By Dusty Kemp:
Howard Pittman died in 1979 of a ruptured aorta. While dead, he talked to Jesus, learned about demons, and was told his life was a religious abomination. He was astonished by how very few entered into Heaven while he was there. God sent Howard back with a warning for the luke-warm church to wake up, because Jesus was going to return soon. Often lost in his warning message, has been the prophecy Jesus gave him about an exciting time for the part of the church that would awaken!
I have been thinking about Howard a lot lately, because world events are unfolding exactly as he was told, especially US relations with Israel, and what appears to be materializing for the 2008 Presidential elections. I was reading through some of his writings and came across the prophecy he was given in Heaven. The following is an taken from Howard Pittman's book Placebo, written upon his return from the dead.
"God is in the process of recruiting an army with which He will shake this world one more time. By working through His soldiers, God will produce great miracles that will shake the established hierarchy of the so-called organized religion that is in this world today. These soldiers that God is now recruiting, will demonstrate the power of God to a greater extent than did the disciples in the Pentecostal age. Some will be even greater demonstrations than that of Elijah.
God's recruitment for this army has been going on for some time. Some of these soldiers have been brought up to a certain level of faith and placed in a "holding" position, where they shall remain until He has brought all the new ones up to that level. I declare unto you that you the soldiers who are being recruited now to join with those who have been recruited in the past, will bring to this world the spirit of Elijah.
The purpose is to make straight the paths of the coming of the Lord, for He is about to come again! You that sleep, now is the time to awaken! You that have been in that "holding" pattern for years, look up! You're about to be put to work! To the new recruit, I would say study the Bible diligently and seek the Lord's will in every aspect of your life. Time is short for your spiritual training, but you will be used in ways you never thought possible if you seek the Lord FIRST in your life.
"You who are to be chosen will be the soldiers of the latter rain as referred to in scripture. This recruitment is for the end of the great revival spoken of by the prophet Joel and begun on the day of Pentecost. The end-time of that great revival is the beginning of the latter rain, so you must prepare for the battle with the discipline of a professional soldier.
"Know this also. There shall be a time or process of "culling" those who are not qualified to be a member of this "Gideon's" army. Just as in Gideon's army in the Bible, only a select few will be fit for service in the army of Christian soldiers the Lord will use in the battle of the latter rain."
In light of the incredible miracles beginning to occur, this is awesome! In the past, there have been many intellectual and logical reasons that the Lord might be about to return, but never have we seen everything pointing to His return like we do today!
Elijahs of God, are you ready to arise and confront the demonic religious spirit in the world today, and prepare the world for the coming of the Lord? That spirit is the spirit of Jezebel that tried to kill Elijah himself, and did kill John the Baptist, who Jesus called "Elijah". It will try to seduce you. It is two faced. Be on guard against it, for it exists only to destroy prophets of God.
It is Holy Spirit-quenching religious. It makes you feel like you are "the only one". Clouds of depression, discouragement, and feelings of "what's the use" are common when it is near. Get out from under it all costs! If you have the call of God, you have been around it, maybe without even knowing it.
The Good News is that as we go forth in the spirit of Elijah, which is the Holy Spirit which we have that was upon our Lord Jesus Christ, we can look forward to the soon return of Jesus to take us home. Heaven sent a fiery chariot to pick up Elijah. Jesus is going to come get us Himself!
To hear this sermon right click and save target as on the link below:
http://files.newlifechurch.net/sermons/2008/02/2008-02-13Elijahs64kbps.mp3
Friday, February 22, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Why did you sit among the sheepfolds?
In that song Of Deborah that I just posted the question was asked why did you sit among the sheepfolds? Jesus is moving! Jesus is coming back to get us! Don't sit among the sheepfolds. I finally understand what that verse means when the people satnd in front of Him and say Lord, we cast out demons in your name and we did healings in your name and he says depart from em I never knew you. it means He never knew you! Did you take the time to get to know him on earth? Do you know Him now? Is he your father now? Or is your life about walmart and soccer? Don't worry about the battle, the warfare. Don't resent your struggle. Your struggle is what makes you who you are! Your struggle is what turn you into the mighty man of valor like Gideon; from a shephard to a king! Your struggle produces your crown. And one more thing warfare precludes miracles. If someone is in a fight don't point your finger at them because they are next in line for God's power. Satan does not attack what he already controls. Jesus said the world hated me and it hates you! But praise God his perfect light interrupts the darkness! Psalm 30:5 - For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night , but joy comes in the morning. Do you know what that means? It means it Jesus may have died on the cross but he was also resurrected! It may be friday now but Sunday is coming! We are the army of the living God and Jesus is our commander in Chief. Camp beside your commander and your weapons of warfare are mighty. Our job is to seek the Lord and testify about what He has done. 2 Tim 1:6-8. Jesus desires a personal relationship with us. He isn't going to tell us all in His written word. And on that day when we see His face may He say, Father this one is with me! He's part of MY family. He or she is the reason I died on calvary. Let us know Him now! In the name of Jesus, AMEN.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Judges 5 - The Song of Deborah
Judges 5: The Song of Deborah
The theme of the song - The joy and blessing in being a willing instrument of God.
1 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song:
2 "When the princes in Israel take the lead,
when the people willingly offer themselves— praise the LORD!
-When the leaders lead
-When the people willingly offer themselves.
verses 3-5: Remembering God's preservation of Israel in the past.
3 "Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers!
I will sing to the LORD, I will sing;
I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel.
4 "O LORD, when you went out from Seir,
when you marched from the land of Edom,
the earth shook, the heavens poured,
the clouds poured down water.
5 The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai,
before the LORD, the God of Israel.
You went out from seir - a past victory God supernaturally won. When you marched out from the field of Edom - God's goodness didn't just start today
Verses 6-8; Describing life under Canaanite oppression.
6 "In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,
in the days of Jael, the roads were abandoned;
travelers took to winding paths.
7 Village life in Israel ceased,
ceased until I, Deborah, arose,
arose a mother in Israel.
8 When they chose new gods,
war came to the city gates,
and not a shield or spear was seen
among forty thousand in Israel.
Village life ceased in Israel - not only was life hard under Israel's oppressors, but they also confiscated all weapons so the Israelites could not fight.
Not a shield or spear was seen among them - Satan doesn't only want to oppress the christian, but he also wants to disarm the believer. He wants the believer to lay down the full armor of God that belongs to you in Jesus Christ. (Eph 6:12-18)
Until, I, Deborah arose - This is not pride. God works through willing individuals and she was willing.
Bless the leaders - My heart is with the rulers of Israel - she didn't only care for her job of leadership, she also had a heart for other leaders and their work. Her vision was bigger than just getting her job done. She wanted to see the kingdom of God advanced.
who offered themselves willingly with the people - leaders must also offer themselves willingly.
verses 10 - 12: victory remembered
10 "You who ride on white donkeys,
sitting on your saddle blankets,
and you who walk along the road,
consider 11 the voice of the singers at the watering places.
They recite the righteous acts of the LORD,
the righteous acts of his warriors in Israel.
"Then the people of the LORD
went down to the city gates.
12 'Wake up, wake up, Deborah!
Wake up, wake up, break out in song!
Arise, O Barak!
Take captive your captives, O son of Abinoam.'
speak, you who ride on white donkeys - leaders tell the people the great things God did.
Matt 5:
15 - 16: Hide it under a bushel? No! I'm gonna let it shine.
The common people needed to hear of God's great works it was the job of the leaders to tell them.
verses 13 - 18: The tribes that helped and the tribes that didn't.
13 "Then the men who were left
came down to the nobles;
the people of the LORD
came to me with the mighty.
14 Some came from Ephraim, whose roots were in Amalek;
Benjamin was with the people who followed you.
From Makir captains came down,
from Zebulun those who bear a commander's staff.
15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah;
yes, Issachar was with Barak,
rushing after him into the valley.
In the districts of Reuben
there was much searching of heart.
16 Why did you stay among the campfires
to hear the whistling for the flocks?
In the districts of Reuben
there was much searching of heart.
17 Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan.
And Dan, why did he linger by the ships?
Asher remained on the coast
and stayed in his coves.
18 The people of Zebulun risked their very lives;
so did Naphtali on the heights of the field.
The Lord came down for me against the mighty - she remembered God's help and his help came from the tribes of Israel. (The people)
Why did you sit among the sheepfolds - not every tribe was helpful or joined in the battle.
verses 19-23: The battle described and a curse on an unhelpful city.
19 "Kings came, they fought;
the kings of Canaan fought
at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo,
but they carried off no silver, no plunder.
20 From the heavens the stars fought,
from their courses they fought against Sisera.
21 The river Kishon swept them away,
the age-old river, the river Kishon.
March on, my soul; be strong!
22 Then thundered the horses' hoofs—
galloping, galloping go his mighty steeds.
23 'Curse Meroz,' said the angel of the LORD.
'Curse its people bitterly,
because they did not come to help the LORD,
to help the LORD against the mighty.'
They fought from the heavens - the battle was fought from the heavens in the sense that God sent rain that made the canaanite chariots of no use.
Curse Meroz said the angel of the Lord - apparently the city of Meroz was of no help. God still accomplished his work, but the city of meroz was cursed because they had no part it in it. (This still applies to us today)
verses 24 - 27: praise for Jael for her killing of Sisera
24 "Most blessed of women be Jael,
the wife of Heber the Kenite,
most blessed of tent-dwelling women.
25 He asked for water, and she gave him milk;
in a bowl fit for nobles she brought him curdled milk.
26 Her hand reached for the tent peg,
her right hand for the workman's hammer.
She struck Sisera, she crushed his head,
she shattered and pierced his temple.
27 At her feet he sank,
he fell; there he lay.
At her feet he sank, he fell;
where he sank, there he fell-dead.
Most blessed among women is Jael - What Jael did would be condemned by many in the days of the judges, the responsibility to protect and bless a guest was an almost absolute command, and Jael killed a guest. Yest she is blessed here because her obedience to the cause of God was greater than her obedience to tradition and custom.
At her feet he sank - Deborah wanted to increase Sisera's shame by pointing out that it was a woman who ended his life.
Verses 28 - 30: Reflection on the soon disappointment of Sisera's survivors.
28 "Through the window peered Sisera's mother;
behind the lattice she cried out,
'Why is his chariot so long in coming?
Why is the clatter of his chariots delayed?'
29 The wisest of her ladies answer her;
indeed, she keeps saying to herself,
30 'Are they not finding and dividing the spoils:
a girl or two for each man,
colorful garments as plunder for Sisera,
colorful garments embroidered,
highly embroidered garments for my neck—
all this as plunder?'
The mother of sisera looked through the window - every death has consequences.
Vs 31 - Final praise to God and the long term effect of the victory.
31 "So may all your enemies perish, O LORD!
But may they who love you be like the sun
when it rises in its strength."
Then the land had peace forty years.
Thus let all your enemies perish - To love God is to hate his enemies. A man or a woman is defined as much by who their enemies are as by who their friends are.
Let us who love him be like the sun - How much better it is to be one of those who love him than to be one of God's enemies.
The theme of the song - The joy and blessing in being a willing instrument of God.
1 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song:
2 "When the princes in Israel take the lead,
when the people willingly offer themselves— praise the LORD!
-When the leaders lead
-When the people willingly offer themselves.
verses 3-5: Remembering God's preservation of Israel in the past.
3 "Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers!
I will sing to the LORD, I will sing;
I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel.
4 "O LORD, when you went out from Seir,
when you marched from the land of Edom,
the earth shook, the heavens poured,
the clouds poured down water.
5 The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai,
before the LORD, the God of Israel.
You went out from seir - a past victory God supernaturally won. When you marched out from the field of Edom - God's goodness didn't just start today
Verses 6-8; Describing life under Canaanite oppression.
6 "In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,
in the days of Jael, the roads were abandoned;
travelers took to winding paths.
7 Village life in Israel ceased,
ceased until I, Deborah, arose,
arose a mother in Israel.
8 When they chose new gods,
war came to the city gates,
and not a shield or spear was seen
among forty thousand in Israel.
Village life ceased in Israel - not only was life hard under Israel's oppressors, but they also confiscated all weapons so the Israelites could not fight.
Not a shield or spear was seen among them - Satan doesn't only want to oppress the christian, but he also wants to disarm the believer. He wants the believer to lay down the full armor of God that belongs to you in Jesus Christ. (Eph 6:12-18)
Until, I, Deborah arose - This is not pride. God works through willing individuals and she was willing.
Bless the leaders - My heart is with the rulers of Israel - she didn't only care for her job of leadership, she also had a heart for other leaders and their work. Her vision was bigger than just getting her job done. She wanted to see the kingdom of God advanced.
who offered themselves willingly with the people - leaders must also offer themselves willingly.
verses 10 - 12: victory remembered
10 "You who ride on white donkeys,
sitting on your saddle blankets,
and you who walk along the road,
consider 11 the voice of the singers at the watering places.
They recite the righteous acts of the LORD,
the righteous acts of his warriors in Israel.
"Then the people of the LORD
went down to the city gates.
12 'Wake up, wake up, Deborah!
Wake up, wake up, break out in song!
Arise, O Barak!
Take captive your captives, O son of Abinoam.'
speak, you who ride on white donkeys - leaders tell the people the great things God did.
Matt 5:
15 - 16: Hide it under a bushel? No! I'm gonna let it shine.
The common people needed to hear of God's great works it was the job of the leaders to tell them.
verses 13 - 18: The tribes that helped and the tribes that didn't.
13 "Then the men who were left
came down to the nobles;
the people of the LORD
came to me with the mighty.
14 Some came from Ephraim, whose roots were in Amalek;
Benjamin was with the people who followed you.
From Makir captains came down,
from Zebulun those who bear a commander's staff.
15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah;
yes, Issachar was with Barak,
rushing after him into the valley.
In the districts of Reuben
there was much searching of heart.
16 Why did you stay among the campfires
to hear the whistling for the flocks?
In the districts of Reuben
there was much searching of heart.
17 Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan.
And Dan, why did he linger by the ships?
Asher remained on the coast
and stayed in his coves.
18 The people of Zebulun risked their very lives;
so did Naphtali on the heights of the field.
The Lord came down for me against the mighty - she remembered God's help and his help came from the tribes of Israel. (The people)
Why did you sit among the sheepfolds - not every tribe was helpful or joined in the battle.
verses 19-23: The battle described and a curse on an unhelpful city.
19 "Kings came, they fought;
the kings of Canaan fought
at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo,
but they carried off no silver, no plunder.
20 From the heavens the stars fought,
from their courses they fought against Sisera.
21 The river Kishon swept them away,
the age-old river, the river Kishon.
March on, my soul; be strong!
22 Then thundered the horses' hoofs—
galloping, galloping go his mighty steeds.
23 'Curse Meroz,' said the angel of the LORD.
'Curse its people bitterly,
because they did not come to help the LORD,
to help the LORD against the mighty.'
They fought from the heavens - the battle was fought from the heavens in the sense that God sent rain that made the canaanite chariots of no use.
Curse Meroz said the angel of the Lord - apparently the city of Meroz was of no help. God still accomplished his work, but the city of meroz was cursed because they had no part it in it. (This still applies to us today)
verses 24 - 27: praise for Jael for her killing of Sisera
24 "Most blessed of women be Jael,
the wife of Heber the Kenite,
most blessed of tent-dwelling women.
25 He asked for water, and she gave him milk;
in a bowl fit for nobles she brought him curdled milk.
26 Her hand reached for the tent peg,
her right hand for the workman's hammer.
She struck Sisera, she crushed his head,
she shattered and pierced his temple.
27 At her feet he sank,
he fell; there he lay.
At her feet he sank, he fell;
where he sank, there he fell-dead.
Most blessed among women is Jael - What Jael did would be condemned by many in the days of the judges, the responsibility to protect and bless a guest was an almost absolute command, and Jael killed a guest. Yest she is blessed here because her obedience to the cause of God was greater than her obedience to tradition and custom.
At her feet he sank - Deborah wanted to increase Sisera's shame by pointing out that it was a woman who ended his life.
Verses 28 - 30: Reflection on the soon disappointment of Sisera's survivors.
28 "Through the window peered Sisera's mother;
behind the lattice she cried out,
'Why is his chariot so long in coming?
Why is the clatter of his chariots delayed?'
29 The wisest of her ladies answer her;
indeed, she keeps saying to herself,
30 'Are they not finding and dividing the spoils:
a girl or two for each man,
colorful garments as plunder for Sisera,
colorful garments embroidered,
highly embroidered garments for my neck—
all this as plunder?'
The mother of sisera looked through the window - every death has consequences.
Vs 31 - Final praise to God and the long term effect of the victory.
31 "So may all your enemies perish, O LORD!
But may they who love you be like the sun
when it rises in its strength."
Then the land had peace forty years.
Thus let all your enemies perish - To love God is to hate his enemies. A man or a woman is defined as much by who their enemies are as by who their friends are.
Let us who love him be like the sun - How much better it is to be one of those who love him than to be one of God's enemies.
Friday, February 1, 2008
A Constant State
2 Chron 16:9 - The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
Genesis 6:8-9 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.
When we are "in the spirit" we walk with God. Eceryday, all day holding His hand. Walking through life with Him. When we do what we want, we pull away from Him. I imagine my three year old snatching her hand from me and running in the wrong direction toward danger. (Like the street)
A constant state. day by day, hour by hour. step by step by step.
Nehemiah's wall: The sin and rebllion of God's people ultimately leaves them defenseless.
John 10:10 The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy.
1 Cor 7:23 - You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Jesus bought and paid for us we belong to Him.
Babylon: The tower of babel-
God's Command: Scatter over the earth (Gen 9:1)
Babylonians: build a tower, make a name for themselves and not scatter (Gen11:4)
God scatters them over the whole earth. (Gen 11:8)
God gets what God wants.
Isaiah 46: 9-11 - 9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
11 From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.
People have visions of us, the new prophets the standard God has raised, with blood under our eyes. This is Jesus' blood and it is war paint.
Our only hope of resisiting the deep indoctrination of worldliness is our deliberate training in godliness, which is bible study, we won't be successful without it.
Tutor me Jesus, teach me to win.
God is building a bridge composed of scripture. God is the preacher. We are the congregation. The gospel is the good news of God's blessing on mankind. Every person, angel, demon - those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth will bow at the name of Jesus and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father. What a vision! That is all it will take is the mention of His name.
God's promise is this: " I Will." anything God does, satan attempts to counterfeit.
Isaiah 14: 12-14 - 12 How you have fallen from heaven,
O morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart,
"I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High."
(See Ezekiel 28 too)
All sin is born from the words " I will"
Obedience is found in the words "Thy Will"
Jesus was the sacrifice. God provided the Lamb. God did it all. It has nothing to do with us and everything to do with God. God provided the lamb. God gave the only son that He had. God did not provide a sacrifice for us he provided one instead of us. You receive it with humility and gratitude on your knees. When God provided the lamb for Abraham instead of Isaac it says he looked up and saw the ram caught in the trees. There are no trees "up" on a mountain. Abraham looked up because when God called to him he had fallen on His face. Abraham NEVER wavered in his belief that God could perform His promise. (Romans 4:20-22) and it was credited to him as righteousness.
Resolve - to make clear or understandable, to decide, to find an answer to.
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel 1: 8
To resolve must be practiced every single day. Doesn't mean you won't be tested and tempted. If the decision to be Jesus' disciple were easy it wouldn't take resolve. godliness is never accidental. Neither is victory coincidental. They come from daily resolve. Consistency.
The lifeblood of integrity is becoming the same person no matter where we are - no matter who's around.
Integrity (Latin) entire- wholeness/completeness. complete - undivided.
Intedgrity not only calls us to live inside-out, it keeps the outside from coming in. Consistency in our walk and in our talk becomes a transportable cloak of protection around us, going anywhere we go. - Beth Moore
Daniel 1:17 - To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
Whatever Babylon (our culture) teaches us - God interprets for us. We read the language of our culture with the lens of God. We retain a God-centered worldview so that ultimately the world may view our God.
Genesis 6:8-9 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.
When we are "in the spirit" we walk with God. Eceryday, all day holding His hand. Walking through life with Him. When we do what we want, we pull away from Him. I imagine my three year old snatching her hand from me and running in the wrong direction toward danger. (Like the street)
A constant state. day by day, hour by hour. step by step by step.
Nehemiah's wall: The sin and rebllion of God's people ultimately leaves them defenseless.
John 10:10 The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy.
1 Cor 7:23 - You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Jesus bought and paid for us we belong to Him.
Babylon: The tower of babel-
God's Command: Scatter over the earth (Gen 9:1)
Babylonians: build a tower, make a name for themselves and not scatter (Gen11:4)
God scatters them over the whole earth. (Gen 11:8)
God gets what God wants.
Isaiah 46: 9-11 - 9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
11 From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.
People have visions of us, the new prophets the standard God has raised, with blood under our eyes. This is Jesus' blood and it is war paint.
Our only hope of resisiting the deep indoctrination of worldliness is our deliberate training in godliness, which is bible study, we won't be successful without it.
Tutor me Jesus, teach me to win.
God is building a bridge composed of scripture. God is the preacher. We are the congregation. The gospel is the good news of God's blessing on mankind. Every person, angel, demon - those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth will bow at the name of Jesus and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father. What a vision! That is all it will take is the mention of His name.
God's promise is this: " I Will." anything God does, satan attempts to counterfeit.
Isaiah 14: 12-14 - 12 How you have fallen from heaven,
O morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart,
"I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High."
(See Ezekiel 28 too)
All sin is born from the words " I will"
Obedience is found in the words "Thy Will"
Jesus was the sacrifice. God provided the Lamb. God did it all. It has nothing to do with us and everything to do with God. God provided the lamb. God gave the only son that He had. God did not provide a sacrifice for us he provided one instead of us. You receive it with humility and gratitude on your knees. When God provided the lamb for Abraham instead of Isaac it says he looked up and saw the ram caught in the trees. There are no trees "up" on a mountain. Abraham looked up because when God called to him he had fallen on His face. Abraham NEVER wavered in his belief that God could perform His promise. (Romans 4:20-22) and it was credited to him as righteousness.
Resolve - to make clear or understandable, to decide, to find an answer to.
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel 1: 8
To resolve must be practiced every single day. Doesn't mean you won't be tested and tempted. If the decision to be Jesus' disciple were easy it wouldn't take resolve. godliness is never accidental. Neither is victory coincidental. They come from daily resolve. Consistency.
The lifeblood of integrity is becoming the same person no matter where we are - no matter who's around.
Integrity (Latin) entire- wholeness/completeness. complete - undivided.
Intedgrity not only calls us to live inside-out, it keeps the outside from coming in. Consistency in our walk and in our talk becomes a transportable cloak of protection around us, going anywhere we go. - Beth Moore
Daniel 1:17 - To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
Whatever Babylon (our culture) teaches us - God interprets for us. We read the language of our culture with the lens of God. We retain a God-centered worldview so that ultimately the world may view our God.
Resolve
Day in, Day out. Step by Step by Step.
We will do it on purpose or we won't do it at all. God's warning to Cain never seemed more corporate -
Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you. - Gen 4:7
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