Matthew 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Many have been summoned and invited to the Great Feast of the King. Many have been called to sit at His feet and to do HIS Will. Many have a special invitation. They have been called to do the work for the Kingdom of God. But sadly, many will turn their calling down.
Matthew 22:3-6 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!4 “So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ 5 But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. 6 Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.
Many will hear but many will refuse. Many will hear but will fail their test. Many will forsake HIM. Many will go back their own way. Others will insult and kill God's messengers. Just because one has been called, it is another matter to have received the calling. In order to be wearing the wedding garment, one must have received the calling and authority to enter the feast. Just to be called is the invitation to wear the wedding clothes.
And then their are those who have been called but have yet to pass their tests to receive the calling but have decided to go without proper wedding garment and with their own authority to sneak into the feast. They go without proper covering or authority.
Matthew 22:11-13 “But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. 12 ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. 13 Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Many ministries have been formed prematurely as a premature baby is born. With premature babies, there are many problems. Many are so eager but have no patience. Many have yet to die to themselves. Many have yet to pray plowing their lands properly preparing for the harvest.
Just because one has been called does not mean they have received the calling or authority to do HIS Work. All must pass their tests prior to receiving the call. All must be broken to be used as an honorable vessel. Many are called but few choose to obey. Only those who do the Father's Will will enter the Kingdom of God.
May you all fully surrender to the Great King of Kings and be chosen to do HIS Work.
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God Church
Fremont, CA USA
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Do works and live lives consistent with and worthy of your repentance.
Mark 11:13-14 And seeing in the distance a fig tree [covered] with leaves, He went to see if He could find any [fruit] on it [for in the fig tree the fruit appears at the same time as the leaves]. But when He came up to it, He found nothing but leaves, for the fig season had not yet come. 14 And He said to it, No one ever again shall eat fruit from you. And His disciples were listening [to what He said].
Jesus walking in the flesh was hungry as any person on the earth. When HE saw a fig tree from the distance covered with leaves, the assumption was there would be fruit. The fig fruit appears at the same time as the leaves. When HE had come up to it, there were nothing but leaves. Since there were no fruit, Jesus basically cursed the tree and it withered away.
The fig tree had leaves but no fruit. It was in its season to bear fruit but the tree missed its season. The size of the tree and leaves can represent many things. A person may be a Christian for many years. Some Christians have much knowledge. Some Christians have much spiritual gifts. Some Christians have much experience and talent. Some Christians may even have the ability to hear God clearly. The abundance of leaves may represents time, knowledge, spiritual gifts, experience, and talents.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee in authority (John 3). He was one with much knowledge. But yet Jesus emphasized that one needed to be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus did not understand what God had expected from His people even though he appeared to be an ideal person who should know. Too many Christians define their Christianity and their worth based on their leaves. Even such a person like Nicodemus thought he was safe with his salvation. Many Christians today are not working out their salvation with trembling and fear but thinking they are very safe.
We are like trees. We are called to bear fruit. If we do not bear fruit, the ax will already be at the root of the tree ready to be cut and thrown in the fire. Is Jesus coming for your leaves? HE is hungry. HE is coming for the fruit. HE is going to be looking for the fruit of the Holy Spirit in you.
John the Baptist rebuked the religious order and told them to bring forth fruit consistent with repentance. Where is the change in your lives? Many have repented but where is the change in their lives? If people had truly repented, then it would be proven through the fruit they bear.
Matthew 3: 8 Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];
The crowds asked John the Baptist, how do we repent? What do we need to do?
John said that if we have two shirts to give one away. If we have food, then to share it with the hungry. For the tax collectors to only collect what the government requires. John further said, do not extort or make false accusations and be content with your pay.
The people in John days are like the Christians today. Many are very greedy. Many are jealous and envy of each other. Many are liars, dishonest, and complainers. Is John speaking and evangelizing to non believers? No, John is speaking and rebuking God's people who are so blind and stubborn. John said to bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance. Show that you have changed your lives. Is your life changed? Have we truly repented? What has it cost you to follow Jesus?
Jesus was hungry and had come to the tree for fruit. Today, HE is seated in the right hand of Father God. Is Jesus still hungry for fruit? Yes, HE is still hungry. When HE sends a weak believer, wounded soul, baby Christian, or a least one of HIS your way, will you love them even though they may be very difficult to deal with? Will you feed them? Will you give them something to drink? Will you clothe them? Will you be kind to them? Will you embrace them even though they have many issues or will you demand them to change first before you love them? As Jesus said, even the sinner love their own but if you only love your own and not others, how is that love?
Matthew 25:34-36 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
In the physical realm, you may feed someone physical food or give them money as an expression of helping. When one helps whether you feed, give them drink, or clothe, hopefully, you do it out of genuine love from your broken spirit and as you do it out of true love, then you are bringing forth fruit, the fruit of Love. In the spiritual realm, God is able to partake this fruit that you are bearing and bringing forth.
Bring forth fruit of repentance. When you ask forgiveness from one you had offended or hurt, if you have truly repented, the fruit you will now bring forth to such a person would be love. To say you have forgiven but never want to see that person's face is not forgiveness nor love. It is but mockery. If you had stolen, you would give back or stop stealing. If you are in sin, then you would stop sinning. If you are in addiction or bondage, then you would be crying out to HIM for freedom. Bring forth fruit worthy of repentance!
Are we truly loving those who had offended us? Are we truly feeding and praying for our enemies or are you slandering them while you watch the news? Are we truly allowing them to slap our other cheek? Are we truly blessing those who curse us or are you making an offensive gesture back at the one who just cut you off in traffic? Are we truly going two miles when they ask us to go one mile? Are you loving those who are not your own?
Only through true contrite brokenness can a person bring forth ripe sweet fruit. When a Christian is not broken but hard and stubborn, they can only bring forth leaves and at best unripe fruit. Unripened fruit is bitter and hard. When a Christian who possess unripened hard bitter fruit and attempts to minster to others, they are essentially feeding them poison and at the end, they will end up hurting and offending others. Such Christians will need to repent as they will answer to God for casting out the least ones. Remember, the fig tree without fruit was cursed.
Matthew 25:41-46 Then He will say to those at His left hand, Begone from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!42 For I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink,43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome Me and entertain Me, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me [l]with help and ministering care.44 Then they also [in their turn] will answer, Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?45 And He will reply to them, Solemnly I declare to you, in so far as you failed to do it for the least [[m]in the estimation of men] of these, you failed to do it for Me.46 Then they will go away into eternal punishment, but those who are just and upright and in right standing with God into eternal life.
May you bear fruit worthy of repentance as those words spoken thousands of years ago have been spoken in the context of eternity and still applies to us today. May you ask God to brake you so that HE may use you as a vessel of honor. You must understand the cost of this request but it is required if you want to see HIS face one day.
Acts 26:20 But made known openly first of all to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout the whole land of Judea, and also among the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works and live lives consistent with and worthy of their repentance.
As the book of Acts states, "DO WORKS AND LIVE LIVES CONSISTENT WITH AND WORTHY OF REPENTANCE!" The bible says that you must be perfect as HE is perfect.
Matthew 5:48 You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete [maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God Church
Fremont, CA USA
July 23, 2014
Jesus walking in the flesh was hungry as any person on the earth. When HE saw a fig tree from the distance covered with leaves, the assumption was there would be fruit. The fig fruit appears at the same time as the leaves. When HE had come up to it, there were nothing but leaves. Since there were no fruit, Jesus basically cursed the tree and it withered away.
The fig tree had leaves but no fruit. It was in its season to bear fruit but the tree missed its season. The size of the tree and leaves can represent many things. A person may be a Christian for many years. Some Christians have much knowledge. Some Christians have much spiritual gifts. Some Christians have much experience and talent. Some Christians may even have the ability to hear God clearly. The abundance of leaves may represents time, knowledge, spiritual gifts, experience, and talents.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee in authority (John 3). He was one with much knowledge. But yet Jesus emphasized that one needed to be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus did not understand what God had expected from His people even though he appeared to be an ideal person who should know. Too many Christians define their Christianity and their worth based on their leaves. Even such a person like Nicodemus thought he was safe with his salvation. Many Christians today are not working out their salvation with trembling and fear but thinking they are very safe.
We are like trees. We are called to bear fruit. If we do not bear fruit, the ax will already be at the root of the tree ready to be cut and thrown in the fire. Is Jesus coming for your leaves? HE is hungry. HE is coming for the fruit. HE is going to be looking for the fruit of the Holy Spirit in you.
John the Baptist rebuked the religious order and told them to bring forth fruit consistent with repentance. Where is the change in your lives? Many have repented but where is the change in their lives? If people had truly repented, then it would be proven through the fruit they bear.
Matthew 3: 8 Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];
The crowds asked John the Baptist, how do we repent? What do we need to do?
John said that if we have two shirts to give one away. If we have food, then to share it with the hungry. For the tax collectors to only collect what the government requires. John further said, do not extort or make false accusations and be content with your pay.
The people in John days are like the Christians today. Many are very greedy. Many are jealous and envy of each other. Many are liars, dishonest, and complainers. Is John speaking and evangelizing to non believers? No, John is speaking and rebuking God's people who are so blind and stubborn. John said to bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance. Show that you have changed your lives. Is your life changed? Have we truly repented? What has it cost you to follow Jesus?
Jesus was hungry and had come to the tree for fruit. Today, HE is seated in the right hand of Father God. Is Jesus still hungry for fruit? Yes, HE is still hungry. When HE sends a weak believer, wounded soul, baby Christian, or a least one of HIS your way, will you love them even though they may be very difficult to deal with? Will you feed them? Will you give them something to drink? Will you clothe them? Will you be kind to them? Will you embrace them even though they have many issues or will you demand them to change first before you love them? As Jesus said, even the sinner love their own but if you only love your own and not others, how is that love?
Matthew 25:34-36 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
In the physical realm, you may feed someone physical food or give them money as an expression of helping. When one helps whether you feed, give them drink, or clothe, hopefully, you do it out of genuine love from your broken spirit and as you do it out of true love, then you are bringing forth fruit, the fruit of Love. In the spiritual realm, God is able to partake this fruit that you are bearing and bringing forth.
Bring forth fruit of repentance. When you ask forgiveness from one you had offended or hurt, if you have truly repented, the fruit you will now bring forth to such a person would be love. To say you have forgiven but never want to see that person's face is not forgiveness nor love. It is but mockery. If you had stolen, you would give back or stop stealing. If you are in sin, then you would stop sinning. If you are in addiction or bondage, then you would be crying out to HIM for freedom. Bring forth fruit worthy of repentance!
Are we truly loving those who had offended us? Are we truly feeding and praying for our enemies or are you slandering them while you watch the news? Are we truly allowing them to slap our other cheek? Are we truly blessing those who curse us or are you making an offensive gesture back at the one who just cut you off in traffic? Are we truly going two miles when they ask us to go one mile? Are you loving those who are not your own?
Only through true contrite brokenness can a person bring forth ripe sweet fruit. When a Christian is not broken but hard and stubborn, they can only bring forth leaves and at best unripe fruit. Unripened fruit is bitter and hard. When a Christian who possess unripened hard bitter fruit and attempts to minster to others, they are essentially feeding them poison and at the end, they will end up hurting and offending others. Such Christians will need to repent as they will answer to God for casting out the least ones. Remember, the fig tree without fruit was cursed.
Matthew 25:41-46 Then He will say to those at His left hand, Begone from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!42 For I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink,43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome Me and entertain Me, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me [l]with help and ministering care.44 Then they also [in their turn] will answer, Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?45 And He will reply to them, Solemnly I declare to you, in so far as you failed to do it for the least [[m]in the estimation of men] of these, you failed to do it for Me.46 Then they will go away into eternal punishment, but those who are just and upright and in right standing with God into eternal life.
May you bear fruit worthy of repentance as those words spoken thousands of years ago have been spoken in the context of eternity and still applies to us today. May you ask God to brake you so that HE may use you as a vessel of honor. You must understand the cost of this request but it is required if you want to see HIS face one day.
Acts 26:20 But made known openly first of all to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout the whole land of Judea, and also among the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works and live lives consistent with and worthy of their repentance.
As the book of Acts states, "DO WORKS AND LIVE LIVES CONSISTENT WITH AND WORTHY OF REPENTANCE!" The bible says that you must be perfect as HE is perfect.
Matthew 5:48 You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete [maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God Church
Fremont, CA USA
July 23, 2014
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Why did you DOUBT me?
Matthew 14:24-31 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
In the mist of tribulation, the strong winds and heavy waves of life can take us far from our safety. Scripture says they were in trouble. In our troubles, as we wait for the Lord, HE can come in an unexpected way. Many Christians today are not familiar with anything spiritual. If God is Spirit, then we must seek spiritual things for we are to be a spiritual people. But many Christians go to church and experience only natural physical things. They only experience their emotions. They only experience what they feel in the physical. They have yet to encounter God. They have yet to encounter HIM in a spiritual way. Scripture states only those who are led by the Spirit are the sons of God.
The disciples were in trouble and they were waiting for the Lord. But the Lord came to them in a total unexpected way. HE came to them walking on water. Scripture states, they were terrified. They cried out, "Its a ghost!" Many Christians react the same way today if they were to encounter anything spiritual or unnatural. Many Christians become terrified and fail to pursue the Holy Spirit. This can be most dangerous if we have no discernment and only fear. We may end up rejecting the Holy Spirit for HE comes in Spirit and in the supernatural. If HE manifests HIMSELF through the gifts of the Spirit and if one continuously reject the gifts, such a person may end up blaspheming HIM.
Jesus walking on water was normal to HIM. Jesus was moving in the Spirit. But seeing someone walking on the water is not normal to us. But perhaps, we, in the physical are the ones who are abnormal. When we cry out to Jesus for help, how do we expect HIM to answer? Do we think HE will appear in the physical form in our nature? No, HE will come in Spirit. HE will come as the Holy Spirit. And as HE said more than two thousand years ago, HE assures us today, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here!” We need discernment not to push the Holy Spirit away. We must ask for HIS courage.
Jesus called Peter out to the water. HE is calling many unto HIM today. HE is calling many of you even though you may be in the storms of life. Yes, the winds are strong and the waves are heavy. But will you step out in faith? We tell the Lord we will do anything for HIM. Many say they love HIM so much. Therefore, HE calls many unto HIM who have said they will go. As Peter stepped out on to the water, he received grace to walk on water. Many today have answered the call of Jesus and through HIS Grace have enter ministries or their calling. Many have enter into HIS other services. However, God continues to test HIS people. Those who belong to HIM will be tested. Peter felt the strong winds and heavy waves and he looked at the storm. Rather than staying focused on Jesus and staying in faith, Peter moved back into the flesh as he felt the strong winds and heavy waves. Many today had first stepped out in faith but due to the heavy tests and trials, they have returned operating by sight, estimating, and calculating through humanism. Rather than pleading and crying out to God trusting only in HIM, many end up begging to each other for help.
Why did Peter fall into the water? Were the winds too strong? Were the waves too heavy? Are our tests too hard? Are our trials too difficult? No, His Grace is sufficient! Peter fell into the water because he had doubted the Lord.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you DOUBT me?”
Many say they trust HIM. Many say they have faith in HIM. Many say they will do whatever HE ask. But in reality, many do and will doubt HIM when the storms become a little heavy. The Lord will allow the storms of your life to become more heavy and strong to test your hearts. Do you really believe in HIM or will you doubt HIM?
Grace and Mercy will always be there if we cry out to HIM. Peter shouted for help. But you must humble yourself and know you need HIM with all of your heart. A double mind and a divided heart will at the end ship wreck your faith. Many Christians must realize many of you are sinking because you are doubting HIM. We must realize that our necks are at the edge of the water where the waves are suffocating us and where we may be at our end. Only in such desperation will many truly humble themselves to cry out to HIM. Many blame the devil but the devil is not stronger than HE nor HIS sons and daughters for we have the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. The problem is the person looking in the mirror. Too many of HIS people are doubting HIM.
May you stay in prayer and in faith to know HE is coming. But you must all overcome and persevere until HIS Return. HE is coming for the overcomers. HE will not fail us but you must no longer doubt HIM. Ask for a spirit of repentance. We must return to HIM crying, praying, fasting, and with a serious surrendered heart that is no longer divided until all hindrances are removed and the fellowship restored. You must continue to seek, ask, and knock until HE answers you. HE is watching many of you to see if you really mean it this time.
Glory to HIM
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God Church
Fremont CA USA
In the mist of tribulation, the strong winds and heavy waves of life can take us far from our safety. Scripture says they were in trouble. In our troubles, as we wait for the Lord, HE can come in an unexpected way. Many Christians today are not familiar with anything spiritual. If God is Spirit, then we must seek spiritual things for we are to be a spiritual people. But many Christians go to church and experience only natural physical things. They only experience their emotions. They only experience what they feel in the physical. They have yet to encounter God. They have yet to encounter HIM in a spiritual way. Scripture states only those who are led by the Spirit are the sons of God.
The disciples were in trouble and they were waiting for the Lord. But the Lord came to them in a total unexpected way. HE came to them walking on water. Scripture states, they were terrified. They cried out, "Its a ghost!" Many Christians react the same way today if they were to encounter anything spiritual or unnatural. Many Christians become terrified and fail to pursue the Holy Spirit. This can be most dangerous if we have no discernment and only fear. We may end up rejecting the Holy Spirit for HE comes in Spirit and in the supernatural. If HE manifests HIMSELF through the gifts of the Spirit and if one continuously reject the gifts, such a person may end up blaspheming HIM.
Jesus walking on water was normal to HIM. Jesus was moving in the Spirit. But seeing someone walking on the water is not normal to us. But perhaps, we, in the physical are the ones who are abnormal. When we cry out to Jesus for help, how do we expect HIM to answer? Do we think HE will appear in the physical form in our nature? No, HE will come in Spirit. HE will come as the Holy Spirit. And as HE said more than two thousand years ago, HE assures us today, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here!” We need discernment not to push the Holy Spirit away. We must ask for HIS courage.
Jesus called Peter out to the water. HE is calling many unto HIM today. HE is calling many of you even though you may be in the storms of life. Yes, the winds are strong and the waves are heavy. But will you step out in faith? We tell the Lord we will do anything for HIM. Many say they love HIM so much. Therefore, HE calls many unto HIM who have said they will go. As Peter stepped out on to the water, he received grace to walk on water. Many today have answered the call of Jesus and through HIS Grace have enter ministries or their calling. Many have enter into HIS other services. However, God continues to test HIS people. Those who belong to HIM will be tested. Peter felt the strong winds and heavy waves and he looked at the storm. Rather than staying focused on Jesus and staying in faith, Peter moved back into the flesh as he felt the strong winds and heavy waves. Many today had first stepped out in faith but due to the heavy tests and trials, they have returned operating by sight, estimating, and calculating through humanism. Rather than pleading and crying out to God trusting only in HIM, many end up begging to each other for help.
Why did Peter fall into the water? Were the winds too strong? Were the waves too heavy? Are our tests too hard? Are our trials too difficult? No, His Grace is sufficient! Peter fell into the water because he had doubted the Lord.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you DOUBT me?”
Many say they trust HIM. Many say they have faith in HIM. Many say they will do whatever HE ask. But in reality, many do and will doubt HIM when the storms become a little heavy. The Lord will allow the storms of your life to become more heavy and strong to test your hearts. Do you really believe in HIM or will you doubt HIM?
Grace and Mercy will always be there if we cry out to HIM. Peter shouted for help. But you must humble yourself and know you need HIM with all of your heart. A double mind and a divided heart will at the end ship wreck your faith. Many Christians must realize many of you are sinking because you are doubting HIM. We must realize that our necks are at the edge of the water where the waves are suffocating us and where we may be at our end. Only in such desperation will many truly humble themselves to cry out to HIM. Many blame the devil but the devil is not stronger than HE nor HIS sons and daughters for we have the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. The problem is the person looking in the mirror. Too many of HIS people are doubting HIM.
May you stay in prayer and in faith to know HE is coming. But you must all overcome and persevere until HIS Return. HE is coming for the overcomers. HE will not fail us but you must no longer doubt HIM. Ask for a spirit of repentance. We must return to HIM crying, praying, fasting, and with a serious surrendered heart that is no longer divided until all hindrances are removed and the fellowship restored. You must continue to seek, ask, and knock until HE answers you. HE is watching many of you to see if you really mean it this time.
Glory to HIM
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God Church
Fremont CA USA
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
You are spiritual Jerusalem. You are spiritual Israel.
Jerusalem is the physical location where the temple of God was located. Now the temple of God is in His Church or people. We are the temple of God. Therefore, you are now spiritual Jerusalem. When you read the bible, you must read it spiritually. When God speaks to Jerusalem, HE is speaking to you. We as a people who are reborn and saved are spiritual Israel. When you read the bible and as God speaks to Israel, HE is speaking to you.
Many people read the bible and think when God addresses Israel or Jerusalem, many think the message was for another people and for another time. The message is for you even now as the Word is eternal. The Word is eternal. It means there is no end or beginning. Although in our physical realm, there was a past people that God spoke too and the church may consists of many multitudes, but in the eternal, HE is still speaking and now to us in our generation.
Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, murdering the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a mother fowl gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused!
Jeremiah 2:2 (NLT) “Go and shout this message to Jerusalem. This is what the Lord says:
“I remember how eager you were to please me
as a young bride long ago,
how you loved me and followed me
even through the barren wilderness.
We read these scripture verses and think God was speaking to another people for another time. Yes HE was but now, in the context of eternity, HE is speaking to many of YOU in the time of the present as many even today continue to forsake HIM.
Jeremiah 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved! How long shall your iniquitous and grossly offensive thoughts lodge within you?
Ezekiel 3:7 But the house of Israel will not listen to you and obey you since they will not listen to Me and obey Me, for all the house of Israel are impudent and stubborn of heart.
You must read the bible spiritually and as a personal letter for yourself. Whether the bible has a message of rebuke, correcting, judgment, forgiveness, and/or love, the message is for the present reader although the message may have been written thousands of years ago.
As you read the bible and understand that you are spiritual Jerusalem and spiritual Israel, you will come to realize, HE is speaking to you today from a letter written thousands of years ago but it is resonating in the present. And you will have a better understanding of the end times as you realize it is for the church today and not for a past people.
Yes, God is still working to save the people of physical Israel and Jerusalem but your eyes must be on the spiritual to discern what will come in prophecy. Your focus must be on the eternal and spiritual things.
The Jews had kept their eyes on a physical deliverance from the Romans when Jesus had come to delivered them spiritually. They were looking and focusing on the physical signs. But because their discernment and understanding were more physical, they did not recognize God and betrayed HIM. Remember, the order is first spirit, soul, and body.
In the coming days, many many will forsake HIM. Many will betray HIM once again. Those who betray HIM will be those who have focused on the physical things rather than the eternal things as the bible had commanded. Many do not know the ways of God so they will be offended as what they had hoped and expected from the point view of their flesh will not materialize. The Jews had expected the Romans to be overthrown by their Messiah. But when God came in a different way, they were offended.
Those who belong to God will be tested. Those who belong to God will OVERCOME! Those who understand the spirit of the Word will know their path to heaven. It is a road of testing, trials, and tribulations. It is but a narrow road. Those who belong to God will know the cost to follow HIM and will be willing to pay the price. Those who belong to HIM will operate in faith. It will not be a blind faith but a faith that have been tested as gold and silver, chiseled through the trials of life, and from ashes to beauty will come forth a contrite broken vessel for the work of the LORD for HIS Glory for these last days.
Those who understand the eternal will prepare for the coming days as we accumulate our prayers, worship, reading, and cleansing with our eyes fixed on HIM preparing to behold HIS Glory.
You must accept God's plan in your lives even if it means HE will break and crush you. Through the brokenness, HE desires to bring forth the fragrance of Jesus from you. Rather than resisting, may you all welcome and thank what HE has for your life and may you all pass your tests. May you ask HIM to break you so that HE may be glorified through you and that you may come to the fullness of God through Jesus Christ.
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fremont CA USA
Fire of God Church
Many people read the bible and think when God addresses Israel or Jerusalem, many think the message was for another people and for another time. The message is for you even now as the Word is eternal. The Word is eternal. It means there is no end or beginning. Although in our physical realm, there was a past people that God spoke too and the church may consists of many multitudes, but in the eternal, HE is still speaking and now to us in our generation.
Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, murdering the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a mother fowl gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused!
Jeremiah 2:2 (NLT) “Go and shout this message to Jerusalem. This is what the Lord says:
“I remember how eager you were to please me
as a young bride long ago,
how you loved me and followed me
even through the barren wilderness.
We read these scripture verses and think God was speaking to another people for another time. Yes HE was but now, in the context of eternity, HE is speaking to many of YOU in the time of the present as many even today continue to forsake HIM.
Jeremiah 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved! How long shall your iniquitous and grossly offensive thoughts lodge within you?
Ezekiel 3:7 But the house of Israel will not listen to you and obey you since they will not listen to Me and obey Me, for all the house of Israel are impudent and stubborn of heart.
You must read the bible spiritually and as a personal letter for yourself. Whether the bible has a message of rebuke, correcting, judgment, forgiveness, and/or love, the message is for the present reader although the message may have been written thousands of years ago.
As you read the bible and understand that you are spiritual Jerusalem and spiritual Israel, you will come to realize, HE is speaking to you today from a letter written thousands of years ago but it is resonating in the present. And you will have a better understanding of the end times as you realize it is for the church today and not for a past people.
Yes, God is still working to save the people of physical Israel and Jerusalem but your eyes must be on the spiritual to discern what will come in prophecy. Your focus must be on the eternal and spiritual things.
The Jews had kept their eyes on a physical deliverance from the Romans when Jesus had come to delivered them spiritually. They were looking and focusing on the physical signs. But because their discernment and understanding were more physical, they did not recognize God and betrayed HIM. Remember, the order is first spirit, soul, and body.
In the coming days, many many will forsake HIM. Many will betray HIM once again. Those who betray HIM will be those who have focused on the physical things rather than the eternal things as the bible had commanded. Many do not know the ways of God so they will be offended as what they had hoped and expected from the point view of their flesh will not materialize. The Jews had expected the Romans to be overthrown by their Messiah. But when God came in a different way, they were offended.
Those who belong to God will be tested. Those who belong to God will OVERCOME! Those who understand the spirit of the Word will know their path to heaven. It is a road of testing, trials, and tribulations. It is but a narrow road. Those who belong to God will know the cost to follow HIM and will be willing to pay the price. Those who belong to HIM will operate in faith. It will not be a blind faith but a faith that have been tested as gold and silver, chiseled through the trials of life, and from ashes to beauty will come forth a contrite broken vessel for the work of the LORD for HIS Glory for these last days.
Those who understand the eternal will prepare for the coming days as we accumulate our prayers, worship, reading, and cleansing with our eyes fixed on HIM preparing to behold HIS Glory.
You must accept God's plan in your lives even if it means HE will break and crush you. Through the brokenness, HE desires to bring forth the fragrance of Jesus from you. Rather than resisting, may you all welcome and thank what HE has for your life and may you all pass your tests. May you ask HIM to break you so that HE may be glorified through you and that you may come to the fullness of God through Jesus Christ.
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fremont CA USA
Fire of God Church
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
To manifest or not to manifest the Kingdom and Presence of God
James 3:13-18 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
In the spiritual realm there are two forces at work. The spiritual realm directly affects our physical realm. The two forces are the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of satan. We are either part of God's Kingdom by surrender, repenting, and choice (accepting Jesus as Savior) or by choice not to accept (rejecting Jesus) and/or without His knowledge defaulted to the kingdom of satan. If one rejects Jesus Christ, then one belongs to satan whether he/she agrees or disagrees. This world is currently governed by satan and he is described as the god of this world.
Satan is the god of this world because he had deceived Adam and Eve and when they had fell, all that were under Adam's authority fell and belonged to Satan. If a country is able to conquer another country whether violently or by means of surrender, then all the resources of the conquered country and all its people would belong to the conquering country. If one king or figure of authority surrenders to another king, then by default, all the people of the conquered country is subjected to the ruling and conquering country whether they agree or disagree. All resources, money, manufacturing, livestock, commodities, and people would belong to the conqueror. This is why many country have gone to war. Empires would invade other countries to steal their resources.
When satan had deceived Adam/Eve, both were figures of authority. Both were two realms or terriorities. Countries in our physical realm all need to eat and if they do not have the natural resources, then throughout history many would go to war to survive. Satan had rebelled against God and was thrown out from heaven. Satan was thrown to hell. He is now the king of hell. But Satan and his demons are beings that need to eat.
God told the serpent after he had deceived Adam, "You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life."
The serpent or devil also eats but his food is now dust. What is made from dust? Man is made from dust. The decaying man from his sin would be the food for the devil. The demons feed on our anger, hate, jealousy, lust, addictions, idols, and many more other earthly unspiritual matters of sin. Moreover, they hated God and they hated HIS children. When satan deceived Adam and Eve, he had now conquered the earth and all that belonged to Adam and Eve. All the children of men would now be born in sin. They were by default slaves of a new king, satan. We were now conquered to be satan's slaves and his food. When the sinner dies, the sinner would go to hell and be the food supply for the demons and be the subject of their tortured victims. Just as men raise livestock for food supply, men were now subjected to satan's kingdom to be slaves and food. In physical war, the conquering country would make slaves and torture their victims for fun or for various reasons.
When Jesus had come to the earth, God had physically invaded the earth to liberate HIS people. The Kingdom of God had come upon us. But the people of the earth belonged to satan and they were citizens of this demonic world. They acted like the devil. They were sinners. They were liars, thieves, adulterers, idolaters, cheaters, impure, and much more. God was and is willing to forgive their rebellion through their surrender to HIM, repentance, and acceptance of Jesus Christ but we have to willingly change through His Grace and become citizens of heaven. To become citizens of heaven, we must go through the sanctification process after being saved. We must pick up our own crosses and die to ourselves. We cannot continue to live as we did before we were saved and think we will just stride into God's Heaven when we possess the rebellious characteristics of the devil. We cannot live like the world and do what the world does. What does the world do? The world divorces, cheats, aborts their babies, lusts, drinks, smokes, do drugs, tattoos abusing their bodies, spends more time knowing about their sports team than King Jesus, does not read the bible, takes each other to court, slanders their secular and spiritual leaders, gossip, curse one another, defiles the Lord's Day by breaking the 4th commandment, steals by not tithing and offering to God, and denies the Holy Spirit. Yes, the Lord will forgive us of these things when we repent and turn from our wicked ways but it does not mean one can continue after salvation and after repentance. We must seek Holy lives. The citizens of heaven are peace makers. We are to strive to live in peace with all men. To live in peace is to manifest the Kingdom of God around us.
We hear and know that our God is a God of order but many Christians fail to realize the deeper meaning of this statement. If our God is a God of order, it would mean satan is the king of disorder. There are two realms at work and how we choose to react within our realm determines the presence and atmosphere we allow within and around us. Our choice and reaction determines which kingdom will rule or become present in our lives. We may have verbally given our lives to Jesus but as the book of James states without works, our faith is dead. Are we working for our salvation? Of course not, our salvation is based on His Grace alone. But the works or what we practice is determining or defining which kingdom we belong too. If we belong to the Kingdom of God, then we should be practicing righteousness (obedience). If we belong to the kingdom of satan, then such people will practice wickedness (disobedience).
Psalm 119:34 Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.
Luke 11:28 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
Philippians 4:9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Ephesians 4:19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.
1 John 3:9 Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.
In the spiritual realm there are two forces at work. The spiritual realm directly affects our physical realm. The two forces are the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of satan. We are either part of God's Kingdom by surrender, repenting, and choice (accepting Jesus as Savior) or by choice not to accept (rejecting Jesus) and/or without His knowledge defaulted to the kingdom of satan. If one rejects Jesus Christ, then one belongs to satan whether he/she agrees or disagrees. This world is currently governed by satan and he is described as the god of this world.
Satan is the god of this world because he had deceived Adam and Eve and when they had fell, all that were under Adam's authority fell and belonged to Satan. If a country is able to conquer another country whether violently or by means of surrender, then all the resources of the conquered country and all its people would belong to the conquering country. If one king or figure of authority surrenders to another king, then by default, all the people of the conquered country is subjected to the ruling and conquering country whether they agree or disagree. All resources, money, manufacturing, livestock, commodities, and people would belong to the conqueror. This is why many country have gone to war. Empires would invade other countries to steal their resources.
When satan had deceived Adam/Eve, both were figures of authority. Both were two realms or terriorities. Countries in our physical realm all need to eat and if they do not have the natural resources, then throughout history many would go to war to survive. Satan had rebelled against God and was thrown out from heaven. Satan was thrown to hell. He is now the king of hell. But Satan and his demons are beings that need to eat.
God told the serpent after he had deceived Adam, "You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life."
The serpent or devil also eats but his food is now dust. What is made from dust? Man is made from dust. The decaying man from his sin would be the food for the devil. The demons feed on our anger, hate, jealousy, lust, addictions, idols, and many more other earthly unspiritual matters of sin. Moreover, they hated God and they hated HIS children. When satan deceived Adam and Eve, he had now conquered the earth and all that belonged to Adam and Eve. All the children of men would now be born in sin. They were by default slaves of a new king, satan. We were now conquered to be satan's slaves and his food. When the sinner dies, the sinner would go to hell and be the food supply for the demons and be the subject of their tortured victims. Just as men raise livestock for food supply, men were now subjected to satan's kingdom to be slaves and food. In physical war, the conquering country would make slaves and torture their victims for fun or for various reasons.
When Jesus had come to the earth, God had physically invaded the earth to liberate HIS people. The Kingdom of God had come upon us. But the people of the earth belonged to satan and they were citizens of this demonic world. They acted like the devil. They were sinners. They were liars, thieves, adulterers, idolaters, cheaters, impure, and much more. God was and is willing to forgive their rebellion through their surrender to HIM, repentance, and acceptance of Jesus Christ but we have to willingly change through His Grace and become citizens of heaven. To become citizens of heaven, we must go through the sanctification process after being saved. We must pick up our own crosses and die to ourselves. We cannot continue to live as we did before we were saved and think we will just stride into God's Heaven when we possess the rebellious characteristics of the devil. We cannot live like the world and do what the world does. What does the world do? The world divorces, cheats, aborts their babies, lusts, drinks, smokes, do drugs, tattoos abusing their bodies, spends more time knowing about their sports team than King Jesus, does not read the bible, takes each other to court, slanders their secular and spiritual leaders, gossip, curse one another, defiles the Lord's Day by breaking the 4th commandment, steals by not tithing and offering to God, and denies the Holy Spirit. Yes, the Lord will forgive us of these things when we repent and turn from our wicked ways but it does not mean one can continue after salvation and after repentance. We must seek Holy lives. The citizens of heaven are peace makers. We are to strive to live in peace with all men. To live in peace is to manifest the Kingdom of God around us.
We hear and know that our God is a God of order but many Christians fail to realize the deeper meaning of this statement. If our God is a God of order, it would mean satan is the king of disorder. There are two realms at work and how we choose to react within our realm determines the presence and atmosphere we allow within and around us. Our choice and reaction determines which kingdom will rule or become present in our lives. We may have verbally given our lives to Jesus but as the book of James states without works, our faith is dead. Are we working for our salvation? Of course not, our salvation is based on His Grace alone. But the works or what we practice is determining or defining which kingdom we belong too. If we belong to the Kingdom of God, then we should be practicing righteousness (obedience). If we belong to the kingdom of satan, then such people will practice wickedness (disobedience).
Psalm 119:34 Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.
Luke 11:28 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
Philippians 4:9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Ephesians 4:19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.
1 John 3:9 Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.
Our God is a God of order, harmony, balance, peace, and love. Where there is order, harmony, balance, peace, and love, we will find manifestations of God. But where there is disorder, confusion, anger, hate, jealousy, and such we will not find the presence of God but the presence of evil and demons. For example, an angry person can walk into a room and such a person can change the atmosphere of the room. The people inside will sense the imbalance and disorder of the atmosphere. The angry person has brought the kingdom of satan with him as he/she walks into the room with anger spirits. A Christian who is carnal can bring and manifest the kingdom of satan as he/she gives into their carnal nature. This is why a Christian can continue to spiritually struggle as they give into the kingdom of satan through their disobedience and flesh. Within time, such a person who refuses to die to themselves will have given themselves back to the god of this world.
Luke 13:22-24 Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He replied, 24 “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.
Luke 14:27-30 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. 28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’
Receiving the message of the gospel can be very easy to people. We are saved by Grace and we did not have to do a thing to receive salvation. But to live it and finish the race is another matter. We must endure to the end for scripture states that those who endure to the end shall be saved! We are called to work out our salvation with trembling and fear. Oh, if it was a cake walk but it is not! Yes, His Grace is sufficient if we submit and yield to HIS authority.
As Christians, we are to manifest the presence and power of God. We are to manifest the Kingdom of God as it is already upon us. How do we manifest the presence and power of God? We must die to ourselves, pray, and seek HIS Face daily, and live Holy lives. We must be consecrated and separated from the world. We can no longer live and belong to the world. To get saved and then go back to the world is one who had begun construction of a building without first calculating the cost to determine if they would finish the race (Luke 14:27-30).
We are to forgive. We are to let the hurt go and give it to God. We are to repent. We are to stop fighting with one another. We are to stop gossiping. We are to stop disobeying our authorities. We are to stop slandering. We are to stop judging. We are to stop smoking, drinking and doing drugs. We are to stop usurping God's authority. We are to stop getting angry and having outburst of anger. We are to stop being impatient. We are to stop allowing the kingdom of satan to manifest in our lives and in our churches. The presence of God is lacking because we are manifesting our flesh rather than dying to ourselves. If we manifest chaos, disorder, fighting, anger, and such then God's presence would not be present. What would be present is food for the demons and just like flies or a swarm or sharks, they would smell and sense hate, anger, jealousy, and the likes and the kingdom of satan would instantly set up shop to have a feast on you. If you continue to practice the works of the flesh, then the kingdom of satan will only get stronger in such a person and God's presence would decrease as the demons increase. Satan and his demons thrive in disorder, chaos hate, fighting, jealousy, and the likes.
If we die to ourselves and we practice and strive for peace, order, forgiveness, gentleness, kindness, self control, and love, then God's presence would manifest and we would have brought the Kingdom of God upon us. When the Kingdom of God is upon us, then God can heal people and HE can deliver people. God's presence thrives around peace, order, harmony, balance, gentleness, and love.
When someone does or say something that offends you, then it is your choice whether to allow the kingdom of satan or Kingdom of God to manifest. If we choose to fight back, arguing, and escalating the matter, we are inviting demons creating an atmosphere of disorder and confusion. Or we can overcome the darkness with His Light by not reacting in the flesh but perhaps speaking a gentle word to turn away wrath. Why cannot you just apologize? Must you have the last word?
Proverbs 15:1-4 A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.2 The tongue of the wise utters knowledge rightly, but the mouth of the [self-confident] fool pours out folly.3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good.4 A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.
Jesus said if your eye makes you to sin then pluck it out. He said if your hand makes you to sin, cut it off. We are to make every effort using our act of will through HIS Grace to die to ourselves and stop sinning so that we may find Life.
We are not allowed to accept our shortcomings of the flesh. Yes, we have grace to get through and get things right with God but grace is not there for us to continue in our sins. His Grace is sufficient for us to take our flesh and sins to the cross and to deny ourselves. As James chapter 3 states, "If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom."
The command is to take and possess the Promise Land but only the meek shall inherit the earth. Only through the deeds of the fruit of the Spirit such as "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control," shall you overcome and win souls for the Kingdom of God. Do NOT follow the sinful desires of the flesh. "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives."
Glory to HIM
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
June 1, 2014
Receiving the message of the gospel can be very easy to people. We are saved by Grace and we did not have to do a thing to receive salvation. But to live it and finish the race is another matter. We must endure to the end for scripture states that those who endure to the end shall be saved! We are called to work out our salvation with trembling and fear. Oh, if it was a cake walk but it is not! Yes, His Grace is sufficient if we submit and yield to HIS authority.
As Christians, we are to manifest the presence and power of God. We are to manifest the Kingdom of God as it is already upon us. How do we manifest the presence and power of God? We must die to ourselves, pray, and seek HIS Face daily, and live Holy lives. We must be consecrated and separated from the world. We can no longer live and belong to the world. To get saved and then go back to the world is one who had begun construction of a building without first calculating the cost to determine if they would finish the race (Luke 14:27-30).
We are to forgive. We are to let the hurt go and give it to God. We are to repent. We are to stop fighting with one another. We are to stop gossiping. We are to stop disobeying our authorities. We are to stop slandering. We are to stop judging. We are to stop smoking, drinking and doing drugs. We are to stop usurping God's authority. We are to stop getting angry and having outburst of anger. We are to stop being impatient. We are to stop allowing the kingdom of satan to manifest in our lives and in our churches. The presence of God is lacking because we are manifesting our flesh rather than dying to ourselves. If we manifest chaos, disorder, fighting, anger, and such then God's presence would not be present. What would be present is food for the demons and just like flies or a swarm or sharks, they would smell and sense hate, anger, jealousy, and the likes and the kingdom of satan would instantly set up shop to have a feast on you. If you continue to practice the works of the flesh, then the kingdom of satan will only get stronger in such a person and God's presence would decrease as the demons increase. Satan and his demons thrive in disorder, chaos hate, fighting, jealousy, and the likes.
If we die to ourselves and we practice and strive for peace, order, forgiveness, gentleness, kindness, self control, and love, then God's presence would manifest and we would have brought the Kingdom of God upon us. When the Kingdom of God is upon us, then God can heal people and HE can deliver people. God's presence thrives around peace, order, harmony, balance, gentleness, and love.
When someone does or say something that offends you, then it is your choice whether to allow the kingdom of satan or Kingdom of God to manifest. If we choose to fight back, arguing, and escalating the matter, we are inviting demons creating an atmosphere of disorder and confusion. Or we can overcome the darkness with His Light by not reacting in the flesh but perhaps speaking a gentle word to turn away wrath. Why cannot you just apologize? Must you have the last word?
Proverbs 15:1-4 A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.2 The tongue of the wise utters knowledge rightly, but the mouth of the [self-confident] fool pours out folly.3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good.4 A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.
Jesus said if your eye makes you to sin then pluck it out. He said if your hand makes you to sin, cut it off. We are to make every effort using our act of will through HIS Grace to die to ourselves and stop sinning so that we may find Life.
We are not allowed to accept our shortcomings of the flesh. Yes, we have grace to get through and get things right with God but grace is not there for us to continue in our sins. His Grace is sufficient for us to take our flesh and sins to the cross and to deny ourselves. As James chapter 3 states, "If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom."
The command is to take and possess the Promise Land but only the meek shall inherit the earth. Only through the deeds of the fruit of the Spirit such as "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control," shall you overcome and win souls for the Kingdom of God. Do NOT follow the sinful desires of the flesh. "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives."
Glory to HIM
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
June 1, 2014
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