Matthew 26: 20 - 22, When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. Now as they were eating, He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?" NKJV
Is it possible for a Christian to know what they are capable of doing? God told Jeremiah that the heart of man was desperately wicked and deceitful above all things, and who can know it. God also told Jeremiah that He searches our hearts. According to today's passage, the disciples not only didn't know who the betrayer was, but each one wondered if it was him.
Likewise, when we get into desperate situations, it can cause us to panic and become defensive or territorial. If we should allow the power of lust to rule our hearts, it can drive us to commit unrighteous and evil acts. The key to overcoming the evil that is in our hearts (caused by the fall of man) is to trust God with our whole heart. As a husband, father, and pastor, I ask the Lord regularly to keep me from acting out of my heart in a sinful way against Him.
While studying God's Word, I have found that there is nothing wrong with telling other like-faith believers that you don't trust your own heart. In fact, the Bible tells us in Proverbs not to lean to our own understanding, but in all our ways, we are to acknowledge God. Peter tells us in his epistle that Satan is going about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. How does he know who is a likely candidate, and who isn't? He sets us up in certain challenging situations, and when the test comes, he moves in with his lies with the hope that we won't turn to God, but, instead, listen only to him.
Remember, Jesus calls us sheep, and as such we are vulnerable to the wolves of the world. If we should stray from the protection of our Shepherd and the communion of the flock of God, we can become prey for Satan to attack us in our mind, emotions, and desires. If you feel that God has given me this word specifically for you, then know there is something you can do today to keep you from crossing certain lines that will place you at odds with the Lord.
Each disciple asked Jesus if they were the one He was speaking about that would betray Him. Likewise, we must also turn to the Lord and ask Him to keep us from listening to or trusting in our own hearts. This is called having integrity before the Lord. Once we give ownership of our hearts over to God, it is His responsibility to keep us from anyone or anything that might be a setup from Satan.
Satan preys on our spiritual ignorance and blind spots so that he might gain an upper- hand over us. Paul tells us in Timothy that Eve was deceived, but that Adam wasn't deceived. Therefore, we must give our entire heart over to the Lord and place our trust in Him. As we begin to practice this, the Holy Spirit can begin to lead us into all truth, keep us from temptation, and deliver us from evil.
When God called Abraham out of his father's country and away from his kindred, it's obvious that Abraham had some flesh issues in his heart. On occasion, when he would go into a new place, he would ask Sarah to tell a partial lie; he asked her to say she was his sister and not his wife. He did this because of fear that the men of that village or city would try to kill him in order to get Sarah, since she was very beautiful. Let me interject this thought: notice that Abraham totally excluded God from the situation and made an assumption, which ultimately got him into trouble with the king. He was leaning on his own understanding (Genesis 20).
One day Abraham entered Gerar, whose king was named Abimelech. To protect himself, Abraham asked his wife to lie. Because of this fabrication, the king took Sarah into his house that night. God appeared to the king while in a dream. In the dream, God told him that he was a dead man because he had taken another man's wife. Of course, you can imagine how this made the king feel, seeing that he had been lied to by Abraham. When the king told God that he had done this out of the integrity of his heart, God replied, "Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore, I did not let you touch her.
I love this story because it shows how God will keep me when I have been set up by someone else's wrongs...wrongs that might cause me to believe a lie and sin against God. God will keep us from sin as long as we honor Him continually in our hearts, as He did with Abimelech. God didn't allow the king to commit a sin that would bring a curse on him and his people. The Lord doesn't want us to be pierced through with great sorrow because of sin that we committed out of our ignorance. He desires that we trust in Him and honor His Word so that He might keep us from entering into temptation. Fear and lust both want you to listen to them as you make daily decisions; listen to God instead.
Lord, is it I?
Pastor Asa Dockery
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Free At Last
Romans 8: 12 - 14, So, dear brothers, you have no obligations whatever to your old sinful nature to do what it begs you to do. For if you keep on following it you are lost and will perish, but if through the power of the Holy Spirit you crush it and its evil deeds, you shall live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. TLB
The Lord hates sin, and He hates it for a good reason; it destroys the souls and lives of those He has created and loves. We can see the love of God in the story of Israel's great exodus from the land of bondage. Pharaoh was an oppressive king over God's people. The taskmasters under Pharaoh were cruel to the children of Israel. If they didn't meet their daily quota of bricks and hard labor they would beat them. But after 400 years of that oppression, the Lord heard and answered the cries of His people because of their afflictions.
In much the same way, sin is a harsh taskmaster over God's fallen creation. So as He sent Moses to deliver Israel, He has also sent Jesus to deliver fallen man from the oppression of Satan over the world. Just as Egypt had cruel taskmasters, we too have the flesh nature to contend with on a daily basis. Although, we, who are born again have been made free from sin, we also know that the flesh nature which is rooted in bondage to the spirit of fear wants to oppress our lives with habits, lusts, and weaknesses of our flesh.
Even though you are a Christian that has experienced the saving grace of our heavenly Father, you may still be struggling with bondage to sins and to fear in your life today. This isn't the time to retreat in condemnation, but it is an opportunity to hear some "good news" about your plight. Jesus never came to condemn fallen man because of sin; He was sent to love us and give His life for our sin that we might become God's righteous children.
I will ask different people from time to time if they're being obedient, and they all seem to have the same answer: "I'm trying to obey, or I'm trying to quit doing wrong." The truth is, God never required us to "try" ... this is why He has given us His Holy Spirit. As we set our hearts to obey the Lord, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome any struggle, offense, mountain, or fear that might try to stand in our way. Just as Paul wrote in the verse today, we are not obligated to obey our old sin nature and indulge in its evil desires, but we can, through the power of the Holy Spirit put to death the deeds of the sin nature and live in freedom. Our heavenly Father doesn't want us to live in bondage or put up with oppression from the Devil of our past. He has given us everything we need to live a fulfilled life of godliness.
Jesus said in John 10: 10 that He came so that we might have life in us and enjoy it to the full (or in abundance). We can only obtain that level of life in our soul by allowing the Holy Spirit to liberate us from the bondages of the flesh nature. If you struggle with a habit or sin and have felt as though you couldn't ever get free, then take these verses out of Romans 8 and meditate on them until you see the chains of oppression begin to fall off of your life. Each day when you wake up ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to live that day in total victory over the enemy of your soul. The key to total breakthrough is consistency. He or she that endures to the end shall be saved. The Lord wants us to walk in His life and experience His liberty in our hearts. My prayer for you is that this word today will become a reality in your life, and you will enjoy life as never before.
Walking in God's Power and Love,
Pastor Asa Dockery
The Lord hates sin, and He hates it for a good reason; it destroys the souls and lives of those He has created and loves. We can see the love of God in the story of Israel's great exodus from the land of bondage. Pharaoh was an oppressive king over God's people. The taskmasters under Pharaoh were cruel to the children of Israel. If they didn't meet their daily quota of bricks and hard labor they would beat them. But after 400 years of that oppression, the Lord heard and answered the cries of His people because of their afflictions.
In much the same way, sin is a harsh taskmaster over God's fallen creation. So as He sent Moses to deliver Israel, He has also sent Jesus to deliver fallen man from the oppression of Satan over the world. Just as Egypt had cruel taskmasters, we too have the flesh nature to contend with on a daily basis. Although, we, who are born again have been made free from sin, we also know that the flesh nature which is rooted in bondage to the spirit of fear wants to oppress our lives with habits, lusts, and weaknesses of our flesh.
Even though you are a Christian that has experienced the saving grace of our heavenly Father, you may still be struggling with bondage to sins and to fear in your life today. This isn't the time to retreat in condemnation, but it is an opportunity to hear some "good news" about your plight. Jesus never came to condemn fallen man because of sin; He was sent to love us and give His life for our sin that we might become God's righteous children.
I will ask different people from time to time if they're being obedient, and they all seem to have the same answer: "I'm trying to obey, or I'm trying to quit doing wrong." The truth is, God never required us to "try" ... this is why He has given us His Holy Spirit. As we set our hearts to obey the Lord, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome any struggle, offense, mountain, or fear that might try to stand in our way. Just as Paul wrote in the verse today, we are not obligated to obey our old sin nature and indulge in its evil desires, but we can, through the power of the Holy Spirit put to death the deeds of the sin nature and live in freedom. Our heavenly Father doesn't want us to live in bondage or put up with oppression from the Devil of our past. He has given us everything we need to live a fulfilled life of godliness.
Jesus said in John 10: 10 that He came so that we might have life in us and enjoy it to the full (or in abundance). We can only obtain that level of life in our soul by allowing the Holy Spirit to liberate us from the bondages of the flesh nature. If you struggle with a habit or sin and have felt as though you couldn't ever get free, then take these verses out of Romans 8 and meditate on them until you see the chains of oppression begin to fall off of your life. Each day when you wake up ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to live that day in total victory over the enemy of your soul. The key to total breakthrough is consistency. He or she that endures to the end shall be saved. The Lord wants us to walk in His life and experience His liberty in our hearts. My prayer for you is that this word today will become a reality in your life, and you will enjoy life as never before.
Walking in God's Power and Love,
Pastor Asa Dockery
Thursday, October 27, 2011
My Hope Is In the Lord
Matthew 9:36-38, But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." NKJV
The Lord has given me a special word of hope for you today. Everyone needs hope in order to endure difficult times...times such as we're faced with in today's world. You can feel the heart of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, when He saw the multitudes (in the verse above) as sheep having no shepherd. There are many believers out in the world that just don't know where to turn right now for hope. I know we all have Jesus, but even God said it wasn't good for man to be alone... and that was before the fall. The truth is, we all need one another, and we all need the Lord. We need someone to lead us and protect us spiritually as well.
It grieves the heart of God when His people feel as though they have no one to reach out to for comfort, direction, and leadership. It's just heart- wrenching to hear all that families are being bombarded with from the enemy. This is why the Lord has given ministers to the body of Christ, men and women who you can go to and find encouragement and hope in troubling times.
The word gospel simply means the "Good News." Allow me to expound on why the gospel is good news.To the sinner, who is spiritually blind, and can't find his way to God, Jesus is the Savior of the world; He came to seek and save that which was lost. He tells us that we didn't choose Him, but He chose us, and that's good news! To the person who has just received a bad health report and doesn't know where to turn, Jesus is the Great Physician. Our healing was purchased by the stripes that were laid upon His back. I could write a book and not scratch the surface of all that Jesus is to His people that are in need. The problem is connecting His people with the correct wisdom that will allow them to receive all that God has in store for them.
This world was created and established upon the truth. God upholds all things through the word of His power. So when things in the world begin shaking and you don't know what to do, simply turn to the Lord and His Word and ask Him to reveal truth to you, and He will. Truth can't be shaken; so if we have faith in the Word of God, we can't be shaken either. We can find hope in that. What has your heart's attention in this season of your life? Are you gripped with anxiety or apprehension over the condition of the world? Focus your attention on the truth of God's Word and watch as it transforms your life and outlook. Truth establishes us like an anchor and prevents us from being tossed around by the winds that blow.
Jesus tells us in the book of John, chapter 8 that if we will continue, abide, dwell in the truth, we will know the truth and the truth we know will have the power to make us free. Just begin to listen, read, and place your trust only in the truth of God's Word and you'll see the Lord do a mighty work in your life. So the key to the problem of connecting people with the provision is getting to know the Word. He's more than just a book; He's a person. He is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother. As you meditate upon Him day and night, His truth will begin to set you free. Do you know someone in your life that feels lost in more ways than one? Send this word of encouragement to them and let's be a part of making a difference in someone's life.
The Lord Is Our Refuge,
Pastor Asa
The Lord has given me a special word of hope for you today. Everyone needs hope in order to endure difficult times...times such as we're faced with in today's world. You can feel the heart of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, when He saw the multitudes (in the verse above) as sheep having no shepherd. There are many believers out in the world that just don't know where to turn right now for hope. I know we all have Jesus, but even God said it wasn't good for man to be alone... and that was before the fall. The truth is, we all need one another, and we all need the Lord. We need someone to lead us and protect us spiritually as well.
It grieves the heart of God when His people feel as though they have no one to reach out to for comfort, direction, and leadership. It's just heart- wrenching to hear all that families are being bombarded with from the enemy. This is why the Lord has given ministers to the body of Christ, men and women who you can go to and find encouragement and hope in troubling times.
The word gospel simply means the "Good News." Allow me to expound on why the gospel is good news.To the sinner, who is spiritually blind, and can't find his way to God, Jesus is the Savior of the world; He came to seek and save that which was lost. He tells us that we didn't choose Him, but He chose us, and that's good news! To the person who has just received a bad health report and doesn't know where to turn, Jesus is the Great Physician. Our healing was purchased by the stripes that were laid upon His back. I could write a book and not scratch the surface of all that Jesus is to His people that are in need. The problem is connecting His people with the correct wisdom that will allow them to receive all that God has in store for them.
This world was created and established upon the truth. God upholds all things through the word of His power. So when things in the world begin shaking and you don't know what to do, simply turn to the Lord and His Word and ask Him to reveal truth to you, and He will. Truth can't be shaken; so if we have faith in the Word of God, we can't be shaken either. We can find hope in that. What has your heart's attention in this season of your life? Are you gripped with anxiety or apprehension over the condition of the world? Focus your attention on the truth of God's Word and watch as it transforms your life and outlook. Truth establishes us like an anchor and prevents us from being tossed around by the winds that blow.
Jesus tells us in the book of John, chapter 8 that if we will continue, abide, dwell in the truth, we will know the truth and the truth we know will have the power to make us free. Just begin to listen, read, and place your trust only in the truth of God's Word and you'll see the Lord do a mighty work in your life. So the key to the problem of connecting people with the provision is getting to know the Word. He's more than just a book; He's a person. He is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother. As you meditate upon Him day and night, His truth will begin to set you free. Do you know someone in your life that feels lost in more ways than one? Send this word of encouragement to them and let's be a part of making a difference in someone's life.
The Lord Is Our Refuge,
Pastor Asa
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Watch Out For the Trap of Offence
Hebrews 2 : 9 - 11, But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren. NKJV
At times it might seem as if God has forsaken you, especially during a trial or temptation, but you are not alone. Generally, when people are hit with very hard situations or alluring temptations, they will tend to withdraw from other people. The favorite phrase is, "You just won't understand." Perhaps you've used that one before. There is One who knows and understands exactly what you're dealing with in your heart. He is called the High Priest of our confession... Jesus.
The last thing Satan wants you to do is give honor to the Lord. In fact, he will set you up for an offense through disappointment, betrayal, or a missed opportunity for an expected blessing. Beware of hurts... that you don't allow them to fester in your heart and cause you to become cynical. Here's what you must be looking for from the deceiver. When life offers you an offensive situation, you can be sure that the enemy of your soul is going to be close behind ready to sow seeds of unbelief... that God not there for you. If you don't recognize these thoughts as being Satan's seeds, and you allow your heart to think on the possibility that God caused this hurt or disappointment, cynicism will seep into your heart. It will be so subtle that you won't even recognize it, but it still doesn't negate the fact that now your heart has become callous against God in this trial.
This isn't the end of the story. Once Satan gets you to agree with his deception about God, a wall will be erected between you and the voice of the Lord. As that wall remains unchallenged by truth, it grows with each new hurt and furthers the separation in your heart from the presence of God. Now the love of God that once flowed freely has diminished to a trickle. It isn't over yet, because Satan has not been confronted at this point. If you have allowed cynicism to build a wall of hurt that pulls you back in your love walk, you are falling into the trap of isolation.
The walls that keep others from hurting you can become prison walls that hold you in isolation... so that you feel alone and vulnerable in times of trouble. The Lord calls us the sheep of His pasture. Sheep and wolves don't get along at all. The wolf waits in silence as a sheep becomes separated from the rest of the flock. At that point, they are weaker and become vulnerable to its attacks. One on one the sheep is no match for the wolf. As the enemy traps you through offenses in his web of deceit, it isolates you. With a wall of offense built in your heart between you and the Lord's presence, it creates a sense of spiritual weakness...so that when you would want to step out in faith, the strangle hold that the enemy has on you can pull you back into remaining neutral.
Finally, the good part... the passage that we used today says that Jesus was made perfect through suffering. Jesus was already perfect and suffering added nothing to His character. However, as our High Priest, He had to experience what sin has done to us and to be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, yet without sin. As the Spotless Lamb, He was perfect... so that He might offer Himself as an offering on our behalf, but as the High Priest, He had to suffer...so that He might be our Kinsmen Redeemer. He can relate to our pain, suffering, disappointments, rejections, etc.
So the next time you get attacked through the spirit of offense, be sure and remind Satan, when he tries to be your "buddy," that you already have a Friend that sticks with you closer than a brother. Remind Satan of all that Christ did for you on the cross so that you wouldn't have to suffer for your own sins. This will silence those lies and keep your heart pure before the Lord. With no bitterness or cynicism, the Word will have the power to impact your heart and bring transformation in your life. It will give you the victory through your faith to overcome every trial and temptation that Satan sends your way.
Hebrews 2:18, For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. NKJV
Keeping the Faith,
Pastor Asa
At times it might seem as if God has forsaken you, especially during a trial or temptation, but you are not alone. Generally, when people are hit with very hard situations or alluring temptations, they will tend to withdraw from other people. The favorite phrase is, "You just won't understand." Perhaps you've used that one before. There is One who knows and understands exactly what you're dealing with in your heart. He is called the High Priest of our confession... Jesus.
The last thing Satan wants you to do is give honor to the Lord. In fact, he will set you up for an offense through disappointment, betrayal, or a missed opportunity for an expected blessing. Beware of hurts... that you don't allow them to fester in your heart and cause you to become cynical. Here's what you must be looking for from the deceiver. When life offers you an offensive situation, you can be sure that the enemy of your soul is going to be close behind ready to sow seeds of unbelief... that God not there for you. If you don't recognize these thoughts as being Satan's seeds, and you allow your heart to think on the possibility that God caused this hurt or disappointment, cynicism will seep into your heart. It will be so subtle that you won't even recognize it, but it still doesn't negate the fact that now your heart has become callous against God in this trial.
This isn't the end of the story. Once Satan gets you to agree with his deception about God, a wall will be erected between you and the voice of the Lord. As that wall remains unchallenged by truth, it grows with each new hurt and furthers the separation in your heart from the presence of God. Now the love of God that once flowed freely has diminished to a trickle. It isn't over yet, because Satan has not been confronted at this point. If you have allowed cynicism to build a wall of hurt that pulls you back in your love walk, you are falling into the trap of isolation.
The walls that keep others from hurting you can become prison walls that hold you in isolation... so that you feel alone and vulnerable in times of trouble. The Lord calls us the sheep of His pasture. Sheep and wolves don't get along at all. The wolf waits in silence as a sheep becomes separated from the rest of the flock. At that point, they are weaker and become vulnerable to its attacks. One on one the sheep is no match for the wolf. As the enemy traps you through offenses in his web of deceit, it isolates you. With a wall of offense built in your heart between you and the Lord's presence, it creates a sense of spiritual weakness...so that when you would want to step out in faith, the strangle hold that the enemy has on you can pull you back into remaining neutral.
Finally, the good part... the passage that we used today says that Jesus was made perfect through suffering. Jesus was already perfect and suffering added nothing to His character. However, as our High Priest, He had to experience what sin has done to us and to be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, yet without sin. As the Spotless Lamb, He was perfect... so that He might offer Himself as an offering on our behalf, but as the High Priest, He had to suffer...so that He might be our Kinsmen Redeemer. He can relate to our pain, suffering, disappointments, rejections, etc.
So the next time you get attacked through the spirit of offense, be sure and remind Satan, when he tries to be your "buddy," that you already have a Friend that sticks with you closer than a brother. Remind Satan of all that Christ did for you on the cross so that you wouldn't have to suffer for your own sins. This will silence those lies and keep your heart pure before the Lord. With no bitterness or cynicism, the Word will have the power to impact your heart and bring transformation in your life. It will give you the victory through your faith to overcome every trial and temptation that Satan sends your way.
Hebrews 2:18, For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. NKJV
Keeping the Faith,
Pastor Asa
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
There Is a Difference
John 14: 23 - 24, Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me. NKJV
In today's passages, Jesus is instructing His disciples to demonstrate their love for Him by keeping and continuing the work of His Word in their walk. Please allow me a few moments of your day to make a distinction between love and trust. Do you have someone in your life that you love, but don't trust? They may be a relative or very close friend, but they have acted inappropriately toward you or violated your trust in some way, and this has strained your relationship with them. It's not that you don't love or care for them any longer; it is that your confidence in them has been shattered.
If any of those thoughts describes a relationship that you may have with someone, then let's look at this principle in a deeper way. God was displeased with man in Noah's day because of their hearts continually being filled with evil. Therefore, He made this statement about the flesh of man; He said, "My Spirit shall not always strive with man for he is flesh." Consequently, God shortened the lifespan of man to 120 years. Even though God has no confidence in man, God never stopped loving man.
In John 3, John writes about the love of God and declares that God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son. In spite of the evil ways of man, and although God couldn't trust the flesh of mankind to fulfill His will in the earth, God still gave His best for our worst. Although our sins stopped His will from being obeyed in the earth, it didn't stop Jesus from dying for our sins so that we might be reconciled with the Father once again.
Through His love, God looked beyond the symptoms of our sins, such as disobedience and lack of character and dealt with the root cause, which was an evil heart of unbelief. Now, all that God asks of us is that we place faith in the work of Christ and believe on HIM for our salvation.
Here's the point of today's word: When we come to faith in Christ, it doesn't mean that we will be spared from ever again having loss or pain. In fact, there will be times where you may get hurt at God and stop obeying Him because "your trust has been violated." It is during these times that Satan can get into the battle and use our pain to stop us from demonstrating our love for God. Remember, Jesus said, "If you love me, then you will keep or honor my commands." We must understand that love, and trust is NOT the same thing. Even though God couldn't trust us as sinners, He never stopped loving us. If we should allow an offense to stop us from demonstrating our love and gratitude through our continued obedience to God, then we have made the decision to love ourselves, or the object of our affection that was lost, to pull back our love from God.
You can see how Satan is very subtle, but effective in the way that he fights the children of God. We may not always agree with the way that God has chosen to sanctify us from our old ways, but we must not allow the loss or pain of "our cross" to keep us from loving God. Jesus has gone before us to demonstrate how to endure, and through love, finish the race that has been set before us by the Father.
By the Grace of God,
Pastor Asa Dockery
In today's passages, Jesus is instructing His disciples to demonstrate their love for Him by keeping and continuing the work of His Word in their walk. Please allow me a few moments of your day to make a distinction between love and trust. Do you have someone in your life that you love, but don't trust? They may be a relative or very close friend, but they have acted inappropriately toward you or violated your trust in some way, and this has strained your relationship with them. It's not that you don't love or care for them any longer; it is that your confidence in them has been shattered.
If any of those thoughts describes a relationship that you may have with someone, then let's look at this principle in a deeper way. God was displeased with man in Noah's day because of their hearts continually being filled with evil. Therefore, He made this statement about the flesh of man; He said, "My Spirit shall not always strive with man for he is flesh." Consequently, God shortened the lifespan of man to 120 years. Even though God has no confidence in man, God never stopped loving man.
In John 3, John writes about the love of God and declares that God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son. In spite of the evil ways of man, and although God couldn't trust the flesh of mankind to fulfill His will in the earth, God still gave His best for our worst. Although our sins stopped His will from being obeyed in the earth, it didn't stop Jesus from dying for our sins so that we might be reconciled with the Father once again.
Through His love, God looked beyond the symptoms of our sins, such as disobedience and lack of character and dealt with the root cause, which was an evil heart of unbelief. Now, all that God asks of us is that we place faith in the work of Christ and believe on HIM for our salvation.
Here's the point of today's word: When we come to faith in Christ, it doesn't mean that we will be spared from ever again having loss or pain. In fact, there will be times where you may get hurt at God and stop obeying Him because "your trust has been violated." It is during these times that Satan can get into the battle and use our pain to stop us from demonstrating our love for God. Remember, Jesus said, "If you love me, then you will keep or honor my commands." We must understand that love, and trust is NOT the same thing. Even though God couldn't trust us as sinners, He never stopped loving us. If we should allow an offense to stop us from demonstrating our love and gratitude through our continued obedience to God, then we have made the decision to love ourselves, or the object of our affection that was lost, to pull back our love from God.
You can see how Satan is very subtle, but effective in the way that he fights the children of God. We may not always agree with the way that God has chosen to sanctify us from our old ways, but we must not allow the loss or pain of "our cross" to keep us from loving God. Jesus has gone before us to demonstrate how to endure, and through love, finish the race that has been set before us by the Father.
By the Grace of God,
Pastor Asa Dockery
Monday, October 24, 2011
When God Is with You
2 Corinthians 12 : 7 - 10, And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. NKJV
Are you presently experiencing a very trying season in your walk? Perhaps God has instructed you to step out in faith and doing so is very overwhelming to you. However, if you're like me, you have a heart to serve God and gladly accept His plan... that is, until you realize that fulfilling that plan has caused you to walk out on the water, which, by now, is way up over your head. There are times when we get out of the boat and step right into a commitment or a trial that tries our faith. It seems those are the times that we are most likely to ask God, "Where are you?"
The Apostle John tells us that our faith in Christ is the victory that overcomes this world. He also teaches us what things are in the world that we will gain victory over... the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. When we find ourselves in a position or situation that demands we walk by faith in God, then we should know that God has strategically placed us there, not to fear, but to allow the power of God to flow through us.
God not only knows our how fragile we are. He also knows about our tendency to be self-sufficient. However, the middle ground for these two extremes is only found in the midst of trust. To borrow a phrase from Paul, we are usually caught betwixt and between two extremes. If God should push us beyond the breaking point of our humanity, there is a risk that we will revolt out of fear. Furthermore, if He should leave us in our comfort zone, there is a risk that we will run ahead of Him.
So why does God allow us to be in such hostile situations that we often wonder whether we will even make it through, and we question whether He is even with us? Paul found himself in this very place in his ministry and sought God so that He might remove this thorn...which was a messenger from Satan. God told Paul that His grace was sufficient for him; His strength was made perfect in weakness. If active faith in Christ flowing out of our hearts is the victory over this world, then this is where we need to reside, spiritually. After God instructed Paul of the importance of operating in the strength of His divine grace, his attitude was changed. He understood that God was working in him and with him through the adversity, and this gave Paul solace.
For the first time, Paul was willing to accept, not the thorn in the flesh, but God's will while resisting the temptation to give up because of the thorn. Now Paul was operating in the power of Christ like never before; he had gone to a higher level of resting in Christ and in trusting God with his life.
If this devotion has spoken to you about the present struggles in your walk, then allow me to share an important truth that I have come to know about God. When I have found myself betwixt and between and asked God, "Where are you and will you please remove me from this situation," He would begin to show me His hand at work. He didn't remove the situation, nor did He move me out of the experience. However, He would very lovingly show me signs of His presence all around me and that I was in the eye-of-the-storm. After showing Moses many signs to prove to the leaders of Israel and Egypt that God had called him, God told Moses, "You will know I am with you when you have led My people out."
The greatest sign God is with you is not that He has destroyed your enemies or kept you from the fiery trials, but that you have accomplished what He has called you to do while going through great adversity. Please allow this word to encourage you to continue obeying God in spite of the impossible situations because God is with you.
Walking by Faith and not by sight,
Pastor Asa Dockery
Are you presently experiencing a very trying season in your walk? Perhaps God has instructed you to step out in faith and doing so is very overwhelming to you. However, if you're like me, you have a heart to serve God and gladly accept His plan... that is, until you realize that fulfilling that plan has caused you to walk out on the water, which, by now, is way up over your head. There are times when we get out of the boat and step right into a commitment or a trial that tries our faith. It seems those are the times that we are most likely to ask God, "Where are you?"
The Apostle John tells us that our faith in Christ is the victory that overcomes this world. He also teaches us what things are in the world that we will gain victory over... the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. When we find ourselves in a position or situation that demands we walk by faith in God, then we should know that God has strategically placed us there, not to fear, but to allow the power of God to flow through us.
God not only knows our how fragile we are. He also knows about our tendency to be self-sufficient. However, the middle ground for these two extremes is only found in the midst of trust. To borrow a phrase from Paul, we are usually caught betwixt and between two extremes. If God should push us beyond the breaking point of our humanity, there is a risk that we will revolt out of fear. Furthermore, if He should leave us in our comfort zone, there is a risk that we will run ahead of Him.
So why does God allow us to be in such hostile situations that we often wonder whether we will even make it through, and we question whether He is even with us? Paul found himself in this very place in his ministry and sought God so that He might remove this thorn...which was a messenger from Satan. God told Paul that His grace was sufficient for him; His strength was made perfect in weakness. If active faith in Christ flowing out of our hearts is the victory over this world, then this is where we need to reside, spiritually. After God instructed Paul of the importance of operating in the strength of His divine grace, his attitude was changed. He understood that God was working in him and with him through the adversity, and this gave Paul solace.
For the first time, Paul was willing to accept, not the thorn in the flesh, but God's will while resisting the temptation to give up because of the thorn. Now Paul was operating in the power of Christ like never before; he had gone to a higher level of resting in Christ and in trusting God with his life.
If this devotion has spoken to you about the present struggles in your walk, then allow me to share an important truth that I have come to know about God. When I have found myself betwixt and between and asked God, "Where are you and will you please remove me from this situation," He would begin to show me His hand at work. He didn't remove the situation, nor did He move me out of the experience. However, He would very lovingly show me signs of His presence all around me and that I was in the eye-of-the-storm. After showing Moses many signs to prove to the leaders of Israel and Egypt that God had called him, God told Moses, "You will know I am with you when you have led My people out."
The greatest sign God is with you is not that He has destroyed your enemies or kept you from the fiery trials, but that you have accomplished what He has called you to do while going through great adversity. Please allow this word to encourage you to continue obeying God in spite of the impossible situations because God is with you.
Walking by Faith and not by sight,
Pastor Asa Dockery
Thursday, October 20, 2011
When It Costs to Obey God
Matt 5:43-48, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. NKJV
In Matthew 5, Jesus begins teaching us on the principles of God's kingdom, not about the traditions or doctrines of men. You will notice that Jesus requires more of us under the New Covenant; He tells us that unless our righteousness exceeds that which is set by the scribes and Pharisees, we won't enter the kingdom of heaven.
The Pharisees had the reputation of "believing in God," but Jesus shows us through His teachings that they didn't have a record of "obeying" God, especially when it cost them to do so. It doesn't cost us anything to become born again because Jesus has done all of the suffering for us. The scriptures say, "He who knew no sin became sin's offering that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ."
However, now that we're saved and have been made righteous, Jesus requires us as His disciples to obey or keep His commands. Although it didn't cost us to believe in Jesus for salvation, it will now cost us (our flesh) to obey the Lord as His disciples. In Romans 4, we read where Abraham heard the promises of God, and God accounted his faith as righteous. Romans chapter 10 tells us to believe in Christ and confess Him as Lord, and we, too, shall be saved or righteous in God's sight.
God doesn't want us to remain just righteous; He desires for us to become mature or complete and blessed. After Abraham believed on God to fulfill what He had promised him, God instructed Abraham to take Isaac, his only son, and offer him on Mount Moriah. This act of obedience would cost Abraham his son, and it would cost Isaac his life, but in spite of the cost, Abraham still obeyed. If you will read Genesis 22: 16 - 18, you will notice that immediately after Abraham obeyed God's voice, God declared he and his descendants were blessed. Now, after obeying God, even though it cost him, Abraham is declared blessed.
You see, God doesn't just want us to be righteous, as I wrote before; now that we're righteous, God desires that the blessing of Abraham come on us through our sacrificial obedience to His voice, by faith. It cost Abel, Joseph, Job, and a host of others a lot to obey God's will, but they left this world blessed in the sight of God. The question that every Christian must answer with their lifestyle is this... "Do I love God more than this world or its pleasures?" Since becoming a believer, if you were to look back over the decisions you have made when God asked you to obey and it cost you, do your choices prove your love for God?
Blessed to be a Blessing,
Pastor Asa Dockery
In Matthew 5, Jesus begins teaching us on the principles of God's kingdom, not about the traditions or doctrines of men. You will notice that Jesus requires more of us under the New Covenant; He tells us that unless our righteousness exceeds that which is set by the scribes and Pharisees, we won't enter the kingdom of heaven.
The Pharisees had the reputation of "believing in God," but Jesus shows us through His teachings that they didn't have a record of "obeying" God, especially when it cost them to do so. It doesn't cost us anything to become born again because Jesus has done all of the suffering for us. The scriptures say, "He who knew no sin became sin's offering that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ."
However, now that we're saved and have been made righteous, Jesus requires us as His disciples to obey or keep His commands. Although it didn't cost us to believe in Jesus for salvation, it will now cost us (our flesh) to obey the Lord as His disciples. In Romans 4, we read where Abraham heard the promises of God, and God accounted his faith as righteous. Romans chapter 10 tells us to believe in Christ and confess Him as Lord, and we, too, shall be saved or righteous in God's sight.
God doesn't want us to remain just righteous; He desires for us to become mature or complete and blessed. After Abraham believed on God to fulfill what He had promised him, God instructed Abraham to take Isaac, his only son, and offer him on Mount Moriah. This act of obedience would cost Abraham his son, and it would cost Isaac his life, but in spite of the cost, Abraham still obeyed. If you will read Genesis 22: 16 - 18, you will notice that immediately after Abraham obeyed God's voice, God declared he and his descendants were blessed. Now, after obeying God, even though it cost him, Abraham is declared blessed.
You see, God doesn't just want us to be righteous, as I wrote before; now that we're righteous, God desires that the blessing of Abraham come on us through our sacrificial obedience to His voice, by faith. It cost Abel, Joseph, Job, and a host of others a lot to obey God's will, but they left this world blessed in the sight of God. The question that every Christian must answer with their lifestyle is this... "Do I love God more than this world or its pleasures?" Since becoming a believer, if you were to look back over the decisions you have made when God asked you to obey and it cost you, do your choices prove your love for God?
Blessed to be a Blessing,
Pastor Asa Dockery
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