Tag: Daily Walk

A Word to the Wise: How to Known When to Present Yourself at the Opening of the Womb.

On By TimIn Hosea 13, SalvationLeave a comment

The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is stored up. The pains of childbirth come for him. He is an unwise son, for he does not present himself at the opening of the womb.

Hosea 13:12–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God is patient and kind. These ideas we have are rooted in Who He is. Even in the writings of the Old Testament prophets, time and again we encounter this long-suffering compassion from the Ancient of Days. It is compassion that is demonstrated from the beginning of creation to this day.

Let us further explore this analogy akin to “You must be born again.” We all know, before a birth comes a warning. That warning comes in the form of labor pains.

We know before Israel was taken captive, there was a long siege against the nation. City after city fell to the invaders. Prophets were sent to speak forth of the coming judgment, urging the nation to repent.

What started as the discomfort was now impending judgment.

God is longsuffering.

Do you despise the riches of His goodness, tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Romans 2:4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

His goodness and tolerance are leading each of us to repentance. The simple truth is disobedience has a just recompense.

For if the word spoken by angels was true, and every sin and disobedience received a just recompense, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation, which was first declared by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him?

Hebrews 2:2–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God’s patient leading to repentance is like birth pangs. At first, there is a bit of discomfort, which over time becomes more insistent. It is designed to bring us to the throne of God where confession brings remission.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God patiently awaited those in His chosen nation to repent… Judgment was surely upon them. What started as raids in a few cities was now urgent. The impending doom was quickly becoming a reality—many would die and others led away to enslavement. What started as a bit of discomfort quickly escalated.

There is another application.

For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled. For all these things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, epidemics, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Matthew 24:5–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

These are the beginning of birth pangs. This is Jesus giving a briefing to His disciples with the signs that are the warnings of the end. Some of these have been around, others seem to be looming in the very near future. Days of which many think we are living in now.

Earthquakes are increasing in number. Famine and disease do not go away. Saber rattling is more popular than ever. Natural disasters occur with more frequency and severity.

With what is going on in the world we can match it to some of the things in the Bible. Scripture says these days may be the very beginning of birth pangs. Perhaps maybe we’re not even there yet.

That mild discomfort is going to steadily grow. Most importantly, to lead each of us to repentance and freedom from the condemnation of sure judgment coming.

Look… If you’re reading this it’s not by mistake. God may be leading you to repentance.

For the unbeliever, the stark reality is a confrontation with death. Our past deviations from goodness cannot be undone. The condemnation that comes from each of those deviations is death. We’re guilty many times over.

The believer knows the same fear of judgment. It may not be death unto perdition, nevertheless, it is what sin brings… Death.

You can have life. That is what birth brings… Life. If you’ve not ever belied God and confessed your sins… Do it now. If you’re a Christian and God is showing you your sin, confess it now.

And LIVE!

Sin is Stored Up, Present Yourself at the Opening of the Womb

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Hosea 13, SalvationLeave a comment

The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is stored up. The pains of childbirth come for him. He is an unwise son, for he does not present himself at the opening of the womb.

Hosea 13:12–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Like Israel, putting off repentance and redemption is unwise. One never knows what a day will bring, and already standing condemned in sin, swift judgment can come at any time.

Here, through the prophet Hosea, God is instructing Israel that He waits for them to repent from sin. He wants them to turn around, and come to Him while compassion can be found.

When we put off turning from our own sin, we are unwise. As sinners, each of us is condemned. The Bible calls it being dead. I don’t mean spiritually. We are dead. We are already part of the kingdom of this world where death reigns.

God wants to move us from that kingdom where death reigns to another.

I will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting?

Hosea 13:14a — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In order to truly live, each of us needs to be birthed again. New birth brings new life. Yet here, Israel had put off that new birth. Their delay resulted in an abrupt judgment that came upon them.

God is waiting for someone to come to that point of redemption and He likens it to getting to the opening of the womb. It could be you.

The analogy is intentional. Perhaps your mind is being led like mine by Hosea’s point. It explains how Jesus expected Nicodemus to know “you must be born again.”

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Nicodemus didn’t make that connection. Yet Jesus expected him to know.

Now that you know… Would you delay and be unwise in that moment of redemption into the new kingdom where life is?

The unwise thing to do is remain in a state of condemnation where the power is Sheol controls.

You can change things right now. You must be born again.

Taking Every Thought Captive

On By TimIn 2 Corinthians 10, Daily Walk, Spiritual WarfareLeave a comment

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

2 Corinthians 10:3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We live in a time of great technology, reason, and medical advances. Our modern lives are overflowing with information and ideas. Yet many of us are caught up with the overload of life that we become isolated, physically and mentally. It can happen to anyone, and given what we see in the media, it is rampant.
In this age of advancement and reason, even we Christians may mildly scoff at what Scripture says. That verse above gives a glimpse of a truth of which we need a constant reminder. We walk in the flesh, but what wars against us is not flesh. Its principalities and powers are in heavenly places.
Many resorts to the technology and the modern tools available to alleviate fear, pain, and suffering. I am not advocating against this at all, but to be aware of the real problem that may linger untreated.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is complete.

2 Corinthians 10:4–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We war spiritually.
Sometimes the results of our own behavior bring this fear, pain, and suffering to us. It can then manifest in the flesh as a disease of one sort or another. Sometimes this disease may have other spiritual causes.
We can use the tools of the world that are available to us. But if some of the cause of our fear, pain, and suffering is spiritual in nature, these tools may not be enough.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.

When we become isolated, we are in a prone position. We see that demonstrated in the wild, those isolated from the herd become easy prey.
One of our first needs is a like-minded close community. We Christians are sheep. We need a herd for protection and fellowship.
We can easily stray off our own accord. That is why we need this herd of like-minded brothers and sisters around us. We must be careful to not stray or become isolated. This is where we encourage and pray for others and are encouraged and prayed for by them.
There’s strength in numbers.

But mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

Look, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. And nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

Luke 10:19–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I love that we have that authority given to us by Jesus. This is the true power that we have in Him. Nothing can take away our salvation. That is where the real power is, there is no more shame or fear.
Our names are written in heaven. That is the one thing those serpents and scorpions (principalities and powers) don’t have. Every time we declare the name of Jesus Christ, those powers are reminded of their own eternal perdition. That is why the demons Jesus encountered in the Gadarene begged not to be put in the pit (Luke 8:31.)

Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God

Jesus made the shame of the principalities and powers public!

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has resurrected together with Him, having forgiven you all sins. He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and contrary to us, and He took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed authorities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:13–15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When we live our lives in this way, we boldly proclaim the power of Jesus. Since He alone has removed the guilt and shame of our sin, it no longer has any power over us. Those powers and authorities are really disarmed.
Of course, any of us can always place your own selves back in subjection to them by sin. Remember what Paul said? You are slaves to who you present yourselves to obey (Romans 6:16.)
Don’t place yourselves under their authority. There is no need to do that.

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of His dear Son, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:13–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

If you have. Renounce it now, out loud. Confess it to Jesus, and it is removed (1 John 1:9.) The power in the fear of retribution, guilt, and shame is removed immediately upon confessing sin to Jesus (In addition, it even helps to confess it to trusted others, as the shame is removed.)

Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

The battle against isolation is not so much physical. It is a struggle in our minds. Our minds are our spiritual center. It is where we reason things. It is also where the enemy begins the attack. And there, we are bombarded with messages all the time. Some are good. Some are bad.
As Christians, we know the enemy uses a distance weapon, fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16.) Those fiery darts are these messages that come to us from the enemy. If we’re not careful to discern the difference in the messages… That is to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ… We may end up embracing the bad ones that give the enemy an entrance.
Jesus teaches us to judge righteously. We need to do that in our own minds, toward the messages we embrace, too. How do we do that?
Since Jesus is the focus of all of this, and everything that we have that is good is from Him… Let’s test those messages in His name. Consider these messages:

  • Nobody likes me.
  • I’m ugly.
  • I’m a good person.
  • Nobody would miss me if I were gone.
  • I’m not loved at all.
  • I’m loved.

These are just some examples. The messages we receive come in all different varieties. Some of us are sometimes bothered by these. There may be even some who have embraced these and they think this is who they are.
It’s not true!
That shield of faith can quench those fiery darts before they even get to you.
There are some who’ve heard these messages for a long time. They may have even embraced them to the point they think that is who they are.
If that is you… Renounce all of them in Jesus’ name… out loud. Then we can begin to take these messages captive.
As those messages come to you about you, add the words ‘in Jesus’ name’ to the end of them. Those that don’t make sense or are not true are from the enemy and can be readily ignored.
I’m ugly in Jesus’ name. That doesn’t make sense. For messages like that… Throw ’em out! You have that authority.
I’m a good person in Jesus’ name. That is true only in His name. I can embrace that message, and think rightly of myself.
When we think rightly of ourselves, we can learn to easily avoid the traps of the enemy. We can also then help others in our herd as we’ve gained wisdom.
All of this has a promised end for us believers.

And being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is complete.

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more the things that pertain to this life?

1 Corinthians 6:2–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Get that! There will come a time when we Christians get to judge the very principalities and powers that bother us now.
When the attacks come. You can know how to identify them… And avoid them. Understand the end destined for the sources of those messages. They’ve been shamed by Jesus at the cross, where the handwriting of ordinances against us has been nailed to the cross.
It’s all in knowing your identity in Jesus.

The Message to the Church at Laodicea

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Revelation 03Leave a comment

“To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write:
“The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says these things: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich, and have stored up goods, and have need of nothing,’ yet do not realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments, that you may be dressed, that the shame of your nakedness may not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

Revelation 3:14–18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The message here (so far) is to a church, a corporate-whole body of believers. Jesus is addressing the body as a whole. In so doing, this body gets a wretched report card. He calls them lukewarm.
To hear someone call any individual believer lukewarm is an immediate indication of abuse of this scriptural text. Oftentimes it is done to shame and/or control other Christians. Nevertheless… It is abuse.

So what now?

You find yourself in a congregation that appears very much like it is lukewarm (or maybe even cold.) Jesus is standing on the outside of this body, waiting to be let in. You don’t have to leave to have fellowship with Jesus. Perhaps the spark needed for a body to catch fire is yours.

There’s good news for you here.

Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent. Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.

Revelation 3:19–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

If you’re a saved believer, that is you believe Jesus is the God-Man come to ransom you, forgive you of your sins, and give you eternal life. Jesus rebukes and disciplines. He never throws us out. We can repent of sins and have fellowship with Jesus restored.
If you’re not a saved believer, the invitation is to you, too.
Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Repentance is available to anyone, anytime in this life. If anyone individual hears His voice and opens the door… That is you believe He is. He died and rose again, ascended to heaven. And you’ve confessed your sin… You’ve opened the door.
He promises to fellowship with you.
To open the door to Jesus, it’s easy.

Acknowledge that you are a sinner and completely unable to get to heaven on your own merit. And that Jesus is Who He claimed to be, God.

Believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, and rose again to give you eternal life.

Confess those facts aloud, with your mouth. Confess your sins, ask for forgiveness and receive the gift of eternal life.

Jesus is Best in Every Way

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Eternal Security, Hebrews 06Leave a comment

This is what is being taught in the book of Hebrews. It teaches of the superiority of the new covenant in Jesus. It relies on a familiarity with the Torah and the commands set forth there.

Therefore, leaving the elementary principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. This we will do if God permits.

Hebrews 6:1–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In other words…

Therefore, since Jesus is better let’s be moving forward and not forsaking those Old Testament things that were the foreshadows of Jesus. These are called here the elementary principles of the doctrine of Christ. Let us go on that is keep going–pressing forward – on to maturity. That is, let us be carried to salvation.

Don’t lay again a foundation for yourselves of those foreshadows, the ordinances that pointed forward to Jesus. These were commands of repentance given in the Old Testament laws to be pure and righteous.

Let’s not just put our faith toward God the Father but in Jesus. The Father is revealed in the Son.

Let’s not wander back to the instruction about washings. This is not baptism but the ceremonial washings prescribed in the law.

Let’s not continue the laying on of hands. This is not laying hands on brothers and sisters in prayer. It is pointing to the symbolic imputation of sins that was done by the priest and the one offering a sacrifice for sins.

Let’s clearly understand the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Not being entangled in Pharisee and/or Sadducee teachings.

Jesus is best. He is the only Way to heaven. The only real Salvation.

Do You Stand in the Gap?

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Ezekiel 22Leave a comment

When you look at the state of our society today… When what is clearly wrong is declared to be legal. When nobody around you seems to stand for righteousness… Do you go along or get along?

Take this one little verse from the prophet Ezekiel, God couldn’t find one person to stand in the gap between those bent on evil and God.

I sought for a man among them who would build up the hedge and stand in the gap before Me for the land so that I would not destroy it, but I found no one.

Ezekiel 22:30 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

One person. That is all God was looking for… To prevent the utter destruction of the land.

Is that person you?

Believing is Seeing

On By TimIn Daily Walk, James 01Leave a comment

I was having a discussion with someone today. This person, though Christian, had not really discovered the gifts God has bestowed upon her. She understood the gift of salvation… But there is so much more!

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally and without criticism, and it will be given to him.

James 1:5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God wants us to ask! Here, James is talking about wisdom. Wisdom is a gift from God, and it can be yours. Whatever it is, if you need help in making a wise decision, the first place to go is God.

Here, God promises to lavish us. It’s to all men. This is easily discerned by Jesus’ finished work on the cross. The Apostle John writes to us that Jesus is the propitiation, the appeasement to God, for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1-2.) Paul speaks of it, too, in 2 Corinthians 5:16-21. He tells us that God in Christ is reconciling the world to Himself. It’s a gift He has given to all of us.

There’s more.

James writes that God gives without criticism. Perhaps that is better understood as without reproach. He isn’t holding things back from us… really. We don’t get it because we don’t ask.

Maybe you don’t believe.

I get that. There were lots of things I didn’t understand. But what I do know, is God will not give us something so that we can finally believe it is real. We have to believe it is real so that we can have it. Believing is seeing. It works like that without salvation. God said it. You believed it. And your account was settled. Praise God!

Let James encourage you…

But let him ask in faith, without wavering. For he who wavers is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed with the wind. Let not that man think that he will receive anything from the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 1:6–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We ask… In faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. We must first believe that He is and that He rewards those that seek Him (Hebrews 11:6.) This is how those patriarchs of old obtained a good reputation. It’s the same for you and me.

Believe God. Don’t fret that you aren’t worthy of gifts. Don’t fret that you don’t meet His expectations. He knows these things. His promise still stands. He is the Faithful One. You can trust His Word. The one who asks in faith receives.

Ask rightly.

Our intentions in asking for gifts from God must be in light of using them to serve Him and others. It’s our calling. We are to esteem others better than ourselves. Their well-being ought to be more important than ours.

James says it this way…

Where do wars and fights among you come from? Do they not come from your lusts that war in your body? You lust and do not have, so you kill. You desire to have and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have, because you do not ask. You ask, and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your passions.

James 4:1–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Ask… In faith.

Then set out to serve others knowing your Heavenly Father is Good and keeps His promises.

Seek the Peace of the City

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Jeremiah 291 Comment

Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.

Jeremiah 29:7–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Where is it that Jehovah has planted you?

It could be for a small season, or many seasons. In whatever place you find yourself, pray for the peace of that city. Pray to the Lord for it. As He promises peace to you while you sojourn there.

Far Greater than Anything the Enemy Has

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Ephesians 06Leave a comment

For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Our enemies are not people who abuse, use and destroy us. Our enemies are spiritual. Jesus gave us the authority to trample these.

Our daily devotions in El Salvador were from Ephesians, and there was a little nugget that clearly shined in this portion.

As part of our lifelong walk, we are to take up the whole armor of God. It’s not a daily task to put on the armor… Put it on and never take it off. Comport your life in such a way that you walk in the protection of it daily.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We take that sword of the spirit… It is an offensive weapon. But clearly understanding the idea of “sword” here, this is a shorter sword. It isn’t a long spear, but a sword that is used in close-quarters combat. In other words, short-distance warfare. This is better perceived as intimate relational engagement.

In the Scriptures between these two offered… Taking up the armor, and taking the sword; we also glean information about the enemy’s weapons of warfare. These are fiery darts. One cannot help but to see the implication that these are fired from a distance. They are “distance weapons.” We can quench these with a shield of faith. (Again, we do see that our defense is in “close-quarters.”)

So how is it that the only overtly offensive weapon we seem to have is for intimate use while the enemy assails us with a distance weapon?

How do we have a chance in such battles?

There is the seventh piece of armor that many overlook. It is also a distance weapon that is far greater than anything the enemy has…

Pray in the Spirit always with all kinds of prayer and supplication. To that end be alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Prayer is not only for us, to help stave off those fiery darts, but it is for us to enter into the battle for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Each of us has our blindsides… But together, praying with all prayer and supplication for all saints… We present a formidable edifice. That is the church,. The one thing that the gates of Hell cannot prevail over.

Rejoice! Praise God! Willfully enter the foray of the battle if not for yourself, but for another! Together, by the power and authority of Jesus, we trample of serpents and scorpions.