FOCUS ON THE INNER YOU

I went to the arcade to play video games today. I played a popular fighting game, won a few rounds but got beaten up pretty bad after that. The avatar I chose was an awesome fighter but I didn't know all his moves. According to the game, I got a 'C' for offense and a 'D' for technique and defense. LOL. Just before I decided not to spend anymore yen I noticed that there was someone sitting behind me waiting to play.

I stepped away from the game and he stepped up. He put in 100 yen, stuck his card in and pulled up a chair. His online profile came up and his avatar was a big fat martial artist. I pulled up a chair and took a seat. I noticed that while he was playing, other persons who were playing online as well came to fight him in his game. He won about four fights with an 'A' rating for offense, 'B' for technique and an 'A' for defense. He was pretty good.

As I watched him play, I was thinking... 'This guy fit the typical nerd profile. His look is a Japanese version of Stephen Hawking (without a disability), while his avatar is this huge, fat martial artist with awesome technique. His avatar is a fighting powerhouse; He obviously isn't one of physical prowess but he knows his avatar's talents and skills thoroughly. He has obviously mastered his avatar. Wow! There's a message in here somewhere.'

THE MESSAGE: As Christians, our physical appearance doesn't necessarily match the profile of our born-again spirits. A mature Christian's born-again spirit, like 92 - year old Reverend Billy Graham, probably looks like body builder Jay Cutler in full Roman Centurion armour. LOL. A person who physically looks like Jay Cutler for example, who has just accepted Christ Jesus as Lord and Saviour, has a new born spirit that is just like a baby. That's a HUGE contrast isn't it?

Think about babies for a second here. A new born baby is helpless, vulnerable and its only form of communication is crying. It cries when its hungry, wet or uncomfortable in any way. It cannot eat the same food that adults eat so it has to drink milk. In fact doctors recommend the mother's milk for six months because the mother's early milk is filled with all the nutrients that a baby needs for proper physical and mental development.

For a new born-again spirit, prayer is like crying and the fundamental teaching of the Word of God is milk. The scripture says:

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" 1 Peter 2:2 (KJV)

The scripture is saying that just like a new born baby, we must long for, desire or pursue with love, the unmixed, unadulterated, pure milk of the word that we may grow, increase or become greater by it. It doesn't matter what our external physical being looks like in stature as long as our internal being, our born-again spirits, are developing and maturing by the Word of God.

"For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." 1 Timothy 4:8 (KJV)

The scripture didn't say that bodily exericse profits nothing, it says bodily exercise profits little but that Godliness is profitable unto ALL THINGS. Godliness has the promise of the absolute fulness of life (that is: ZOE, the God-Life) that exists at this time (and has the guarantee of the eternal celestial body) and the life that is to come.

This experience in the video game arcade has reminded me that my focus must be on my inner man who has been born-again in the image of Christ Jesus and is growing, maturing and being renewed daily in Christ's image.

God Bless you.

THE REAL ENEMY

Here is an excerpt from the May 2011 Issue of my newsletter.

The scripture says Satan walks about here on earth but he is not omnipresent so he cannot be everywhere. He is not omniscient or omnipotent either. He needs help to carry out his misdeeds. He has an army of miscreant spirits that do his bidding. As believers our fight is not against human beings, our fellow man, but against Satan and his ranks namely: principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age and spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

The terms are translated neutrally but in context of scripture, Paul is speaking to born-again believers whose enemy is the devil and his minions. Based on this we know that his reference must be to those infernal beings. In our everyday struggles we do not struggle against people.

In this scripture the word ‘wrestle’ comes from the Greek PALE, pronounced pä'-lā, a literal wrestling match where two struggle for supremacy over each other. ‘The Rulers’ comes from the Greek KOSMOKRATOR, pronounced ko-smo-krä'-tōr. It refers directly to Satan the lord of this world and his generals. ‘Darkness’ comes from the Greek SKOTOS, pronounced sko'-tos, meaning ignorance of Godly things. ‘Wickedness’ comes from the Greek PONERIA, pronounced po-nā-rē'-ä, meaning depravity, malice, evil purposes and desires. ‘High Places’ comes from the Greek EPOURANIOS, pronounced ep-ü-rä'-nē-os, and literally refers to all the heavenly regions.

Essentially, we struggle for supremacy over the spirit magistracy and potentates, including Satan himself, who are spirit rulers in the universe. They promote and perpetuate ignorance of Godly things as well as spiritual depravity, evil purposes and desires in all the heavenly regions. These ranks of demons are on the earth in the spirit realm including in the atmosphere around the earth (1st heaven). Some are rulers in the spirit realm in specific regions of space (2nd heaven). While some are inter-galactic (again 2nd heaven) spirit potentates that have the liberty to do as they please.

As I said above, this is an excerpt. ^_^ ALL my studies are listed in ascending chronological order starting with the earliest, at the right hand side of the page. You can freely read, print or download the entire study using each link to the right above.

God Bless You.

EASTER (Passover, Passion, Atonement)

In the book of Matthew, the 27th chapter, we see that the chief priests and the elders plotted against Jesus because they wanted to kill Him. They tied Him up and brought Him to Pontius Pilate who was governor at the time (27:1-2). This occurred at the time of the customary feast of the passover. Israelites came from everywhere to Jerusalem to celebrate the passover, which was a celebration of their freedom from slavery in Egypt (Matthew 26:17-19).

Pontius Pilate questioned Jesus, asking Him if He was the King of the Jews. Jesus answered him by telling him that those were his (Pilate's) words (27:11). The chief priests and elders also accused Him but He did not answer them. Pilate then asked Jesus if He heard all the accusations but again Jesus did not answer. Pilate was amazed because he knew that Jesus was falsely accused and people usually defended themselves when they were innocent.

It was customary at the feast that the governor should release a prisoner who the people chose. There was a famous prisoner called Barabbas and there was Jesus. Pilate asked the people who they wanted him to release to them. The scripture says Pilate knew that the chief priests and elders had accused Jesus out of envy (v.18).

The chief priests and elders convinced the people to ask for Barabbas and to condemn Jesus. Pilate asked the people what Jesus had done but the people just kept chanting: "Let him be crucified!" (27:23). Pilate then washed his hands in water and said that he was innocent of the blood of Jesus (27:24).

In the book of Leviticus, the 16th chapter, we see that God told Moses to tell Aaron what the custom was for a sin offering for the people on the day of atonement (16:7-10).

Aaron had to cast lots upon two goats. Based on the lots cast, a choice was made about which goat would be sacrificed to God for the sins of the people and which one would be the scapegoat to be released into the wilderness. It is also interesting that the person who led the scapegoat into the wilderness to release it would have to wash his hands with water to cleanse himself (16:26).

The goat that was sacrificed typified Christ Jesus the sinless one who took the sin of the people of the past, present and future and was crucified for them. Through Christ Jesus we have the opportunity to take on the righteousness of God.

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)

I have never heard anyone teach that the other goat typified the criminal Barabbas. Christ Jesus fulfilled the role of both goats. The scapegoat was led away into the wilderness as a symbol of the carrying away of the sins of the people that the sacrificial goat died for. The scapegoat typified the removal of sins by the resurrection of Christ Jesus. He died for our sins and was raised for our justification.

"Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." Romans 4:25 (KJV)

This is what Easter is about. It is not about costumed bunnies and painted eggs or egg hunts; although the children have fun with these things. Easter is Atonement: Christ Jesus' death and resurrection to take away sin and to reconnect all people to God.

God Bless You.

VERBING SCRIPTURE Honour & Love

I read an interestingly amusing article some time ago that discussed the verbing of nouns throughout the history of the English language. You may read it here: YOU'VE BEEN VERBED. Very recently I was thinking about verbing nouns from a Biblical perspective and my mind went first to the New Testament scripture about Honouring parents:

"Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)" ~ Ephesians 6:2 (KJV)

We are commanded to honour our parents. The word 'honour' in this scripture comes from the Greek word TIMAO, pronounced tē-mä'-ō. It has two literal meanings:

1. To estimate or to fix the value of something that belongs to one's self;
2. To revere, venerate, to hold in honour or to honour someone with many honours.

'Honour' is a verb in this scripture in two clear ways. Let me explain. If I were to estimate the value of my parents to me, I would unquestionably value them most expensively. They are absolutely priceless. There are no riches in the world that can replace them. Moreover, in my heart, mind, soul and strength, I hold them in the highest honour that I can give to man and I continue within myself to esteem, respect and honour them with many honours. This is honour in action.

As I gave more thought to the verbing of nouns my mind went to another scripture:

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" ~ Ephesians 5:25 (KJV)

We who are husbands are commanded to love our wives in the way that Christ loves the church: with self sacrifice. The word 'love' in this scripture comes from the Greek word AGAPAO, pronounced ä-gä-pä'-ō. It also has two literal meanings:

1. To welcome, to entertain, to be fond of and to love someone dearly;
2. To be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing.

'Love' is a verb in this scripture with two meanings. When used of a person, it expresses having a preference for that person as well as wishing the best for them. It also means that one will give highest regard to the well-being of the person. When it is used of a thing it denotes taking pleasure in it, being unwilling to abandon it and to prize it above all other things.

I apply both principles to my relationship with my wife. I am more than fond of her and the things she does or says. I welcome her always in the sense that I will never deny her any good thing. I entertain her in the sense that I am sensitive to her thoughts, desires and intentions and I do make her laugh. Most importantly though, I love and cherish her dearly and she knows it. This is love in action.

Honour and Love are nouns as well as verbs. Ultimately, we are to Honour and Love God Almighty in a more profound way than how we love our family, friends and our fellow human beings. According to scripture, Honour and Love are nouns that we must verb in order for us to make them effective in ourselves and to others.

God Bless You. ^_^

BE YE TRANSFORMED (By the renewing of your mind.)

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)


The book of Romans is the foundation of Christian teaching. It contains the ABC's & 123's of Christian education. The theme of the book is sin, God's wrath against sin, and righteousness through faith as the way to be justified.

In chapter 12 the Apostle Paul pleaded with the Roman Christians because of his Godly compassion and urged them to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice to God. He said it was logical or reasonable that this was their sacred service as believers.

He further said, in offering their bodies this way, they had to stop fashioning or conforming their minds and their character after the pattern that the world set. He urged them to be 'transformed' (Greek-METAMORPHOO, pronounced me-tä-mor-fo'-ō) or to undergo a complete metamorphosis. The first thing I thought about when I read this part of the scripture was the process of the caterpillar turning into a butterfly. My daughter Samara has a book about this. Although its in Japanese, the picture shows the stages of a physical transformation.

Paul continued by saying that the metamorphosis had to be "by the renewing of your mind". Let us examine the Greek. The Greek word translated 'renewing' is ANAKAINOSIS, pronounced ä-nä-kī'-nō-sēs. It literally refers to a complete change for the better. The Greek word translated 'mind' is NOUS, pronounced nü's. It literally refers to the faculties of perceiving and understanding as well as those of feeling, judging calmly and impartially, and determining thoughts, feelings, purposes and desires. He was saying that the Roman Christians must completely change all of these.

From birth (because of sin) we have learned ways of perceiving, understanding, feeling, judging and determining that are contrary to God's standard. When we became believers we decided that we wanted a better way.

Paul spoke to the Roman Christians then and he is speaking to us now. He is urging us to completely change our minds. He gives reasons. He said this is the only way to prove or test and examine or scrutinize the good, acceptable and perfect will of God and recognize that it is genuine. Once we prove it we will know it, we will recognize that it is genuine and will begin the process to renew our minds. This is the start of the mental transformation. I beseech you therefore my friends, by the mercies of God, be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds.

God Bless You!

P.S.
Thanks Jodi! ^_^

DON’T BLAME THE GHETTO

My wife jokingly told me yesterday that I don’t know the difference between a ghetto and a rural community. I had a good laugh. If she is right then it is probably because the rural community where I grew up in Jamaica was a ghetto.

The ‘ghetto’ is far from a theatrical production performed by seasoned actors upon a stage, viewed and indulged in by an aloof audience. It is a very real phenomenon existing in the most educated and wealthiest of societies.

I’ve been in Jamaican, Canadian and many American ghettos and the only differences I’ve seen and experienced are the faces of the people living in them. The primary product of the ghetto is the ghetto culture, which breeds and perpetuates a ghetto mentality. This mentality is an organism that poisons the social order by imposing itself upon the ignorant, the uneducated and the naïve and it is a corrupt politician’s primary tool in politicking. But the ghetto culture and mentality are NOT the problem. They are only symptoms of the real problem. The real problem is the sin nature in man, which nurtures and perpetuates a culture of sin.

The Apostle Paul tells us about this in Romans 7:15-23 (KJV). He was talking to the Roman Christians who had been struggling with sin. He began by telling them that sometimes we don’t understand what it is that we do because of our sinful nature.

"For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 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. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."

Paul explains that he does the things he hates and does not do the things that he wants to do. He had a battle raging within himself, as we all do. He said that when he did the things that he didn’t want to do, it was the sin dwelling in his sinful nature. He said he wanted to do what was good but that he couldn’t. He said evil was present with him. He further said that his inner man (his born-again Spirit) loved God’s law but that his sinful nature was warring against his inner man and was capturing him under the law of sin. He then asked a question in v. 24 and answered it in v. 25:

“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”

The Apostle Paul acknowledged that he needed someone far greater than himself to rescue him. He thanked God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The opportunity is there for all of us to receive salvation. Paul recognized that with his thoughts, understanding and reasoning (mind) he served God but with his sinful nature he served sin. Look at what he said in Romans 8:5-6 (KJV) about why we serve each of them and what the pros and cons are.

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Paul said that people serve the sinful nature because their thoughts understanding and reasoning are focused on what the sinful nature desires. This leads to death. He said if we set our thoughts, understanding and reasoning on the things that the Spirit desires, it brings us life and peace.

Therefore my friends, since we know this, are we going to allow the sin nature to dominate our born-again Spirits?

"And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:27 (KJV)

Be Blessed.