Jacob The Heel Catcher - Spiritual Adultery
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Bread Crumbs “He’ll Still Deliver Me”
Some Christians seem to think and teach that the only time that faith is genuine is when the believer is experiencing no problems, no adversaries, and no obstacles. However, I would beg to disagree. True faith has to be tested in order to be proven genuine. True faith maintains its course even when that which one hoped for is not the conclusion of the matter. Honest faith looks defeat right in the eye and says, “I still believe what I believed before." Genuine faith is authored by the Lord, not by man’s foolish mechanisms, and makes its home in the depths of the heart of the believer. Even though one cannot see it with the natural eye, faith maintains a viable substance in the spirit. That belief way down on the inside rises up against opposition and says, “Somehow I know that I know that I know that what I believe is the truth. Faith evidenced and maintained, even in the wake of perceived failure, is the evidence of genuine faith. Real faith says like those famous Hebrew three, We know that our God can deliver us, but if for some unknown unseen reason He doesn't, we still believe in His delivering power. Genuine faith refuses to bow, even in the seeming face of defeat!
Daniel 3:17-18 - If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. (18) But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Pastor Loren Larson
Some Christians seem to think and teach that the only time that faith is genuine is when the believer is experiencing no problems, no adversaries, and no obstacles. However, I would beg to disagree. True faith has to be tested in order to be proven genuine. True faith maintains its course even when that which one hoped for is not the conclusion of the matter. Honest faith looks defeat right in the eye and says, “I still believe what I believed before." Genuine faith is authored by the Lord, not by man’s foolish mechanisms, and makes its home in the depths of the heart of the believer. Even though one cannot see it with the natural eye, faith maintains a viable substance in the spirit. That belief way down on the inside rises up against opposition and says, “Somehow I know that I know that I know that what I believe is the truth. Faith evidenced and maintained, even in the wake of perceived failure, is the evidence of genuine faith. Real faith says like those famous Hebrew three, We know that our God can deliver us, but if for some unknown unseen reason He doesn't, we still believe in His delivering power. Genuine faith refuses to bow, even in the seeming face of defeat!
Daniel 3:17-18 - If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. (18) But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Pastor Loren Larson
Bread Crumbs “Standing Fast”
The real battle that faces the believer everyday is not a battle to win the victory, it is a battle to hold fast to the victory that Jesus has already won. Jesus has already defeated sin, sickness, the pull of our flesh, the devil, the attractions of the world, and every circumstance we face while in it. It is our responsibility to appropriate these victories by faith. We are to fight the good fight of faith. We are to fight to believe! The Saint of God needs to understand that believing is the action side of faith. As we place our trust in the finished work of Christ to meet our every need, God’s Spirit joyfully attends to every situation. There is nothing He cannot accomplish and nothing He will not do when our faith rests in Christ’s finished work. When we trust in something other than what Christ has provided, we quench, grieve, and push away the Spirit and His promise of assistance. He will not work where He is not wanted. Faith in Christ’s work glorifies Christ and the Spirit is ever faithful to exalt Him by working for the one who trusts exclusively in Jesus. So keep standing strong in the faith and reap the benefits of Christ’s work for you!
Galatians 5:1 - Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Pastor Loren Larson
The real battle that faces the believer everyday is not a battle to win the victory, it is a battle to hold fast to the victory that Jesus has already won. Jesus has already defeated sin, sickness, the pull of our flesh, the devil, the attractions of the world, and every circumstance we face while in it. It is our responsibility to appropriate these victories by faith. We are to fight the good fight of faith. We are to fight to believe! The Saint of God needs to understand that believing is the action side of faith. As we place our trust in the finished work of Christ to meet our every need, God’s Spirit joyfully attends to every situation. There is nothing He cannot accomplish and nothing He will not do when our faith rests in Christ’s finished work. When we trust in something other than what Christ has provided, we quench, grieve, and push away the Spirit and His promise of assistance. He will not work where He is not wanted. Faith in Christ’s work glorifies Christ and the Spirit is ever faithful to exalt Him by working for the one who trusts exclusively in Jesus. So keep standing strong in the faith and reap the benefits of Christ’s work for you!
Galatians 5:1 - Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Pastor Loren Larson
Bread Crumbs “Overcoming Sorrow”
Sorrow is more than a temporary feeling. Sorrow is more intense and long lasting than simple sadness. It runs a devastating course through the soul of those who experience it, wreaking havoc on its path. By sorrow the normal activities of everyday become drudgery. Someone traveling with great sorrow may easily lose all energy and the will to move forward. Sorrow can sap one's strength, leaving them listless and caring for nothing. People in this state have a bruise of the heart. Nothing shows on the surface, yet long after the event that brought on the sorrow is past, the strength of its bondage remains, creating a nightmare of unequaled despair. To those in this state I offer a solution. I offer hope beyond the distress. The Lord Jesus comes today offering the opportunity for healing, restoration, and peace. He is the only one that can heal the broken heart you own and will set every captive free that willingly comes to Him. He lifts up those who are bowed over in spirit and brings new life to the soul that can barely breathe. Place your faith, your life, and your broken being in His capable hands and you will experience the miracle of restoration. He has promised to turn none away.
Luke 4:18 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Pastor Loren Larson
Sorrow is more than a temporary feeling. Sorrow is more intense and long lasting than simple sadness. It runs a devastating course through the soul of those who experience it, wreaking havoc on its path. By sorrow the normal activities of everyday become drudgery. Someone traveling with great sorrow may easily lose all energy and the will to move forward. Sorrow can sap one's strength, leaving them listless and caring for nothing. People in this state have a bruise of the heart. Nothing shows on the surface, yet long after the event that brought on the sorrow is past, the strength of its bondage remains, creating a nightmare of unequaled despair. To those in this state I offer a solution. I offer hope beyond the distress. The Lord Jesus comes today offering the opportunity for healing, restoration, and peace. He is the only one that can heal the broken heart you own and will set every captive free that willingly comes to Him. He lifts up those who are bowed over in spirit and brings new life to the soul that can barely breathe. Place your faith, your life, and your broken being in His capable hands and you will experience the miracle of restoration. He has promised to turn none away.
Luke 4:18 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Pastor Loren Larson
Bread Crumbs “In Times Like These”
In this day of dangerous inconsistencies among the relationships of men, we oftentimes find ourselves longing for a safe shelter from the severity of storms. In today's world we face instantaneous riots, wherein men destroy the personal property of others via illegal protests. We have drivers in automobiles so overcome with rage that lives are often lost before the anger is abated. A life forfeited over something as simple as a lane change in traffic. We view countries aiming lethal chemical weaponry towards children. We see ungodly and evil despots threatening the world with their nuclear strength and abilities. Even our own government has infighting to a degree that it threatens the well being of the people it has sworn to serve. I am so relieved to know that my God has promised to shield me and protect me from harm. Christ Jesus is my safe shelter from these hostile storms that surround me. He is my promised safe haven and is the sole Prince of peace of my heart. He has promised that no weapon formed against me shall prosper and that He will keep my foot from being dashed against a stone. He shall keep me from the snare of the fowler! Only Jesus can meet my need in times like these!
Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Pastor Loren Larson
In this day of dangerous inconsistencies among the relationships of men, we oftentimes find ourselves longing for a safe shelter from the severity of storms. In today's world we face instantaneous riots, wherein men destroy the personal property of others via illegal protests. We have drivers in automobiles so overcome with rage that lives are often lost before the anger is abated. A life forfeited over something as simple as a lane change in traffic. We view countries aiming lethal chemical weaponry towards children. We see ungodly and evil despots threatening the world with their nuclear strength and abilities. Even our own government has infighting to a degree that it threatens the well being of the people it has sworn to serve. I am so relieved to know that my God has promised to shield me and protect me from harm. Christ Jesus is my safe shelter from these hostile storms that surround me. He is my promised safe haven and is the sole Prince of peace of my heart. He has promised that no weapon formed against me shall prosper and that He will keep my foot from being dashed against a stone. He shall keep me from the snare of the fowler! Only Jesus can meet my need in times like these!
Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Pastor Loren Larson
Bread Crumbs “I Will Praise Him”
From the most inward portion of my soul I must praise Him. From the depths of my spirit I must proclaim His greatness. From the farthest recesses of my mind, I acknowledge His prominence. From the gratefulness of my heart, I will declare Hs marvelous work towards me. For He alone has freed me from the grip and the grasp of my enemy most feared. He alone has delivered me from the snares laid before my feet and has spared my soul from the dungeon of the eternally damned. He alone has led me to life abundant, life worth living, life with meaning. He has set my soul free and it soars among the peaks with the majestic splendor of eagles. He alone has forgiven my sin, changed my heart, opened my eyes. He alone is worthy of my praise and I cannot, I dare not, refrain my lips from proclaiming what my mind and my heart acknowledge. He is forever worthy of my exultation, my adulation, my adoration. My voice shall not be silent nor stilled. I will join with all creation that has realized the truth and will declare that Jesus is Lord over all! For all eternity I will exist to praise His name!
Psalm 107:2 - Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
Pastor Loren Larson
From the most inward portion of my soul I must praise Him. From the depths of my spirit I must proclaim His greatness. From the farthest recesses of my mind, I acknowledge His prominence. From the gratefulness of my heart, I will declare Hs marvelous work towards me. For He alone has freed me from the grip and the grasp of my enemy most feared. He alone has delivered me from the snares laid before my feet and has spared my soul from the dungeon of the eternally damned. He alone has led me to life abundant, life worth living, life with meaning. He has set my soul free and it soars among the peaks with the majestic splendor of eagles. He alone has forgiven my sin, changed my heart, opened my eyes. He alone is worthy of my praise and I cannot, I dare not, refrain my lips from proclaiming what my mind and my heart acknowledge. He is forever worthy of my exultation, my adulation, my adoration. My voice shall not be silent nor stilled. I will join with all creation that has realized the truth and will declare that Jesus is Lord over all! For all eternity I will exist to praise His name!
Psalm 107:2 - Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
Pastor Loren Larson
Bread Crumbs “True Leaders Die First!”
What makes the head of any household a great leader? Is it humility or kindness? Is it that he supplies the needs for all under his roof? Is it the expression of unconditional love given equally to all? While all these are notable attributes, the greatest of leaders are always the first to live the crucified life. What do I mean by that? As head of the household it is my responsibility to lead by example. I must set the example of dying to self. I lead in the practice of self-denial. I actively put the needs of others in front of my own personal wants, whims, or desires. I go without, so that others might obtain. I do my best to be a man that places no faith in self. I utilize but do not depend upon human strength, wisdom, power, prestige, talent, ability or any other asset that lies within the human frame. Instead, I count these all but loss and look to Christ to furnish me with all that my family needs. While I know I will not do this perfectly, I am learning to depend upon the freely given grace of God to equip me for this leadership responsibility. True leaders die first!
Ephesians 5:25 - Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Pastor Loren Larson
What makes the head of any household a great leader? Is it humility or kindness? Is it that he supplies the needs for all under his roof? Is it the expression of unconditional love given equally to all? While all these are notable attributes, the greatest of leaders are always the first to live the crucified life. What do I mean by that? As head of the household it is my responsibility to lead by example. I must set the example of dying to self. I lead in the practice of self-denial. I actively put the needs of others in front of my own personal wants, whims, or desires. I go without, so that others might obtain. I do my best to be a man that places no faith in self. I utilize but do not depend upon human strength, wisdom, power, prestige, talent, ability or any other asset that lies within the human frame. Instead, I count these all but loss and look to Christ to furnish me with all that my family needs. While I know I will not do this perfectly, I am learning to depend upon the freely given grace of God to equip me for this leadership responsibility. True leaders die first!
Ephesians 5:25 - Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Pastor Loren Larson
Bread Crumbs “Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise”
As we start out each day we have the right to bring our petitions to the Lord. Of course, it is always most appropriate to enter into His presence giving Him praise for all He has accomplished on our behalf. We should be giving Him thanks for His mighty works. I ask the Lord each day to strengthen this physical body so that I might carry out the work that He has given me to do. I ask Him to heal any part of me that might need healing and to allow me to walk in divine health. I ask the Lord also for supernatural provision. I am not greedy or covetous but I believe that God desires to bless His children. So Lord, give me more than enough to meet my needs that I might help supply funds for your work and be a blessing to others who are in need. And last, but certainly not least, Lord give me wisdom that stems from the knowledge of your Word and being sensitive to your Spirit. In this manner I will rise above my enemies and be a blessing to my peers. What do you ask the Lord for? I'm asking Him to make me healthy, wealthy, and wise!
Luke 11:9 - And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Pastor Loren Larson
As we start out each day we have the right to bring our petitions to the Lord. Of course, it is always most appropriate to enter into His presence giving Him praise for all He has accomplished on our behalf. We should be giving Him thanks for His mighty works. I ask the Lord each day to strengthen this physical body so that I might carry out the work that He has given me to do. I ask Him to heal any part of me that might need healing and to allow me to walk in divine health. I ask the Lord also for supernatural provision. I am not greedy or covetous but I believe that God desires to bless His children. So Lord, give me more than enough to meet my needs that I might help supply funds for your work and be a blessing to others who are in need. And last, but certainly not least, Lord give me wisdom that stems from the knowledge of your Word and being sensitive to your Spirit. In this manner I will rise above my enemies and be a blessing to my peers. What do you ask the Lord for? I'm asking Him to make me healthy, wealthy, and wise!
Luke 11:9 - And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Pastor Loren Larson
Bread Crumbs “Help My Unbelief”
No matter what you are facing today, no matter what you have encountered, no matter how out of control your present circumstances seem, you must let faith arise. Faith acts as a beacon of hope and shines strength into your soul. Suppose you are in the heat of a terrifying moment or in the panic felt by a situation that offers no way out. Even as fear drapes itself around you as a cloak, there is truth that you can grasp and depend upon. That truth is the fact that God is always greater than our need! Again, your God is greater than your need! There is nothing He cannot do! There is no bill He cannot pay! There is no heart He cannot mend! There is no relationship He cannot restore! Despite our weaknesses, despite our faults, He never fails to show up. It may not be in the way we thought He would or in the time frame we had requested. But this we must believe, our God is working for our betterment, for our good, and on our behalf! If you will believe it, He can do it! And if struggling with faith, ask Him for help to overcome the doubt and unbelief that is dominating your heart and mind!
2 Samuel 7:22 Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
Pastor Loren Larson
No matter what you are facing today, no matter what you have encountered, no matter how out of control your present circumstances seem, you must let faith arise. Faith acts as a beacon of hope and shines strength into your soul. Suppose you are in the heat of a terrifying moment or in the panic felt by a situation that offers no way out. Even as fear drapes itself around you as a cloak, there is truth that you can grasp and depend upon. That truth is the fact that God is always greater than our need! Again, your God is greater than your need! There is nothing He cannot do! There is no bill He cannot pay! There is no heart He cannot mend! There is no relationship He cannot restore! Despite our weaknesses, despite our faults, He never fails to show up. It may not be in the way we thought He would or in the time frame we had requested. But this we must believe, our God is working for our betterment, for our good, and on our behalf! If you will believe it, He can do it! And if struggling with faith, ask Him for help to overcome the doubt and unbelief that is dominating your heart and mind!
2 Samuel 7:22 Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
Pastor Loren Larson
Bread Crumbs “Praise Him Always”
Praise is what occurs when we thank God for what He has done in our past, what He is doing in our present and what He is about to do in our future. Praise is always comely and right. God is always deserving of our praise. We are to enter into His courts with Praise! We come into His presence with thankfulness. However, true worship occurs when we acknowledge God for who He is. When we state, “God, you are God, creator of the universe, the sea and sky and all that in them is.” We are to give Him glory for who He is! We praise Him because He is the one true living God. God is not on an ego trip. He does not need to hear from His highest creation in order to make His day. Nevertheless, there should never be a day where we fail to acknowledge Him as the God who controls all, holds all, and maintains all. And there should never be a day where we fail to praise Him for His marvelous acts of kindness, mercy, and grace which He bestows on all those who call on His name. Truly, He is worthy of our praise!
Psalm 34:1 - I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Pastor Loren Larson
Praise is what occurs when we thank God for what He has done in our past, what He is doing in our present and what He is about to do in our future. Praise is always comely and right. God is always deserving of our praise. We are to enter into His courts with Praise! We come into His presence with thankfulness. However, true worship occurs when we acknowledge God for who He is. When we state, “God, you are God, creator of the universe, the sea and sky and all that in them is.” We are to give Him glory for who He is! We praise Him because He is the one true living God. God is not on an ego trip. He does not need to hear from His highest creation in order to make His day. Nevertheless, there should never be a day where we fail to acknowledge Him as the God who controls all, holds all, and maintains all. And there should never be a day where we fail to praise Him for His marvelous acts of kindness, mercy, and grace which He bestows on all those who call on His name. Truly, He is worthy of our praise!
Psalm 34:1 - I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Pastor Loren Larson
Bread Crumbs “Don’t Give In”
Have you ever noticed that right after you determine to do the right thing, apply a new Biblical truth, or decide to go “all in” with your faith, that the opposition to that truth, that right action, that faith, increases? Whenever the Saint of God determines to do what is right, spiritual forces of darkness will place themselves in battle array against them. There will always be an assemblage of spiritual forces striving to turn us from the benefits of truth or from the blessing of doing what is right. If you are easily turned aside or discouraged because of this opposition, then Satan will have his way, and we can miss out on the blessings of obedience and properly placed faith. But if we recognize the strategies of the evil one, this opposition can work as motivation. You see, Satan knows that if the believer will continue to do the right thing, the God thing, the proper thing, and yes, even the difficult thing, that in due season they will reap! God’s Word does not lie, neither does it fail. You are destined for a Godly harvest if you just won’t quit!
Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Pastor Loren Larson
Have you ever noticed that right after you determine to do the right thing, apply a new Biblical truth, or decide to go “all in” with your faith, that the opposition to that truth, that right action, that faith, increases? Whenever the Saint of God determines to do what is right, spiritual forces of darkness will place themselves in battle array against them. There will always be an assemblage of spiritual forces striving to turn us from the benefits of truth or from the blessing of doing what is right. If you are easily turned aside or discouraged because of this opposition, then Satan will have his way, and we can miss out on the blessings of obedience and properly placed faith. But if we recognize the strategies of the evil one, this opposition can work as motivation. You see, Satan knows that if the believer will continue to do the right thing, the God thing, the proper thing, and yes, even the difficult thing, that in due season they will reap! God’s Word does not lie, neither does it fail. You are destined for a Godly harvest if you just won’t quit!
Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Pastor Loren Larson