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That Old Archaic Word

Malachi 3:6 says, “For I am the Lord, I do not change…”

Recently, after doing a wedding, I had a family member come up to me and say, “Nice service, except for that part about the man being the head of the household.” I was a little taken aback as this person is devout in their religious traditions. I replied, “Well, it’s the Bible,” to which they responded, “It was written a long time ago.” I ended it with, “It still applies today!” Therein my friends lies the problem with religion and is the answer to why so many people have either gone astray or why their children have no interest in the faith. There is nothing solid in the hearts and minds of people to stand on and therefore the whole structure is collapsing.

Jesus told us in John 8:31-32 that it is by living in and making the Word, His Word, of utmost importance that we become free. If people are taught to cast it aside or taught not to even turn to it, how will anyone ever be free??Religions today spend more time focused on their traditions and their programs than what God (you know the God that doesn’t change) has told them. It is why many churches see no change in the people and why many churches dry up.

We find in 1 Peter 1:25 the same sentiment, “But the word of the Lord endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.” The Bible is God’s Word, and there is no changing it. If your faith is not built in it, then it is not built in Truth and that is why most “Christians” have such poor results in life and live wishy washy. Their faith is not faith at all, at least not Biblical, God inspired and ordained faith. It is only faith in man’s theology and that doesn’t hold up. This is why the modern church resembles a train wreck.

Jesus didn’t come to change the law but to fulfill it. In fact, we are told in 1 Timothy 1:8, that the law is good if one uses it lawfully and in Matthew 5:18, that not one little bit of it will pass away as long as Heaven and earth remain. What does it mean to use it lawfully, you might ask? It means we must understand God’s purpose and intent through and only through the complete revelation or understanding of His Word. It means to just read one little part is not enough, you must understand it based on all that is revealed.
Jesus didn’t change God’s plan. He simply completed it. Jesus didn’t throw out the old writings. He embraced and taught them the way God intended. He didn’t say never follow and read the Old Testament. He showed us that it was still good for our instruction. In fact, the entire New Testament is completely based on the structure of the Old Testament. If we were meant to throw away a writing because of its age, Jesus would have done that. Yet He and the disciples brought us the New Testament by preaching the Old Testament!

As far as the head of household thing, God’s purpose for man was that he would lead his family by the example set forth in scripture. In absolutely no way does this diminish the role or purpose of a woman, it simply establishes God’s direction. When men and women do the Word, they are equally important and they are equally able to do all they were intended to do. When one doesn’t, then sometimes the other has to step up, but that doesn’t mean God’s design has changed. That’s like driving a car backwards and complaining because you got into an accident. Reverse is just as important as forward in it’s intended operation. It doesn’t work as well outside of it.

Hebrews 13:8 tells us Jesus was, is, and always will be the same. The beginning of John tells us that Jesus is the Word of God. If Jesus is God, and He is the Word, and He never changes, it doesn’t matter if the Word is a million years old, it still applies. How foolish would it be for you to leave specific instruction before you went away and yet desire your housekeeper to do something completely different. Or how mad would you be if you left instruction and returned to find they did everything the way they wanted. I once new someone who left their house, giving another a key for maintenance. When they returned, much to their displeasure, their kitchen had been repainted!
Don’t repaint God’s kitchen! He left us as steward’s of His earth until He comes back, giving us very specific instructions. Don’t be so foolish as to think it’s up to us to rewrite His plan. Yes, the Bible still applies today folks, and it works for those who know to continue to work it. Everyone else is simply deceiving themselves.

Be Blessed,
Pastor Jeff

Fixed Faith

This morning as I woke up the word “fixed” was on my heart. There are many definitions of the word “fixed”. First, fixed means to be fastened, attached, or placed so as to be firm and not readily movable. The Lord designed the mountains to be moved (Mark 11:23) so we wouldn’t have to be! 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 says, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” We are called not to let the troubles move us, but to be immovable! Our victory is in Him, so let our faith be fixed. As our faith is fixed in Him, we will abound in all He has called us to do.
Another meaning of the word “fixed” is to be rendered stable or permanent. Matthew 7:25, “…the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” This scripture is referring to the way the storms of life can either destroy us or cause us not to be shaken. If our faith is fixed, it’s built on the Rock. If we’re not building our lives on the Word of God, we’re going to be shaken and sifted like a house made of sand.

Another meaning of the word “fixed” is to be set or intent upon something or to be steadily directed. Hebrews 12:1-2, directly following the great faith chapter of the Bible, reads, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus lived His life set and fixed upon the plan God had for Him and the victory that was only to be found in Him. There has been no greater trial to man than the crucifixion Jesus endured, but He kept His focus on victory. Christians, the victory is already won for us! Let’s keep our faith fixed in that truth! This means we’re going to have to stand guard against distractions and against sin that tries to entangle us.

Another definition of the word “fixed” is not fluctuating or varying, but definite. Philippians 1:27, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Someone whose faith is fixed isn’t wishy washy. A Christian isn’t meant to have faith one day and fear the next. A Christian isn’t meant to live for a God one day and live in the world the next. To be fixed, isn’t fluctuating. As the body of Christ, we need to be in one accord, fixed with the same faith, striving together to reach this lost world.

A final definition of the word “fixed” that stood out to me is, to be set in order. The Word of God has this amazing ability to set our lives in order, in perfect order as God intended. God is a god of order (1 Corinthians 14:40), and He wants our lives to be lived in order. When our faith in His Word is fixed, meaning we will follow it above all else, we’ll have perfect peace, perfect provision, perfect strength and health, perfect joy.

The early church continued daily in the faith (Act 2:46) and lived daily their faith in the Word and in what Jesus did. The early church also saw many miracles, many healings, and thousands turn their lives to Christ. Let us follow that example, having our Faith Fixed.

Be Blessed,
Pastor Renée

Words, Words, Words…

Matthew 12:35-37 says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

That word justified means to be pronounced just and righteous, just how we ought to be. It means our words will either declare our born again, righteous nature or they won’t. That word condemned means to be found guilty. When we don’t speak right, it denounces Christ in us and what He did for us. We have a choice to make when it comes to our words.  Are we going to get our words lined up with God’s Word or are we going to let our mind, influenced by our five senses and our emotions, influenced by this natural realm, control our tongue?

The Bible compares our tongue to the rudder of a ship, to the bit in a horses mouth, and to a small fire. (James 3:2-6) Our words seem so insignificant, but have great power. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us of an important truth, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Literally, your words can bring you life or they can bring you death. Our words have creative power!

Proverbs 21:23 very wisely writes, “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue, Keeps his soul from troubles.” “I’m never going to get better.” “This credit card is never going to be paid off.” “I’m never going to find a spouse.” “They’re never going to hire me. I’m not qualified.” “Everyday something bad happens..it’s just the way it is for me.” “I can’t…it’s too hard!” “My kids are never going to listen to me.” “I’m never going to be able to forgive so and so.” “I’m so depressed. I’m never going to find happiness.” It’s just so easy to spout off at the mouth isn’t it? But we’re called to guard our tongues!

So what should we be saying? As Christians with a new nature on the inside of us, our words should reflect this truth. Joshua 1:8 tells us, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

If you keep this Holy Word of God on your lips and in your heart, you’ll have good success and be prosperous. The prosperity and success the Bible speaks of here include peace, joy, health, provision, stability, and so much more! Go ahead and try it! I dare you! Speak the Word, stop speaking doubt and unbelief, and watch the change it brings to your life. Amen?!

Be Blessed,
Pastor Renée

Be Fruitful

Ephesians 2:10 in the Amplified Bible says, “For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” This scripture isn’t telling us that God is some sort of puppet master pulling strings in Heaven. Instead, the truth is that God planned only good things for mankind.

Originally, when man was formed out of the dust of the ground and God breathed life into him, (Genesis 2:7) His intention was for mankind to have dominion, to live with authority and abundance, and to love and be loved. God even cared about the scenery! He made for mankind every tree that was pleasant for sight! (Genesis 2:9)

Look back to Genesis 1:28, “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” God told mankind to be fruitful. This means to bear fruit. If you’ve ever planted a fruit tree in your yard or a tomato plant, you know that its success is determined by whether or not it bears fruit. You also probably wouldn’t have planted it in the first place unless you intended it to bear fruit. The Lord planted us, mankind, so to speak, in order for us to bear fruit. Look at John 15:8, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” It’s important that we live fruitfully.

Something else we need to recognize as Christians is the fact that we have the freedom to determine whether or not we bear much fruit. Galatians 5:13, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh…” You may be reading this thinking, “I’m no apple tree. What’s the fruit she’s talking about?” Galatians 5:22 explains this very well, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” God intended this to be a picture of His born-again creation. Every time we display love, God’s love, not the world’s love, we’ve grown another apple. Every time we choose to live in joy and peace though the circumstances tell us we should worry and fret, we grow another apple. Every time we obtain His promises by faith and patience, we grow another apple. Every time we’re faithful to come to church, to read the Word, to sing His praises, we grow another apple. Every time we put down the lusts of the flesh, those things that make us comfortable, and follow His way above all else, we grow another apple.

In Matthew 7:16-17, Jesus says, “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” We choose the fruit we want to bear. Let’s bear the good, healthy, abundant fruit of the Spirit. Amen!?

Be Blessed,
Pastor Renée

Man vs. God

1 Timothy 4:8 says, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”

Now look at James 4:4, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

Humanism is a dangerous thing and it has crept its way into the church. Whenever we take the focus off of God and put it on us, we’ve already lost the fight. I am not saying people don’t matter, not in the least. What I am saying is you cannot have the strength of God and the strength of man coinciding. Humanism is simply exalting man above God. Though it is disguised as empowering and uplifting to people who are weak, it is another tool of self-absorption. This time we live in is the epitome of self-absorption, therein revealing one of the greatest reasons for the waning of the power of God.

Man is not stronger, nor ever will be, than God. However, God does not force Himself or His way upon anyone. I was called from my mother’s womb to be a pastor, but I had to get in line with His will in order for it to ever come to pass. Walking with God is always a choice and many fail to ever realize its importance in their lives and the lives of others.

In the few years that I have pastored, I have already seen trends that my pastor always told me I’d see. People come to God when there’s nowhere else to turn, and some leave as soon as they get what they want. People will get help in some areas through the Word but reject others because they don’t like what it says or because it’s “too hard”. God doesn’t fail people but people time and time again fail God. I am not talking about all people. Some people come in, get connected, and never look back. Others continually reject God then blame Him for not coming through for them.

I have seen people live in discord and reject His body, then wonder why they don’t see healing in their own. I’ve seen people who know what’s right, refuse it, then suffer calamity, questioning God as to why. I have also seen people healed of cancer, depression, various injuries, drug addiction and more, and live fruitful lives serving God. God is love and He loves unconditionally but so often we confuse that with what He’s willing to do.

Think about it like this: imagine you had a family member that abused drugs or had a gambling addiction. This person spent every penny that they got on on their addiction without even a consideration. Would you give them money if they asked for it? If you did, you would be just as, if not more, liable for their trouble as they are. God is the same. We don’t always recognize God’s blessing because most of it goes unseen. You won’t know until you stand before Him how many times He sent angels to save you or had someone faithful praying for you. He blesses us greatly all the time, but the fullness of His blessing comes when we submit our lives to Him.

It’s sad, but I have seen many who will choose just about anything over God. Sure they believe in Him, sure they go to church once in a while, but these are people that will drop it all, and instantly at that, for frivolous things. People will skip church for nice weather or a myriad of other things not caring in the least that maybe someone needs their faith there that Sunday. They will spend money on toys and trips and clothes not considering that someone’s salvation was attached to that building project or new church plant.

It’s time that the whole Body of Christ jumped on board the same train. It’s time that we all contend for what God wants. It’s time we change our focus to see God’s plan and then see it through to the end. Don’t desire the power of God just because you need it, desire it because He gave it to help all people. Don’t just seek God’s hand and what He can do for you; seek His face and watch what He will do for you!

Be Blessed,
Pastor Jeff

Greater Works

John 14:12 says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”

I’m a great believer in the importance of spiritual context. I believe that if there is anything God wants us to do today there will be scriptural precedent for it. God is a God of stability, and true stability is found when we adhere closely to what the Word of God shows us.

So what about those works? Jesus walked on water, shouldn’t we? Jesus spit in the eyes of blind people and they saw, shouldn’t we? Jesus fed thousands of hungry people with out spending a dime, miraculously multiplying just a little bit of food, why don’t we? Sometimes in dealing with the letter of the Word we forget about an extremely important principle, the heart of it. I’m a believer in miracles, I’ve witnessed many. I’ve experienced the power of God, and you can’t convince me it doesn’t still meet us. What then should the believer’s life look like? Well, in short, just like Jesus’s.

We need to ask ourselves, what was the heart behind all that Jesus did? It was to teach us and guide us to fully trust in God’s ability to work in us all the way through to the victory of life, that is, all that can come against us in life. Jesus performed amazing miracles, but the miracles themselves were not the point. God wasn’t merely trying to impress us. Trusting in, seeking out, and ultimately being obedient to the Lord in everything we say and do was the point. Jesus didn’t walk on water because He had a special ability to. He did so because He was fully and completely led by the Holy Spirit within in Him. There was need in that moment for those followers to witness the power of God so their faith would be built in it. Once they saw what God can do, then trusted in Him, they were being prepped to go into the world to live miraculous, Spirit inspired, and victorious lives, teaching others to do the same. Often times we will be so intent on seeing someone “walk on water” that we miss the miraculous happening right before us. I’m not saying something like walking on water can’t or won’t happen, but I’m saying it isn’t the focus and purpose of God’s power.

Unlike when people may perform lying signs and wonders, the miracles Jesus performed always had great purpose. Don’t get me wrong, miracles do happen, but there is purpose to them. See, in these Biblical days we have two ditches in the church. There are those that believe in no more true miracles and then there are those who have an abundance of “miracles” with no purpose. God isn’t found in either ditch. He is found smack dab in the middle of the road.

In Matthew 6:33 Jesus told us, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” What are the things that will be added? I’ve heard many speculate it’s this or that, but not those. We can know the “things” if we know the Word and the heart of the Father. The things are whatever things that, if not had, could cause us to worry. How do I know? Because the heart of any good father is to provide. The heart of God our Father is to provide even more. He Himself said, if you being evil give good things, how much more Me? The entire beginning of our Bible shows us how God created provision before He even placed us on earth, then throughout the Bible of how He is always working in us to ensure we are taken care of.

Miracles still happen, and I’m convinced if God needs you to walk on water, He will show you and you will. We just have to remember that the purpose of any miracle is always the same purpose, to show us the heart of God and to lead us to trust Him more. Religion takes the move of God and makes doctrine and ritual out of it. Faith seeks to know God, then follow Him into all He shows us to do. The Word is given to keep us grounded. The Spirit is given to keep us focused on Him. That’s why if you are a Word and Spirit believer, you will walk out the blessed plan of God, through all the storms, over all the mountains into the realm of peace and joy, in the fullness of His blessing! What more could we ever ask for? What greater miracle could He ever perform?

Be Blessed,
Pastor Jeff