The rumors about the disappearance of "The Warrior's Table"are greatly exaggerated. But the delay of this post somewhat plays into this posting TODAY, the day before the 3rd Anniversary of my wife and I (I love you, baby). First off, The Word of God is a living book, folks, plain and simple. It is more than just a string of words in chapter and verse form. Jesus told us the words that He spoke were spirit and life (John 6:63) and if you truly study this Word daily, it will add life to your, uh, life. Since I met my wife almost 7 years ago, I learned that the biggest problem I had was pride. I always thought myself to be better than everyone, lived on a higher plane of existance and because of who I was, I was the man to which you should genuflect. But she loved me enough to tell me, uh, bring it down, bruh. It's not that serious. I had two choices to make: either I hold on to my pride and continue to think myself a legend in my own mind, or I step back, take a good look at myself and say, "huh. I guess she's right. I do need to bring it down, and more than just 1 notch".
So, then, let's really take a look at what that state of mind had brought me: No close friends, the people of whom I thought I was better actually went on to realize great success in their choice of career, not just working a job, and I had nothing that I said I would have by now. Putting fear to the side for a minute, this is the fruit of pride, ladies and gentlemen (Psalm 59:12-13, Proverbs 13:10, Proverbs 16:18). It accomplishes nothing, it is fruitless, it requires too much energy to operate through pride, folks. And, above all else, it keeps God out of your life (1 Samuel 2:2-4, Psalm 12:3, Psalm 138:6, Proverbs 6:16-17). It causes family arguments, marriages to break up, friendships to be destroyed, and people who were prominent at a point of time to be vanquished. Look at King Nebbekinezzer, Moses, John The Baptist, Hitler, Stalin, Al Capone, just to name a few.
Have you taken a look around at the things that have been happening in our world, in our country, in our city? I would truly be afraid to live this life without God having my back. So I had to learn that the best way to stay under God and His protection is to humble myself before Him. If I am going to win the fight, I need to "lose it" by giving it and ME over to the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6). I am sure that you would agree that if our carnal nature wasn't something with which we need to contend (Romans 8:6-7, Romans 7:5-6) it would be an easy thing to do, yes. But check this out: you don't need to rely on your own strength to humble yourself (Matthew 19:26). I think that is the coolest thing around. The Lord God that created the universe wants to help us through the Holy Spirit to humble ourselves before Him. The thing He wants us to do by choice gets propmted in us by that which is not carnal. That's awesome!
OK, so what does this have to do with humility being the greatest offense? Well, think about it:
can a contentious person continue to be so if you remain humble and do not raise your voice? Does it make you a reliable employee when you always show a positive willingness to take on every task you're asked to assume? Aren't disagreements settled faster when one decides to stop trying to "win"? and what room does the devil have when you choose to do things in humility? Proverbs 17 pretty much says it all because humility is a misunderstood form of love. What does love, patience, and humility do? It forgives (Proverbs 10:12, 17:9), it endures hardship (2 Thessalonians 1:3-5), it brings about promotion and great reward (Job 22:28-30, Proverbs 29:23, Matthew 23:11-12), it bows out of a fight gracefully and let's God fight the battles (Isaiah 54:17-18, 2 Chronicles 20:15, 1 Corinthians 6:7), knows who they are, no matter what words of hate and lies are thrown (Ezekiel 2:5-7, Galatians 3:26-27) and it gives room for God to get and stay involved (2 Chronicles 7:14-15, Psalm 10:17, Isaiah 57:15, Colossians 3:12-13). If you stay on your knees and cry out to God, how can you lose?
It is the man who refuses to bend that gets knocked down first. It is the stiff-standing one that the stiff wind can topple. It is the one who tries to rise above everyone by standing on their heads that has no where else to go but down. But if you bow down and stay down, you keep yourself on steady and sturdy ground, with your enemies tripping over you and each other. Why not? Isn't God bigger that everything life can throw at you anyway?
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Warriors Seeds - Humility: The Greatest Offense
Proverbs 13:9-11
King James Version (KJV)
9The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
10Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
11Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
10Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
11Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
2 Kings 22:18-20
King James Version (KJV)
18But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard;
19Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.
20Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 12:7
And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
19Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.
20Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 12:7
And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
Psalm 9:11-13
King James Version (KJV)
11Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
12When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
13Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
12When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
13Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
Proverbs 29:22-23
King James Version (KJV)
22An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
11Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge
23A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
James 4:10-11
King James Version (KJV)
10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
11Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge
Sunday, February 12, 2012
"Remember To Love Yourself"
Sunday Morning, February 12, 2012, I had the distinct honor and privilege to share a testimony with the congregants of Lifepointe Church in Crowley, TX. Pastor Guy Earle, the Pastor of Counseling of my home church, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, invited me to Lifepointe's Recovery Sunday as a way to launch thier new Recovery Ministry for their churchgoers. I received so much love from Senior Pastor Chuck, Elder Brother Bob and all the people who came to both the early and 2nd service. After sharing my testimony on how God set me free from things that had me bound and Pastor Earle bringing the sermon about aligning yourself with God and what that brings, brought more love to both of us from those who either knew they needed to be set free, who were on their way to their victory or who were now in "maintenance mode" after being set free and delivered. God is so awesome, folks. Do you know the love that our Creator has for you and me? We sang "Friend of God" this morning and we all just opened up in praise and thanks to Him because He is our BEST FRIEND! Think about that for a minute. You are rolling with the One who said, "Let there be..." and made the universe what it is in all its splendor. But I digress.
I made mention about Tuesday being Valentine's Day and encouraged everyone, as they go on their love missions for that day, that they remember to love themselves. In this context, I was trying to convey that they need to look at themselves as people of worth, of significance, of one of God's loveliest creations. One of the best ways to show love to yourself is by taking care of yourself, especially if you have something within yourself that you are struggling with and need to be set free from it. Look at Proverbs 13:2-3 and Ezekiel 2:5-6 for a second. A lot of us have grown up with people who didn't love themselves so they said many hurtful things to us, about us and others. If the latter Scripture was something that was instilled in us while under the barrage of piercing words, perhaps we wouldn't be saying the negative things we say to ourselves when it's just you and the four walls. Proverbs 13:2-3 tells us that we will live out the words we say duing those times. It accounts for those of us that are overweight, have an addiction or hangup, have difficulty relating to people, and keeping relationships together. Take a moment and reflect on that for a moment before going on to the next paragraph. You might surprise yourself.
Folks, Jesus tell us to love one another, the way that people will know you are his disciples. Why can't this principle be turned inwardly? Why can't we do right by ourselves in the same way we show love to other people? Why can't you tell yourself how special you are? Why can you not tell yourself you are worth taking care of yourself health-wise? Why not be honest with yourself and God that you have things in your heart that need to be purged, hangups that need to be hung up permanently, addictions that need to be conquered? If you are mad at God, tell Him that. Believe it or not, He wants us to be honest and raw with Him (not Eddie Murphy or Richard Pryor raw); that's why He told us to cast all of our care on Him (1 Peter 5:7) so that He gets the room He needs to help set us free. We are not to suffer alone, folks. Hiding yourself away from people does nothing but allow Satan to play the mind games, the blame game, the shame game, and every other game he can to keep you bound. We can't go out like that.
If the words of Leviticus 19:17-18 do not abide in your heart, tell God first, then seek someone like a counselor or a pastor to confess it so as to be free from it. If you don't feel God's love around you and in you, tell Him and that same person. You can't make yourself stand in faith in God's Word? Speak it out. Things are not like they were in the 1970s or 1980s when saying you had a problem in the church labels you a heretic, a reprobate, and one who isn't truly walking with God, despite the "church folks" who may say otherwise. There is freedom to be had and lived day by day. There IS life to be lived in happiness, joy, and peace.You have to choose to discover it for yourself and DO it for yourself. Others around you will be blessed when you do because what you do or DON'T do DOES affect other lives besides your own. Remember that. Show love to your significant other on Valentine's Day, but starting TODAY, take the time to love yourself and continue therein day by day.
I made mention about Tuesday being Valentine's Day and encouraged everyone, as they go on their love missions for that day, that they remember to love themselves. In this context, I was trying to convey that they need to look at themselves as people of worth, of significance, of one of God's loveliest creations. One of the best ways to show love to yourself is by taking care of yourself, especially if you have something within yourself that you are struggling with and need to be set free from it. Look at Proverbs 13:2-3 and Ezekiel 2:5-6 for a second. A lot of us have grown up with people who didn't love themselves so they said many hurtful things to us, about us and others. If the latter Scripture was something that was instilled in us while under the barrage of piercing words, perhaps we wouldn't be saying the negative things we say to ourselves when it's just you and the four walls. Proverbs 13:2-3 tells us that we will live out the words we say duing those times. It accounts for those of us that are overweight, have an addiction or hangup, have difficulty relating to people, and keeping relationships together. Take a moment and reflect on that for a moment before going on to the next paragraph. You might surprise yourself.
Folks, Jesus tell us to love one another, the way that people will know you are his disciples. Why can't this principle be turned inwardly? Why can't we do right by ourselves in the same way we show love to other people? Why can't you tell yourself how special you are? Why can you not tell yourself you are worth taking care of yourself health-wise? Why not be honest with yourself and God that you have things in your heart that need to be purged, hangups that need to be hung up permanently, addictions that need to be conquered? If you are mad at God, tell Him that. Believe it or not, He wants us to be honest and raw with Him (not Eddie Murphy or Richard Pryor raw); that's why He told us to cast all of our care on Him (1 Peter 5:7) so that He gets the room He needs to help set us free. We are not to suffer alone, folks. Hiding yourself away from people does nothing but allow Satan to play the mind games, the blame game, the shame game, and every other game he can to keep you bound. We can't go out like that.
If the words of Leviticus 19:17-18 do not abide in your heart, tell God first, then seek someone like a counselor or a pastor to confess it so as to be free from it. If you don't feel God's love around you and in you, tell Him and that same person. You can't make yourself stand in faith in God's Word? Speak it out. Things are not like they were in the 1970s or 1980s when saying you had a problem in the church labels you a heretic, a reprobate, and one who isn't truly walking with God, despite the "church folks" who may say otherwise. There is freedom to be had and lived day by day. There IS life to be lived in happiness, joy, and peace.You have to choose to discover it for yourself and DO it for yourself. Others around you will be blessed when you do because what you do or DON'T do DOES affect other lives besides your own. Remember that. Show love to your significant other on Valentine's Day, but starting TODAY, take the time to love yourself and continue therein day by day.
The Warrior's Table - Warrior Seeds "Remember To Love Yourself"
Leviticus 19:17-18
33And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.
34But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 7:8
But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 7:9
9Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Proverbs 13:2-3
2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
Proverbs 15:32
32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
John 13:34-35
34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
King James Version (KJV)
17Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
18Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:33-34
King James Version (KJV)
33And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.
34But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 7:8
But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 7:9
9Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Proverbs 13:2-3
2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
Proverbs 15:32
32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
John 13:34-35
34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
"Integrity. What Is It Worth?"
In the movie "Courageous", a man named Javier was up for a promotion as a Claims and Inventory Manager at a textile company. He was to work a practice shift where 17 pieces of inventory were expected to come in. When they came in, the Owner of the company wanted him to do one simple thing: only take inventory of 16 of them and set the 17th unit to the side for "something special". Immediately you see a perplexed expression come over Javier's face, something that the Owner notices and that prompts him to encourage Javier to go home, think about it and give his decision by 10:00AM the next day.
He goes home to discus it with his wife, Carmen, who tells him how much money the promotion would bring to the family. They just bounced back from being behind on their bills and from Javier having lost his previous job as a construction worker. Carmen did want to go back to that existance again. But Javier did not want to compromise his principles nor his dedication to the truth because of his walk with The Lord. Carmen didn't want Javier to be without work because of what he was going to tell the Owner the next morning, but if that happened, she knew God would make a way. Javier goes in the next day at 10:00AM to apologize to the Owner that he could not take the position if it meant falsifying reports. But, instead of firing Javier, the Owner stood up to shake his hand and congratulate him for giving the RIGHT answer and securing the Manager's position. Before Javier left to give Carmen the good news, the Owner says, "Thanks for your integrity. It's rare."
Isn't it amazing how such a simple thing like integrity can be the hardest thing to practice and/or uphold? To tell the truth always, no matter what, is actually frowned upon. Case in point: while out buying Christmas presents for the family, we got all the way home with our "treasures" to discover that there was an item in the bag we had forgotten to pay for. Immediately, I am sure, many of you reading this are saying to yourself, "Why not just keep it? You already brought it home and didn't set off the alarm. Why worry about it?" But we did worry about it because that meant we stole it. We went back the next day, 'fessed up to our mistake and paid for it. The cahsier thanked us for our honesty and for coming back to take care of it.
But then it happend again a few days later, this time before we got into the car, and this time I actually hesitated. This hesitation was fueled more from wanting to to just go home because I was tired and it was a long day for us. But then I figured that was not a good enough reason to "steal again" so I went back in to do the same thing like last time. But this cashier reaacted to my confession as if I was the strangest thing that landed on planet Earth. It was obvious that she was asking those questions mentioned above but allowed me to pay for the item and go home, feeling better about the situation. The mentioning of these two scenarios was not to throw flowers at myself or to make look like such a "good person". The hesitation I experienced is proof that I am not such a "good person" (Romans 3:10-12) and that I truly need to lean on Christ and spend quality time with Him if I am to walk in doing good (Romans 8:2-9).
No, we are not perfect people and there is no one on Earth who doesn't make mistakes. However, spending time with God and meditating & studying God's Word is what can help us make more right than wrong decisions so that maintaining integrity is not such a challenge (Galatians 6:8-10). Over the last 10 years we have seen companies collapse, jobs lost, families destroyed, pastors losing their flocks, people falling into depression and/or committing suicide or even murder/suicides and governments fall. The more that lies and deceptions were covered up, the more that the truth wanted to be heard.
God truly wanted us to live more simple and uncomplicated lives. Psalm 15 tells us what happens when we do what's pleasing to God. Operating in truth is what gives God room to work in us and help us in difficult situations and trials, espeically when dealing with our enemies. Psalm 84:11
says it better when it talks about what The Lord becomes to us when we walk in truth and integrity. When you are tempted to not tell the truth or do the right thing, you need to remember that God backs up those who willingly obey His will. It maky seem like you're on the losing side if a job or friend is lost or and opportunity is taken away from you, but the Word said God follows through with His promises (2 Peter 3:9) and rewards those who are imitators of Him and Christ (Romans 8:17).
He goes home to discus it with his wife, Carmen, who tells him how much money the promotion would bring to the family. They just bounced back from being behind on their bills and from Javier having lost his previous job as a construction worker. Carmen did want to go back to that existance again. But Javier did not want to compromise his principles nor his dedication to the truth because of his walk with The Lord. Carmen didn't want Javier to be without work because of what he was going to tell the Owner the next morning, but if that happened, she knew God would make a way. Javier goes in the next day at 10:00AM to apologize to the Owner that he could not take the position if it meant falsifying reports. But, instead of firing Javier, the Owner stood up to shake his hand and congratulate him for giving the RIGHT answer and securing the Manager's position. Before Javier left to give Carmen the good news, the Owner says, "Thanks for your integrity. It's rare."
Isn't it amazing how such a simple thing like integrity can be the hardest thing to practice and/or uphold? To tell the truth always, no matter what, is actually frowned upon. Case in point: while out buying Christmas presents for the family, we got all the way home with our "treasures" to discover that there was an item in the bag we had forgotten to pay for. Immediately, I am sure, many of you reading this are saying to yourself, "Why not just keep it? You already brought it home and didn't set off the alarm. Why worry about it?" But we did worry about it because that meant we stole it. We went back the next day, 'fessed up to our mistake and paid for it. The cahsier thanked us for our honesty and for coming back to take care of it.
But then it happend again a few days later, this time before we got into the car, and this time I actually hesitated. This hesitation was fueled more from wanting to to just go home because I was tired and it was a long day for us. But then I figured that was not a good enough reason to "steal again" so I went back in to do the same thing like last time. But this cashier reaacted to my confession as if I was the strangest thing that landed on planet Earth. It was obvious that she was asking those questions mentioned above but allowed me to pay for the item and go home, feeling better about the situation. The mentioning of these two scenarios was not to throw flowers at myself or to make look like such a "good person". The hesitation I experienced is proof that I am not such a "good person" (Romans 3:10-12) and that I truly need to lean on Christ and spend quality time with Him if I am to walk in doing good (Romans 8:2-9).
No, we are not perfect people and there is no one on Earth who doesn't make mistakes. However, spending time with God and meditating & studying God's Word is what can help us make more right than wrong decisions so that maintaining integrity is not such a challenge (Galatians 6:8-10). Over the last 10 years we have seen companies collapse, jobs lost, families destroyed, pastors losing their flocks, people falling into depression and/or committing suicide or even murder/suicides and governments fall. The more that lies and deceptions were covered up, the more that the truth wanted to be heard.
God truly wanted us to live more simple and uncomplicated lives. Psalm 15 tells us what happens when we do what's pleasing to God. Operating in truth is what gives God room to work in us and help us in difficult situations and trials, espeically when dealing with our enemies. Psalm 84:11
says it better when it talks about what The Lord becomes to us when we walk in truth and integrity. When you are tempted to not tell the truth or do the right thing, you need to remember that God backs up those who willingly obey His will. It maky seem like you're on the losing side if a job or friend is lost or and opportunity is taken away from you, but the Word said God follows through with His promises (2 Peter 3:9) and rewards those who are imitators of Him and Christ (Romans 8:17).
The Warrior's Seeds - "Integrity. What Is It Worth?"
Proverbs 22:1
1A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.Ecclesiastes 7:1(a)
1A good name is better than precious ointment;
Exodus 34:6
6And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
1 Samuel 12:24
24Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
Psalm 15:1-3
King James Version (KJV)
Psalm 15:1-3
1Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?2He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
3He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
Philippians 2:4-8
4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
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