Presumptuous Prophets  Part 2

2 Chronicles 18:18-27

New International Version

18 Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing on his right and on his left. 19 And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’

“One suggested this, and another that. 20 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will entice him.’

“‘By what means?’ the Lord asked.

21 “‘I will go and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said.

“‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’

22 “So now the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you.”

23 Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. “Which way did the spirit from[a] the Lord go when he went from me to speak to you?” he asked.

24 Micaiah replied, “You will find out on the day you go to hide in an inner room.”

25 The king of Israel then ordered, “Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon the ruler of the city and to Joash the king’s son, 26 and say, ‘This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison and give him nothing but bread and water until I return safely.’”

27 Micaiah declared, “If you ever return safely, the Lord has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Mark my words, all you people!”

There are times when God allows a lying spirit to enter a false prophet to bring judgment on His people.  The king did not return safe, and Zedekiah was proven wrong.  There are always many presumptuous prophets that will tell you what you want to hear but few who speak the Word of the Lord.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Presumptuous Prophets  Part 3

Ezekiel 13:1-17

New International Version

False Prophets Condemned

13 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: ‘Hear the word of the Lord! 3 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish[a] prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! 4 Your prophets, Israel, are like jackals among ruins. 5 You have not gone up to the breaches in the wall to repair it for the people of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the Lord. 6 Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent them, they say, “The Lord declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words. 7 Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, “The Lord declares,” though I have not spoken?

8 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you, declares the Sovereign Lord. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.

10 “‘Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, 11 therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, and violent winds will burst forth. 12 When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, “Where is the whitewash you covered it with?”

13 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury. 14 I will tear down the wall you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it[b] falls, you will be destroyed in it; and you will know that I am the Lord. 15 So I will pour out my wrath against the wall and against those who covered it with whitewash. I will say to you, “The wall is gone and so are those who whitewashed it, 16 those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the Sovereign Lord.”’

17 “Now, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them

Matthew 7:13

New International Version

The Narrow and Wide Gates

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

Many will follow false prophet because they tell people what their itching ears want to hear.  They want to hear pleasant thing so they can keep doing what they want to do.  God send prophets when we get off track and toe keep us on track.  These kinds of prophets gather in herds and think by their numbers they will bring about what their lying words speak.  Notice God’s prophets are loners and outcasts.  They tend to live in the wilderness so to speak.  They make what they say sound good by whitewashing it with flattery.  They don’t build up the walls of righteousness by keeping people from sin but make them feel comfortable in their sin.  God will destroy their work and those who follow them.  God said in these last days they will come saying peace and safety when sudden destruction will come upon those who claim to follow the Lord.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Presumptuous Prophets  Part 1

Deuteronomy 18:17-22

New International Version

17 The Lord said to me: “What they say is good. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name. 20 But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.”

21 You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?” 22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.

It is a serious thing to claim to be a prophet.  I see so many people so presumptuously claim to be a prophet.  Usually, it is just a controlling spirit.  I mean if they prophesy and say thus says the Lord how can you argue with God and yet it is not God at all.  It is a controlling spirit that does not want to submit to authority.  I agree we are to listen to the prophets of God and do what they say, but if what they say does not come to pass well in the old testament they were to be stoned.  Pretty serious.  I know we can’t go around stoning these people today but we must put them out of the church and give them no place to speak.  They are going to be judged by God Almighty.  Have nothing to do with them and don’t be scared of them.  Also don’t support them.  There are several want to be prophets in the church world today writing books and what they say has been consistently wrong.  Turn your back to them; they are not of God.  They have a deceiving spirit and are causing chaos in the body.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Unity Through Love Part 5

Ephesians 4:11-13

New International Version

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

God gave each of us a different gift so that we may all come into unity like a body working together for the whole body to do His will.  This is maturing in Christ.  As a child grows up it is considered maturing when that child stops thinking of itself and starts thinking and doing the good of others in its actions.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Unity Through Love Part 4

Matthew 18:18-20

New International Version

18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

It is through unity and agreement we can do the will of God on earth and it is in heaven.  Heaven on earth, imagine that.  It is this agreement that brings God into our midst.  God gives us the desires of our heart when we are in agreement with Him and our desires are what He desires for us.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Unity Through Love Part 3

Ephesians 4:1-6

New International Version

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

God called us to be one with Him and each other as the Godhead is one.  Using all the tools of love for each other so we might be in unity to accomplish His will.  Peace is so important to unity as Paul said why not rather be wronged than be justified in our actions.  Peace in the body of Christ should be our goal to please the Father.  There is no room for selfish ambition in the ministry.  We must die to ourselves and our wants to bring the unity that God so desires.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Unity Through Love Part 2

Ephesians 1:11-14

New International Version

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

He also gave us his Holy Spirit as a deposit to fulfill the unity that He so desires in us.  It is a guarantee of what He has promised us.   God is conforming us to His likeness which is Love.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Unity Through Love Part 1

Ephesians 1:3-10

New International Version

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

God predestined us to conform to His likeness through Christ Jesus so we may be brought into perfect unity with God the Father and each other.  This is being done through His glorious grace, the love of the Father shown through His son and imparted to us for Him and each other.  He gives us wisdom and understanding of His will for our lives.  Showing us His will and purpose of living.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Commission Part 5

2 Corinthians 5:14-18

New International Version

14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

We have been called to this ministry of reconciliation to when the lost for God.  We should not consider one soul greater than another.  Let us give up that worldly point of view and reach any we can.  Didn’t Jesus go to the woman at the well, and didn’t God reach out to Naaman and the Sidonian woman who were enemies of the Jews and save them?  Let us love our enemies and win them for Christ for we were once enemies and alienated from God for our sins and yet He reached out to us.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Commission Part 4

Luke 15:1-7

New International Version

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. ² But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

³ Then Jesus told them this parable: ⁴ “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? ⁵ And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders ⁶ and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ ⁷ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

There will be more rejoicing over one sinner who repents than the ninety-nine who do not need to repent.  Oh! How he loves us.  Let us rejoice more over a sinner who has come home than anything else.  Where is the joy of winning souls?  Go after those who have left the church.  They are hurting and need compassion.  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Commission Part 3

John 4:35-37

King James Version

35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

When the grain fields are white it means the crop is almost too late to harvest.  It will fall to the ground and be lost if not taken in.  Friends, the fields are ready, let us bring in the harvest of souls.  Whether you sow or reap, be about the Fathers business.  We are to reconcile the lost to Him.  Jesus told the disciples if one place does not receive the message go to another.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Commission Part 2

Acts 1:1-11

New International Version

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Jesus said go and be filled with the Holy Spirit and be a witness.  They were standing there looking into the sky when these angels said to them” He is going to return, so why are you standing there with your head in the clouds?"  Jesus said go and preach in all the world and bring them in but the church has their head in the clouds looking for His return instead of being busy about the Father’s business.  Let us bring in the harvest and have them ready to go when Jesus returns.  He is coming back but will we have the harvest ready on His return.  If I preach on Jesus’s return many will listen, if someone writes a book on His return many will buy it, but if we put out the call to reach the lost most will not heed it or give a dime to it.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Commission Part 1

Mark 16:15-20

New International Version

15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

I wonder if the church is taking the great commission seriously anymore.  It is a command not a suggestion.  It’s not a choice.  Yet the church seems to be more interested in helping themselves with prosperity, healing, end times.  Where is the zeal for souls?  God has recently shown me how to reach a fourth of the world population very economically.  We are working on it and hope to have it up and going in a month or so.  Last night I woke up and couldn’t sleep when I asked God how come large denominations are not already doing this?  It seems so simple.  The answer was very upsetting.  One it’s not on their mind, two I haven’t revealed this to them because they have no zeal, three, there is no money in it or recognition for them, and finally they just don’t care.  Please be praying for Becky and I as we step into a whole new realm of ministry to reach the lost.  God will provide.  This means souls forever in God’s presence.  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fruit of the Spirit Part 15

Galatians 5:19-21

New International Version

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The opposite of the fruits is these sins or acts of the flesh.  Those who walk in such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  They will go to hell if they persist in doing evil.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fruit of the Spirit Part 14

Galatians 5:16-18

New International Version

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

When we walk by our flesh we are in conflict with the Holy Spirit.  We are doing the opposite of God’s will.  We are not doing what we want but what God desires.  When we are led by the Spirit and obey God and the evidence of that are the fruits of the Spirit.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fruit of the Spirit Part 13

Galatians 5:24

New International Version

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

When we walk in the Spirit, we crucify sin in our lives.  We choose to master sin instead of it mastering us.  We put the flesh under our feet and reign over it.  We simply walk in Christ.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fruit of the Spirit Part 12

Galatians 5:23

New International Version

23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

When we walk in the fruits of the Spirit there is not need for the law for we are fulfilling the law by our obedience to God.  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fruit of the Spirit Part 11

Proverbs 25:28

New International Version

28 Like a city whose walls are broken through

   is a person who lacks self-control.

1 Corinthians 7:5

New International Version

5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Self-control is next.  God told Cain he must master sin but he did not.  The devil does not make you sin but when we are carried away by our own evil desires.  We are to master sin and the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fruit of the Spirit Part 10

Gentleness is our next fruit.

Philippians 4:5

New International Version

5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

What is gentleness?  It is meekness.  Not at all meaning weakness but strength.  Like velvet covered steel.  Controlling strength to show love to another person.  Like a father to a child, or God to us.  Softness on the outside and power on the inside.  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fruit of the Spirit Part 9

The Next fruit is faithfulness.  Perhaps the most forgotten of fruits.  When we get married, we are to be faithful in all situations, not turning our backs on our spouses in hard times.  I remember years ago people wanted to take the line “in sickness and health” out of their vowels to each other in their marriage ceremony.  They thought it was putting a curse on their marriage by saying sickness.  Friends, it doesn’t take long to figure out life happens to all of us and we will get sick at times.  I work in a trauma center and see spouses wanting to get out of their marriages because the going got tough and they don’t want to be inconvenience.  Faithfulness sticks together in all situations, not just the good ones.  God’s faithfulness endures forever.  He never leaves us or forsakes us.  Go and do likewise.  

I had a friend whose wife left him because she said he would never amount to anything.  She wanted to be rich and now.  He went out after their divorce and built three fortune five hundred companies and became exceedingly rich.  The last time I spoke with him was in the shadow of his fifteen thousand square foot antebellum mansion.  He just got off the phone with his son and told him to sell their new 737 jet to another company because they already had two and didn’t need a third.  These luxury jets were to fly across the country to the different companies he owns.  His former wife really messed up her life and had nothing.  Now this is an extreme case, but faithfulness always pays off.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fruit of the Spirit Part 8

The next fruit is goodness.  Luke 18:19

Luke 19:17

New International Version

17 “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’

What is good?  Well for one thing it is to do the will of the Father.  What is His will?  It is to be a blessing to others.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fruit of the Spirit Part 7

Psalm 141:4-5

New International Version

⁴ Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil
   so that I take part in wicked deeds
along with those who are evildoers;
   do not let me eat their delicacies.

⁵ Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;
   let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.
My head will not refuse it,
   for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

Romans 2:4

New International Version

⁴ Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

The next fruit is kindness.  Now this is not an all inclusive study on the fruits or kindness, but simply a devotional pointing out different aspects of the fruits to apply to our lives.  The world calls evil good and good evil.  We can see God calls discipline kindness.  God disciplines the son he loves.  Psalms tells us it is a kindness to strike or rebuke somebody from falling into evil.  Not something we see as kindness maybe at the time, but we can see God’s love in it to keep us on the right path to life.  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fruit of the Spirit Part 6

Next is forbearance which seems to be a dirty word in Christendom.  Why? It means self-control, to refrain from, restrain from, and so much more.  It is to take action to do the right thing.  Many want God to do everything for them, but we must walk in self-control.  It is something we do.  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fruit of the Spirit Part 5

Joy is the next fruit of the Spirit.  Oh how joy comes in the morning.  The day after we go through the trial.  The day when you wake up in the arms and the love of God.  God called us to a life of Joy and the next fruit, peace, not chaos and misery.  This is our destiny in God’s love for us.  We are not just to experience it but be that experience for others.

Isaiah 55:12

New International Version

12 You will go out in joy

   and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills

   will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

   will clap their hands.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fruit of the Spirit Part 4

Hebrews 5:1-10

New International Version

5 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.

5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,

“You are my Son;

   today I have become your Father.”

6 And he says in another place,

“You are a priest forever,

   in the order of Melchizedek.”

7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

You my friend are called by God to take on His character of love and be like Him in every way, so that He can show His love on earth to win many over to Christ.  Think it not strange when you suffer many trials God is molding you in His image.  It is by grace and that by submitting to His Spirit.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fruit of the Spirit Part 3

Romans 5:1-5

New International Version

Peace and Hope

5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

It has always been through suffering that I have seen the glory and love of God.  Suffering makes us like God.  It is what gives us hope knowing He will deliver us.  It is through suffering in great trials I see the character of God and He, like a potter, makes me more like Him.  Through suffering God builds our character to be like Him.  That character is love and love gives us hope that He will never leave us or forsake us.  We must become like children who run to their mother to have her kiss their wound and make it better, then mature taking on that very nature (character) to help our children in times of need.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fruit of the Spirit Part 2

1 John 4:8

New International Version

8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:16

New International Version

16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

Love is the first fruit of the Spirit by which all other fruits manifest in our lives.  God is love, this is God’s character and everything He does is done through His character.  For the fruit of the Spirit to be manifest in our lives we must be made in His image which is love.  Though we can see some love in all men we see that the Spirit of God that gave us life is dying each day as man sins more and more.  It is that new breath of life when we are born again that renews that image of God in us by His Spirit and the evidence of that is the rest of the fruits of the Spirit.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

You’re Not Trash Part 3

Romans 8:29-30

King James Version

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

God sees you as His finished project.  Jesus came that we might once again be in the image of God.  God knew you before you were in your mother’s womb and all you would do.  Yet He still sent His son because He loved you and thought you were worth dying for.  God’s word will not return void but accomplish that which God sent Him to do.  He sees you finished not as you are or were but glorified as He is Glorified.  God does not make junk and you are no exception.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

You’re Not Trash Part 2

Genesis 2:7

King James Version

7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Genesis 1:26

King James Version

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

God made us from dirt and made us in His glorious image.  To call somebody trash or worthless is to call God the same.  The pot may get marred but God can make it new again.  Submit to the potter’s hand for he knows what you will be and see you finished again in His image.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians5:22-23

KJV

²² But the fruit of theSpirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

²³ Meekness, temperance:against such there is no law.

Fruit as referred to in the scripture can be translatedfrom the Greek not only in the sense of edible fruits and vegetables but as deed,action profit or result.  In an agrariansociety it is a good thing that results from hard work or thoughtful tending.  It is the result of the work of the Spirit inthe believer’s life.  We will exploreeach one this week more in depth.  If weare walking in the Spirit we will have evidence of these fruit in our life.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

You’re Not Trash

Joshua 6:22-25

New International Version

22  Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into

the prostitute’s house and bring her out and all who belong to her,

in accordance with your oath to her.”  23  So the young men who

had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father

and mother, her brothers and sisters and all who belonged to

her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place

outside the camp of Israel.

24  Then they burned the whole city and everything in it, but they

put the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron into the

treasury of the LORD’s house.  25  But Joshua spared Rahab the

prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because

she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—and she

lives among the Israelites to this day.

Matthew 1:5

New International Version

5  Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,

Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,

Obed the father of Jesse,

Others saw trash, a prostitute. God saw a jewel. Her and her

family were the only ones who God spared. Jerico was like

New York city of it’s time. I am sure there were those who people

admired, and thought were good, but God saw a heart that day. God

dose not make junk.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Not Alone Part 5

Luke 7:36-50

New International Version

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Jesus will accept our love when no one else will.  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Not Alone Part 4

Mark 1:40-42

New International Version

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

41 Jesus was indignant.  He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

Those with leprosy were to yell out unclean and to keep a distance from everyone.  Jesus was not only willing to heal him He touched him.  Try to imagine the impact on him to be touched by another person after all those years without any contact.  Jesus will touch those no one else will.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Not Alone part 3

John 4:4-26

New International Version

4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])

10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”

17 “I have no husband,” she replied.

Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

The Samaritans were outcast from the Jews.  The Jews would have nothing to do with them.  They would not even speak to them.  The woman was an outcast among outcasts.  They treated her like a nonperson and yet Jesus knows the details of her life.  He not only saw her, He spoke to her and revealed Himself to her.  Her life was changed and the people now heard what she had to say.  She became respected by the city.  God sees us and knows us when nobody else does.  He loves you.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Not Alone Part 2

Genesis 16

New International Version

Hagar and Ishmael

16 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; 2 so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”

Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3 So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. 4 He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.

When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.”

6 “Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.

7 The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. 8 And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”

“I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered.

9 Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” 10 The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.”

11 The angel of the Lord also said to her:

“You are now pregnant

   and you will give birth to a son.

You shall name him Ishmael,

   for the Lord has heard of your misery.

12 He will be a wild donkey of a man;

   his hand will be against everyone

   and everyone’s hand against him,

and he will live in hostility

   toward all his brothers.”

13 She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” 14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.

15 So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.

Hagar was a slave and now is told she must have a son for her mistress.  She must have felt less than human not having a say in the matter and yet God sees her, provides for her and gives her direction.  Our God sees all of us and is no respecter of persons.  You are not insignificant to God, He sees you.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Not Alone

1 Kings 19:1-18

New International Version

Elijah Flees to Horeb

19 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”

3 Elijah was afraid[a] and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.

The Lord Appears to Elijah

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

I love this story and I think we all can or will identify with it at least once in our lives.  There are those times when we feel we just don’t belong here anymore.  We feel all alone, and the people of this world have lost their minds.  I love how patient God is with Elijah and how He understands how Elijah feels.  He feeds Him and does not rebuke him.  He addresses his concerns and reminds him he’s not alone and that He (God) has this under control.  Always remember God sees and hears you.  He is not in a panic. He will show up on time.  Your concerns are important to Him.  He is with you.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Best For Last Part 5

Amos 9:13

New International Version

13 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord,

“when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman

   and the planter by the one treading grapes.

New wine will drip from the mountains

   and flow from all the hills,

The reaper will overtake the plowmen because God’s blessing will fall so fast.  Lord Jesus come quickly!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Best For Last Part 4

Joel 2:21-28

King James Version

21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things.

22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.

23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.

24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.

25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

We forget that on the day of Pentecost God saw this as a small beginning of what is to come.  It came in moderation.  What is to come will be the former and the latter rain all at once.  It will be a great outpouring of the Spirit.  The greatest awaking of all time then Jesus will return.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Best For Last Part 3

Ephesians 3:16-21

King James Version

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Oh, what God has prepared for us.  It is beyond our comprehension.  So great a gift coming from above.  The former days will be forgotten because of the glory that will be revealed.  Be still and know He is God.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Best For Last Part 2

James 5:7-8

King James Version

7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

We must be patient waiting on the Lord like a farmer waiting for a crop.  The crop does not come until the spring and the summer rain.  It will come and it will be more than worth it.  God is pouring out His Spirit in these last days and soon we will see our reward.  A great harvest then He will come in the clouds to gather us in.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Best For Last Part 1

Romans 8:22-27

New International Version

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Sometimes it is so hard waiting for God to move, for with God a day is like a thousand years.  Often when I pray I ask God please don’t put me on that thousand year plan. I only have about seventy years here.  Oh to enter into His will not my own.  It is worth waiting for.  I do not hope for what we have but for a better country.  He is coming soon.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

God’s Children Part 5

Hebrews 10:26-31

New International Version

26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

The United States has more churches, more Bibles and more ways to hear the truth of Jesus than any nation in all of time.  They have turned their back on Him.  They have treated this great revelation as an unholy thing.  Though God will save His own who have repented even if Moses, Daniel and Job pleaded on their behalf God will still destroy this nation.  They will be repaid for the wrong they have done.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

God’s Children Part 4

Matthew 11:20-25

New International Version

Woe on Unrepentant Towns

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.  For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

The Father Revealed in the Son

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

The United States has become more evil and vile than Sodom and Gomorrah.  Not only does she parade her sins of homosexuality and perversion in the streets, now she is destroying her children before they know right from wrong.  It would have been better if these perverts had never been born.  If God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah by fire how much more will He judge this country?    

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

God’s Children Part 3

Matthew 18:6-11

King James Version

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 Woe unto the world because of offenses! For it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!

8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

Do we not despise God’s little ones when we abort them or abuse them?  If we know that they are being sold into slavery or sex slavery, we are despising God Himself.  Will this go unpunished?  God says their angels stand before him on their behalf at all times.  He will save them but the one who harms them will be judged.  He will save them but who will save the abuser from an angry God?  It would be better to destroy one’s flesh than touch one of these.  It would be better to have a millstone hung around our neck and be cast into the sea than to harm one of His little ones.  If God saves and loves the children, then we must do the same.  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

God’s Children part 2

Matthew 18:1-5

New International Version

The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Oh, how precious, valuable, priceless a child is to the Father.  There is no price that can be put on these cherished gifts of God and He trusts us with this gift from heaven.  They are our greatest gift of grace and blessings.  Made in His image and considered the greatest in His kingdom.  When we welcome them, we welcome God Himself.  He loves the little children, all the children of the world.  Just to be like one of these is to be greatest in God’s kingdom.   There was a typo in yesterday’s devotional, the sex slave  150 billion dollar industry in the US.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

God’s Children Part 1

My wife and I went to see the movie “Sound of freedom”.  I hope you will too, but I warn you it is not an easy movie to watch.  We were barely into it for two minutes and I wanted to leave.  It was so painful and inconceivable that any human being could be so depraved.  I feel it is every Christians duty to watch this and ask what can I do to save our children?  As most of you know we have four children and ten grandchildren.  I can’t imagine what these parents are going through not knowing where their child is or what they might be going through.  Child sex slavery is a one-hundred-and-fifty-dollar industry in the United States and growing faster than I can imagine.  The United States is the largest consumer of child sex slaves.  If we do nothing we are just as evil as these pedophiles are.  Start by telling others.  Become more aware of what is happening in this country.  We have politicians who want to legalize pedophilia.  Vote them out!  Voice your opinion.  Above all else, pray.  I have not slept through the night since seeing this movie.  I wake up and pray for these children.  Jesus come quickly.  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Walking in Worship of God Part 5

Galatians 1:10-16

King James Version

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

Paul thought he worshiped God, but his religion was false.  He was sincerely wrong, but God in His mercy put Him on the right track.  We can be very zealous and have pure intent in our worship of God and still be wrong.  Thanks be to God He had mercy on Paul and blinded him so he could see the truth.  God does have a sense of humor.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Walking in Worship of God Part 4

Jeremiah 7:1-11

New International Version

False Religion Worthless

7 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Stand at the gate of the Lord’s house and there proclaim this message:

“‘Hear the word of the Lord, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the Lord. 3 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. 4 Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!” 5 If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, 6 if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever. 8 But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.

9 “‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury,[a] burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, 10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? 11 Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.

We are the temple of God, and that temple is to remain Holy as God is Holy.  There are those who teach we need not repent to be saved and that we can go on sinning, and we are saved, but God says not to listen to the liars and deceivers.  It does not matter whether in the Old or New Testament we must not be polluted by the world, and we must take care of our own as well as God’s people.

 Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Walking in Worship of God Part 3

1 Timothy 5:4

New International Version

4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.

We see Timothy reiterate what James says.  If we don’t take care of our own our religion is worthless, and we deceive ourselves.  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Walking in Worship of God Part 2

James 1:27

New International Version

27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

True religion God finds as faultless is to worship Him through taking care of those who are helpless to help themselves.  When we take care of the least of these, we bless God as well.  This is a pure religion or worship of God.  We must also keep ourselves clean from the things of this world.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Walking in Worship of God Part 1

James 1:26

New International Version

26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

Religion is the worship of God, Gods or things.  Since we are only interested in the only one true God we will start Christianity.  James was the head of the church at this time and the half brother of Jesus.  He wrote the book of James to fight the complacency that had become so prevalent in the church.  He points out in chapter one that we must keep a tight rein on our tongues to have a true religion or worship of God.  We will be judged for every word that comes out of our months.  They give life and death and Christ died for us to give life.  We should speak words of life to one another building up the body which is made in God’s image not tearing it down.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Grace Part 15

Hebrews 12:15

New International Version

15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Jesus’s death was God’s grace to us.  Could we not die to our own petty interferences with each other.  How can we hold anything against our brother when Jesus died for us and forgave us.  Bitterness is simply unforgiveness.  Forgive and let it go as freely as God has done for you.  Die to your pride.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Grace Part 14

Hebrews 10:29

New International Version

29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?

When we reject what God has done for us we insult the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  How much more do we deserve Hell if we reject this wonderful offer of grace.  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Grace Part 13

Hebrews 4:16

New International Version

16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Because Of God’s love we can approach His throne with full assurance that He will see, hear, and forgive us.  He is not a man that He should lie. If He gave us His son, He would give us all things.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Grace Part 12

Hebrews 2:9

New International Version

⁹ But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

‍

Jesus laid down His life as a gift for us to be reconciled to the Father.  God allowed for Him to do so.  We did not deserve Him but He thinks you're worth it.

Pastor Jeff Lane 

‍

Grace Part 11

John 3:16

New International Version

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Jesus died for us and rose from the dead.  What other God died for any Person let alone every person?  Jesus the ultimate gift of grace.  God loved us so much he gave us this gift we did not deserve, so we can have the gift of His presence.  Grace! Grace!  Grace upon grace.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Grace Part 10

Acts 14:3

New International Version

3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

Look how signs and wonders are the grace of God.  They are not earned but bestowed on us in spite of ourselves.  Oh! How we need more of His grace in the world.  What Love!  Let His grace flow through you.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Grace Part 9

Acts 4:32-35

New International Version

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

This kind of grace needs to be present again in the church again.  A grace that meets the needs of others without cost to them but only cost to us.  The God kind of grace.  Where we meet the needs of others, even strangers.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Grace Part 8

John 1:14

New International Version

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Luke 2:40

New International Version

40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

John 1:17

New International Version

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Jesus is God’s grace in the flesh.  He was the atoning sacrifice for all our sin to bring us back into right standing with God.  Faith comes by hearing the word and Jesus is the word but hearing the law only makes us aware we need grace.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Grace Part 7

Isaiah 26:10

New International Version

10 But when grace is shown to the wicked,

   they do not learn righteousness;

even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil

   and do not regard the majesty of the Lord.

Not all will accept God’s grace.  Even if God were to raise the dead.  Some are just bent on evil.  This has always been hard for me to accept because I can’t fathom why someone would turn their back to God’s gift.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Grace Part 6

Ephesians 2:8-9

New International Version

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

What wonderful verses to help us understand our salvation is a gift of God not because of what we did or did not do.  Simply a gift.  So who can be saved?  All who come to Him.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Grace Part 5

Romans 6:1-4

New International Version

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

6 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

We stop sinning because of our faith in Him and love for Him.  Through Him and His love for us we died to sin and were born again into His righteousness.  We are made a new creature in Christ.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Grace Part 4

Romans 3:22-26

New International Version

22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

As we can see Grace has been given to us even though we are all guilty of sin.  We have all fallen short of God’s righteousness, but thanks be to God He gives us grace through His son’s death and resurrection that all who believe might be saved.  What a God we serve.  Even while we were yet sinners He withheld His wrath that we might be reconciled to Him.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Grace Part 3

Zechariah 3

King James Version

3 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

2 And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by.

6 And the angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying,

7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch.

9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

10 In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree.

Though we stand before the judgment seat of God this is the kind of grace He gives us.  He rebukes Satan for us because He became our sin and justified us.  He restores us as His child and wraps a garment of righteousness around us, puts a clean head covering of the priest on our heads and a signet ring showing our sonship to Him.  Oh. How we need your grace oh God.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Grace Part 2

Zechariah 4:7

King James Version

7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

God showed us His grace when He sent His son that we might be saved not because we deserved it but because He loves us like a father loves his son.  You can’t buy or earn that kind of love and grace God freely bestowed it on you.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Grace Part 1

Genesis 6:8

King James Version

8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

Oh, how I pray that every man and woman would find grace in God’s eyes.  It is not because they have not been offered grace, but that they refuse to obey God.  Abraham was saved for what he did when he believed God and offered his son to Him.  Noah was saved and found grace when he believed God and built the ark.  Building the Ark did not save him; it was his believing God and then acting on it.  God’s grace is not cheap but it is offered freely to all who would believe.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Overcoming Addictions Part 8

Luke 4:1-4

New International Version

4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’

Jesus fasted and so should we.  He became perfect through suffering.  Hebrews 2:10  Satan used food in the garden. Why not try it again?  Food can become sin, by which we lose our inheritance.  Christ came to bring Jubilee to us.  Jubilee is the restoration of our inheritance.  If fasting is what Jesus had to do to restore us, then how much do we need to fast?  How important is fasting?  That’s for you to figure out.  Fasting restores our soul.  Trust me Satan will make sure you are surrounded by food when you fast.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Overcoming Addictions Part 7

Hebrews 12:16

New International Version

16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.

One meal lost Esau his inheritance as the eldest son.  He was to get a double portion over his brother and lost it all to a bowl of soup.  Notice once again how God equates food to sexual immorality?  Are you a sex addict?  Think about it.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Overcoming Addictions Part 6

Exodus 32:6

New International Version

6 So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.

1 Corinthians 10:6-8

New International Version

6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”  8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.

Food can be intoxicating.  Look how it led to sexual immorality.  We see this over and over.  They offered food to idols.  Food becomes an idol for so many.  They live to eat and it becomes their only enjoyment of life.  Deuteronomy 8:3

New International Version

3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.  

We need the Word (Jesus) for the abundant life God promises us.  Bread is temporary but God’s word will never pass away.  Addictions are temporary pleasure but will always pass away.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Overcoming Addictions Part 5

Ezekiel 16:49

New International Version

49 “‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.

Notice the sin of Sodom arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned for others.  Being overfed is a sin and it leads to other sins.  It leads to a hunger for pleasure.  I hear people all the time saying they are foodies.  I cringe when I hear them say this.  This is what led Sodom and Israel away from God and into sin.  God took them into a land flowing with milk and honey but they became slothful and gluttons.  This was part of the fall of France to the commoners.   Antoinette was so far removed from the ills and starvation of society when told they were hungry she replied, “Let them eat cake.”  How callous can one get.  It’s not a sin to eat but it is a sin to overindulge.  It leads to a host of other sins.  Control your appetite for food and you can control your appetite for anything.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Overcoming Addictions Part 4

Genesis 2:17

New International Version

17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Genesis 3:1-10

New International Version

3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

What is it about fasting that is so hard?  It is pleasing to the eye, it appeals to the flesh, it promises much but gives little back to us.  It is a fleeting pleasure.  Satan played on man’s pride and flesh as he still does.  Eating is our strongest drive.  We don’t want to die.  Our body tells us we are going to die if we don’t eat.  You are not going to die if you fast.  You will just feel like it at the time.  LOL!  If we can control our strongest drive, food, we can control our urge to sin.  Food gives us temporary pleasure and long-term remorse.  Just like sin.  Food can put us out of the garden and God’s presence as well as each other’s.  Fasting brings us back to God through humility, prayer and overcoming sin.  Fasting leads to righteousness.  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Overcoming Addictions Part 3

Matthew 17:15-21

King James Version

15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

I think it is interesting that Jesus first says that they could not cast out the demon because of their lack of faith and then says that it only comes out with fasting and prayer.  Obviously fasting and prayer are part of faith.  Self-sacrifice is a must for a Christian.  Fasting is self-sacrifice.  It is dying to self.  If we can’t master ourselves the demons will pay no attention to us.  Jesus goes on to tell them about His going to the cross.  They didn’t get it at the time, but they would.  Fasting helps us to overcome the flesh therefore sin.  Overcome sin and you have the authority to overcome demons, addiction and all things that beset you.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Overcoming Addictions Part 2

Joel 2:12-13

New International Version

12 “Even now,” declares the Lord,

   “return to me with all your heart,

   with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

13 Rend your heart

   and not your garments.

Return to the Lord your God,

   for he is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and abounding in love,

   and he relents from sending calamity.

True repentance is to change.  Fasting changes the heart.  It resets the body physically and the soul is rejuvenated.  Fasting cleanses the body removing toxins and poisons out of our system so we can heal and be purified.  We are a whole person and need to be clean spirit, soul, and body.  Each part of our make-up affects the other.  Get the flesh under control and the soul and spirit follow.  Jesus died for the whole man you cannot separate the parts.  What we do in the flesh affects every part.  Rule the flesh or it will master you.  As Christians we tend to ignore the flesh and yet we take communion celebrating what Christ did for us.  Remember it was the sacrifice of the flesh that saved us.  Should we do the same by fasting?

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Overcoming Addictions Part 1

Numbers 11:4-5

King James Version

4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

Numbers 11:31-34

King James Version

31 And there went forth a wind from the Lord, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth.

32 And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp.

33 And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague.

34 And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted.

This may sound like a strange place to start on this subject but the name of the field that the dead were buried in is Kibrothhattaavah.  Let me translate it for you it means Field of lusters.  Fasting would have solved their lust.  Fasting is a powerful way to overcome the flesh and demons as we will see.  Eating is our strongest desire and when we dethrone the god of food and master our flesh, we can put God’s will on that thrown.  Think about it how many that died that day entered the promise land?  What a simple fix.  Just obey God’s command and fast.  Think about it, was it not food and disobedience that caused us to lose possession of the Garden?  

‍

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

God’s Rest  Part 4

Hebrews 4:1-11

New International Version  4 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.[a] 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

“So I declared on oath in my anger,

   ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”[b]

And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”[c] 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”

6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:

“Today, if you hear his voice,

   do not harden your hearts.”[d]

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,[e] just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

The only way to enter God’s rest is simply by faith and obedience.            

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

God’s Rest  Part 3

Genesis 2:1-3

New International Version

2 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.

2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.  

It would seem to me that if God rested from His work, we should need to do so also.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

God’s Rest  Part 2

Leviticus 25:8-12

New International Version

The Year of Jubilee

8 “‘Count off seven sabbath years—seven times seven years—so that the seven sabbath years amount to a period of forty-nine years. 9 Then have the trumpet sounded everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement sound the trumpet throughout your land. 10 Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan. 11 The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. 12 For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields.

Jubilee is a time of restoration, regeneration and rest.  Every fifty years all debt was to be canceled and God’s people were to rest and eat what God provided from the ground.  It was a celebration of God’s grace and abundance.  As the Passover represented Christ’s death and resurrection so Jubilee represents Pentecost.  God dwelling in us.  A return to rule and authority and God walking with us.  Pentecost means fifty.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

God’s Rest Part 1

Leviticus 25:1-7

New International Version

The Sabbath Year

25 The Lord said to Moses at Mount Sinai, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you, the land itself must observe a sabbath to the Lord. 3 For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. 4 But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. 5 Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest. 6 Whatever the land yields during the sabbath year will be food for you—for yourself, your male and female servants, and the hired worker and temporary resident who live among you, 7 as well as for your livestock and the wild animals in your land. Whatever the land produces may be eaten.

Seven is God’s number for rest for Himself, us, livestock, and land.  Yes, even the land was given a time for rest and regeneration.  God even cared for His land so that it might bless us.  Prior to the civil war the South found that their land was wearing out and not producing as it once did.  A man studying the soil came up with an igneous idea.  It was to give the land a rest on the seventh year of planting.  Would you believe the soil was rejuvenated and began to produce again.  Today we fertilize the soil thinking we can outsmart God’s design and around the nation our soil is depleted and becoming worthless.  In some places it is so broken down that it is blowing away.  Remember the dust bowl of the depression.  If this is what happens to dirt and keep in mind dirt is what we are made of, what do you think is happening in our bodies?  We must rest to be healthy, happy and alive.  Nothing can beat God’s plan.  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Greater Love

John 15:13

Greater Love hath not man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Psalm 33:12

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,

the people he chose for his inheritance.

Christ died for all of us to defeat the worst of all enemies.  Let us appreciate what He did for us on the cross, especially this Memorial Day as we also remember those in service who have sacrificed for us.

Pastors Jeff & Becky Lane

‍

Why Am I Sick?  Part 10

Deuteronomy 28:58-63

New International Version

58 If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name—the Lord your God— 59 the Lord will send fearful plagues on you and your descendants, harsh and prolonged disasters, and severe and lingering illnesses. 60 He will bring on you all the diseases of Egypt that you dreaded, and they will cling to you. 61 The Lord will also bring on you every kind of sickness and disaster not recorded in this Book of the Law, until you are destroyed. 62 You who were as numerous as the stars in the sky will be left but few in number, because you did not obey the Lord your God. 63 Just as it pleased the Lord to make you prosper and increase in number, so it will please him to ruin and destroy you. You will be uprooted from the land you are entering to possess.

Just do what God says and obey Him in everything and disease and sickness will stay away.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Why Am I Sick?  Part 9

Malachi 3:6-10

King James Version

⁶ For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

⁷ Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

⁸ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

⁹ Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

¹⁰ Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

We are under a curse when we do not bring our tithes and offerings to God?

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Why Am I Sick?  Part 8

Exodus 12:21-24

New International Version

21 Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. 22 Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning. 23 When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

24 “Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants.

We are protected from sickness as long as we stay under the blood of Christ.  If we walk outside of the blood we sin and become liable for destruction.  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Why Am I Sick?  Part 7

Ezekiel 22:30

New International Version

30 “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.

If we let sin into our lives we leave a gap in our hedge of protection for the enemy to come in and destroy us.  Fill in the gaps by building up the wall with the Word and prayer.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Why Am I Sick?  Part 6

Ezekiel 33:12

New International Version

12 “Therefore, son of man, say to your people, ‘If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person’s former righteousness will count for nothing. And if someone who is wicked repents, that person’s former wickedness will not bring condemnation. The righteous person who sins will not be allowed to live even though they were formerly righteous.’

Yesterday’s righteousness will not protect you today.  We must walk righteously before Him every moment of our lives.  Are we not commanded to master sin?  Jesus provided all the tools we need to overcome.  The longer I live the more I see the responsibility we have to obey Him and for our own well-being.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Why Am I Sick?  Part 5

John 5:13-15

New International Version

13 The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.

14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.

Is there sickness that is a direct result of our sin?  Yes, just look at what Jesus said to him  “stop sinning or something worse may happen to you”  Not just sickness but something worse.  His hedge of protection would be let down and Satan could do something worse.  Read the next devotional.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Why Am I Sick  Part 4

John 9:1-3

New International Version

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Is all sin a direct result of our sin.  No, but I find the fact that this man was blind to display God’s glory intriguing.  Once again God’s ways are not ours.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Why Am I Sick?  Part 3

Job 2:1-7

New International Version

2 On another day the angels^[a] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. ² And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”  ³ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”  ⁴ “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. ⁵ But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.”  ⁶ The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”  ⁷ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.

If we walk by faith we will trust God in all circumstances and maintain our integrity no matter what.  Faith always trusts God.  Who are we to speak back to God?  Was it God’s will that Job remained sick?  Obviously not for he was healed and rewarded for his integrity.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Why Am I Sick?  Part 2

Job 1:6-12

New International Version

6 One day the angels[a] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan[b] also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”

8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

12 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”

Where does the idea of a hedge or a wall about us to protect us from evil, sickness and disaster come from?  Well, here you have it, because of Job’s righteousness God was a wall about Him.   Christ is a wall about us.  He is our righteousness.  Job was righteous and yet He went through so much.  God’s ways are not ours.  Our place is to trust and obey God and He will work it out for us.                                  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Why Am I Sick  Part 1

Genesis 2:15-17

New International Version

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Sickness came into the world because of sin.  Where it says “certainly die” It literally means dying we shall die.  Dying spiritually we die physically.  Sickness did not exist before sin.  It is the chaos of sin.  Sin brings down our hedge of protection or immunity to sin.  Righteousness is our protection.  Satan has no rule where there is no sin.  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Know What’s Coming  Part 5

Daniel 11:31-35

New International Version

31 “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.

33 “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. 34 When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. 35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.  

This is one of those times that Bible prophecy gets a little confusing.  What I mean is God skips to the end of time suddenly.  We are seeing the antichrist in the tribulation.  He is setting up the abomination that causes desolation.  There will be those who resist him, but first many will be deceived for a time, but God will use this to refine them like silver in the fire.  They will fall but God will bring them back.  He will make them spotless for He is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle.  Though they die yet they shall live.  Like Christ it will appear the antichrist is winning but God will bring us back and will overthrow the kingdom of the antichrist using His righteous as He leads us in the fray.  Resist the devil with all your might.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Know What’s Coming  Part 3

Daniel 9:20-27

New International Version

The Seventy “Sevens”

20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill— 21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. 23 As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision:

24 “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.

25 “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.  

It is revealed to Daniel what is to come on the earth and at our time.  After the sixty-nine weeks of years or 483 years the Christ will be put to death and have nothing, but He will arise and the small beginning will start.  The Romans will come down and destroy Jerusalem around 62 A.D. and put an end to offerings.  The Antichrist will appear and make a covenant with the Israelites for one year the final week.  He will set up the new Temple and in the middle of the seven years he will declare himself to be God and present an offering which will be the abomination that will cause the desolation of Him and the world order.  

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Know What’s Coming  Part 4

Daniel 10:18-21

New International Version

Daniel’s Vision of a Man

10 18 Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. 19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.”

When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”

20 So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; 21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.

God reveals to Daniel that Greece will conquer Persia.  Alexander the Great will conquer most of the known world and set up a new kingdom that will be parceled out to four generals.  God shows him the next 400 years that are to come then the end of time.  This should encourage you to know God knows all things and will set them into motion as he wills.  Know that prophecy is true and trustworthy and we can find comfort in it.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Know What’s Coming  Part 2

Daniel 10:1-14

New International Version

Daniel’s Vision of a Man

10 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war.[a] The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.

2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, 5 I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. 8 So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. 9 Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.

10 A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”

How bad do you want to know the things of God?  Daniel sought the Lord and wanted Him more than food.  He held on until he got an answer.  It is a spiritual warfare and to give up is to lose.  As we resist the devil the heavenly hosts are released to do the same if we give up they are bound from the fight.  Daniel was heard on day one, but it took twenty-one days to break through the enemy’s lines.  Want to know what is to come?  Pray till you get a breakthrough.  Bottom line is can you out stay the Satan.  How bad do you want an answer from God?  Paul said when you have done all else stand not when you have done all else pray.  Praying is the starting point.  Seek Him and He will be found by you.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Know What’s Coming  Part 1

2 Chronicles 15:1-8

New International Version

Asa’s Reform

15 The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded. 2 He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. 3 For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. 4 But in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them. 5 In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. 6 One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress. 7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

8 When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage. He removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hills of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the portico of the Lord’s temple.

God spoke to King Asa and told him and Israel that if we seek Him, they would find Him.  Israel stop, seeking and knowing God and as a result the country fell into chaos and turmoil.  After they returned to God and sought Him, He was found by them, and he healed their land.  We can not give up the work God has started in us.  We must be strong, courageous and seek Him with all our heart.  We must remove the things of this world from our presence and build an altar to God so all can seek Him.  Where are the repairers of Alters.  If we seek Him, we will find Him.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fear Not God is with you  Part 5

Matthew 10:16-23

New International Version

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

The Holy Spirit will speak through and for you as He defends you.  Look, some will go through great trials, but God will deliver you.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fear Not God is with you  Part 4

Romans 8:18-39

New International Version

Present Suffering and Future Glory

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[b] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

More Than Conquerors

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

   we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[c]

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[d] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We will suffer for the name’s sake, but be at peace you will see the Glory of God in it and so will the world.  The Holy Spirit will intercede through us, if God is for us who can be against us, and Jesus is at the right hand of the Father interceding for you.  What more could you ask for and yet there is so much more for nothing can separate you from God’s love for you.  Now, what more could you ask for.  Be at peace and enter God’s rest for He has been at rest since day seven as we can be too.  Our God has got this.  He is not in panic mode. He told you these things would happen before they did, so in Him I trust.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fear Not God is with you  Part 3

Matthew 6:25-34

New International Version

Do Not Worry

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Worry is nothing more than fear of the unknown, but we know in whom we believe and know He can and will deliver us.  God promises to feed and clothe us, so why worry or be in fear when you can pray.  Don’t run after these things but run after God.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fear Not God is with you  Part 2

Deuteronomy 31:6-8

New International Version

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

This is the scripture God reminded Joshua about and sent him into the promised land on.  It is a promise to us also.  We are to be strong and courageous and to always remember the Lord goes with us.  God is for us when we go with Him.  He will not leave us or forsake us.  We are not to fear the enemy.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

Fear Not God is with you  Part 1

Isaiah 41:10-12

New International Version

10 So do not fear, for I am with you;

   do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

11 “All who rage against you

   will surely be ashamed and disgraced;

those who oppose you

   will be as nothing and perish.

12 Though you search for your enemies,

   you will not find them.

Those who wage war against you

   will be as nothing at all.

How quickly we forget If God is for us who can be against us.  He will put your enemies under your feet.  Don’t let the world confuse you or leave you dismayed. God is with us when we are with HIM.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍

God Hears and Sees  Part  5

1 Samuel 30:3-6

New International Version

3 When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 5 David’s two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

Have you ever cried until you can’t cry anymore?   Remember Satan comes in like a flood.  He tries to overwhelm you with adversity.  Here David’s own friends and men were so troubled with the circumstance they wanted to kill David for it.  David himself was destressed in spirit, but He found help and comfort in His God.  God strengthened Him and as He trusted God and obeyed Him he and his friends, their families and his own family were delivered.  It was a turning point in his life and God blessed him after this in all he did.  Go back and read the whole chapter.

Pastor Jeff Lane

‍