment.In scripture,
idolatry, or apostasy from the true God. Jer 3. 13. Heresies; In
Tit_3:10 a “heretical person” is one who follows his own
self-willed “questions,” and who is to be avoided. Heresies thus
came to signify self-chosen doctrines not emanating from God
(2Pe_2:1). 14. Hatred; Great dislike or aversion; hate; enmity.
15. Idolaters; Those that worship Idols. 16. Lasciviousness; The
softness, delicacy and weakness in men, which are characteristic
of the female sex, but which in males are deemed a reproach;
unmanly delicacy; womanish softness or weakness.Voluptuousness;
indulgence in unmanly pleasures; lasciviousness. 17. Liars;
People that do not tell the truth. 18. Murders; the King James
Version, the Revised Version (British and American) “assassins”)
19. Menstealers; Slave Traders 20. Perjured persons; Willfully
to make a false oath when administered by lawful authority or in
a court of justice; to forswear. 21. Revilers; in modern usage
“against”) anyone is to use insolent or reproachful language
toward one. 22. Strife; Exertion or contention for superiority;
contest of emulation, either by intellectual or physical
efforts.Contention in anger or enmity; contest; struggle for
victory; quarrel or war, Opposition; contrariety; contrast.
23.Seditions; Paul ranks “heresies” with crimes and seditions
(Gal_5:20). This word also denotes divisions or schisms in the
church (1Co_11:19). In Tit_3:10 a “heretical person” is one who
follows his own self-willed “questions,” and who is to be
avoided. Heresies thus came to signify self-chosen doctrines not
emanating from God (2Pe_2:1). 24. Sorcerers; The “magicians” of
Egypt in Gen_41:8, (chartumim, from cheret “a style” or pen,)
were sacred “scribes” of the hieroglyphics, devoted to
astrology, magic, etc.; else from Egyptian chertom, “wonder
workers,” or cher-tum, “bearers of sacred spells.” 25. Thieves;
A person that steals. 26. Thing that is contrary to sound
doctrine; Someone who introduces or preaches nonsound doctrine.
27. Unrighteous ;Not righteous; not just; not conformed in heart
and life to the divine law; evil; wicked; used of
persons.Unjust; contrary to law and equity. 28. Uncleanness;
Foulness; dirtiness; filthiness, Want of ritual or ceremonial
purity. Lev 15., Moral impurity; defilement by sin; sinfulness
29. Unbelieving; Infidel; discrediting divine revelation, or the
mission, character and doctrines of Christ; as the unbelieving
Jews. 30. Variance; Difference that produces dispute or
controversy; disagreement; dissension; discord 31.Witchcraft;
The practices of witches; sorcery; enchantments; intercourse
with the devil. 32. Wrath; Violent anger; vehement exasperation;
indignation 33. Whoremongers; One who practices lewdness. 34.
Last but not least; Mar 3:28 Verily I say unto you, All sins
shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies
wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: Mar 3:29 But he that
shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness,
but is in danger{is bound by an eternal sin.} of eternal
damnation: End Pt.1

Who isn’t aware of the sins of the Pharisees? (Especially the Accuser of the Brethren?). But does that mean the truths they teach, even if they don’t live them, are no longer true? It reminds me of James 1:22 encouraging Christians to be doers of the Word and not hearers only; of Ezekiel 33:31 where it shows “God’s People” hearing the Word but not implementing it; and of Romans 2:17-23 where the Jews are proud of knowing God’s Word but miserably fail to put it into perfect practice, although demanding it of others!

You could substitute “God’s Church” for Jews and get the same message! How many of us know God’s truth and yet aren’t exactly paragons of virtue? Do our personal failing somehow negate God’s truth? As a general rule, despite ourselves, doesn’t God’s Church still have more truth than any other religion? And Jesus did state that “salvation is of the Jews” (Jn. 4:22).

Could this be WHY while Jesus acknowledged (and God’s Church should too!) that the Pharisees are the chosen ones that GOD has ordained to sit in Moses’ seat of authority (to execute judgments and make binding NATIONAL decisions), that He said to follow their teachings but not their bad examples? (Mat. 23:1-3). In other words, Do as they say and not as they do. However, some are so overwhelmed with real and imagined sins of the Pharisees they’re blind to God’s Purpose being worked out through them! We must be extremely careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater!

Paul, like Rabbi Yahshua, also recognized that God has chosen the Pharisees out of all the Jewish groups, and called himself a Pharisee “blameless in the law” (Philip. 3:5-6). Paul, under divine inspiration, declared that God has ordained the Jews to preserve “the oracles of God” (Rom. 3:1-4).

What if the Jews, specifically the Pharisees whom God has chosen, are less than perfect? Does it make God’s purpose for them null and void? Paul answers: “GOD FORBID!” Read and believe Romans 3:1-4. There’s no need for any controversy. The Scriptures are quite clear!

What about Jesus’ giving authority to His disciples? There’s no contradiction. They’re to base their CHURCH decisions UPON the foundational NATIONAL LAW that is preserved by the Jewish Pharisees – not apart from them! Otherwise they would be among those who “think to change the times and the seasons.” God’s Church is built upon the Law and the Prophets and isn’t out to overturn or destroy either (Ephes. 2:20).

The biblical tradtions of the Pharisees continue to this day among the Jews as Rabbinic Judaism. The Sadducees and Samaritans are history! If and whenever the Pharisees or God’s Church would attempt to enforce doctrines contrary to Scripture, then we must obey God and not man. God’s government – as revealed in His Word, His Consitution – takes precedent over any Church or State law. And note well this important fact: Paul wrote that God has given it to the Jews to preserve “the oracles of God” (God’s Word, sacred calendar, holy days) even AFTER Jesus had given authority to His disciples. He didn’t say, “Now God’s Church has seized control of everything!” That’s a Catholic doctrine of demons!

As far as the Pharisees go, we should be careful to remember that Paul called himself a Pharisee (Acts 23:6) and would’ve taught the traditions of the Pharisees such as the BIBLICAL dates for Passover and Pentecost (2 Thes. 2:15) that were at odds with the Sadducees; that wise Gamaliel was a Pharisee (Acts 5:34); that many of the brethren remained Pharisees, even though they had to grow and learn that Gentiles didn’t have to first become Jews and then become Christians (Acts 15:5); and that Nicodemus who originally met Jesus by night, later went with Joseph of Arimathea, in broad daylight, to give Jesus a proper Jewish burial with spices (Jn. 3:1,19:39-42), was a Pharisee! Not every Pharisee was evil or rejected Christ!

In conclusion: the issue isn’t whether the Jewish group whom GOD has ordained to preserve the Bible and determine and proclaim the Sabbath and holy days are without sin (Lev. 23:2), but whether or not we accept the biblical record that God has only authorized the Pharisees to chair “Moses’ seat” and judge with his authority. Those who would attempt to usurp their God-given position would do well to remember Gamaliel’s advice about fighting against God! God has clearly given certain responsibilities to His Jewish servants to fulfill and that’s what they’ll continue to do until the King of the Jews reigns in Jerusalem with these honors! (Gen. 49:10).

About the Author

David Ben-Ariel, an American author who has travelled widely and who has lived throughout Israel, shares a special focus on the Middle East and great interest in Jerusalem, reflected in hard-hitting articles that help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out www.benariel.com

With the pound fetching less than the Euro at Travelex, you’d reckon there would be a lot of excellent skiing break bargains to be booked in alpine resorts this ski season as skiers stick at home to beat the financial crisis. Initial numbers just publicised show that ski areas are 86 % full over the New year period. 13 % up on the equivalent time period last year.

One will have better luck in January which presently has a 39 percent reserve rate. The signs of a recession is across the significant Feb ski holiday month that has 68 % reservations, 1 % less than last ski season. Information centers in the resorts of Tignes, Alpe d Huez, Val Cenis and Hautacam have noted good bookings during Nov boosted by the excellent early season snows. Les Houches has better bookings compared to a year ago, and Portes du Soleil experienced a supreme New Year.

However there is substantial call for bigger luxury ski chalet, 6 to 11 beds, as folk group up to save the pennies. Early evidence highlights that DIY skiing holidays are holding up well, perhaps pointing to the fact that serious boarders are not going to give up their ski trip. Bookings for package ski holidays are down.

New research has shown that glyconutrients can help in the healing of damaged joints and muscles. These essential sugars have already been shown to help alleviate a number of physical complaints, such as high cholesterol and osteoporosis. The way in which they aid the repair of damaged muscles and joints is yet another benefit offered by the seemingly miraculous glyconutrients.

Glyconutrients are essential sugars that are required to enable the human body’s cells to recognise and communicate with each other. They help to support every cell in the body, supplying them with the information they need to function properly and in harmony with each other.

Although most people can make essential sugars themselves, it is time consuming and inefficient for our bodies to do so. Furthermore, some people who are not in the best of health, have difficulty making essential sugars. These people can often benefit by taking glyconutrients which are available in pill format, rather like a vitamin tablet.

Glyconutrients can be taken as dietary supplements to help the body heal itself. Supplementing the diet each day with glyconutrients can help in the healing and repair of damaged joints and muscles. As glyconutrients are regarded as a natural food by the body, they are readily absorbed and can be quickly utilised. People often comment about how quickly their sense of wellbeing improves after first taking glyconutrients

There is research to suggest that glyconutrients help reduce fat and cholesterol levels and retain muscle mass and bone density. New studies now show that glyconutrients also help the body repair damaged joints and muscles.

Joint problems can affect people of all ages and can occur as a result of many different factors. Sports injuries, strains and sprains, arthritis and rheumatism can impair joint mobility and result in pain and reduced mobility. Glyconutrients can play a very useful and supportive role in joint care.

Rounding up the guys to devour some barbecued red meat followed by a drunken jaunt to the local “nudie bar” just doesn’t seem to be cutting it for today’s soon-to-be grooms as they celebrate the end of bachelorhood. Could this new trend just be the competitive nature of men flourishing as they try to upstage their buddy’s previous celebration? Absolutely, guys want the best of everything and most of all, they want to impress. After all, it’s the Bachelor Party and not the wedding that will be most remembered and talked about event amongst a guy’s inner circle. The bachelor party is the ultimate ‘boys night out” and now future grooms are stretching this “night out’ into a whole weekend affair.

So, why all of a sudden are trends showing that bachelor parties no longer just entail one evening of cliché festivities but instead include a full weekend getaway filled with adventure? This could be due to the fact that men are now getting married later in their lives and thus have more disposable income to celebrate their bachelor parties in an out of town setting. According to Bride’s Magazine, the average age of a man getting married in the United States is now 29.

So where are today’s grooms going to celebrate their final days of bachelor freedom and more importantly what are they doing when they get there? These traveling bachelor parties all seem to wind up in destinations that make sense to travel to for a weekend and are places that have a reputation for being full of beautiful women. When the guys get to their chosen destinations they tend to indulge in adrenaline packed activities during the day like go-karting, bungee jumping, and racing experiences. Then when evening strikes, they enjoy taking in some eye-popping entertainment while being pampered like rock stars.

The Las Vegas bachelor party is probably one of the most popular choices for the high-end bachelor party. The cool thing about Vegas is that if you travel in a group you can enjoy the treatment of being pampered like royalty at an affordable price. Believe it or not, but hiring a limo for the night can actually be cheaper than cab fare and you even get to travel the strip from one hotspot to another, sipping champagne. During the day, there’s plenty of exciting activities if you’re not too hung over to participate. Take a leap of faith by bungee jumping off of the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino or get behind the wheel of your very own indy car as you reach speeds of 140 miles per hour at the Mario Andretti Racing experience.

Believe it or not some Canadian cities are carving out their place as traveling bachelor party hot beds as well. Montreal and Toronto are two of these Canadian gems which are gaining popularity with the bachelor party scene. What’s all the hype about? For starters, the two cities are renowned for their beautiful women and have incredible night life options. Toronto has been said to be one of the top cities to recruit Canadian models and the gentleman’s clubs in Montreal are known worldwide. The accessibility of Cuban cigars is another popular feature of these Canadian destinations. For those who know cigars, Cubans are the cream of the crop and their presence during the bachelor party can really score top points with the party contingent.

Other popular trends seen with the traveling bachelor party is taking in a major league sporting event. Even snow boarding adventures and learn-to-surf camps are gaining popularity.

The truth of the matter is that guys like quality time with the boys and as they get older and start focusing on their professional and family lives it begins to be much harder to do. This could explain why the bachelor party has evolved from a regular night out in a local strip club to a testosterone packed out-of-town weekend adventure. For all of you who are planning on tying the knot in the upcoming future, it’s time to get that thinking hat on early so you’re prepared for the big day, that is the bachelor party and not the wedding of course.

Mike Oulahen is a freelance writer who likes to keep Guys up to speed on issues of interest.

“You must have done something awful for this to happen to you.” Has anyone ever said that to you? Have you said it to yourself?

Job had been through a lot. He’d lost his children, his home, his possessions, and his health. All he had left was his wife, and that was not necessarily a good thing. She wasn’t much help to him during his troubles.

Job needed some encouragement. He needed to know somebody cared and sympathized with him. He needed friends.

His friends came to see him, alright. But they didn’t provide what he needed. Instead, they told Job that he must have committed some horrible sins and that God was punishing him by sending all these calamities.

Many people think this way. They believe anything bad that happens must be punishment from God. Let’s see what God has to say about that.

In Job 1:8, God said there was nobody else on earth like Job. He was “blameless and upright. He feared God and shunned evil.” So why did so much evil befall Job? Because the devil complained to God that the only reason Job was so good was because God had given him so much. Satan thought if everything was taken away from Job, then he would not be loyal to God.

God knew how Job would react, though, and He wanted to show other people and Satan the sort of example Job was going to set. Even when Job’s wife suggested that he curse God and die, Job refused to denounce God or blame him.

God often uses people in difficult circumstances to teach others. (John 9:1-3) Jesus deliberately delayed going to see Lazarus when He’d been told his friend was sick. After Lazarus died, Jesus brought him back to life. Do you think that Jesus planned it that way, so that people could see His power? By allowing Lazarus to die, Jesus was able to teach others and to make it clear to them that He was the Son of God (John 11:15, 42).

There are many examples in the Bible of righteous people suffering through no fault of their own. Abel was killed by his evil brother who was jealous. Joseph was put into prison because of a wicked and deceitful woman, not because he’d done anything wrong. John the Baptist was beheaded, though he was a prophet of God. Jesus said there was no other man like John, but he died because of a woman who sought revenge.

Here’s what Peter wrote to New Testament Christians about suffering: “You greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faithof greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by firemay be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6-7)

Suffering is greater than gold, which doesn’t last, because suffering refines our faith and makes it genuine. This results in honor for Jesus.

And, speaking of Jesus. He was innocent, yet he suffered more than anyone. He willingly left heaven to suffer cruelties he didn’t deserve and he didn’t have to accept. It’s hard enough to endure trials when we can’t do anything to stop them. Think of how tempting it would be, if you had the power to call angels to help you or if you could strike dead anyone who tried to harm you? Jesus had the power to avoid suffering, yet he gave up His right to do that and instead faced the pain . . . for us.

We may suffer a lot of pain in our lives, BUT when this life is over, we do not need to suffer through eternity. Why? Because of the suffering Jesus took on himself for us. He suffered because He didn’t want us to suffer. Does that sound like a God who is waiting for an opportunity to punish us when we do wrong? Jesus came to this world to seek and save. He was led, like a lamb to the slaughter, and it was because He wanted to spare us from eternal suffering.

So the next time trouble comes into your life, please don’t blame God for it. He’s not sitting on His throne looking for a reason to zap you. He made the supreme sacrifice in order to SPARE us from suffering the punishment we deserved for our sins.

Will you allow your pain to turn you away from the one who wants to rescue you from it? That’s what Satan would like to see. May we, like Job and Peter, allow our suffering to refine our faith and result in God’s praise, glory, and honor.

Author Marsha Jordan is founder of a nonprofit charity called Hugs and Hope for Sick Children (http://www.hugsandhope.org). More of her articles on depression are in her book, Hugs, Hope, and Peanut Butter, a compilation of encouraging essays illustrated with drawings by critically ill children. Proceeds from book sales will benefit kids battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Other essays in the book include, “More Than I Can Handle,” “Ten Tips For Beating Depression,” and “Why Doesn’t God Answer My Prayer?” Order the book or learn more at http://www.hugsandhope.org/book.htm

Spiritual Warfare…

Pastor Terry Dashner (www.ffcba.com.)

Introduction:

On October 28, 1997, a 12-year-old girl by the name of Samantha Zayzay was shot in the head during a drive-by shooting while she slept at her 5228 North Kenosha home in Tulsa, OK. She died two days later. An article from the Tulsa World describes the incident that led to her death, “Police said the bullet may have been intended for Samantha’s older brother–who no longer lived in the house–and may have been motivated by an argument about a drug deal.”

Because I was a Tulsa police officer at the time, I can give you a few more details about the shooting. Samantha’s brother was a local dope dealer who had made enemies and had moved from the house just two days before the shooting. In the early morning hours, a car load of armed gangsters released a volley of rounds from automatic assault weapons. The rounds went completely through the house exterior, through the interior, striking Samantha in the head as she slept. Other rounds struck the Mother who came to the funeral with her leg in a cast.

At Samantha’s funeral, the Reverend William J. Johnson gave the eulogy and said these words, “When drugs cause someone to take a life, it is time for a change.” The question I asked then and continue to mull over when I recall this incident is this. I agree it’s time for a change, but what do we change?

Do we change the social-economic environment that fosters gangs and drugs? Do we change the social injustices of society? Do we change the laws of community? What do we change to stop such madness?

Ray Stedman in his book entitled, Spiritual Warfare, writes the following regarding the fallacy of social reforms. Stedman says, “All our efforts to correct the evils we see in life are simply rearrangements of the difficulties. We succeed only in stirring them around a bit until they take a different form. But our methods can never solve the central problem of evil because they cannot come to grips with the power of Satan. As C.S. Lewis so aptly put it, ‘No clever argument of bad eggs will make a good omelet.’ When the full cycle of problems is run through, it begins again, and we say, ‘History repeats itself.’”

What do we change?

If reform is not the answer then what, if anything, is? There is an answer. The answer is as old as mankind itself. Changing the outward environment of man will do very little. This has failed time and time again. The one thing that needs change is the heart of man. And the only thing that can change the heart of man is Jesus Christ. These two sentences are the most import statements in this entire document.

This morning I’m going to speak on the heart of man. In Jeremiah 17:9 it reads, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Since the heart of man can not be cured of its evils, then it must be transplanted. The only way to change the nature of man is to build in him a new nature. II Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away and behold all things are become new.” There are three simple things I want to say regarding the heart of man. For one, everyone born in to this world has a heart problem. Secondly, there is only one man who can give us a new heart, and His name is Jesus. And thirdly, spiritual exercise to maintain the new heart is imperative.

Body:

I. Regarding the heart of man, everyone born in to this world by flesh and blood has a problem heart. Romans 5:12 reads, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned” (NIV) You see, Adam was the seminal head for all mankind. That means that we who come after Adam, come from him physically. In other words, you and I were in Adam as seeds when he transgressed God’s command to abstain from eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As a result, you and I sinned with him.

You might say, “Hey, that’s not fair.” Well, some people say it doesn’t seem fair that children are born into dysfunctional families. It might not be fair in some minds, but the fact remains. No one can choose his or her parents or physical attributes. The fact that you and I are born into sin happens without a choice; however, there is an option which speaks of the fairness or perfect justice of God. The fact that Jesus Christ became the last Adam, He can impute His righteousness to us who are of the first Adam. God’s perfect justice demands that fairness be offered. And “fairness” is this. There is a way out of our sin through Jesus Christ. (Read Romans 5: 17-19)

II. Regarding the heart of man, only the God man, Jesus Christ, can give us a new heart. In I John 3:8 it says, “…The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” The devil’s work is and has always been this–to steal, kill, and destroy God’s creation (John 10:10). When Jesus spoke these words as He died on the Cross–”It is finished”–He affirmed that Satan’s rule was broken over the first Adam and his seeds. That does not mean that anyone born in to the world now is automatically free of original sin. It does mean that God has provided an option for us who are in Adam. We can choose to stay in sin against God’s will, or receive by faith God’s imputed righteousness through His Son Jesus.

The Bible declares in Romans 10:9-10, “That if you will confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

III. Regarding the heart of man, conversion is just the beginning to a new life in Christ. As a matter of fact, once you are born again you must grow up spiritually or you will remain hindered by sin and the old sin nature. In Galatians 5: 16 it reads, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

What does it mean to “live by the Spirit?” It means this. Once you are born again, you no longer belong to yourself. You can no longer live for yourself only. And if you do, you will be miserable. I know because I have tried it. Once you receive your salvation in Christ you are His forever (ICor.3:16). In order to surrender your will to His, you must ask the Holy Spirit to rule from the throne of your heart daily. You must seek out the leadership of the Holy Spirit in your life. You do this by starting every day with a pray of consecration–Lord, I am yours today. Holy Spirit fill me and use me for your glory. You do this by feasting on God’s Word. Direction for a Spirit filled life can only come by the Word of God. When you are walking daily with the Holy Spirit, you will be aware of Satan’s tactics against you. You will be aware of temptations to the flesh. And because you have the Spirit of God working in you, He will give you the power to overcome the traps of the enemy.

Conclusion:

These three things pertain to the heart condition of man. Every man is born physically into sin. His heart is the heart of the first Adam. It pumps the blood of sin. The remedy for this tainted heart is a new heart. The old heart can not be patched up to work better. The old heart must be removed by the hand of God and replaced with the heart of the last Adam, Jesus Christ. Once we receive the new heart by faith in Jesus’ redemptive work of Calvary, we must exercise the new heart so that it will become strong and vibrant. This is done by the help of the Spirit of God and His Holy Word.

The disciple’s life in Christ is one of forgiveness, justification through the blood of Jesus, and sanctification through the help of the Holy Spirit. If you’ve never had a heart transplant, may I encourage you to ask God for a new heart today? If you will believe God’s promise of life and receive it by asking for it, God will save you. Once you are born again, don’t revert back to the old life. Reach forward in Christ by His power. Grow up in God. Fight the good fight of faith. Stay the course. Life will reward you graciously.

Pastor T.

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Are you believing God for something and see no evidence of anything taking place? It can be frustrating. Especially when you feel like you are in great need for God to act NOW!

I used to wonder what God was doing when I needed Him most. I certainly didn’t see Him doing what I thought He should be doing. But, you know, we are to live by faith, not by sight. Hebrews 11:1 says, ‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

I believe that if we accept the fact that God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are deeper than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9), we can trust that he has our best interest in mind and he is working all things for our good. “For I know the thoughts I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Even though you may not be seeing results, be assured, God did not forget about you. He’s busy behind the scenes. Keep on believing and doing the things you know you should be doing and soon you will reap a harvest if you don’t give up. (Galations 6:9)

About the Author

Daniel N. Brown is the publisher of the “Living the Abundant and Prosperous Christian Life” Newsletter. A free weekly publication that teaches people how to live the abundant and prosperous Christian life. Receieve a free copy of Dan’s 14 page report entitled, “5 Biblical Keys to Outrageous Prosperity,” when you sign up.
www.secretplaceonline.com