Leaders In Power

There are in scripture many instances where I can’t help but wish I was there at the time of the scene. I would like to look at one such case in scripture.

Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: John 19:10-12a

Jesus was known for speaking with great authority. At one time soldiers, who were sent to arrest Christ, returned without their prisoner saying that He “spoke as no other.” I am very much impressed by what the Lord says to Pilate in this passage. Here we have the Son of the Living God standing before the governor of one of the greatest cities of the then known world. When most men would have been battling in there minds for a way out, Christ remains silent until the time came for Him to speak a “word fitly spoken.”

Christ in one sentence reveals to Pilate that no man has anything without the Father’s consent. The revelation here gives such insight in that though a man might have power, and he might use it for evil, he would never have it had it not been given from on high.
We deal today with leaders who both compromise and utterly revoke the very foundations of scriptural truth. It is at times hard to believe that the Lord God gave them the power and leadership over nations when they themselves give no respect to the Lord. The biggest problem though in what we see is not in the use of their power, but in how we view the leaders in whole. See if we view our leaders and the powers that be as being themselves more then just mere men, we tend to become far more motivated to worry.
To help us understand who these men are we can turn our attention over to Titus.

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. Titus 3:1-2

How much different were we in our lost state in comparison with Pilate? We were as Paul wrote, not at all different. We were foolish, disobedient, etc. We were not of the mind and spirit of Christ. In our lost state we would have both condemned and followed through with the crucifixion of Christ. We would have done as Pilate did. Though he found no wrong with Christ, though nothing that the religious leaders brought against Christ stood strong, Pilate none-the-less sentenced Christ for the sake of the people. The leaders of today are no different then the common sinner. They all seek after the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. They all go after their own ways. We are not surprised when a sinner runs after his flesh, so I say, neither should we be surprised when an adversary to the gospel makes laws that contradict the core of our salvation. Would we do anything different then they had we not been saved and our eyes opened? We are the Church we are led by no man save one, that is Christ our Lord. If Christ Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate in the restfulness of God’s will, knowing that all things work together for good, shouldn’t we as the children of God, heirs with Christ, also rest in our present time knowing that the “servant is not greater then his Lord” and the Lord does not give us more than we can handle, but gives us the strength to carry on through what we can? Leaders arise and leaders fall, but the promise that Christ will neither leave me nor forsake me should be the foundation on which my worries fall. It should be the wall to which all worries come up against, so that they are left to crumble before the promise of God: if we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:13

There is still more to be learned though when it comes to the leaders and rulers of our times. It would be one thing if all we had to do was realize that the unjust leaders of our time were no worse then we were in our lost state, but Paul once again takes a another step forward in how we are to look at our leaders.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4


There are many things we are commanded to do in scripture that to be honest are at times hard to fulfill when the flesh is allowed access to our choices. But here, in 1st Timothy, Paul exhorts us to not only pray for our leaders in authority, but to be thankful for them as well. It is even harder to believe that such a statement would be made by one who was both imprisoned and persecuted by the authorities of his time for his belief in the Lord Jesus. How could we pray and be thankful for such leaders as Pontius Pilate, or even more recent, Adolph Hitler? Why should we pray for such men? The Lord desires “that none should perish,” however evil or wicked they might be. Our Father who sent His only begotten Son, sent Him not only for us, but for the whole world. Christ died for the poor man struggling to survive yet seeking the Lord, as well as the froward leader who walks not after the spirit but after the flesh. For this purpose are we to pray and be thankful for our leaders that they too might come to know and understand the truth, and believe that the truth shall not only set them free but, even more so, make then free! For if the power of God could transform a persecutor of the church, into a son of God, then I have confidence that it can also transform the very lowest of men into the greatest of saints.

Matthew 5,6,7 (Old Writing)

The Two Kingdoms
The Kingdom of God is much different then the kingdom of darkness. Values, government, and economy work completely different in these two places.
It would seem that the things listed next are things all Christians could do, and I believe should do. Like being poor in spirit, meek, merciful etc. Note: If a man is meek, merciful or poor in spirit, God will bless him.

Poor In Spirit 5:3
Jesus said that the poor in spirit would get the kindom of heaven. Poor in spirit = Broken before God. Jesus promised that if the weak and heavy laden would come unto Him, He would give them rest.Throughout scripture God tends to use the weak and poor in His most powerful works, people such as, Abraham and Sarah, Gideon, David, not to mention Christ's own disciples. God loves the broken, and the weak, for they are the ones empty of themselves, ready to be used for Him.

Mourn 5:4
When we sin, and are caught for it, there are usually only two reasons why a man would cry. One, he is repentful of his crime, or two, he is in sorrow at being caught for what he did and not really repentful.
Jesus says that those who mourn will be comforted. I believe that who He is talking about here, are those who are repentful of what they have done, broken before His throne, weeping for forgiveness. He will comfort them.

Meek 5:5
In todays lingo, if the word meek were to be used, it would be looked at as meaning weak. Meek actually means one who has power, but keeps it under control. In todays culture, self control is not a big thing. But it is a fruit of the spirit, thus it's importants in the Christian life is valuable. Jesus Himself showed us the perfect example of meekness. For even when He was on trial, though He had all power to overcome His enemies, He opened not His mouth, but fulfilled the will of His Father. Another meaning for meek, is humble. In the book of James it says that God resists the proud, but give grace to the humble. James 4:6. In Isaiah 29:19, it says that in the Lord, the meek would increase in joy.

Hungering And Thirsting For Righteousness 5:6
If we as Christians were to hunger after the righteousness of God, it would seem that our desire for such things of this world would deminish. David is a man to whom we see in Psalms, crying out to God for holiness, his attitude is a picture for us as to what hungering and thirsting really is. David cried, I set no evil thing before mine eyes. If we cried such a thing, I am sure alot of the movies we watched would go down the drain. How can we hunger and thirst after righteousness, if we're chewing on sin all day? We must hunger and desire the pure righteousness of God.

Merciful 5:7
To be merciful with some one, doesn't quite mean that we feel sad or sorry for them, but rather that we are compassionate with them. To have compassion for some one goes a little farther then just feeling sad for them. Compassion tends to incorperate some duties, like fellowshiping with the hurting, praying with the needy. The man who watches his tv and feels sorry for the poor kids in Africa, isn't really all that merciful/compassionate if he doesn't do much about it. I'm not talking about giving his money necessarily, but rather giving prayer time for them, if able, fellowshipping with them and encouraging them.
Titus 3:5 tells us God had mercy on us, which saved us. God didn't just sit back feeling sad for us, He had mercy on us, which required work do be done in order for us to have redemption and be saved.

Pure In Heart 5:8
Keep evil out of the heart, for the life is based upon the desires of the heart. Prov. 4:23 Our hearts are the most important thing to guard in life from sin. The pharisees gave their hearts to sin, thus thier actions weren't right with God.
Through Christ our position in life has been made pure, but by being in Him, we are to continue in all purity, purifying ourselves in Him. Thus our condition in life is to purify ourselves for God.

Peacemaker 5:9
We as Christians should not act in riotousness or arguing, but in peace we should deal with all problems. A peacable person knows when to open his mouth. Prov. 25:11 Christ was a wonderful example of being at peace in a very unpeaceful situation. Thus we, as followers of Christ, should also remain in peace in what ever we do.

Persecuted 5:10-12
The world hates us due to the fact that we are not of this world. There is a difference between persecuted and judgement (which pre-tribers don't understand). To be persecuted means, to be punished and afflicted for no evil doings. Judgement is when you have been caught for wrong doings and must now be punished. We should not worry though about our body being hurt or killed, but keep focus and trust in Him in whom has the power to kill both body and soul. Matt. 10:28

Ye Are The Salt 5:13
We as believers should be having the influence on this world, and not allow this world to have the influence on us. But if we allow the world to be the influence, we are worthless before God, for we have given over to the world and it's ways. We must let Him who is within us, Jesus Christ, shine out of us as a sweet savor to this dying world.

Ye Are The Light 5:14-16
Just as the moon reflects the light that the sun shines on it, so are we who believe in Christ are. He is the light, and in Him we shine that light too. He shines on us, and we shine on the world. Prov. 4:18 says that the path of the just is as the shining light, which shines more and more. But that light can be hindered by sin and fear. When witnessing, fear can hinder that light from shining out to the world. The light that we allow Christ to shine through us, is what leads people to the Father. If we hinder the light, we hinder the lost from being led to Christ.

The Law 5:17-20
The law is for sinners. Christ fulfilled the law, thus if we're in Christ the law is fulfilled. Christ became a curse for us, thus releaving us of our curse, thus fulfilling the law. Gal. 3:13
Purpose of the law-
A) To show us all are fallen and guilty, and in need of a Savour.
B) It is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. Thus the law is very important when witnessing to the lost, to show them where their at before God.

Thou Shalt Not Kill 5:21-26
Christ's standards for the Church are much higher then that of what the law required. If a man hated his brother for no reason, in God's eyes that is murder. God, throughout scripture deals with the heart of man, and not the appearance.
One thing God desires from us is that we are in accord with those in the Church. In fact He wants our problems with each other dealt with before we come to worship Him. If we can't be in fellowship with those we see, how could we possibly be in fellowship with Him to whom we can't see? Or how can we love God, who we can't see, if we hate him who we can see? 1 John 4:20

Thou Shalt Not Lust 5:27-30
As stated before, God looks at the heart of man. Adultery to the average man is looked at as a physical sin, but God starts with the heart. If a man looks on a woman to lust for her, to God, that man has commited adultery with that woman in his heart. Before any action has been taken place, the sin that leads to such actions has already been commited in the heart. Thus before God, if a man lusts, he is an adulterer at heart and is worthy of judgement.

Divorce 5:31-32
Jesus mentions in Matt. 19:8, that it was due to the hardness of mans heart that he gave man the means to put away his wife. But from the beginning it was not something to be done. God had not intended for man to put away his wife. The only justification that God gives man, when it comes to divorce, is if fornication has been commited.

Oaths 5:33-37
Jesus seems to be hitting hard on man making a choice. God doesn't want man to be standing in the middle, or walking the fence. To God their is no grey area, it is either black or white. Christ said, Let your communication be yea, yea, nay, nay: for whatsoever is more then these, cometh of evil. If man is going to make a promise to God, God doesn't want that man acting wishy washy as to whether he'll fall through. God wants a man to stand on his word, and fulfill that which he said he would do.

Eye For An Eye Or Loving Our Enemies? 5:38-48
It is so easy as humans to react out of anger towards those who do us wrong. But Christ calls for something far greater then letting our anger go.
Do not use carnal means to react to those who do evil to us. It was while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, and while dying He cried, "Father forgive them". Thus if we as children of God and purified by the blood of Christ, we ought to forgive those who hurt us and love those who hate us.

Almsgiving 6:1-4
The problem man has is he desires to be seen of men. God on the other hand calls for man to want to be seen of God. When we give unto the Lord, don't go sounding a trumpet as to how much your giving or that your even giving, but be joyful that your Father in heaven sees what your giving and blesses you for it.

Prayer 6:5-15
One of the greatest things we have as children of God, is the allowance to come boldly before the throne of God with our requests. But it is so easy to focus on things of ourselves or wants rather then needs, thus Jesus gave us an example as to how our hearts should be, and how our prayers should be directed when we come before the throne. We should address the Father, worship Him, intercede for others, ask for our needs, confess our sins, and asking continuely for His leadership and guidance. But above all, being in His will and not in ours, that we may be used by Him.

Fasting 6:16-18
Just like almsgiving, man has a problem with wanting other men to see what he is doing for God. God does not desire a man showing off what he as a man can do for God, but rather coming to the Father in all humbleness, and doing the works of the Father's will in all humbleness laying aside the pride of life. For if we remain unnoticed by men in our fasting, our Father who sees us in secret, will reward us.

Treasures In Heaven 6:19-21
Jesus commanded earlier that our heart remain pure. Jesus commands now that our treasure that our heart desires, be that which will remain in heaven. Don't desire things of this world, and make them your treasures, for the things of this earth can easily be destroyed or stolen. But that which is laid up in heaven can neither be destroyed or stolen.

Full Of Light 6:2-23
Again God calls for us to be focused on His light, His will, that our whole body might be filled with that light. For there is a darkness that seems like light. Religion of man is as a darkness that seems like light, or as a wolf in sheeps clothing. God calls for us to be aware not to think we have the light cause we do good, but know we have the light cause Jesus is in us.

Seek God's Kingdom 6:24-34
God's main desire out of His children is that they would completely rely on Him. He tells us to take no thought as to what we will eat for the day, but believe that He Himself will give us what we need. The birds, and the lillies are examples to us at how our Father in heaven provides for them. We must as His children believe in our hearts that He will provide for us as well.

Judging 7:1-6
Many people take this verse and say a man cannot judge any one for anything. Sure I can't sentance a man to hell, but I sure can tell him, through the word of God, that what he is doing will lead to hell. We are to judge not according to the appearance of a man, but by his fruit. A man can be judged righteously (John 7:24) by God's word (John 12:48) according to his fruit (Matt. 7:20).

Seeking God's Help 7:7-12
God desires of His children to ask Him, according to His will, for provisions. For He promises that he who asks shall receive, he who searches shall find, he that knocks, the door shall be opened.

The Narrow Way 7:13-14
With God there is only one way. It is a narrow and sometimes hard path for man. But with Christ we can make it. He said, I am the way the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me. John 14:6. No other religion in this world can be linked in with Christ. Christ said that narrow is the way that leads to life, and wide is the way to destruction. To the world, Christ is hard to follow, but blessed are they who do follow Him.

False Prophets 7:15-20
It's hard these days to know who is for the Lord and who is against Him. Christ laid it out very simple. By their fruit of what they do, they give their hidden hearts desire away. Thus we as believers should show them where their at fault, according to the scriptures, and whether they hearken to the word of God or not, one can see where their heart is.

"I Never Knew You" 7:21-23
A man can do good works and be moraly right in life, but if He does not believe in His heart that Jesus is Lord, he will perish. There is more then just confessing with the mouth, but it is the believing that He is truelly Lord of lords, and not by our works but by what He did for us, we are saved. For if we just confess with our mouths, and even do good things in His name, but have no relationship with Him and no real belief that He is Lord, we will perish. He will say unto us on that day, "Depart from Me, I never knew you".

Firm Foundation 7:24-27
With all those words with which He has taught us, Christ demands action. Do not be just a hearer, but a doer also. For if you only hear, you are not obeying, but he who both hears and does what Christ has commanded, shall have a firm foundation in Christ.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22

MY Life

I write this in complete desire to better understand how I am living in this present world and how I ought to be living in this present world. Many thoughts arise when something like this is put together and much more could be added. But it is with this that I take my first step into the scriptures concerning this matter to see the answers that lay ahead for me.
These are some of the vital questions that I have been pondering and chewing on lately.

What is our life?
Should we even have our own life?
Does the term "my life" put a mindset in the believer that could hinder the things of God?

"The Christian walk is a bunch of squirmy flesh getting nailed to a cross."
"The Lord doesn't want to hurt you, He only wants you dead." Keith Green
"There is only one good thing for the flesh, and that is the cross." Alan Redpath.

How true these statements are. I have often felt bothered by the all so popular question Christians ask. "So what's the Lord been doing in YOUR life?" The little word "your" is what makes me have to wonder whether this question is worthy of an answer or not. Due to today’s way of giving the gospel, which is a message of a pleasurable life on earth, it seems that many Christians think they are still living their old life. It seems that Christ has become nothing more then a mere add on to the already overwhelming and chaotic life people try to live. As true as those quotes are, as mentioned above, let’s look at the scripture, which expounds on this far more then any man ever could. So what does Paul say about his life?

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

As well as....

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:6
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Galatians 5:24

If I am reading this correctly, it would seem that Paul isn't just giving his life to God, but is instead putting it to death so that he might live only through God. Is that not why we are considered born again? How many times have you read about the rich young ruler? Many times? There is something in that story that I don't hear many talk about. Now I am not saying that it is left quiet on purpose, but rather it isn't seen in such a light, as I am about to show. Let's read Mark's account of this story.

¶And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. Mark 10:17-22

What was this man's biggest problem? Was it that he broke the Ten Commandments? Well not really, he said he had observed them from his youth. Well then what was it? Jesus, having already brought the law into this subject, then turns it to this young man’s life. The man did ask, “What must I do…?”, did he not? So Christ looks at the man’s life. What is it that keeps this man’s flesh ticking? For this man it was his wealth that was his life, his lord and the only thing keeping him from the loving, merciful Savior, through whom is the only way to inherit life. Thus his wealth had to be given up in order that his life might be crucified, thus allowing him to live the life that is pleasing before God. That life is not our own, and our own life should not be lived! What are the three (and no their not easy) steps to follow Christ?

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

What did that old preacher say again?

"There is only one good thing for the flesh, and that is the cross." Alan Redpath.

Is this not completely true? There are two different kinds of lifestyles. One is in heaven; the other will lead a man to hell. Take a look at what Paul had to say about this.

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Phil. 3:20

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; Eph. 4:22

The word “conversation” is an old term for the word “lifestyle.” This is a spiritual battle raging within us. It is as if one life is fighting against another. One is screaming to be released from a horrific cross, the other is rejoicing in the freedom from its sin and it’s fleshly lusts. Though we have this new life, many times we act like it isn’t even there. See sometimes we pull that squirming flesh off that bloody cross and let it run free, only to find ourselves chasing it back. For the flesh will never go back to the cross on it’s own, and it is hard to nail it back up.

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Rom. 7:18

I love how Paul words this. See when it comes right down to it, it is impossible to find anything good in the flesh. Why is this? Because the flesh has no desire for anything that is good, it’s only purpose is to satisfy itself. Should we not then be cautious, for when the flesh makes sin pleasurable? For that is what the flesh does.
My purpose for this is to truly understand what is to be done with my life. If Paul says he crucified his, and Christ says to deny it and crucify it as well, there doesn’t really seem to be much more life left in it. What else does our Lord say on this matter?

And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. Luke 12:22

Let’s jump ahead a few verses.

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luke 12:27-31

How plain Christ makes this. We are to take no thought for our life. None whatsoever. Rather we are to consider the lilies. Why? Because by considering the lilies, we in turn realize our own deprived ability to supply our needs so much so that we run to God knowing only He can fulfill them. It is not through our life or presence that we find the needs fulfilled, but it is in the resurrected life of Christ now dwelling in us that we find it. There really isn’t anything left for our life to give us, and nothing it could give us is worthy to be taken when God our Father could supply it a hundred fold more. So let us not be comforted by the voice of our flesh, nor shackled by the pleasures of this life, but rather let us be crucified that He might live, worriless that He might give and ready to live His life to the fullest!

So what have we seen scripture say about our lives? Well so far we are to,

1) Deny it
2) Crucify it
3) Take no thought for it

Why is it that our lives must be treated in such a matter? Well before our transformation into this new birth, we lived what Paul calls the “Old Man.” The old man is the life that is of the sin nature passed down from Adam. It is controlled by feelings and emotions, and above all it is controlled by sin, which is a manifestation of the flesh. All the things that make up the old man (flesh) are not of our Father’s kingdom but rather they are of this world.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:16-17

This then is the reason that such drastic measures must be taken to destroy the flesh. It is for the purpose that God might set us apart. He longs to set us apart and take us under His wings. He commands us to be holy as He is holy. Holiness is a place in God’s hands, where one is set apart from all other things and made fit for the kingdom of God. This is why it is so important that the flesh be conquered and destroyed. For the soul purpose of the flesh is to battle the Spirit and rebel against the Creator. The Creators desire is to set you apart and make you fit for His kingdom, which is something we can’t do on our own. It is key that we remember that Christ was tempted in all ways and yet never sinned. He was tempted by the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life just as we are. This then is the reason that it is in Christ’s life that we find life, because in our own we only find death through the outcome of our fall for sin. Christ conquered that which no man ever could think of overcoming by himself.

Once again lets look at what Paul states in Ephesians. This is when he is dealing with the old man and the new man. As we know, the old man is that which we call our flesh.

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph. 4:22-24

So what kind of picture do we get here? Prior to our conversion into Christ, we lived a corrupt life. But the life that we now live, the new man, is a life that was created not by the corrupt hands of a faulty man, but by the death and resurrection of a man who conquered the unconquerable. Truly we must be crucified with Christ, as Paul was, so that we might be able to say, “nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ that liveth within me.” Without Christ we are literally good for nothing. Without Christ we are nothing but a helpless piece of clay, marred by sin, and trampled by men. It is only in the hands of the Potter that the clay finds life and is then molded into the work with which it was created to perform. Without the working of the Lord, we cannot do that which is pleasing in His sight.

Love And Beauty

I Have A Problem.............

I think beauty is something I see. I think love is something that a person feels. My little mind is so feeble and small that it pictures things smaller and littler then they really are. Beauty and love are not held back by my stupidity of viewing things. For beauty is not only something one sees with the eyes, but is also felt by the deeds we do. When a brother helps another brother, that is beautiful. When a sister lends a hand to her friend, that is beautiful. Those acts of kindness are beautiful. The world today has twisted beauty, and made her an object of sin. They have hidden her under make-up and perfume. They have sold her on racks and racks of magazines, but the beauty that they show is not beauty at all, but a picture of a lie. The world says that you must make yourself look a certain way, wear certain things, act a certain way, but their beauty is based on the eye and not the heart. Real beauty does not come in a bottle, but comes from the heart. When God's will is shown through a person, then beauty is seen and felt and shown. Then the beautiful hand of God is shown through His children, and beauty takes on her lovely face and shines!

Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. Psalms 90:16-17

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Isaiah 52:7

Love is not only something one feels, but is something one shows. Love is both received and given. God gives us His love and we as His children should pass that love on to those around us. For those around us, the lost, have only a fraud of love. A fake love is all they have known. A love that is given and taken away, a love that does not stay. They have not known that love is not held back by what one does, but by what one doesn't do. Christ died for us while we were sinners, while our sinfulness was still in action, He gave us love. So it isn't by what we have done that holds His love back from us, it is what we don't do, which is reach out for that love and hold it to our hearts. Through Christ we have a love that is so pure, so strong, so reasuring, we have no need to worry if it will leave. For when we cry out for that pure love, it writes itself on our hearts, and dwells in us. It is so powerful that there is nothing for it to do but overflow, and when it does we need to be willing to give it to others. The Lord both blesses us and punishes us, but He always loves us. He loves it when a child becomes broken and humbled before His throne, for then He reaches out and places on them His love.

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:3-6

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7

Godliness With Contentment

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

I believe that one of the biggest weapons that Satan uses to destroy the growth of a believer is un-contentment. We as believers should always be content in the Lord knowing that He will neither leave us nor forsake us. It is when we begin to get restless and unsure of how we appear before men, rather then how we stand before God that we begin to loose sight of the image Christ laid out for us. Christ came as we are, a body, soul and spirit. Christ gave His all for the will and service of the Father.
He gave to His Father His,
Soul
All his words and thoughts and intentions were to the glory and praise of His Father.
Body
In the beating, scourging and agony that played out during His crucifixion.
Spirit
In the end, He gave His spirit when He cried,“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” Luke 23:46

Christ truly was the way, the truth and the life. There is no other way for man to enter into the image and likeness of God but through the life of Christ.Let us not be distracted by the temptations of today that we lose focus on the example of Christ. Let us not be drawn to un-contentment whether it be in our physical appearance or our earthly gain that we forget whose image we are being conformed to. And above all let us not stoop so low, as to let our soul be controlled by the leading of the enemy. For when the soul is let loose to the enemy, the body portrays such and the eternal cost weights on the spirit.
The thoughts of the wicked soul are an abomination before his lips can even speak them. For the pure, his words before God are pure, for his thoughts are pure. His lips (body) produce the pure thoughts of his soul.
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. Proverbs 15:26

The "Experiance" Christianity

As the room lights dim, the stage lights brighten. The tension of silence bursts into applause as the band slowly yet confidently steps out stage. At the exact moment that the guitarist strums his chord and the drummer makes the first beat, the background lights bounce off the walls, as the ceiling lights flash over the crowd. And although the words may be drowned out by the volume of the musicians, you know the words are glorifying God due to the poster which reads "Rocking For Christ." But the most influential moment of the night was when the first beat hit your chest, and the lights flashed across your face like the sunlight of the day. For it was in this moment that you experienced an urge to raise your hands, close your eyes and join in the moment. But let me ask are we to experience things? Is the life of Christ something we feel, or experience? Or is it something we live, and show, not through emotions but through the overflowing of the riches in Christ? So that whether the band was present, the music wasn't written and the room was darkness, you could be standing in the presence of God giving full praise and honor to Him. It should never be just a mere experience, but rather a life long position we have entered into for eternity. Our life in Christ is far more then the words in a song or the lights made by man. It is a life that far outweighs anything and everything we have and will come to know. There is a reason for the cross, and a reason for the blood. In this I am speaking of our cross. We are commanded to take up our own cross, and if all we did was tied ourselves to the cross without actually being nailed to it, we would never be able to agree with Paul when he said,

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

With the cross there is no room for ones pride nor ones own desires. There is only room for life. For as the crucified one loses every ounce of his own life, the life of Christ takes its place. The gospel has been so watered down in our present age that it is no longer something we live and believe but rather something we feel and experience. We should not experience the life of Christ we should live it. We should not feel the love of God, but know it. We should not think the gospel as being accurate, but rather we should believe it to be the truth. For, so it is.