Wednesday's Word - The Oldest Trick in The Book

Hello All,

So when is the last time you ‘ve been tricked…. You know… been had. Been took. Been hoodwinked, bamboozled, led astray ?(Sorry, got started and couldn’t stop). I tell ya, if there’s one universal thing that no one likes, its being tricked. You may even consider giving someone a fair shot as long as you can see it coming, but getting up off the ground feeling dazed and confused, wondering what happened is never a welcomed feeling. It seems odd that we can continue “fall for it” even though we know it’s coming. Well, I guess we may not know particularly, but it stands to reason that we know we have a relentless enemy whose only joy comes in seeing us fall. Do you ever consider that our enemy can’t make us fall whenever he wants to?

Here’s the word:

1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour

Now, focus on the first part of that verse. Be self-controlled. Does it seem odd that “self-control” is partly responsible for keeping you safe from trickery? You know what I think happens? I think people tend to focus a little too much on themselves which is self-consumed, not self-controlled, and that’s exactly when the enemy can start in on his routine that hasn’t changed in ages.

More Word: 1John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

If the prince of this world(John14:30) can convince you that you shouldn’t have to patiently endure NOT getting your way, (or really letting God lead you) then you’ve become fruit ripe for the picking. This is how the subtle serpent pulled off the first trick, and it’s how he continues to do it today. I mean, why change what works? Even if it is the oldest trick in the book.

In Him,
Cros

Wednesday's Word - No Way in Hell

Hello All,

I really find it interesting at some of the things people say without thinking. As I walked to my desk yesterday I over heard one of those familiar phrases and it caught my attention; "There's no way in hell ....blah blah blah (as I passed out of range of the conversation). So I pondered: Not many people know this about me, and I don't share it for any other reason except relevancy, but in the 8th grade, I was homeless, albeit just for a few hours. My mother, sister and I were checking into one of the many missions in Los Angeles and for those few hours, I really couldn't make sense of how we'd gotten there.
It was really surreal; not that we were being kicked out of Beverly Hills or anything, we were well acquainted with going without, but this was different.
And as bad as it was, there was a will and there was a way. We ended up moving in with extended family in Inglewood.
I'm sure you have stories of things that've happened in your own life that find you shouting Hallelujah! When you reflect on being delivered from them.
Some of 'those times' leave lasting scars that are still very painful to remember. And it may not have been your will that provided the way out of it, but at least not only was there a will, but there was a way. And now, that particular instance is a memory. But what about after this life?

Here's the word:

Luke 16:22-26 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he (the rich man) lift up his eyes,
being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue;
for I am tormented in this flame.But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this,
between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

We don't talk much about Hell these days other than in some disassociated way like many other things we flippantly say in passing. But back on July 8, 1741 Johnathan Edwards delivered the famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", during a time called the Great Awakening (google it if you've never heard of it). But when I stop to think, do people really believe that Hell is real and that its gonna take a miracle to provide a Way for all of us not to go? Well a Miracle has provided such a Way through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Because although it may be said over and over with little or no thought whatsoever....There's no way in Hell.

Wednesday's Word - Need Jesus?

I was talking with a friend the other day and afterwards I really couldn’t get passed the feeling that people really need Jesus. Not in that funny sort of way that sitcoms use in conjunction with a laugh track, but in a real way that showcases just how much of a Uniquely Genuine Person He is. There are so many religions, 40 of them are listed at religioustolerance.org. And for the most part (not including Satanism of course), these religions speak very highly of Jesus, some even claiming that He holds a special place in their “religion”…But is that true? Would Jesus really condone their beliefs. I know that ‘s a touchy subject, so many people think Jesus’ main message was “getting along with everybody”. But remember, Jesus caused quite a stir in the “churches” of His day. He wasn’t as “Qué Será Será” as people like to make Him out to be. Even His inner circle had to come to grips that.

Here’s theWord;

John 6:65-68 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

I didn’t want to make this too long but please read that story in John 6 about how Jesus presented them with some information that was hard for them to get a handle on; culminating in some of the disciples walking away. Is that the picture of Jesus you have? Have you tried to fit an ‘Anything goes’ type of Jesus into your “religious beliefs”? It’s worth reflecting on, trust me, cause when the Scriptures tell of Jesus saying “Depart from Me” in Matthew 7:23, I’d bet that a lot of those people thought they had Jesus. And at that single moment, it was eternally too late to Need Jesus.

Wednesday's Word - Circuit Training

Hello All,

Well can you believe that 5 weeks are already gone? We're wrapping up our time in the "Jim" and I really hope it was beneficial for you. I've enjoyed it immensely as every time I go to the Jim, I find new ways to "work it out".



Circuit Training-



Tell me if you've seen these people: They're always at the gym, and they're always on the same piece of equipment. Not that they're just hanging around it, I mean they're sweatin, making it "do what it do" but only focused on one part of thier body. Big chest and no legs, six pack abs but slouchy shoulders, big biceps but nothing else. In a word: Unbalanced. That's why I love how James finishes with the 5th chapter. He starts hitting it hard and he doesn't relent, He goes through on a circuit training type work out where he hits various parts of the body so that once you're done, you can expect full body results. I'll try and trail behind him, noting some high points:



Excercise for excercise sake is futile - big muscles don't impress God; use the strength (Resources) He blesses you with to help others.

Excercise patience- There's no magic pill that you can take to wake up "In shape" give yourself to the idea of long obedience in one direction...HIM.

Excercise restraint -Don't be a discourager. If you need to bring others down just to bring yourself up, work that out.

Excercise Integrity- Call it how you see it, anyone needing more proof than that are probably in need of exercise.

Excercise prayer - The fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Exercise your heart - no one can do it all and reiterating from James 3:2, we all fail at different things. Have a heart for people. A heart that goes out not only for them, but a heart that will direct your feet to them to help when you see them going astray. Want for them, what you want for yourself - A healthy spirit through DIE-et and exercise.





In Him,

Cros