Digging Deeper Day 9- True Greatness

Barrier: Selfish Ambition

Breakthrough: Considerate

(Philippians 2:1-11)

It has happened again. I was recently told that a devotional book has been published with some of my writings as the basis of the work. You might think, great. No, not great because my name is not on the script anywhere. Someone else has taken my words and acted as though they are his. I can’t do a thing about it. He has copyrighted it. He has published it. I guess I could go to court and take the computer documents that will show the writings originated on an earlier date than his publication or anything he would have. But the Bible says not to take a brother to court. So, I have to just accept it.

A few years ago I was reading a bestseller by one of America’s foremost authors. In the middle of one of the chapters a familiar “short story” pops up. “Hey, I wrote that.” Unlike the previous person discussed, this author did give credit to the one he believed to be the author. Go figure! Someone else had the gall to give another author permission to write my story. Yes, yes, I would have gladly given him permission to publish the story. I mean it would have been a great honor. And, yes, I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that my pride was hurt by the fact that someone else got credit for my work. Okay, I was upset. Well, maybe I was a little angry. Alright, alright I was downright livid. Yes, I even developed a case of bitterness.

The first time it happened I was devastated. I had been writing away and my book was ready. I sent it to publishers and it was rejected. I inferred from their “rejection letter” that they hadn’t even read it. Not long after, I read the central story of my book in the famous writer’s book. It has been almost 20 years since that experience.

Honestly, I don’t think I had the maturity to deal with being a successful writer twenty years ago. My desire to write was fueled by all the wrong reasons. Success… Money… Fame… Speaking opportunities… Selfish Ambition…

This time around I am writing for the love of it. I’m writing because God has placed so many ideas in me that I’ve got to get them out somehow. Others have encouraged me and have assured me these writings would be of benefit to other Christians and those examining the Christian faith. Now, just a few weeks into writing again I find out someone has already published a work centered-around my writings.

Now maybe your thinking, if you are doing this so others will benefit why not rejoice? After all, it is already published. Well, I guess it must be the principle. I’m not Stephen King and this is not a “secular” work. This is a “Christian” work. A “Christian” work. Does something not sound fishy? This act is unethical. It is shameless. It is cheating. It is plagiarism. It is stealing. It is sin. It troubles me immensely. It troubles me that “secular” writers have a better code of ethics than “Christian” writers. It concerns me that someone would, without shame, “thug” another brother’s writings and publish it as his own. It is appalling. It is inconceivable. It is, and can only be defined as, Selfish Ambition.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”“Selfish Ambition.” The KJV translates the word as “strife.” The actual Greek defines the word as “electioneering or intriguing for office; a desire to put oneself forward.”

You’ve heard of it and seen it before. The person who will do whatever it takes to get to the top. Sleep with the boss. Become a brainless “yes” person. Compromise personal beliefs and values. Lie. Gossip. Cheat. Steal. Forsake family. Forsake church. Forsake God. All for personal advancement. When confronted they simply say, “I’m doing it for the family. It’s for you, baby.” To quote Don McLean in his song “The Cats and the Cradle:” “When you coming home Dad, I don’t know when but we’ll get together then, son, you know we’ll have a good time then.”

Selfish Ambition has blinded many people. It has murdered friendships and marriages. It has dashed hopes and dreams. It has stolen the innocence of children. It has forsaken common sense and good judgment. It has kissed wisdom goodbye.

Isn’t the literal definition interesting? “Electioneering for office?” Apparently the political arena was the “poster child” for selfish ambition in Bible days like it is today.

When I was in college I loved politics. I started out as a Political Science major. I got a job as a “gopher” at a prestigious law firm in Nashville. The State Chairman of the Republican Party and the State Chairman of the Democratic Party were both partners in the firm. What an opportunity for a young man like me to learn the ropes. Boy, did I ever learn the ropes. It just happened to be an election year. The Governor’s race was the big one for that year. As you can imagine our office was interesting, shall we say, a soap opera, with the two Chairmen being there. On the television and in the newspapers daily the people of our great state were witnessing the most heated, ugly election in the history of the state. Meanwhile, back at “the firm” something very different was playing out. Daily, I saw what no newspaper covered. I saw both candidates come in almost daily, hug, shake hands and go into a conference room with both party chairmen. An hour or so later all four would come out smoking stogies and laughing. Something was amiss. On the television nightly the state could envision one of the candidates killing the other, their hate was so great. Not quite. There was a little deal making going on between the four most powerful men in the state. A little “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” Four men were electioneering. Four men were putting themselves forward. Four men with selfish ambition. It was what they call a “win-win” situation. The losers? Everyone else! I saw the handwriting on the wall and like Joseph started running. My idealistic goals of changing the world were shattered by reality. So I fled from the world of “politics” into the world of “religion.” Whew! Thank goodness. No politics in that world! (Okay, well that is what I thought)

Selfish ambition. It is Haman kissing up to King Ahasuerus so that he can have the Jewish nation destroyed. It is the Pharisees taking the “most important seats in the synagogue and praying on the street corners to be seen by men.” It is Pilate bowing to the will of the people instead of using his authority to do what he knew was right. It is Ananias and Sapphira lying about the money so they could look holy. It is King Herod basking in the praises of his people: “You are a god!”

And what was the result of this selfish ambition? While we don’t know the exact end for the Pharisees and Pilate, we do know this. Haman died on the same gallows he built for Mordecai the Jew. Ananias and Sapphira died on the spot when confronted by Peter. King Herod was eaten by worms on the very stage, in front of the very people, who declared him a “god.”

Selfish ambition always ends the same. It’s not good. It’s not worth it. If you are on that track, change trains now! It is vain, empty. No good result will come from this pursuit.

So stop your lying, your cheating, your deception, whatever you are doing to advance yourself. Whatever you are doing to make yourself look better, look more qualified, look more experienced, or become more popular. Whatever you are doing, stop! Stop now before it is too late.

Greatness doesn’t come through cutting throats and cutting corners. It is doesn’t come through electioneering and “making things happen.” Greatness doesn’t come through beating the competition or winning at all costs.

This is where greatness comes from: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” There is that “humility” word again. It is not the breakthrough today but it holds the key to it. Remember the definition of humility from two days ago? “Never rising far from the ground.” “…In humility consider others better than yourselves.”

How can this result in advancement? How can this result in greatness? How can this result in achievement? Well, don’t take my word for it. Listen to Jesus:

“For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest." (Luke 9:48)“The greatest among you will be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)

"So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16)

“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." (Mark 9:35)

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

Now look at His example and the charge Paul gives us in the reading today:“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

There is greatness. Selfish ambition will promise you the Kingdom and give you a noose instead. Climbing the ladder of success will only lead you to the realization that you were climbing the wrong building. Stepping on others to get to the top will only lead to eternal judgment and a very lonely, empty life on this earth. This world tells us that “up” is the way to go. “You can do it yourself.” “Ascend into greatness.”

Jesus on the other hand teaches us real greatness. The road to greatness is down. “Never rising far from the ground” you descend into greatness. “Your attitude should be the same as Christ.”

DESCEND INTO GREATNESS“DOWNWARD MOBILITY”

Imagine below are steps. These are the steps to greatness. He did not “consider equality with God something to be grasped.” In other words he didn’t cling to His rights as God. Instead He emptied Himself and became a man. Even as a man or a God-man we might say He could have made Himself King or wealthy, but He didn’t. He made Himself nothing. He made Himself a servant. He lowered Himself below all men. “He considered all others above Himself.” He was still a God-man. As we know God is eternal. He is not flesh and blood. He does not die. Now comes a dilemma. Instead of going back to His “Godness,” Jesus became obedient unto death. In other words He went the way of all men. For that moment in His life He completely released His eternal self and was completely a man. As such, therefore, He endured the pain and suffering of the scourging with the pain of a man. He felt every blow of the whip. Every pound of the hammer into His wrists. You see, He didn’t just become obedient to death, He endured the worst death possible. He descended to the deepest depths. So that He could take on the full experience. He did this because of His love. He did this because He considered you better than Himself. The Greatest willingly became the Least. The First willingly became the Last. The Result? Greatness! Where did the greatness come from? God! That’s where all greatness comes from.

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

GOD
EMPTIED
MAN
NOTHING
SERVANT
HUMBLED
DEATH
CROSS

Greatness comes from God. You can’t get it anywhere else. It is His and His alone to give and will share His greatness with no one. So you descend. And then He lifts you up! So breakthrough into greatness! The descent starts now!

Does anyone know where I can get a copyright? I’m out of here.

Prayer:Lord, I long to descend into greatness. It’s not because I want to be great, it is because I want to be with you. Help me through your power to empty myself. To humbly consider others better than myself. Forgive me for my selfish ambition, my vain conceit. Remove those barriers so I might breakthrough and learn to be considerate. Fill me with your Spirit. Make me like your Son. IN HIS NAME I PRAY. AMEN…

Digging Deeper Day 8- Learning Gratitude

Day 8- Learning Gratitude
Philippians 4:4-9

Barrier:Ingratitude

Breakthrough:Gratitude

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4-9, NIV)

Today’s scripture is difficult for me. I don’t have any problem with gratitude necessarily. In fact, daily, several times a day, I thank God for all His bounties in my life. God has been good to me. Really good! I’m thankful. I give Him praise and glory for what He has done in my life and He has done “abundantly more than I could ever ask or imagine.”

But, as this scripture declares, there is more to gratitude than occasional thanksgiving or even frequent thanksgiving. It is an attitude. Paul is calling us to have “an attitude of gratitude.” Now normally I hate clichés but that one is so true. These 6 verses of scripture are the mission statement and action plan for the “attitude of gratitude” lifestyle. And it is a lifestyle. A lifestyle we are commanded, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to have.

First, we must examine the meaning of a barrier for today. Ingratitude means “ungrateful, thankless, showing a lack of appreciation.” I’m hit by two parts of this definition: (1) Thankless, (2) showing a lack of appreciation. This is where most of us are guilty.

“Thanklessness” is really “thinklessness.” We don’t “think” and our lack of meditation on God’s goodness results in the greatest sin a finite, mortal, flawed human saved by the grace of God can have: a lack of appreciation. We just don’t appreciate the blessings God has heaped on us. If we did we would never, ever have reason to complain. We are a spoiled people living in a spoiled nation. We take food, drink, clothing, and shelter for granted. We drink from the bounty of God’s blessings and still find ourselves wanting more. If we don’t turn the tide our children and our children’s children are going to find our spoiled nation “spoiled.”

The American way is looking less and less like God’s way. We’ve got to have the right car. We’ve got to have the right clothes. We’ve got to have the right house. We’ve got to have the right boat. We’ve got to have the right games and toys. We’ve got to have the best. More… More… More… We just don’t generally appreciate what we have.

Now, you may be saying speak for yourself Kenneth I’m very grateful. I don’t have a lack of appreciation. I’m not “thankless” or even “thinkless” for that matter. I understand. I would say to you that I’m not without appreciation or thanksgiving. Every time I see my wife, my children I’m amazed that God would be so good to me. My work is a privilege and a joy. I thank God that He called me to preach His Word. Then add to the mix my possessions: multiple cars, an incredible house and yard, food, clothing, etc… I praise God everyday. I’m not without appreciation or thanksgiving. I even “think” on these things multiple times daily. But, I do not have the “attitude of gratitude and at the center of my being I do show a lack of appreciation. At least according to the “Philippians 4:4-9 model.”

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Rejoice: to be well, to thrive and be glad. Rejoice! No problem we all rejoice. Rejoice always? I didn’t think so. I looked up the word always thinking that maybe there would be a different meaning to it than just the simple, well, you know, “always.” No luck. Always in English means the same thing as always in Greek. “At all times; always; forever.” Always? How can we be “glad” at all times? Death, disease, suffering, evil and injustice are rampant in this world. Have you watched the news lately? How can we rejoice about what is happening in the Middle East? How can we rejoice about pedophiles and serial killers?

“Rejoice in the Lord.” “In the Lord.” Is that possible? Is that practical? Absolutely! Paul is making a powerful point to all of us. First, it is possible to rejoice in Him always. He has been, is, and always will be good to us. He is our Provider. He is our Savior. He is our Peace. If you are in the Lord it is ALWAYS well with your soul. Not only is it possible to “rejoice in the Lord always” but it is required. It is essential. It is commanded. Failure to “rejoice in the Lord always” is sin. Ouch. No, way. But I’m a glass half-empty kind of guy. It’s just my personality. Guess what? The Lord is bigger than your personality. You don’t have the option to be a grumpy, complaining, whiner. That is sin! How do I know? Well, for one thing it was important enough to Paul that he said: “I will say it again: Rejoice!” That is a “here’s your brain, here’s your brain on drugs” statement if I’ve ever heard one. So what does that mean practically?

Quit whining Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit complaining Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit criticizing Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit murmuring Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit grumbling Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit playing the “devil’s advocate” Christian, Rejoice in the Lord! (Why would a Christian want to play the DEVIL’S advocate anyway?)

Quit arguing Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being difficult Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being cranky Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being belligerent Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being grumpy Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being crabby Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being difficult Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being irritable Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit getting upset so easily Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being so touchy Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit causing conflict Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being disagreeable Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit quarreling Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit disputing Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being contentious Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit disagreeing Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being ill-tempered Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being cantankerous Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being ornery Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being confrontational Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being cross Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being sulky Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being testy Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being so sensitive Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being so moody Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being spiteful Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being huffy Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit sowing discord Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being contradictory Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit stirring up controversy Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being unpleasant Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being distasteful Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being offensive Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being nasty Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being unlikable Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being a displeasing Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being at odds Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being incompatible Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being unreasonable Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being brash Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit challenging Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit provoking Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit insulting Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being so easily annoyed Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being morose Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being “in a huff” Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being resentful Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit brooding Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being “out of sorts” Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being “in a funk” Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit resenting Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being temperamental Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being gruff Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being short Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being curt Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being rude Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being impolite Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being discourteous Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being thin-skinned Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being easily upset Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being easily hurt Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being hypersensitive Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being glum Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being unstable Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being malicious Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being mean Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being horrid Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit debating Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit making a hullabaloo out of everything Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being objectionable Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being obnoxious Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being childish Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being hateful Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being cruel Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being hurtful Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being antagonistic Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being “unable to coexist” Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being crusty Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being irrational Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being so hasty Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit jumping too conclusions Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being rash Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being foolhardy Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being so impatient Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit judging Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit fighting Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit infuriating Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit irritating Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit aggravating Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit frustrating Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being miserable Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being pessimistic Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being blue Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being “down in the dumps” Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit fretting Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

Quit being ungrateful Christian. Rejoice in the Lord!

I don’t know if you are as tired of reading those as I am of making them up but hopefully the point is made. Hopefully, the point is clear. I know, I know. We all excuse ourselves. I’m sure there is a pet-peeve on the list. Something you think you are God’s answer to. Something you think is your calling. As I once told a friend of mine: “Criticism is not a fruit of the Spirit.” You can make it sound kosher by adding a word like “constructive” to it. It is still criticism. Criticism is destructive! Paul talks about this subject so much in every book he wrote.

We have people coming out of the woodwork to fill the roles above. What we need is people who “Rejoice in the Lord!” ALWAYS! We need people to “let their gentleness be evident to all.” In the words of the song, “we need a hero.” The world needs to see Christians who rejoice! The world needs to see Christians who are gentle. The world knows how evil we think they are. The world also knows that we can’t even be gentle with one another let alone anyone else.

The next phrase is intriguing to me. In the middle of no-where Paul puts this strange phrase: “The Lord is near.” Why? Fear factor, that’s why! “The Lord is near.” Enough games. Enough complaining. Enough! You are acting like God is far away. Quit acting like children and learn to get along! “Rejoice in the Lord always, I’ll say it again, Rejoice!” “Do not be anxious about anything…” But I’m making two house payments, paying two electric bills, two water bills, two gas bills, paying for one to go to college and two to go to a private Christian school. No, really. I’m making two house payments, paying two electric bills, two water bills, two gas bills, paying for one to go to college and two to go to a private Christian school. Our house in Florida was supposed to close last Friday. The people buying the house are from England and some of their paperwork did not come through. The house is back on the market. At least another month of double payments! (It turned out to be 13 Months!) (Also I could never, ever fathom the amount of broken bones, hospital stays, and constant trials we would face over the next three years!!! It would be awesome if I could go back to when I wrote this!) Yesterday I was anxious while I worked through our finances. I mean I was anxious. Hands shaking, voice quivering anxious. Our “Titanic” is starting to go down. Okay, okay, maybe our financial situation is not exactly comparable to the Titanic. Our dingy is going down. That’s even worse because it will go down faster! So that’s where I was yesterday. Then I woke up this morning.What did I find when I woke up? Today’s barrier. Today’s scripture. Let, me tell you God spoke to me loud and clear. LOUD AND CLEAR!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” I don’t know about you but when I read this passage earlier today. I considered it as a challenge. God was issuing me, not only a command, but a challenge! “Don’t worry, pray. Bring it on. Ask me. Come on, make my day. Quit fretting, quit doing all those other things. Rejoice in me! I’ve been good to you haven’t I? I’ve never let you down have I? I’ve been a good father to you, haven’t I? When? When have I ever left you? When have I ever forsaken you? Now, is the time Kenneth. Now is the time like no other for you to Rejoice! Just let it go! Rejoice in me! I will continue to be good to you! I will continue to be faithful to you! This is going to work out! I am God! I am near! So be a faithful child. Quit worrying and pray! Quit worrying and rejoice! Rejoice, rejoice and again I say Rejoice!”

Yes, Lord I rejoice! I am grateful! I believe! I will lay my request before you! I will not fret! I will not worry! I will not be anxious! I will not be unfaithful to you! I will not be ungrateful! I appreciate you and all that you are doing for me!

“That’s a good boy now here’s what I’m going to give you: I give you MY Peace! “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Gratitude is a faith issue. This scripture is a faith issue. Do you have faith? Put your faith in Him. Practice this scripture. God doesn’t need you to be a “glass half full” kind of Christian. He is looking for Christians who will give a true testimony of how it is. He is looking for “my glass is always full” Christians.

How can we maintain this? How can it be done? We must change the way we think. We must become “THINKFUL.” Guess what, Paul has told us how to do that: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4-9, NIV)

So, I guess the ending charge is the same as the beginning: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4-9, NIV)

GOD IS SO GOOD AND HE IS SO AMAZING! I NEED THIS TODAY MORE THAN ANY MESSAGE HE COULD GIVE ME!!! THANK YOU LORD!!!

Prayer:Do something different for your prayer today. Go to the list of things to quit… Pray that list. (This exercise may take a while but it will be worth it.) Commit to God that you will quit the list and rejoice in Him. Go through the whole list. Make a covenant with Him and ask Him to not only forgive but empower you to “Rejoice in Him always.” If we can make this change in our lives the transformation in our world around us will be inconceivable. Then pray through the remainder of today’s reading. Present your requests and then ask God to help you think of the things that are listed in the last few verses which will result in an attitude of gratitude developing in you.

Digging Deeper Day 7

Revival Calendar Day Seven
Digging Deeper

Barrier: Pride

Breakthrough: Humility

If the pursuit of God has become your life’s purpose, if seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness is your journey, if Christ-likeness is your ultimate goal, then you must know your enemy. Of course, your ultimate enemy is Satan, but in human form and character public enemy number one is “pride.”

Pride opposes everything that is godly. It is the seed of every other sin. Pride is the “Founding Father” of all sin. Think about it. What caused Satan’s fall in the first place? “You said in your heart, I will ascend to the heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of the assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:13-14) I don’t think so.

Go back to the garden. What did Satan tempt the woman with? “You will not surely die, For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:2-3) Looks and smells like pride to me. “You will be like God.” Yes, our goal is to be like God. Godliness, Christ-likeness is our pursuit. That is not what the serpent is saying to the woman. He is saying you will be like God. You will know what God knows, you will be a god. It is the same spirit that put him on earth in the first place: “I will make myself like the Most High.”

Pride: “Showing one’s self above others; preeminent; haughty; with an overblown view of one’s means or merits.” At its core pride is idolatry. It is setting one’s self up as “the Most High.” It is public enemy number one and it is the root of all sin. Dig up pride and you will find God. Keep it and you will find yourself as God’s enemy.

Examples: Pride led to the Cain’s murder of Abel. Pride led the people of the world to build the tower of Babel. Pride caused the fall of Samson and Saul. Pride blinded David from reality and blossomed into lust and covetousness as he took Bathsheba. But it was his pride, his moment of “most highness” that caused it all.

You might think, well, I’m not proud. In fact, I have a low self-esteem. If you went to God’s computer and typed in KEYWORD: Self-Esteem. God’s computer would come back with this definition: “showing one’s self above others; preeminent; haughty; with an overblown view of one’s means or merits.” You may think: what is he talking about? How is that possible? I have an under blown view of myself, that is my problem. No the problem is the view “of yourself.” Any view of “yourself” is an overblown view. “Low Self-Esteem” is all about “me” just like “arrogance” is. In the eyes of heaven there is no difference. Both are looking at the reflection in the mirror. Both are placing their faith in the face in the mirror. The only thing heaven acknowledges is that heaven is not being acknowledged.

Pride says “I don’t need God” I’m self-sufficient. Pride also says “why would God want to use me?” “God can’t use me,” I’m just a “nobody.” It is all pride. Both have placed their faith in themselves. There is no difference between thinking you can do anything and thinking you can’t do anything. The present ingredient in both is self. The absent ingredient in both is God.

Examine our reading today: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.”Notice the last statement. “You do not have because you do not ask God.” Why? First, there is a sense of self-sufficiency. Fights and quarrels have irrupted because the desires of the people are the goal. You have people who will stop at nothing to get what they want. Self-sufficiency causes them to think they can “fight, quarrel, kill, and covet to get what they want.” Unable to acquire their desires through effort they grab their bottles and summon the great “Genie.”

“3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” This is the worst form of pride: To think that the “Almighty God” will be tricked by our convenient piety. The belief that we can convince our Father in heaven to meet our selfish desires by deceiving him into believing this is for “His glory.” After all that is what this “pride thing” is all about: Glory. Who gets the glory? This isn’t about God at all. God will not be fooled. He knows our hearts. He will not share His glory with anyone. He doesn’t exist to be at our “beckon call.” We exist for His “beckon call.”

“4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?” “The world” is a term used to describe Satan’s realm. A life lived for self is a life lived for Satan. It is not friendship with God. A person can be a Christian and still befriend the world. (Jesus was a “friend of sinners.” Don’t let Satan change the subject. This is not talking about that. This is about the inner man.) The “spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely.” God will not share a throne with anyone. Our motives must become God’s motives. Our desires must become His. God will not feed our desires. There is the country song which says “sometimes God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.” Bad Theology! God answers all prayers. The song should say: “Sometimes God’s greatest gift is “NO!”

“6 But he gives us more grace.” That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." It is all about God. He gives more grace. We desperately need more grace. We exist, we succeed not because of our ability but His. Also focusing on our “low self-esteem” is a false humility. It is pride. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” That’s where I want to be.

The word “pride” was defined earlier, what about the word “humble?” Listen to this meaning from the Greek, it is awesome: “not rising far from the ground.” “God opposes the proud.” He opposes those who walk upright.

Imagine for a moment that “the purpose of life” is found in a can on the highest shelf in the kitchen. “Pride” says I can walk in the room and reach it myself. If I can’t reach it I will then construct something that will. If I can’t construct something that will then I will call on God to be my ladder and “I” will climb to my destination. “Pride” never descends to the ground, even when calling upon God.

The other side of “pride” walks into the room and reaches for the can of “purpose.” Not reaching it this “pride” might try to jump or construct something as well. Still not able to apprehend its “purpose” this “pride” calls on God in “humility.” Admits its weaknesses and shortcomings but nothing happens. This “pride” concludes that nothing can be done. “Purpose” cannot be obtained. “Woe is me.” Like “Pride” this “pride” never descends to the floor. This “pride” mistakes self- pity for humility. Self-pity (lower case pride) is no different than Self-sufficiency (UPPER CASE PRIDE). It is pride. It is self. It is upright and never descends to the ground.
Humility descends to the ground.

Humility like little “pride” recognizes purpose cannot be reached or obtained by human effort alone. Humility like big “Pride” asks God to help. Humility, however never rises from the ground. Humility knows that God is the subject. Humility knows that only “God’s grace” can reach the goal. To the ground he willingly bows and stays.” How does this humility process work?

“Submit yourselves, then, to God.” Do not surrender! Submit! Some have translated this as surrender. It is not surrender. It is submission. “To willingly place oneself under another.’ “Willingly” is the key word. Surrender does it when it is all out of options. When “Pride” realized it couldn’t reach the can of purpose it surrendered to God. Not willingly but because it was out of options. Out of options is not a good reason to come to God, unless of course, you willingly put yourself under the authority of God. Little “pride” just surrenders to insufficiency and self-pity.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God.” Put yourself willingly under God. In humility descend and stay there willingly. Oh, you will stumble, you will fall, pride will rear its head now and again but you are never rise far from the ground.

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

The word “resist” means to stand against. Now that sounds inconsistent with humility but it is not. The way you “resist the devil” is by refusing to rise. Let the Lord fight the battle. “Come near to God.” The closest we will ever get to God is not in a rocket or a space ship. It is on the ground. The devil wants us to look up. He wants us to stand up but we have submitted. We have drawn near to God. We have washed our hands, we have confessed our sins, God has purified our hearts. We have humbled ourselves before the Lord. The devil has no choice but to “flee.” “Run.” “Shoo.”

Oh, he tries to come back and remind us of our past. Accuse us of what we’ve already confessed to be true. Stay down. Never rise far from the ground. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” “He will lift you up.” He will lift you up, up, up to the top shelf. “Look, guys I found my purpose.”

Prayer: God, I submit myself to you. You are God and I am not. You are sufficient and I am not. You are Lord and I am not. You are King and I am not. Lord, I humble myself in your mighty Presence. I give myself to You. I want to be near you. I want to resist the devil. I bring you my sins, wash me Lord. I bring you my heart, purify it Lord. Father, forgive me for thinking too highly of myself. Remove all pride and false humility from me. Forgive me for trying to fulfill my own selfish desires. Forgive me for focusing on my own ability and inability. Father, I humbly bow down and submit to you as My Only God. I do this willingly. Take me Lord! In the name of Jesus Christ, my Purpose, Amen

Digging Deeper Day 6

Revival Calendar Day Six
Digging Deeper

Barrier: Vengeance

OLD TESTAMENT MEANING
Definition
to avenge, take vengeance, revenge, avenge oneself, be avenged, be punished
to avenge, take vengeance
to entertain revengeful feelings
to avenge oneself
to suffer vengeance
Other Usage - Total: 35
avenge 18, vengeance 4, revenge 4, take 4, avenger 2, punished 2, surely 1

Leviticus 19:16-18- 16 "'Do not go about spreading slander among your people. "'Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I am the Lord. 17 "'Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt. 18 "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”

Deuteronomy 32:35- “It is mine to avenge; I will repay.”

Psalm 94:1-3- “O Lord, the God who avenges, O God who avenges, shine forth. Rise up, O Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve. How long will the wicked, O Lord, how long will the wicked be jubilant?”

Proverbs 20:22- “Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.”

Proverbs 24:29- “Do not say, ‘I’ll do to him as he has done to me; I’ll pay that man back for what he did.”

Most passages which speak of vengeance talk about the vengeance of the Lord...

Jeremiah 46:10
“For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.”
Jeremiah 50:15
“Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.”
Jeremiah 51:36
“Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.”

New Testament Meaning
Definition
to vindicate one's right, do one justice
to protect, defend, one person from another
to avenge a thing
to punish a person for a thing
Other Usage - Total:
vengeance 4, avenge + (4060)&version=kjv 3, revenge 1, punishment 1, 9

Matthew 5:38-42 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Romans 12:17-19 “17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.”

Hebrews 10:30-31 “30 For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Breakthrough:
Mercy

Old Testament Meaning
Definition
to be gracious, show favor, pity
to show favor, be gracious
to be pitied
to make gracious, make favorable, be gracious
to direct favor to, have mercy on
to be shown favor, be shown consideration
to seek favor, implore favor
Other Usage - Total: 78
mercy 16, gracious 13, merciful 12, supplication 10, favour 7, besought 4, pity 4, fair 1, favourable 1, favoured 1, miscellaneous 9

All the Old Testament accounts which speak of man showing mercy upon man are found in Proverbs.

Proverbs 14:21
“He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he”
Proverbs 14:31
“He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor”
Proverbs 19:17
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”


The passages which speak of God having mercy on men are too numerous to mention...(Close to 50 in the Psalms alone...)

Psalm 4:1
“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.”
Psalm 6:2
“Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.”
Psalm 9:13
“Have 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”

New Testament Meaning
Definition
to have mercy on
to help one afflicted or seeking aid
to help the afflicted, to bring help to the wretched
to experience mercy

Other Usage - Total: 31
have mercy on 14, obtain mercy 8, show mercy 2, have compassion 1, have compassion on 1, have pity on 1, have mercy 1, have mercy upon 1, receive mercy 1

Matthew 5:7- “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Matthew 5:43-48- 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Matthew 9:35-38- “35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Luke 6:27-38

Romans 9:14-16- “What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For He says, ‘I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.’ It does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.”

Romans 12:9-21

James 4

Love Wins, Kenneth

Digging Deeper Day Five

Revival Calendar Day Five
Digging Deeper

Barrier: Arrogance

Really arrogance and haughtiness (Day 13) are the same. They are huge problems and worthy of at least two out of the 40 days. The problem with these twin barriers is that most people who have them don’t know they do. As we talked about yesterday, this barrier is a matter of the heart. It is not simply pride or boasting, it is an attitude of the heart. A person can be proud or boastful in a particular area of his/her life but not arrogant. In fact, all of us have areas in which we are proud. Arrogance, however, is a heart full of pride, a heart which looks down on others, which judges. For example: An arrogant person would look down and want to avoid the people who are struggling with the barriers from the last few days like Covetousness, Greed, Lust, especially lust and big sins like addictions, etc... Arrogance disguises itself as righteousness, holiness. It is in reality self-righteousness. It is the heart of the Pharisee that angered Christ so much:

“The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector.” (Luke 18:11)

“Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them” (Luke 11:46)

"Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering." (Luke 11:52)


Arrogance is a dangerous place to be. The Dictionary defines it as: “disposed to exaggerate one's own worth or importance often by an overbearing manner; having or displaying a sense of overbearing self-worth or self-importance; Unwarranted pride...”

Of course there is also the arrogance that comes with thinking you are more educated therefore smarter or better than someone else. The arrogance that comes from people a person of wealth and status, the arrogance of being a member of the correct race or gender, the arrogance of hailing from the right country or region of the country. Arrogance always displays itself as being “er”, if you will, of others. You know, smarter, wiser, prettier, holier, etc...

Nations are arrogant as well. The fall to every great nation has been arrogance not immorality. Immorality is the result of arrogance that disregards God that becomes enlightened and thinks it is too wise for God. The scriptures say that Sodom was destroyed because of her arrogance not her immorality. (Ezekiel 16:49)One form of the word arrogance speaks of glory or praise. It is the word reserved for God alone. Satan was cast out of heaven because of arrogance. Our nation struggles with arrogance and many of the scripture you will see, especially in the Old Testament speak of God’s judgment on the arrogant.

My Grandma Grandey would say “too big for his britches” or “he is full of himself.” Unfortunately there are not only individuals but churches that are arrogant as well. Hence, the reputation of Christians among non-Christians: “Hypocrites!” Examine yourself today and pray that this “unchristlike” characteristic is not rooted in you. If it is pray for a breakthrough, that the attitude of Christ (Philippians 2:5-11) will be manifested in and through you.

OLD TESTAMENT MEANING
Definition
arrogant, proud, insolent, presumptuous
the arrogant ones (as n coll pl)
presumptuous (as adj)
Other Usage - Total: 13
proud 12, presumptuous 1

Definition
proud, arrogant, haughty

Other Usage - Total: 2
haughty 1, proud 1

Psalm 5:5 – “The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.”

Psalm 75:4 – “To the arrogant I say, 'Boast no more,' and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up your horns.”

Psalm 119:21 – “You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed and who stray from your commands.”

Psalm 119:51 – “The arrogant mock me without restraint, but I do not turn from your law.”

Ps 119:69- “Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart.”

Psalm 119:78 – “May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts.”

Psalm 119:85 – “The arrogant dig pitfalls for me, contrary to your law.”

Ps 119:122 – “Ensure your servant's well-being; let not the arrogant oppress me.”

Psalm 123:4 – “We have endured much ridicule from the proud, much contempt from the arrogant.”

Proverbs 17:7 – “Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool-- how much worse lying lips to a ruler!”

Proverbs 21:24 – “The proud and arrogant man--"Mocker" is his name; he behaves with overweening pride.”

Lamentations 2:11 – “The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.”

Isaiah 5:15 – “So man will be brought low and mankind humbled, the eyes of the arrogant humbled.”

Jeremiah 50:32 – “The arrogant one will stumble and fall and no one will help her up; I will kindle a fire in her towns that will consume all who are around her."

Ezekiel 16:49 – “'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.”

Daniel 5:20 – “But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.”

Habakkuk 2:5 – “...indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples.”

Zephaniah 3:4 – “Her prophets are arrogant; they are treacherous men. Her priests profane the sanctuary and do violence to the law.”

Malachi 3:15 – “But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.'"

Malachi 4:1 - "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the Lord Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them.”

New Testament Meaning
Definition
showing one's self above others, overtopping, conspicuous above others, pre-eminent
with an overweening estimate of one's means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty
Romans 1:30 - “...slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents.”

Romans 11:20 – “Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.”

1Corinthians 4:19 – “But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.”

2Timothy 3:2
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy...”

Breakthrough:
Poor in Spirit

Meaning
Definition
reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms
destitute of wealth, influence, position, honour
lowly, afflicted, destitute of the Christian virtues and eternal riches
helpless, powerless to accomplish an end
poor, needy
lacking in anything
as respects their spirit
destitute of wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford (men of this class most readily give themselves up to Christ's teaching and proved them selves fitted to lay hold of the heavenly treasure)
Other Usage - Total: 34
poor 30, beggar 2, poor man 1, beggarly 1

The Opposite of Full of Himself- Empty, Humble, Dependent, etc...

Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruise...”
Luke 6:20
“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.”
Luke 7:22
“Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.”


We are completely dependent on God. We are too be beggars, poor, destitute, desperate in spirit. This is who the kingdom of God belongs to: those who have humbled themselves and are completely and utterly in love with, in subjection to, and dependent on Jesus Christ.

Matthew 5:3
Philippians 2:5-11 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

James 4:7-10 “7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

In other words,
Love Wins, Kenneth

DIGGING DEEPER DAY FOUR

It should be obvious now after four days that a person’s “heart” is significant. Three of the four breakthroughs, really all four, deal with the heart... A Forgiving HEART, a Giving HEART, and Pure in HEART. As a bonus before you dig deeper into today’s focus---meditate on these passages and the condition of your heart...

18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.'" (Matthew 15:18-20)

45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. 46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." (Luke 6:45-49)

Revival Calendar Day Four
Digging Deeper

Barrier: Lust

This is a huge barrier in our western society. Even if you are not struggling greatly in this area, pray earnestly for a change of heart and breakthrough in our culture before it is too late.
In most cases I am just giving you a single verse, especially in the accounts from the Pauline Epistles you might want to dig deeper by looking at the context...

Old Testament Meaning:
to desire, covet, take pleasure in, delight in
to desire
to be desirable
to delight greatly, desire greatly n f
desirableness, preciousness
Other Usage - Total: 21
desire 11, covet 4, delight 2, pleasant 1, beauty 1, lust 1, delectable things 1
Definition:
desire
desire, wish, longings of one's heart
lust, appetite, covetousness (bad sense)
thing desired, object of desire
Other usage - Total: 20
desire 13, lust 1, greedily 1, pleasent 1, misc. 4
to desire, covet, take pleasure in, delight in
to desire
to be desirable
to delight greatly, desire greatly
desirableness, preciousness
Probably recognize the words---Again interchangeable with desire and covet...
Proverbs 6:25 – “Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes...”

Isaiah 57:5 – “You burn with lust among the oaks and under every spreading tree; you sacrifice your children in the ravines and under the overhanging crags.”

Ezekiel 20:30 - "Therefore say to the house of Israel: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Will you defile yourselves the way your fathers did and lust after their vile images?”

Ezekiel 23:8 – “She did not give up the prostitution she began in Egypt, when during her youth men slept with her, caressed her virgin bosom and poured out their lust upon her.”

Ezekiel 23:11 - "Her sister Oholibah saw this, yet in her lust and prostitution she was more depraved than her sister.”

Ezekiel 23:17 – “Then the Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and in their lust they defiled her. After she had been defiled by them, she turned away from them in disgust.”

Nahum 3:4 – “...all because of the wanton lust of a harlot, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft.”

POSITIVE USE: Speaking of the Words of God David says:
Psalm19:10
“More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”

New Testament Meaning:
Definition:
desire, longing, craving for
eager desire, lust, appetite
used both in a good and a bad sense, as well of natural and lawful and even of proper cravings (of appetite for food), also of corrupt and unlawful desires
Romans 1:27 – “In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.”

Definition:
desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust
Other usage - Total: 38
lust 31, concupiscence 3, desire 3, lust after 1

Matthew 5:27-32- "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. 31 "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.”

Ephesians 4:19 – “Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.”

Colossians 3:5-“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”

1Thessalonians 4: “....not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God...”

1Peter 4:3 – “For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.”

1John 2:16 – “For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world.”

Breakthrough:
Pure in Heart

OLD TESTAMENT MEANING:
Definition:
pure, clean
clean (ceremonially - of animals)
pure (physically)
pure, clean (morally, ethically)
Other Usage - Total: 94
clean 50, pure 40, fair 2, purer 1, variant 1
The Entire Law---The idea of cleanliness and purity

Psalm 12:6
“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”
Psalm 19:9
“The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.”
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”


Definition:
clean, pure
physically
purified by fire
in a similitude, like a vine cleansed by pruning and so fitted to bear fruit
in a levitical sense
clean, the use of which is not forbidden, imparts no uncleanness
ethically
free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt
free from every admixture of what is false, sincere genuine
blameless, innocent
unstained with the guilt of anything
Other Usage - Total: 28
pure 17, clean 10, clear 1

Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
John 3:10-11
“Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.”
John 15:3
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”
1Timothy 1:5
“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned...”

1Timothy 3:9
“Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.”

Love Wins, Kenneth

Introducing 40 Days of Prayer for Personal and Corporate Revival

God has a purpose for us and it is bigger than going to “church” three times a week. He doesn’t seek our “religion” but a relationship with us. There are barriers to that relationship. These barriers are what keep us from finding the purpose and meaning in our lives for which we were created. 40 Days of Prayer Calendar is an aid to help us all identify the barriers and sins that are holding us back from being all that God has created us to be.

Jesus said:“the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) Satan wants to steal our joy. He wants us to live in misery. He wants us to live without purpose. Jesus wants us to live life to the full! To have abundant life and it is only through Him that we can have it! We live in an upside down world. Satan has lied to the world and us. He would lead us to believe that boredom, depression, aimlessness, etc... come from a lack of “money, sex, friends, activity, and of course, the “foolish rules that God has laid on us,” etc...” The truth is that his ways are the cause of these oppressive realities in our lives.

Paul put it best when he said in Ephesians 5:18- “...be not drunk on wine...be filled with the spirit.” The devil gives us artificial joy that comes from the pursuit of things. He gives us “joy” that is the result of being under the influence. When the wine wears off you simply have a headache and you end up more empty than before. Before you know it you are lost in this vicious cycle of going back to the “bottle” again and again and again until there is absolutely no joy, no hope, no peace, no life!!! He comes to “steal and kill and destroy...” However, if a person chooses to submit to the Spirit of God, you will have lasting true joy. Joy that is not dependent on circumstances but comes in spite of them... Jesus even said: “in this world you will have trouble...” Under the influence of the Spirit you find joy, peace, patience, love, etc... You find purpose!!! Your purpose!!!

I can’t tell you how much I encourage each of you to prayerfully go through this calendar and examine yourselves. Each day you will find a BARRIER (SATAN’S WINE) and a BREAKTHROUGH (THE SPIRIT’S FILLING). I desperately want everyone to know the joy that comes from serving the Lord. The joy that comes from being filled with the Spirit. True Joy! True Love! True Peace!

So I challenge you, I dare you, I double dog dare you to take this seriously and go through this calendar. Follow the instructions on the back... It will be sent to you later on in PDF FORM...

Brace yourself for Revival!!!

Love DOES WIN!!! Kenneth

P.S. DEVIL DECEPTION ALERT--- I’M SURE YOU WILL STRUGGLE TO DO THIS ON A PARTICULAR DAY---THE DEVIL WILL DECEIVE YOU TO BELIEVE THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TIME OR THAT YOU HAVE FALLEN TOO FAR BEHIND... DON’T LET HIM DO IT... THIS CAN BE DONE IN 5 MINUTES A DAY OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DIG DEEPER AS LONG AS YOU WANT TO TAKE WITH IT... This is not a difficult task... I am praying for you all...