Jacob The Heel Catcher - Spiritual Adultery
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Your Word for Today
“and there shall come forth a Rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Might, the Spirit of Knowledge and of the Fear of the LORD (Isa. 11:1-2).
Isaiah here sees the explanation of what John saw on the Isle of Patmos. John said, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the Throne and of the four Beasts (Living Ones), and in the midst of the Elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the Seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the Earth” (Rev. 5:6).
There aren’t “seven Holy Spirits.” This phrase rather stands for the seven attributes of the Spirit of God, or, one might say, “His sevenfold fullness.” Those attributes are: “Spirit, Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Might, Knowledge, and Fear.”
In this “sevenfold fullness,” we find all the “help” that we need in order to live this life and to be what we ought to be in the Lord (Jn. 14:16-18).
Tragically, the modern Church seeks to live for God without the help of this “sevenfold fullness.” Even though the Holy Spirit most definitely resides in the heart and life of every single Believer, irrespective of the spiritual condition of such a Believer, still, what He can do is only potential. In other words, His help is not automatic.
But every single Believer can have this “sevenfold fullness” if the Believer will place his faith absolutely and exclusively in the Cross. The Holy Spirit always works within the parameters of the Finished Work of Christ. The Cross ever being the Object of our Faith, then the Holy Spirit will work mightily on our behalf, giving us the benefit of “His sevenfold fullness,” but only if our faith is properly placed in Christ and the Cross. He tells us this in Romans 8:2.”
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart
“and there shall come forth a Rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Might, the Spirit of Knowledge and of the Fear of the LORD (Isa. 11:1-2).
Isaiah here sees the explanation of what John saw on the Isle of Patmos. John said, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the Throne and of the four Beasts (Living Ones), and in the midst of the Elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the Seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the Earth” (Rev. 5:6).
There aren’t “seven Holy Spirits.” This phrase rather stands for the seven attributes of the Spirit of God, or, one might say, “His sevenfold fullness.” Those attributes are: “Spirit, Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Might, Knowledge, and Fear.”
In this “sevenfold fullness,” we find all the “help” that we need in order to live this life and to be what we ought to be in the Lord (Jn. 14:16-18).
Tragically, the modern Church seeks to live for God without the help of this “sevenfold fullness.” Even though the Holy Spirit most definitely resides in the heart and life of every single Believer, irrespective of the spiritual condition of such a Believer, still, what He can do is only potential. In other words, His help is not automatic.
But every single Believer can have this “sevenfold fullness” if the Believer will place his faith absolutely and exclusively in the Cross. The Holy Spirit always works within the parameters of the Finished Work of Christ. The Cross ever being the Object of our Faith, then the Holy Spirit will work mightily on our behalf, giving us the benefit of “His sevenfold fullness,” but only if our faith is properly placed in Christ and the Cross. He tells us this in Romans 8:2.”
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart
Bread Crumbs “Trusting the Lord”
Trust is something we are willing to extend toward those people or things that have proven themselves to be consistent and faithful. When the one we choose to depend upon comes through for us as we had hoped; we are ecstatic with joy, delighted with the outcome, elated with the results of our newly found faithful source. In all of my journeys with the Lord these past decades, I have never been disappointed with the outcome of trusting in Him. He has never disappointed me, never failed me, and has done exceedingly abundantly above all I could ever ask or think. He is deserving of my trust, my confidence, my yielding up to Him the care of all that concerns me. I have never been forsaken by Him. I’ve never been forgotten by Him. So once again today, I approach Him with trepidation, misgivings, nervousness, and tension that is unwarranted. Today I once again give to Him the inconsolable situations of my life and the unsolvable problems that stand before me. I await His grand solution and believe that I will soon rejoice with great triumph when His endless faithfulness comes through for me one more time. I chose to trust you, Lord!
Psalm 37:17-18 - For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. (18) The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries
Trust is something we are willing to extend toward those people or things that have proven themselves to be consistent and faithful. When the one we choose to depend upon comes through for us as we had hoped; we are ecstatic with joy, delighted with the outcome, elated with the results of our newly found faithful source. In all of my journeys with the Lord these past decades, I have never been disappointed with the outcome of trusting in Him. He has never disappointed me, never failed me, and has done exceedingly abundantly above all I could ever ask or think. He is deserving of my trust, my confidence, my yielding up to Him the care of all that concerns me. I have never been forsaken by Him. I’ve never been forgotten by Him. So once again today, I approach Him with trepidation, misgivings, nervousness, and tension that is unwarranted. Today I once again give to Him the inconsolable situations of my life and the unsolvable problems that stand before me. I await His grand solution and believe that I will soon rejoice with great triumph when His endless faithfulness comes through for me one more time. I chose to trust you, Lord!
Psalm 37:17-18 - For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. (18) The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries
The Miracle of God’s Word
Proverbs 21:23
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
It is the tongue that puts us in the troublesome predicaments in which we find ourselves many times, but we must know that our tongues only speak that which it finds and relays from the heart. God’s Word says that the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart (Luke 6:45), therefore when we say things and then say, “Where did that come from?”, we need to understand that it came from the heart. We will remain in this vicious cycle of bondage and troubles until we understand that our faith must be daily in that which allows the Holy Spirit to deal with our hearts, and that is exclusively the cross of Christ (Romans 6:17-18). His death at Calvary overcame everything that would ever be contrary to us (Colossians 2:14-15), and today through the faith of Christ alone and His love for us and the giving of Himself for us (Galatians 2:20), can we be free from sin’s dominion and have a new heart!
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
Pastor Curtis
Proverbs 21:23
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
It is the tongue that puts us in the troublesome predicaments in which we find ourselves many times, but we must know that our tongues only speak that which it finds and relays from the heart. God’s Word says that the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart (Luke 6:45), therefore when we say things and then say, “Where did that come from?”, we need to understand that it came from the heart. We will remain in this vicious cycle of bondage and troubles until we understand that our faith must be daily in that which allows the Holy Spirit to deal with our hearts, and that is exclusively the cross of Christ (Romans 6:17-18). His death at Calvary overcame everything that would ever be contrary to us (Colossians 2:14-15), and today through the faith of Christ alone and His love for us and the giving of Himself for us (Galatians 2:20), can we be free from sin’s dominion and have a new heart!
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
Pastor Curtis
Bread Crumbs “Righteous Living”
Righteous living is of great benefit to the believer, both now and in eternity. The believer first experiences the righteousness of God at salvation. It is at that moment that God imputes to the believing sinner the righteousness of Christ. A position of righteousness is granted based solely upon the individual's faith in Christ. This position can only be eliminated by the absence of the faith that first established it.... Justification is not lost because of a single act of sin. God does not discard us when we fail. Based upon our repentance, He continually transforms the believer into the image of Christ through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Righteousness is then both imputed and constantly experienced in the daily life. The believer whose position and condition is being affected through simple faith and the application of God’s grace learns to walk righteous before God. When this person cries out to God in a time of trouble, God will both hear and answer. No, we do not have to be perfect for God to respond to our need. But the believer’s position of righteousness coupled with the spiritual condition of progressive growth always holds God’s attention. And righteousness is required to make heaven our eternal home!
Psalm 37:39 - But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries
Righteous living is of great benefit to the believer, both now and in eternity. The believer first experiences the righteousness of God at salvation. It is at that moment that God imputes to the believing sinner the righteousness of Christ. A position of righteousness is granted based solely upon the individual's faith in Christ. This position can only be eliminated by the absence of the faith that first established it.... Justification is not lost because of a single act of sin. God does not discard us when we fail. Based upon our repentance, He continually transforms the believer into the image of Christ through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Righteousness is then both imputed and constantly experienced in the daily life. The believer whose position and condition is being affected through simple faith and the application of God’s grace learns to walk righteous before God. When this person cries out to God in a time of trouble, God will both hear and answer. No, we do not have to be perfect for God to respond to our need. But the believer’s position of righteousness coupled with the spiritual condition of progressive growth always holds God’s attention. And righteousness is required to make heaven our eternal home!
Psalm 37:39 - But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries
Your Word for Today
“all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isa. 53:6).
If two men, moving at the same speed, were to advance toward each other, one starting with Moses and the other from Christ, they would meet exactly in the middle of the Fifty-third Chapter of Isaiah, and, more particularly, Verses 5 and 6. Here is the simple doctrine of the Gospel — the death of Christ. This is the unique glory of the Gospel. All other founders of religions base their claims upon their life and their teaching — their death was a calamity, and without significance. But Christ’s Death was His Glory and forms the imperishable foundation of the one and only Salvation. In fact, His Purpose in coming to this Earth was to die (I Cor. 15:1-4).
A young man was asked once if he was saved. His answer was to the point: “I simply don’t understand how to be saved.”
The Preacher who asked the question had to leave to catch a train, so he gave the young man his own personal Bible, along with these brief instructions: “Read Isaiah 53:6. Go in at the first ‘all’ and come out at the last ‘all.’”
A few days later he saw the young man again and asked him if he had followed the instructions. The face which the Preacher had left some days earlier had been dour, but now a bright smile covered the young man’s countenance. He replied, “Oh yes. I read that 6th Verse. I went in at the first ‘all’ and came out at the last ‘all.’ Then I knew what Salvation was.”
“All” of us are sinners; Jesus Christ paid the price at Calvary’s Cross for us “all.” In fact, ladies and gentlemen, it is just that simple!”
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart
“all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isa. 53:6).
If two men, moving at the same speed, were to advance toward each other, one starting with Moses and the other from Christ, they would meet exactly in the middle of the Fifty-third Chapter of Isaiah, and, more particularly, Verses 5 and 6. Here is the simple doctrine of the Gospel — the death of Christ. This is the unique glory of the Gospel. All other founders of religions base their claims upon their life and their teaching — their death was a calamity, and without significance. But Christ’s Death was His Glory and forms the imperishable foundation of the one and only Salvation. In fact, His Purpose in coming to this Earth was to die (I Cor. 15:1-4).
A young man was asked once if he was saved. His answer was to the point: “I simply don’t understand how to be saved.”
The Preacher who asked the question had to leave to catch a train, so he gave the young man his own personal Bible, along with these brief instructions: “Read Isaiah 53:6. Go in at the first ‘all’ and come out at the last ‘all.’”
A few days later he saw the young man again and asked him if he had followed the instructions. The face which the Preacher had left some days earlier had been dour, but now a bright smile covered the young man’s countenance. He replied, “Oh yes. I read that 6th Verse. I went in at the first ‘all’ and came out at the last ‘all.’ Then I knew what Salvation was.”
“All” of us are sinners; Jesus Christ paid the price at Calvary’s Cross for us “all.” In fact, ladies and gentlemen, it is just that simple!”
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart
Your Word for Today
“for My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water (Jer. 2:13).
The people of Jerusalem, God’s Own Chosen People, had sunk to a level that was morally lower than the heathen. They committed two evils. First, they forsook Jehovah; second, they embraced idolatry. They exchanged a living fountain for a broken cistern. The heathen were only guilty of one evil, that is, of idolatry. For God had not revealed Himself and His Law to them.
Is it possible that the modern Church is in worse condition spiritually than even the heathen?
For all practical purposes, with some few exceptions, the modern Church has forsaken the Cross. To forsake the Cross is to forsake Christ.
The modern Church no longer believes the answer is found in the Cross of Christ, and only in the Cross of Christ. In place of the Cross, it has substituted humanistic psychology. Never mind that such wisdom is “earthly, sensual, and devilish” (James 3:15). They have opted for that in place of the “wisdom that is from above,” which is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).
So, as Israel of old, the modern Church also has committed two evils. First of all, it has abandoned the light of the Gospel; second, it has adopted the ways of the world. As an excellent example, the false direction of the book, “The Purpose Driven Life,” has been adopted by the Church, by the Mormons, by the Catholics, by secular interests of the world, and even by some Muslims; however, the Church is so spiritually blind that it cannot see that the whole thing is a “broken cistern,” which will “hold no water.” Something accepted by all cannot be spiritually valid, as should be obvious!
To forsake the Cross is to forsake Christ. They cannot be separated. And, to be sure, the modern Church has forsaken the Cross. When this is done, and it has been done in a wholesale way, then the Church becomes a ready recipient of false doctrine. Without the Cross, there are no spiritual bearings.”
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart
“for My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water (Jer. 2:13).
The people of Jerusalem, God’s Own Chosen People, had sunk to a level that was morally lower than the heathen. They committed two evils. First, they forsook Jehovah; second, they embraced idolatry. They exchanged a living fountain for a broken cistern. The heathen were only guilty of one evil, that is, of idolatry. For God had not revealed Himself and His Law to them.
Is it possible that the modern Church is in worse condition spiritually than even the heathen?
For all practical purposes, with some few exceptions, the modern Church has forsaken the Cross. To forsake the Cross is to forsake Christ.
The modern Church no longer believes the answer is found in the Cross of Christ, and only in the Cross of Christ. In place of the Cross, it has substituted humanistic psychology. Never mind that such wisdom is “earthly, sensual, and devilish” (James 3:15). They have opted for that in place of the “wisdom that is from above,” which is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).
So, as Israel of old, the modern Church also has committed two evils. First of all, it has abandoned the light of the Gospel; second, it has adopted the ways of the world. As an excellent example, the false direction of the book, “The Purpose Driven Life,” has been adopted by the Church, by the Mormons, by the Catholics, by secular interests of the world, and even by some Muslims; however, the Church is so spiritually blind that it cannot see that the whole thing is a “broken cistern,” which will “hold no water.” Something accepted by all cannot be spiritually valid, as should be obvious!
To forsake the Cross is to forsake Christ. They cannot be separated. And, to be sure, the modern Church has forsaken the Cross. When this is done, and it has been done in a wholesale way, then the Church becomes a ready recipient of false doctrine. Without the Cross, there are no spiritual bearings.”
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart
Bread Crumbs “Seeking After God”
When it comes to the subject of “blessings” it can be hard to distinguish or recognize one’s true motivation. Everyone wants to be blessed, to be strengthened, to be helped. No one wishes to experience less. We want the increase not the decrease! We want the raise and the promotion not the drop in pay and the demotion! Spiritually we should be believing that God will continue to reveal Himself to us in a greater way; that we will continue to grow and excel in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord. So the difference between loving God and covetousness is revealed in acknowledging our utmost priority. What is it that we are truly pursuing? Be honest with yourself! Then recall to mind the truth that it is God that has asked us to believe that He is able to provide extravagantly for His children, especially those who long for Him with their whole heart. Then we can begin to experience the joy of knowing that while we pursue God with all our heart, He is asking us to believe Him for the increase. It’s pleasing to the Lord for you to believe Him for the promise as you press in closer to the One who promised.
2 Corinthians 1:20 - For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us
Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries
When it comes to the subject of “blessings” it can be hard to distinguish or recognize one’s true motivation. Everyone wants to be blessed, to be strengthened, to be helped. No one wishes to experience less. We want the increase not the decrease! We want the raise and the promotion not the drop in pay and the demotion! Spiritually we should be believing that God will continue to reveal Himself to us in a greater way; that we will continue to grow and excel in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord. So the difference between loving God and covetousness is revealed in acknowledging our utmost priority. What is it that we are truly pursuing? Be honest with yourself! Then recall to mind the truth that it is God that has asked us to believe that He is able to provide extravagantly for His children, especially those who long for Him with their whole heart. Then we can begin to experience the joy of knowing that while we pursue God with all our heart, He is asking us to believe Him for the increase. It’s pleasing to the Lord for you to believe Him for the promise as you press in closer to the One who promised.
2 Corinthians 1:20 - For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us
Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries
Proverbs 21:25
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
The desire of the slothful to do nothing is the desire of his flesh, and to sow to the flesh in any capacity is to reap corruption (Galatians 6:7). A man’s hands refusing to work, in reality, refers to the corrupt heart’s desire to go a different way that the Lord has prescribed for man. Rebellion has sent every devil, fallen angel and man to a hell of more torment that can be imagined with the human mind.
A man can in no way work his way into salvation or the kingdom of heaven, but once in, through faith in Christ and His atoning work, there are many works all of which are located in Christ and God expects to see that perfect work taking place (Revelation 3:1-6), or death will be experienced.
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
Pastor Curtis
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
The desire of the slothful to do nothing is the desire of his flesh, and to sow to the flesh in any capacity is to reap corruption (Galatians 6:7). A man’s hands refusing to work, in reality, refers to the corrupt heart’s desire to go a different way that the Lord has prescribed for man. Rebellion has sent every devil, fallen angel and man to a hell of more torment that can be imagined with the human mind.
A man can in no way work his way into salvation or the kingdom of heaven, but once in, through faith in Christ and His atoning work, there are many works all of which are located in Christ and God expects to see that perfect work taking place (Revelation 3:1-6), or death will be experienced.
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
Pastor Curtis
Bread Crumbs “Everlasting Life”
There could be nothing more rewarding than living the abundant life of a Christian. When Jesus promised everlasting life to those around Him it meant far more than simply a quantity or length of life. Everlasting life also deals with a specific quality of life. Everlasting life is a life that is worth living, a life that is worth experiencing, a life that is worth being around for. Nothing can compare to the joy of kn...owing that our sins are forgiven and forgotten. But that is not the only benefit that comes through maintaining a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ. A covenant by its very nature says that each party involved will give all that they have, their very best, to meet the needs of the other. On my part , I give God my whole heart. And as for Him, everything that God is, everything that God has, and everything that God can do, becomes available to me for all eternity. Life as a Christian is never trouble-free, pain free, or a complete freedom from conflict and emotional distress. At times I fail miserably, even though I hate it. But I know that everything I encounter will be experienced with God forever and always by my side. This is true everlasting life!
John 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries
There could be nothing more rewarding than living the abundant life of a Christian. When Jesus promised everlasting life to those around Him it meant far more than simply a quantity or length of life. Everlasting life also deals with a specific quality of life. Everlasting life is a life that is worth living, a life that is worth experiencing, a life that is worth being around for. Nothing can compare to the joy of kn...owing that our sins are forgiven and forgotten. But that is not the only benefit that comes through maintaining a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ. A covenant by its very nature says that each party involved will give all that they have, their very best, to meet the needs of the other. On my part , I give God my whole heart. And as for Him, everything that God is, everything that God has, and everything that God can do, becomes available to me for all eternity. Life as a Christian is never trouble-free, pain free, or a complete freedom from conflict and emotional distress. At times I fail miserably, even though I hate it. But I know that everything I encounter will be experienced with God forever and always by my side. This is true everlasting life!
John 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries
Your Word for Today
“is Israel a servant? Is he a homeborn slave? Why is he spoiled? (Jer. 2:14).
What did Jeremiah mean by Israel being a “homeborn slave”? He meant they were a slave to their evil passions, to their sins, and to their bondages, which is the greatest enslavement of all. Tragically, they were slaves and didn’t even know it.
The best way to explain it, I think, is according to the following:
To use the leopard as an example, if such an animal is born in a zoo and raised in a zoo, it is a slave without really knowing it. It does not know, and will never know, the freedom of being able to bound across the grasslands or the forest floor. There are a thousand and one things that a leopard cooped up in a zoo will never know, but that such an animal should enjoy.
This is typical, in fact, of most modern Christians. Most Christians do not know the freedom of a victorious, overcoming life. They are “homeborn” slaves without even knowing it. To say the least, that is tragic! There is only one way out of such bondage, and that is by the way of the Cross (Rom. 6:1-14; 8:1-2, 11). If the individual doesn’t know the Message of the Cross, he cannot know true freedom; he cannot know what he is missing.
Every single Christian in the world, at least those who are truly Born-Again, has “more abundant life” (Jn. 10:10). However, only the Christians who understand the Cross and what it means to our everyday living actually live and enjoy this “more abundant life.” The rest are “homeborn slaves.”
Considering the price that Christ has paid, it’s a shame not to have all of that for which He did pay such a price. The choice is yours!
It’s the Cross of Christ which brings victory and freedom, or it’s works, which bring slavery, i.e., a “homeborn slave.”
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart
“is Israel a servant? Is he a homeborn slave? Why is he spoiled? (Jer. 2:14).
What did Jeremiah mean by Israel being a “homeborn slave”? He meant they were a slave to their evil passions, to their sins, and to their bondages, which is the greatest enslavement of all. Tragically, they were slaves and didn’t even know it.
The best way to explain it, I think, is according to the following:
To use the leopard as an example, if such an animal is born in a zoo and raised in a zoo, it is a slave without really knowing it. It does not know, and will never know, the freedom of being able to bound across the grasslands or the forest floor. There are a thousand and one things that a leopard cooped up in a zoo will never know, but that such an animal should enjoy.
This is typical, in fact, of most modern Christians. Most Christians do not know the freedom of a victorious, overcoming life. They are “homeborn” slaves without even knowing it. To say the least, that is tragic! There is only one way out of such bondage, and that is by the way of the Cross (Rom. 6:1-14; 8:1-2, 11). If the individual doesn’t know the Message of the Cross, he cannot know true freedom; he cannot know what he is missing.
Every single Christian in the world, at least those who are truly Born-Again, has “more abundant life” (Jn. 10:10). However, only the Christians who understand the Cross and what it means to our everyday living actually live and enjoy this “more abundant life.” The rest are “homeborn slaves.”
Considering the price that Christ has paid, it’s a shame not to have all of that for which He did pay such a price. The choice is yours!
It’s the Cross of Christ which brings victory and freedom, or it’s works, which bring slavery, i.e., a “homeborn slave.”
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart
Proverbs 21:26
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
“He” is referring to the previous verse which speaks of the slothful man who only covets all the day long, but refuses to work for what he desires to have, and in contrast to him we see the righteous who is giving and sparing not. Here we can see that being declared righteous is one thing but to experience the fruits of Christ’s righteousness is always witnessed by others. Giving and sparing not to give outside of having faith in Christ and His atoning work is not recognized by God, and is only men making other men rich. The lazy man wants everyone else to work for what he desires to have and in this we see men who only want to be served instead of becoming servants to serve as Christ did for us.
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
Pastor Curtis
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
“He” is referring to the previous verse which speaks of the slothful man who only covets all the day long, but refuses to work for what he desires to have, and in contrast to him we see the righteous who is giving and sparing not. Here we can see that being declared righteous is one thing but to experience the fruits of Christ’s righteousness is always witnessed by others. Giving and sparing not to give outside of having faith in Christ and His atoning work is not recognized by God, and is only men making other men rich. The lazy man wants everyone else to work for what he desires to have and in this we see men who only want to be served instead of becoming servants to serve as Christ did for us.
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
Pastor Curtis
Your Word for Today
“and Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested (I Chron. 4:9-10).
Like a beautiful gem, the Lord drops this glorious testimony in the midst of these genealogies. In Jewish culture of old, it was the mother who usually named the child that was born. The name “Jabez” means “sorrow,” which evidently pertained to the fact that something very grievous had happened in this family; consequently, Jabez, like untold millions, was born into a situation over which he had no control and which spelled hurt for him.
Most children never climb out over a negative childhood. In other words, if they are abused at an early age, it scars them for life. In fact, only the Lord can address such a problem, thereby turning bitter waters into sweet. So Jabez had two strikes against him even before he began, as do most in the world.
But Jabez turned to the one Source Who could change the situation, and it was God. Beautifully enough, that privilege is available to every human being in the world, that is, if they will only take advantage of its potential. There is nothing that the Lord cannot change. In fact, the very First Miracle that Jesus performed in His earthly Ministry was the changing of the water to wine at the marriage feast of Cana (Jn. 2:1-11). The Holy Spirit designed this in order that all may know and understand that despite adverse circumstances, or how bad they might be, the Lord Jesus Christ, as He changed the water to wine at Cana, can change any situation, if men will only call on Him and believe Him (Mk. 9:23).
All too often, however, men look to other men for help and get what help man can provide, which is little or nothing. If we call on God, as stated, there is nothing that He cannot change, nothing that He cannot do.
The prayer of Jabez was as follows:
1. “Bless me”: We learn from all of this that the Lord desires that we ask Him to bless us, and in every capacity. In fact, He is a blessing God. He wants to bless financially, domestically, physically, and, above all, spiritually. We have but to ask Him!
2. “Enlarge my coast”: The word “coast” actually means “border.” In other words, Jabez was asking the Lord to get him out of this problem into which he had been born. Most people never break out of that which imprisons them, because they look to all the wrong sources. Only the Lord can enlarge your borders. He only waits for you to ask Him!
3. “That Your hand might be with me”: The way this is given speaks of the Right Hand of God, which is the Hand of blessing and power. It can be judgment or it can be blessing. For Jabez it was blessing, because Jabez put his trust in the Lord. If you will put your trust in the Lord, it will be blessing, as well, for God is no respecter of persons.
4. “That You would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me”: This, in effect, is the same prayer that Jesus told all of us to pray when He said, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Mat. 6:13). Actually, all the “blessing” depended on Jabez being kept from evil, which the Lord Alone could do. Jabez realized that, within himself, he could not bring about this place and position of freedom from evil. But the Lord could bring it about, and the Lord did.
As Believers, if we are to have the “Blessing of Jabez,” we must, at the same time, depart from all evil, which can be done only in Christ and our Faith in what He did for us at the Cross (Rom. 6:3-5).
The Bible plainly tells us that “God granted him that which he requested.” He will do the same for anyone who, as Jabez, will dare to believe Him.
That means that you can pray the prayer of Jabez. The Lord, in fact, had it placed here that we might follow suit; however, He buried it in these genealogies in order that only the hungry and the thirsty would find it.
Believe the Lord, and allow Him to prove Himself to you, exactly as He did to Jabez so long ago!”
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart
“and Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested (I Chron. 4:9-10).
Like a beautiful gem, the Lord drops this glorious testimony in the midst of these genealogies. In Jewish culture of old, it was the mother who usually named the child that was born. The name “Jabez” means “sorrow,” which evidently pertained to the fact that something very grievous had happened in this family; consequently, Jabez, like untold millions, was born into a situation over which he had no control and which spelled hurt for him.
Most children never climb out over a negative childhood. In other words, if they are abused at an early age, it scars them for life. In fact, only the Lord can address such a problem, thereby turning bitter waters into sweet. So Jabez had two strikes against him even before he began, as do most in the world.
But Jabez turned to the one Source Who could change the situation, and it was God. Beautifully enough, that privilege is available to every human being in the world, that is, if they will only take advantage of its potential. There is nothing that the Lord cannot change. In fact, the very First Miracle that Jesus performed in His earthly Ministry was the changing of the water to wine at the marriage feast of Cana (Jn. 2:1-11). The Holy Spirit designed this in order that all may know and understand that despite adverse circumstances, or how bad they might be, the Lord Jesus Christ, as He changed the water to wine at Cana, can change any situation, if men will only call on Him and believe Him (Mk. 9:23).
All too often, however, men look to other men for help and get what help man can provide, which is little or nothing. If we call on God, as stated, there is nothing that He cannot change, nothing that He cannot do.
The prayer of Jabez was as follows:
1. “Bless me”: We learn from all of this that the Lord desires that we ask Him to bless us, and in every capacity. In fact, He is a blessing God. He wants to bless financially, domestically, physically, and, above all, spiritually. We have but to ask Him!
2. “Enlarge my coast”: The word “coast” actually means “border.” In other words, Jabez was asking the Lord to get him out of this problem into which he had been born. Most people never break out of that which imprisons them, because they look to all the wrong sources. Only the Lord can enlarge your borders. He only waits for you to ask Him!
3. “That Your hand might be with me”: The way this is given speaks of the Right Hand of God, which is the Hand of blessing and power. It can be judgment or it can be blessing. For Jabez it was blessing, because Jabez put his trust in the Lord. If you will put your trust in the Lord, it will be blessing, as well, for God is no respecter of persons.
4. “That You would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me”: This, in effect, is the same prayer that Jesus told all of us to pray when He said, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Mat. 6:13). Actually, all the “blessing” depended on Jabez being kept from evil, which the Lord Alone could do. Jabez realized that, within himself, he could not bring about this place and position of freedom from evil. But the Lord could bring it about, and the Lord did.
As Believers, if we are to have the “Blessing of Jabez,” we must, at the same time, depart from all evil, which can be done only in Christ and our Faith in what He did for us at the Cross (Rom. 6:3-5).
The Bible plainly tells us that “God granted him that which he requested.” He will do the same for anyone who, as Jabez, will dare to believe Him.
That means that you can pray the prayer of Jabez. The Lord, in fact, had it placed here that we might follow suit; however, He buried it in these genealogies in order that only the hungry and the thirsty would find it.
Believe the Lord, and allow Him to prove Himself to you, exactly as He did to Jabez so long ago!”
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart
Bread Crumbs “Our Adversary”
The devil is not the adversary of God, he is the adversary of the people of God. The one true living God is too mighty, too great, too magnificent to have an adversary. You and I, on the other hand, are far too easily overwhelmed and overcome by Satan's advances and underhanded tactics. When facing our adversary, the first thing that we must understand is that he was defeated by Christ at Calvary. In Colossians 2:15 and again in Hebrews 2:14 the Scriptures clearly outline his defeat. If we face Satan with the idea that we have to defeat him, we are sure to lose. Fighting him in the strength of the flesh is the path of sure defeat. We must face him armed with the knowledge that he has already been defeated. As we submit to this truth, we will experience grace from God to resist the lies, the wiles, and the efforts of our adversary. Do not make the mistake of taking him lightly. But neither should we place him in an exalted position by thinking he is greater or even equal to God's provision against him. He was, is, and always shall be, a defeated foe as a result of Christ's sacrifice on Calvary.
1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries
The devil is not the adversary of God, he is the adversary of the people of God. The one true living God is too mighty, too great, too magnificent to have an adversary. You and I, on the other hand, are far too easily overwhelmed and overcome by Satan's advances and underhanded tactics. When facing our adversary, the first thing that we must understand is that he was defeated by Christ at Calvary. In Colossians 2:15 and again in Hebrews 2:14 the Scriptures clearly outline his defeat. If we face Satan with the idea that we have to defeat him, we are sure to lose. Fighting him in the strength of the flesh is the path of sure defeat. We must face him armed with the knowledge that he has already been defeated. As we submit to this truth, we will experience grace from God to resist the lies, the wiles, and the efforts of our adversary. Do not make the mistake of taking him lightly. But neither should we place him in an exalted position by thinking he is greater or even equal to God's provision against him. He was, is, and always shall be, a defeated foe as a result of Christ's sacrifice on Calvary.
1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries
Proverbs 21:27
The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
The wicked are those who do NOT have their faith in the promise of Christ and His sacrificial work at the cross, and God has declared that whatever other sacrifice they may bring, such as Cain did, it is a wicked abomination to God. The Lord also says that when one brings a sacrifice to Him with a wicked mind, that it is even much more an abomination. The wicked mind is without a doubt the mind that actually thinks his own works are pleasing to God just as Cain thought and expected God to be pleased with the work of his hands. God only looks at the object of one’s faith, and when He sees the heart of man believing unto righteousness, which is in the cross of Christ alone, He is pleased. Outside of that one object of faith, He cannot be pleased (Hebrews 11:6). It is the faith of the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us which we live by (Galatians 2:20), and in which God is pleased, or we aren’t living and He isn’t pleased.
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
Pastor Curtis
The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
The wicked are those who do NOT have their faith in the promise of Christ and His sacrificial work at the cross, and God has declared that whatever other sacrifice they may bring, such as Cain did, it is a wicked abomination to God. The Lord also says that when one brings a sacrifice to Him with a wicked mind, that it is even much more an abomination. The wicked mind is without a doubt the mind that actually thinks his own works are pleasing to God just as Cain thought and expected God to be pleased with the work of his hands. God only looks at the object of one’s faith, and when He sees the heart of man believing unto righteousness, which is in the cross of Christ alone, He is pleased. Outside of that one object of faith, He cannot be pleased (Hebrews 11:6). It is the faith of the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us which we live by (Galatians 2:20), and in which God is pleased, or we aren’t living and He isn’t pleased.
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
Pastor Curtis