IllumiNation Ministries

2010-05-27T20:33:00.002-05:00

We Are Made To Worship

No matter who we are or what our belief is concerning God, we have been created to serve/ worship either the One True God of the Universe, or a counterfeit imposter (a demon in disguise), etc. The most common god we worship is the most subtle one in which we encounter early in life, usually in our teens.

This god is cool, obtaining top priority over everything else in our lives. By communing with this god, we are promised all sorts of benefits; benefits the God of the Bible can't or won't give us. We can party anytime we want, smoke weed, drink anything we want, have sex , whatever we want to do this god encourages it and even helps to search out ways in order to get what.

Since it is the most popular god, there is all sorts of encouragement from fellow followers ... all around us. All TV shows, commercials, public schools, even pyschologists ALL promote loving and serving this god.

There's only one problem.

This is a false god who has no power or ability to actually do anything that will benefit us or help us reach our potential and achieve our dreams. Instead, dreams that start out vivid and full of optimism slowly fade into grey and let-down. Continuing to serve this god will steadily disappoint. What started out as fun times in high school, isn't quite the same when you're grown up and face the real world. Yet, without knowing anything else, we will strive to maintain, despite a steady backward motion.

Who is this god? What is his name? How do we recognize it? And better yet, how do we end this insane cycle?

If you find yourself doing the same things today that you used to do in 9th or 10th grade (smoke pot, mess around with thugs, 'hanging out' drinking, etc.), despite now being grown, married, and with a child (or kids) who are looking for you to provide protection and security for them, then you are serving this false god. If you aren't concerned about anything except those things that effect 'you', you're in service to this deceiver. If 'things' in this world are make you happy, and not having those things make you sad, then you';re not serving the real Thing. There is only One Way to know the true joy that comes from turning away from this liar and following the only Way in the Universe to peace.

The name of this false god is Self. It will lie to you, convince you to do things (such as waste your money and time doing foolish things), and will try to tell you that Jesus Christ is some stupid guy that lived a long time ago and those who talk about Him are ignorant dumb-asses who don't know the real world. When worshipping Self, all our problems are somebodies else's fault, all our solutions are in money, drugs, and anything else that makes us 'relax'.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God Who will not share His glory with any one else ... including and especially the false god Self. The Bible says we are to crucify Self and to be born again. By accepting Christ's atoonement for our sins, the Holy Spirit will have the authority to come into our situations and make a dramatic change - dramatic because we are talking about the Creator of the entire universe operating and residing within us. It won't mean the permanent death of Self, because in every situation God gives us the gift of choice. The secret meaning of life is to make the right choice (in every thing we do). Easier said than done. Serving any God other than Christ will never work out.

2009-12-20T14:57:00.001-06:00

Do We Appreciate Christmas?

At this time of year, there is always the fun and exciting times of families getting together, of gathering around dinner tables and living rooms, and spending time with each other as school is out and the weather turns chilly. Of course the average person realizes this is the season in which the world commemorates the birth of Christ. Yet how many of our time honored traditions, meant to draw focus to Jesus, actually has the opposite results?

Counselors agree depression and suicide rates escalate the most during this season. Anxiety, road-rage, and debt skyrockets. Sure, more people than any given Sunday attend church services, whether its children’s plays or candlelight services, but could it be that in all the hustle-bustle of gifts and parties and spending we’ve overlooked just what it is that happened “away in a manger”?

Most Christians know it by heart (even none Christians); a virgin conceived and gave birth to a boy she called ‘Emmanuel’ - ‘God with us’. Luke 2:11 states “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord”. Just reading it we don’t get the awesome thing that happened. The God of this entire universe was manifest in the flesh of His own creation.

Look at it this way.

Science indicates how magnificent creation is. The most powerful electron microscope can look at a single atom and inside that single atom is yet something more complex and deliberate. Our own body has over 10 trillion cells. The further we are able to see with the Hubble telescope, the more we are able to see more and more complexity. The Creator of the universe simply spoke it and it was made, along with all the laws of physics, gravity, mass, energy, and order. Colossians 1:16 says “For by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him”. Christ is the creator of all (see John 1:3).

So how could such a powerful Person do such as thing as to be born into this world via a feeding trough surrounded by smelly animals? Why would He? Going to church and learning Sunday school lessons tell us the answer but that doesn’t mean we get it. Are we appreciating it as we partake in pagan rituals or selfishly giving gifts because we are receiving gifts? That cute little baby wasn’t born to someday be a king or savior - He was born King and Savior. What little appreciation there was that night.

God deliberately extended Himself to you and me. His entire life and ministry on earth was no accident. His execution at Calvary was on purpose. This holiday season let us purpose in our hearts to lay aside our sinful pride and realize God shouldn’t have done what He did (by all rights), yet He did anyway. No fancy productions. No secular fanfare or drunken festivities. As Jesus said later of Himself (the only thing He ever said of Himself), He was “meek and lowly of heart” - a baby born in Bethlehem.

Merry Christmas and praise God for His mercy, grace, and love.

2009-12-06T14:46:00.001-06:00

Unity With Christ Different from Unity with the World

When it comes to the subject of Christian unity, wouldn’t it be amazing if all parties would consider the examples of Jesus’ teachings and scriptures rather than to remodel secular social engineering? The one element EVERY socially liberal program is in unity on is opposition to Christ. Whether it be the U.N., the Counsel on Foreign Relations, even Rick Warren’s P.E.A.C.E. Plan, all attempts to make an effective dent in poverty, hunger, and famine will not work. It could be argued theologically the only way in which these secular programs stands a chance of even appearing successful is for the Church (faithful disciples of Christ) to be removed.

While it is amazing to see how the mention of one man’s name can cause so much division, it isn’t surprising. Jesus told us all about it even before He went to the Cross. In John 7, after teaching His disciples about the soon to come Holy Spirit, the scriptures say many people heard the teaching and while they agreed what He said was profound, something interesting happened. Verse 43 records “So there was a division among the people because of Him”. Not because of His interpretation of scripture, His religious affiliation, or politics - BECAUSE OF HIM! The next verse even says there were some that, if they could, would have arrested Him. And this was religious people!

In another example, there was a discourse about Jesus being the Bread of Life, again between Jesus, His disciples, and religious leaders. From John 5:35 through to John 6:66, Jesus explained that, in fact, He is what the manna in Moses’ day represented. At the conclusion of His deep teaching, verse 66 says “From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him”. If Christians are supposed to work towards unity - at any costs - then why is it Christ Himself didn’t practice this? Even with some of His greatest miracles, came division, anger, even hatred (see the reaction to Lazarus coming out of the tomb after being four days dead).

The example Jesus set forth wasn’t one of getting along with everybody in order to affect change. He showed us (His disciples) how to remain separated from the worldly systems without being isolated. If Christ propagated using the world’s systems for achieving things, which is to seek human wisdom instead of seeking out God, then He wouldn’t have been executed and hated. His name today wouldn’t be deemed unconstitutional to mention or to have spelled out at Christmas time and wouldn’t cause the controversy it does. Paul, who himself was offended by the ‘radical’ teachings of Christ, later wrote that rather than to go along with the world and be liked by atheists, humanists, and all other anti-Christians who would rather us all go away, to “Come out from them and be separate, and touch not the unclean thing” (2 Corinthians 6:17a). ‘Touch not the unclean thing” refers to Christians avoiding contact with a vain and polluted world.

So what’s it going to be? Unity and friendship with the world? Or unity and friendship with Jesus Christ? Be careful how you answer because ‘narrow is the road …”

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-11-29T15:09:00.001-06:00

The Grey Area of 'Fine Lines' in Faith

There is a fine line that divides opposites all around us. Many refer to this fine line as “grey areas”. In most circles, grey area occupies more space than solid black-and-white but not in God’s universe. There is either Light or darkness. Day or night. Right or wrong. Righteous or unrighteous. Man’s tendency is to look for some sort of ‘middle ground’ or escape clause. And sadly, the most dominate of people to do this are religious people.

Jude mentions the need to exhort Christians to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). What had already begun to happen, even that soon after Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, was a watering down of the Gospel that allowed men whose motives weren’t purely for the spreading of the Good News to come in and pervert things. The motives began to revolve around men and services and numbers and programs rather than Jesus Christ and reconciliation with God.

Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3 “that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1). Rather than referring to some cataclysmic event, he was alluding to a time when the line between true men of God and fake imitators would become so blurred as to become unrecognizable. As a result, confessing Christians would “be lovers of their own selves, blasphemers, unthankful, without natural affection, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God”, to name a few.

Jesus even alluded to this fine line when He said “Not every one who says unto Me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven” (see Matthew 7:21). Going to church, serving and helping others, and giving is something we are all called to do. But this isn’t to be confused with being a Christian (even witches and atheists give to the poor and needy). There has to be a turning away from a lifestyle that encourages disobeying the Bible to one that indicates faith properly placed in Jesus Christ and Him alone. There is no grey area!

Diplomats will argue the only way to achieve good relations with others is through compromise; to, in effect, seek out common ground in the grey areas (widen the line of separation). Oftentimes this is what the major world religions do. Through compromise, people will sacrifice core, fundamental beliefs in order to achieve a form of unity. They seem to have forgotten the Bible tells Believers to be separated, rather than to compromise and be unity.

Bottom line - even though it may be easier and more popular to live in the grey areas, it isn’t what we, as Christians, are called to do. Over the centuries, Mankind has had its fill of liars and wolves in sheep clothing. What people all over this planet are looking for is something that is black-and-white genuine, unapologetically true, and will always prevail. There is no fine line in Jesus Christ.

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-11-15T15:42:00.001-06:00

Freedom

This past week, one word seems to have been popping up. From coverage of Veteran’s Day to an old movie to church, the subject of freedom has been interwoven through them all. Cliché statements have been reverberating - “Freedom isn’t free”; “Men won’t fight for words, they’ll fight for freedom”; and “Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (liberty)”. What exactly is freedom? Do we, as Americans, appreciate it? As Christians, do we understand the spiritual aspects of freedom in Christ?

On March 23, 1775, there was a meeting of colony delegates in Virginia at St. John’s church in which it was to be decided whether or not to accept Britain’s retribution for the Boston Tea Party in December 1773 or to join with Massachusetts in rebellion. Patrick Henry delivered his famous speech that illustrated two sides in which to choose - slavery or freedom (read the entire text here). In the finale, Patrick Henry stated “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!” While it is oftentimes sad to read such words of our Founding Fathers when we compare them to the self-serving politicians who plague Washington D.C., its good to understand there are those who understand freedom isn’t something easily owned, easily maintained, or something entitled to. The Mel Gibson movie, Braveheart, had as its basic theme “freedom”. It illustrates the political, social, and moral struggles it takes to arrive at freedom and that to not be willing to fight for it, one won’t achieve it. Most interesting in the saga of William Wallace is how “talking” and “negotiating” through compromise (taking the moderate, or lukewarm position) never arrives at freedom. All this is true in our spiritual lives.

The Bible declares plainly the devil intends “to steal, kill, and destroy”. While this is done in a variety of ways, both to Mankind collectively as well as people individually, he (the devil) knows that once a person is in bondage and has lost his/her freedom in Christ, then that person is ineffective and of no consequence towards furthering the kingdom of God. But Jesus wrote, in John 8:36, “If the Son has made you free, you are free indeed”.

Did you catch it?

Unlike our physical struggle to obtain and maintain freedom, our spiritual freedom was obtained through Christ’s struggle (specifically what He did at Calvary). The Son makes us free, which is the only true freedom! Free from guilt. Free from trying, in vain, to be “good enough” for God. Free to be what God has called us to be in His Name. Consequentially, its important to understand the following: Freedom isn’t the absence of the devil - freedom is the presence of Jesus Christ!

Copyright 2009

2009-10-25T15:37:00.000-05:00

NOT JUST ANY POWER WILL DO

“But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto Me…” Acts 1:8a.

“And Stephen, full of faith and power …” Acts 6:8.

For anything to be worked or achieved takes power. For a loaded tractor-trailer to make it up a hill takes horsepower. For students to figure out alternate mathematical equations in theoretical science takes brain-power. For loggers cutting down trees and loading them onto barges takes manpower. Lighting a city at night takes electrical power. You get the picture. The Bible speaks a lot about power.

There are generally two words translated power. One refers to physical or explosive strength and is where we get the word dynamite. An example of this is Samson’s power to slay an army of Philistine’s with the jawbone of an ass. The other use of the word refers to authority, such as the power a Justice of the Peace has to marry a couple (“By the power vested in me by the State of Texas”). This is what enables a 125lb. State Trooper to handcuff and arrest a 350lb. outlaw. In the book of Acts, Jesus declared His Apostles, if they waited, would receive both the physical strength and the authority to be His witnesses. Its important to note the word translated witnesses is more accurately translated from the Greek as martyrs. They were given the power to be martyrs. This confirms Christ earlier teaching that in order to follow Him we have to crucify flesh (to be dead to Self).

This is why it is so important to discern the philosophies and teaching we expose ourselves to. Oftentimes, Acts 1:8 is used to promote a denominational position or other religious agendas having nothing directly to do with spreading the Gospel. Note Stephen and his short ministry. As his qualifications to be among the first deacons in the Early Church, they were the following - a man of faith who was filled with the Holy Spirit. Notice the effect this type of man of God has on others. Even the loud and “in your face” messages of John the Baptist didn’t evoke the reaction from people that Stephen’s words. That’s because when a man is “full of faith and power” its not his own words being spoken, but rather the Word of God. And the Word of God convicts and cuts to the bone! As amazing as the book of Acts illustrates the purpose, intent, and godly results of receiving and ministering in the power (strength and authority) of the Holy Spirit, sadly today in the United States there has been a great turning away from it, choosing instead to seek the strength and authority of men. As alluded to in previous columns, watering down the literally meaning of scripture contributes to accepting compromise as the best way to “minister” to people. The results fair poorly, even directly opposite, to that of Acts. This wasn’t unseen by Paul.

In 2 Timothy 3 there is mention of the times in which we live. Verse 5 is most telling as it reads (of the era in which we now live): “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof …” Paul describe society in the previous verses as immoral, greedy, selfish, lovers of pleasures, and so forth - and his letter was to Christians! The only way to “come out from among them and be separate” is to receive power (Christ’s strength and authority) to be witnesses of Him and His completely finished work on the Cross!

2009-10-11T14:39:00.000-05:00

Training a Grown Child

There is a point where something changes in the parent/ child relationship. The exact age varies but when the time is reached it is obvious. Theologians refer to “the age of accountability”; the point at which a child makes his own decisions about Christ and faith rather than to simply do what they are told. Oftentimes, this begins to happen as the young person is preparing to finish school, to move out on their own, and live their lives independent of the parents.

This is the tricky time. Instead of training and child rearing, it is now the application phase - time for the child to make his own decisions and time for the parents to step back and watch the results of their labor. Christian parents can find themselves thinking it is their duty to step in and “handle” things for their kids without realizing that with the age of accountability comes responsibility for their own actions. This is when parents of young adults who may have literally “gone wild” experience tremendous guilt. After all the church attendance, involvement with wholesome activities, and times of prayer and sharing it feels as if everything done parentally was a failure and complete waste of time.

Look at the Word of God closer. Proverbs 22:6 states: “Train up a child in the way he SHOULD go …”. This isn’t a guarantee they will actually go that way. God has given us all the gift of choice. This goes for our kids as well. The words ‘train up’ mean to hedge up or hedge in, like putting up a fence around a house. A good strong fence will help protect against adverse weather, thieves, and other things that cause harm or damage. Its only when the children leave the protection of their parents (physically as well as spiritually) do we see what they are made of, rather than what their parents are made of.

A promise from the Lord to cling to is that second half: :…and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” While this alludes to physical age, it is more specifically referring to maturity. Drawing from the memories of our own youth can help us realize that some of the stupid things grown (even near grown) kids do is a direct result of immaturity or it could be a result of their own rebellion against what they were taught, in their off-handed way of discovering Jesus for themselves. Either way, the parents’ role and responsibility is totally changed.

If we did as the Bible said, and the Bible said to train up our kids in the knowledge and fear of the Lord, and the knowledge and training would be with them when they are mature, then we have to put our faith in God and get out of His way as He begins the same work in our kids that He began with us. He won’t be able to work with rebellion, questioning, immorality, and all the rest if we, the parents, continue to get in His way and try to handle those things that aren’t ours to handle. To do so may be a worse form of rebellion!

2009-09-06T14:47:00.000-05:00

Guarding Against Being Lied To

“Now the Sprit speaks expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:1-2).

Is there anything more hurtful or that that makes us angry more than when we’ve been lied to? Especially when it is someone in authority who we look to for direction and guidance. Such is the risk we place ourselves in if we don’t acquire the habit of discerning teachings and philosophies that surround us.

From the beginning of time, our common enemy has been lying to us and lying about us. The Bible explains that Satan is the father of lies. But not every thing he says is an out-right lie (just like with false teachers/ prophets). While we can’t walk around assuming everyone is lying to us, we have to discern truth from error or we will be among those in these last days that will depart from “the Faith”, believing instead a lie.

A great deal of examining is required in three primary areas:
* Social issues - (Dating, sexuality, drugs, alternative lifestyles, homeless).
* Political issues - (Global warming, socialism, racism, infanticide)
* Spiritual issues - (‘Seeker-friendly’, social theology, unity, ‘Word of Faith’).

What is biblically true? What is, or could be, a lie? We owe it to ourselves and others around us to use good judgment by learning what the Bible says.

In the first book of the Bible is the beginning of deception. After Adam and Eve were created, they were told what they could and couldn’t do (black-and-white with no grey areas). The serpent appeared to Eve and was able to “correct” what God had said by explaining to her what God had meant. This technique is employed by EVERY pseudo-Christian cult, New Age cults, and the occult. The result is deception.

When the serpent lied to Eve, she believed it out of deception. Adam, however, wasn’t deceived. He accepted the serpent’s lie because he didn’t believe God (see 2 Tim. 2:14). The consequences for believing the lie went beyond eating fruit. Everything from painful childbirth, to hard labor, disease, and mortality could have been avoided.

2009-07-26T14:50:00.001-05:00

Our Motive Trumps Our Amount

A person’s motive for doing something reveals what is truly in their heart. The example of the poor woman giving two mites in the offering plate is one often overlooked by “prosperity” preachers. Rather than focusing on selfish gain and “blessings”, Jesus illustrated, in Luke 21:1-4, God judges the motives of why we give more than how much.

“And He looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And He said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow has cast in more than they all.”

This was somewhat of a new concept. Back then, as today, much accolades was made when a big donor contributed something. He provided pats on the back and elevated status to make a big contribution; like naming a new wing on a university or hospital after the billionaire that “donated” the money.

But there’s no recognition for the person whose only motive is to give everything he/ she has to the Lord. No recognition from corporate big shots, religious mega-churches, or non-profit organizations but note who did see. Verse two states clearly that Jesus saw. While the world clamors around the wealthy and famous, Jesus sees those quietly sold out for Him.

The best part of about this analogy is that it has nothing to do with money. Its all about what drives us and what is the most important things in our lives. As followers of the Most High, isn’t it time we lay down selfishness and self-centeredness and give all we have?

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-07-19T15:47:00.000-05:00

Debuking a Social Taboo

It has been said not to discuss religion and politics at social functions. With so many varied views and opinions, some very strongly held, tempers flare and arguments lead to fights, both verbal and physical. When read literally, does the Bible take the position to never mix religion and politics?

Keeping in mind ‘religion’ as referring to one’s faith, the two are different apples on the same tree. Throughout the Bible, everything that happened had a consequence that was both spiritual and political. Note these examples: when God told Moses to demand Pharaoh let the Israelites go, when David was anointed king, when Nebuchadnezzar pillaged the Temple, when Jesus was found in the temple at age twelve dumbfounding the scribes, when Peter preached at Pentecost and 3,000 became followers of Christ. Each of these were both spiritual and political and had consequences both ways.

As believers, we can’t separate our faith from our politics without watering them both down, often to the point of being powerless and of no effect. Throughout history there have always been men who sought to appease everyone or to offend no one. The results have always been the same. If their words were adhered to, the results were loss, defeat, and death (note the story of the twelve spies sent in my Moses to check out the Promised Land). When men stood on the uncompromised Word of God, the result was always victory and success (note the example of David versus Goliath).

Find someone who is uncomfortable in discussing faith and politics and you will most likely find someone uncomfortable with a literal interpretation of the Word of God.

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-07-12T15:10:00.001-05:00

Not Unity but Separation

There is one thing all Christians need to be united in agreement upon - separation.

With multiple examples in history illustrating how light and dark cannot coexist, many churches and church leaders still speak of unity as the highest goal. While on the surface this sounds good, we have to dig deeper to discover what the Bible says about unity and whether or not we are admonished by God to be united with government agencies and non-Christian religions in order to be effective for Jesus.

There are three times the King James Version mentions “unity”. Psalm 133:1 says “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Ephesians 4:3 states “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”, while Ephesians 4:13 states the familiar “Till we all come in the unity of the faith …”.

There is a common thread running through these three verses that’s overlooked by liberal dogma. There is no unity without faith in Christ and His redemptive work at Calvary backed up by His resurrection!

Rather than to be united, 2 Corinthians tells Christians to “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Cor.6:14). We’re then told to “…come out from among them, and be ye separate…” in verse 17.

Once in the light, we can’t continue to mingle in darkness. God is calling us to be separated from the ways of the world so that people can see a distinct, better way. The last thing they need is another man-made social program with Christian lingo attached.

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-07-05T15:14:00.001-05:00

Its All About Who?

It would be funny if it weren’t so pathetic how we, as believers in God, are so worried about what other people are saying, thinking, or doing. Without an occasional reality check, church-goers can be really self-centered.

The message of Christ’ ministry on this terra-firma was one of selflessness. The true test of selflessness is whether we put the needs of others above our own and when we aren’t so narcissistic as to think everything is about us. This can carry over into our church services. “That message didn’t minister to me”. “I didn’t like the songs they sang this morning”. “Nobody commented on my new hair color”. These persons are easily offended and tend to harm a local church via a bad attitude or gossip.

Conversely, it can be just as harmful to focus so much on what we think others want or expect because the consequences can be the same. Jesus said, in Matthew 15:8, “This people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me”. The consequence is to miss out on a personal relationship with Christ, substituting it instead with a relationship with rules, principles, formulas, and strategies.

Paul stated “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me …” (Gal.2:20a). A dead person isn’t worried about his own agendas, what others think, or what he wants. Jesus concluded “But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mat. 15:9). We’ve got to put the flesh down - and soon!
　
　
　

2009-06-28T14:44:00.002-05:00

Unity and Agreeing

(Just because two people agree on something doesn't mean God does. We have to be in agreement with God, not the other way around.)

“…I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in Heaven” (Matthew 18:19).
The concept of unity amongst believers has been a need even in the Early Church. There are many benefits and good side-effects to walking in unity and agreement. When we come into agreement with God literally the impossible is made possible.

There is a difference, however, between the words of Jesus and the self-serving “principles” that governor so many people - even within the Church. Along with the “name it and claim it” crowd, a great deal of damage has been done to our understanding of scripture through avenues such as psychology, paganism, even gnocticism. Some even think they can command God Himself to do things they want done, supposing their own will to be greater than God’s. ‘Anything’ is conditional on it being the will of God. And despite what erroneous thought says, He will never allow His Word to be used against Himself.

The key word is ‘agree’. You and I have to come to the place where what we want is what He wants. The next verse states that when we gather together in His name, even just two or three, then He is our midst. To jump through our whimsical hoops and grant our every desire like a genie in a bottle? Not hardly! That’s not true Christianity. Gathering in His Name and being a learner of Him is the by-product of the power of united prayer. Nothing more or less will ever do.

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-06-21T15:18:00.002-05:00

We've heard about 'speaking' but what about 'hearing'?

At the beginning of the Church Age, 50 days after Jesus rose from the dead, the most amazing thing to ever happen to common Man took place. Acts 2 describes how there was the sound of a rushing mighty wind where Jesus’ followers were and how “cloven tongues like as a fire” sat upon all the believers. This was the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

There has always been much controversy because of erroneous understanding of verse 4. The exact words in scripture read “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Choosing to go over the controversies another time, consider the tremendous them that happened next.

This event took place in a very open area, the wind sound and the speaking in tongues (translated here as literally ‘foreign languages’) drawing much attention from many thousands gathered for morning prayers. All Jesus’ disciples were from a specific part of Israel, Galilee, yet folks from all over the world understood what they were saying in their own language.

The tremendous thing that happened that day was 3,000 or so heard something in their own language while several thousand others heard what sounded like a bunch of drunks (see verses 7-13). Jesus told the parable of the Sower in Mark 4 and said “He who has an ear to hear, let him hear”.

It is an awesome thing to “hear” the Holy Spirit and to react appropriately. Do you hear Him today?

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-06-14T15:07:00.000-05:00

Two DIFFERENT Types of Giving/ Serving

The subject of giving and serving are popular subjects. Recently, governments and corporations have pooled resources along with organized religion in conjunction with the U.N. to create a massive network of volunteers and workers in order to serve Mankind. Of course, the Bible teaches we are to give (money, time, talent, etc.). But an examination will indicate Jesus’ way of doing things is somewhat different than the world’s way.

In Matthew 6:1-4 Jesus taught we are to give in such a way it won’t draw attention to ourselves. All to often, we’ll see an addition to a hospital or college named after someone who had donated the money to build it or there will be a big write up in the newspaper as a wealthy community leader makes a six figure contribution to a local charity. Christians motives for giving are to be Christ-like and allowing the good deed to get the focus rather than the good deed doer.

The Bible also says Christians are to be a cheerful giver and to give according to what we purpose in our heart. In other words, we aren’t to give out of compulsion or grudgingly. If it takes a 20 minute sermon (or two) to compel you to give, chances are it won’t be willing or cheery.

Christians sometimes forget Galatians 5:13 mentions we are to “serve one another” in love. Many will see it noble to serve hand in hand with the U.N. or agnostics in Africa but will have no part in a local outreach sponsored by the ‘wrong denomination’. That’s not love the world will know Jesus by and its noting that will lead to souls being saved from going to hell.

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-06-07T15:03:00.001-05:00

Lead or Follow --- Do something!

We’ve seen the bumpers-sticker or heard the saying “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.” When it comes to driving in heavy traffic it has a meaning that is obvious. But apply it to our spiritual lives and it encompasses something else altogether.

The bible is full of exhortations to be led or guided by God and His word. Psalm 23:2 mentions “lead me beside the still waters”. Psalm 31:3 says “ …Lead me, and guide me”. Jesus stated in His example of how to pray to the Father “Lead us not into temptation”. Matthew 15 and Luke 6 tells of the consequence “if the blind lead the blind”. The example from scripture is we need God to lead us in all the areas of life in which we want to be successful in. To try and move ahead of Him in order to pursue what we think is the way to go results in ‘missing it’.

One key ingredient to knowing which way to go, to even being able to seek and find God so that He can lead us, is illumination. Light. Psalm 119:105 tells us “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”. In other words, we can know where to safely go because of the Light of the Word (keeping in mind, John 1:1 declares Jesus is the Word).

Our responsibility as His followers is to do more than sit in a pew occasionally, if at all. We have but three options in this life as we seek and follow the Light before us. Individually and collectively, we are to lead - by example and action, we are to follow - Christ’s teachings and words, or we are to get out of the way and stop claiming to be something we aren’t so we won’t be a hindrance to sold-out believers determined to be led by the Lord.

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-05-31T14:27:00.001-05:00

Filled all the way?

Lately I’ve discovered a new way of looking at the parables of Jesus. Its so easy to take them at face value. You will extrapolate the spiritual truth but you stop to notice the finer points of what the object of faith is so that truth will be magnified.

As an example, the parable of the wise and foolish virgins is one of my favorites. Matthew 25:1-13 tells of 10 brides with oil lamps waiting for the day when their bridegroom would come get them. Five were wise and had plenty of oil in which to keep their lamps lit while the other five were foolish and didn’t keep a reserve. By the time word came the groom was on his way, the foolish brides were almost out and begged the wise brides to give them some. The wise ones said they needed to hurry off and buy some for themselves, lest they wouldn’t have enough.

Here’s the finer points. They were ALL brides signifying they were all saved. Just like modern-day Christianity, there are wise, sold-out true believers whose actions line up with their words and there are foolish people more content with appearing religious and ‘playing the part’. The bible says that when the announcement was made the groom was on his way. Verse seven says “Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps”.

It’s a useless act to trim the wick of a lamp with little or no oil. All started out the same but in the end there was only one thing that made a difference - the amount of oil each had in their vessel. What is in your vessel? You are either filled with the Oil or you have some oil mixed with something else. We make it obvious to the world how serious our light shines by the amount of Oil that’s in our vessel.

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-05-24T14:45:00.000-05:00

Not 'Someone' ... You and Me

While listening to a conversation on talk radio, I heard a caller say “Someone needs to stand up and do something” to which the talk show host replied, “The underlining problem in our country today is that too many people are waiting for someone else to do something. Nothing is ever going to change until we realize its ordinary folks like you and me who have to do something.”

While the conversation concerned politics it brings to memory the Words of Jesus prior to His ascension. In Mark 16:15-16, Jesus said to His disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who believes not shall be damned.” Was He telling only the original Eleven Apostles to take the Good News to the entire world? Not hardly! In the natural, there was no way eleven ordinary people could do that, even with modern tools we have today. On the flip side, once Peter, James, and the others heard these words they didn’t say to each other “We’re going to need someone to step up and be willing to tell people about Jesus and the need to be born-again.”

The Bible makes it clear that all who call Christ savior are responsible for spreading the gospel by whatever means, talents, and abilities they have. And, yes, the great advances in communications make it all the more effective as each one is obedient to Mark 16:15. Right now, there is someone destined for eternity without God unless a Believer can reach him/her first. It might be someone else, but very likely it is you and me.

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-05-10T14:00:00.001-05:00

Politicians Can't Overtake God

Ever find yourself wondering if true Christianity, the one with Christ as its leader, will be able to outlast political correctness and watered-down religion?
No need to look any further than to the words of the world’s leading authority on law 2,000 years ago. Gamaliel was raised up in Hebrew law and was President of the Sanhedrin at the time of the crucifixion. The teachings of Jesus quickly turned from something of a regional fad to a bona fide movement very quickly, something religious men have always been threatened by. After many arrests, beatings, and even threats, a meeting of the Counsel was called and Gamaliel spoke wise words.

Keeping in mind Gamaliel was not a follower of Christ (not by far), his comments at the meeting prove to be most profound. IActs 5:38-39 reads: “And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it; lest haply you be found even to fight against God.”
Understand what he was saying. If this new movement was something made up by a bunch of uneducated day laborers, then it was something that would fad out soon and be totally forgotten. But, if this was a sovereign move of God, then to try and stop it would be the ultimate definition of useless! Considering whether Jesus Christ and His Words are true should take some serious consideration.

That’s why its safe to say despite the efforts of so many today to remove Christ and Christianity from all public domains, their efforts are destined to fail because this is no ordinary Man with an ordinary agenda.

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-05-03T14:51:00.001-05:00

Finding that which is Hidden

The only way to see something hidden is to do what we can to make it more visible. Can’t find the car keys? We’ll empty the contents of our purse, move the cushions of the couch, pull everything out of our pockets. Before the sun comes up and we need to pick out what clothes to wear for the day simply opening the closet door isn’t enough. We have to turn on a light if we are to find the ‘hidden’ garments. The same is true with almost anything. If we are to find something hidden, we have to do more than simply glance around and hope we see it.

This is especially true when applied to understanding the Bible and the Words of Christ. Hidden within the covers of the Old and New Testaments are truths to guide us, enable us, strengthen us, encourage us, and better us. More importantly, there is discernment between right and wrong, truth and counterfeit.

1 Timothy 4:1 states “Now the Spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” “The latter times” refers to the hour in which we live. This verse tells us there are many teachings and philosophies around us that are not compatible with biblical truth. Seducing spirits make something seem right when, in fact, it is wrong. Hidden within their statements of faith is error. The only way to notice the error and to steer clear of it is by moving away the theological words and expose it to the inspired Word of God.

Left unchecked, many people allow themselves to be deceived because they lack a desire to actively search out truth, often leading to a separation from the fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5).

2009-04-19T14:27:00.001-05:00

Keep Mindful of Trusting God

No matter how often we’re told to not worry about things in these troubled times, its part of our fallen natures to do just that. It isn’t that if we are fearful we somehow have become less of a Christian. As stated previously, tough economic times and financial uncertainty are tools God actually uses to draw His people back to Him. Therefore, it is important to check our hearts and minds to see where it is our faith is. Many best selling self-help books can be useful but only if they are read in context of what the Bible says. In other words, we have to be directed, guided, and encouraged to place all faith and hope not in our own abilities and strategies but in Jesus Christ.

We have history that shows us trusting in what we ‘think’ is the right way ALWAYS leads to a dead end. In the book of Isaiah is a word from the Lord concerning a people whom the Lord said “Your wisdom and your knowledge have warped you; And you have said in your heart, ‘ I am, and there is no one else besides me.’" (Isaiah 47:10). Then God says “Therefore evil shall come upon you; You shall not know from where it arises. And trouble shall fall upon you; You will not be able to put it off.” (verse 48).

If our faith and trust is in wealth and money this is the place we will find ourselves. The next verses allude to people vainly seeking out astrologers and “prognosticators”. Just today I read a headline on Yahoo!News that said “Top Executives Seeking Psychics”. Heaven forbid anyone claiming a relationship with Christ would be one duped into seeking advice and counsel from any other source by Jesus Christ and the Living Word.

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-04-12T14:12:00.000-05:00

'Knowing' and 'Doing' Two Different Things

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication …For God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” (1 Thessalonians 4:2,7)

The whole idea of living a good life and doing what God wants us to do has been made more complex than it needs to be. Some with good intentions, and others with self-serving intentions, have organized serving God into specific things we must say, think, or do in order to be more sanctified. Paul wrote that our sanctification (the work of making one holy) and the will of God is that we abstain from all types of immorality.

Here is where it gets tricky because these verses tell us what to do but not how to do it. We are to abstain from fornication … but how? That’s where religion and dogma come in; to tell us what we have to do in order to be holy and, conversely, how we are out of God’s will if we don’t do them. There’s nothing wrong with bettering our knowledge of things or studying in depth a subject that interests us. God has called many good authors to write such material. A fine line is crossed when we begin to place our faith in our own abilities to make us more Christ-like (a formula never taught by Jesus).

We are sanctified the same way we are justified. Ephesians 2:8-9 teach us “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any many should boast.” In and of ourselves, there is nothing to boast about. We were justified when we placed our faith in Christ and His completed work on the Cross and that same faith, with Christ as the object, is what sanctifies us and enables us to ever be more like Him!

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-04-05T14:26:00.000-05:00

Profound Change in the middle of the Mundane

Sometimes life can change profoundly while we are doing the most ordinary and mundane things. Such is the case with the Samaritan woman at the well.
Going out to get water was something to be done everyday in biblical times. Its not much different today. There are certain daily chores we all do that require more of making it a habit to do it rather than to think about doing it. Today, as then, we don’t expect our lives to be changed eternally when we set out to do them.

For the woman at the well that day (see John 4), her life was going to be forever changed and her experience not only led to a revival in her city but over two thousand years later her testimony continues to illustrate how a person longing for something real and genuine can have all expectations met through an encounter with the Son of God.

Despite being caught up in a lifestyle of immorality over many years and being shunned by the religious folks, there remained a desire to know and serve God. This is the case with most people. Many find themselves meeting this desire by going to church, living a “good” life style, donating time and money to charitable causes, or serving in some capacity.

These are options for those who ‘fit in’. Many of us, like the woman at the well, don’t fit in. That’s why she was at the well at noon instead the morning hours when most women got the water. Isn’t it worth noting Jesus’ timing? He wasn’t there to meet just any person. He was there to meet that particular person.

That remains true today. Jesus is seeking that one who is seeking after Him - the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

2009-03-29T14:27:00.001-05:00

Love for People versus Self-righteousness

One of the biggest hindrances to our being able to convince those around us we have the answer to life’s harshest realities is our inability to have unconditional love for people. We have been seen to judge and condemn members of our own “family” when they mess up, leaving those who don’t know Christ thinking “If that’s being a Christian then I’m having no part of it!”

Of course, that isn’t being a Christian but rather being self-righteous (something Jesus never was!). Self-righteousness will always hinder a person ineffective and will cause something God would have happen to cease even before it begins. In the book of John is an incident that forces us to confront racial bigotry, sexism, religious traditions, as well as self-righteousness. In chapter 4, Jesus met a Samaritan woman at the water well. Jews weren’t supposed to talk to Samaritans (they weren’t fully Jewish) and religious leaders for sure weren’t to be seen alone with an immoral woman (she was living with a man and had been divorced 5 times).

Jesus not only initiated the conversation, He actually revealed to her that He was the Messiah! God knows our condition and what the desire of our heart is. Likewise, He knows what it is others need, despite their outward appearances and public reputations. By modeling ourselves after the Savior we claim to love, we will see something happen that can’t be explained by anything other than an act of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible says, in verse 28, the woman left her waterpot and went to tell the men in the city about Jesus. In other words, the first time the good news of Jesus was preached to gentiles was by a woman! And the result was a two day revival in which the Samaritans declared Jesus to be “the Christ, the Savior of the world.” Its amazing the things that can happen when love for people overrides all else. O, to be like Jesus.

2009-03-22T14:46:00.000-05:00

True Members of God's Family

If you were to walk into a garage and boldly declare you are a car, people would think you lost your mind. Yet, there are many who seriously think being a member of a church makes them a Christian. Folks in other countries think of America as a Christian nation but we know being an American doesn’t make us Christians. In this age of calls for unity and cross-culturalism it can become cloudy as to what it means to be a Believer. But as is the case in all things, if we read AND believe our bibles it isn’t complicated.

An incident in Matthew 12 provided an opportunity for Jesus Himself to address this. Simply being a human being doesn’t make us part of God’s family (in other words, we aren’t all God’s children). In verse 46 we read of Jesus’ earthly family, his mother and half brothers, trying to get in to a crowded house to talk with him. One of those around Christ let Him know Mary and his brothers were outside, Jesus declared “Who is my mother? And who are my brethren?”

Not everyone who thinks they are in His family are. Its not about a physical birth, or denomination or affiliation for that matter. Jesus told us “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in Heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.”

The secret is a spiritual birth. The will of the Father is for all to come to repentance and to accept the good news of reconciliation with Him through Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the Cross. All who have done so are spiritually ‘blood’ relatives.

Anything else is illegitimate!

copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-03-15T14:31:00.000-05:00

MAINTAIN YOUR FOCUS

We’ve got to be careful not to worry about the conditions we find ourselves in. As human beings, it is natural to wonder about such things as when Christ will return, biblical prophecy concerning the return of Christ, Armageddon, and the like. We can be politically persuaded to analyze situations, blaming the other side for the economic messes we are in. But according to scripture, these are all things you and I as Christians have no need to worry about.

“You are all children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness” (1 Thessalonians 5:5). We know Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the world (see John 8:12), and should think totally different than those in darkness. When the next verse mentions watching and being vigilante, the author isn’t referring to watching the stock markets or looking to politicians for some sort of hope. In tough times, we are to maintain a close relationship with Christ by continued watchfulness; particularly how it regards our personal life.

Folks in darkness can’t offer any solutions. To coin a phrase, they are clueless. How else could one explain repeating social programs that have never worked each and every time they’ve been tried over the past 100 years? Verse seven in the same text says “For they who sleep sleep in the night …” . People in spiritual darkness have no idea of what is coming!

Now is not the time to look away from Christ and His Word for our hope. We are to remain true to our faith so that not only do we have peace of mind, but those around us may be able to have “Light” invade their territories!

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-03-08T14:00:00.002-05:00

Understanding "It is Finished"

The most profound statement in the Bible is “It is finished.” Spoken by Jesus immediately prior to His death, the words marked an end, as well as a beginning that literally changed everything!
Liberal theologians, just like their political counter-parts, have often tried to relegate Jesus as a religious and passive man who performed acts of charity. It is these types of people who didn’t hear and wouldn’t understand His words - “It is finished”. Once something is finished, there’s no need to say or do anything else (to do so would be useless).

Finished was the separation between God the Father and Mankind. Finished was Man’s vain attempt at trying to earn a right standing with God through good works. Finished was the penalty of “falling short” (sin), which is death. Only a perfect sacrifice would accomplish what hundreds of years of religion could never do. And when that sacrifice was accepted, Christ declared that Adam’s fall in the garden was atoned for and the curse placed upon all of us as a result of it was no more; it was finished.

Liberals believe Christ is just one of many ways to get in touch with a “higher power”. However, the search for any other way is finished in Christ. Consider it in another way.

Millions watched this years Super Bowl game. It got pretty exciting in the last few minutes. Even when the Cardinals flubbed it and the Steelers went ahead, there was still time on the clock. But when time ran out, it was finished. Why would anyone continue to do something that was already finished? We wouldn’t in football and we shouldn’t in Christ.

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-03-01T14:37:00.001-06:00

Many are waiting, rather than believing

In chapter five of the book of John there is the story of “a certain man” that had been suffering with an infirmity for 38 years. Jesus saw him and asked if he wanted to be made whole. We’re familiar with the story.

How many times do you suppose Jesus had been in Jerusalem since His birth? That man was waiting for his healing even before Jesus was physically born and yet it wasn’t ‘healing’ Christ offered but rather, to be made whole. How many people do we not see that are all around , looking for something they think will bring some sort of healing (peace of mind, happiness, a healthy spirit)? Yet what is actually needed is to be made whole. To be able not only to get over a sickness but to also have full strength is to be whole. As in verse 8 of chapter 5, all it takes is one word from Christ and one’s belief and obedience in that word to accomplish the inner heart’s desire.

God’s mercy and grace is beyond understanding and limits. Yet there is one thing that often hinders its proper affects. It breaks down into many sub-categories but the lowest denominator is belief. Case in point is in the same chapter of John. Verse three states it wasn’t just this one man sitting around waiting for the water to move, but in fact there “lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered …” Just sitting around, waiting for the easiest thing to do that wouldn’t interfere with their lifestyles or require anything on their part.

As His disciples, let us be alert for those waiting for the waters to move and want to be made whole - in Jesus’ Name.

©2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-02-22T14:17:00.001-06:00

Trying Times and God's Word

In these tough times, it isn’t allows easy to adhere in your mind what is in your heart. That it is to say, we read and understand the Bible to declare we are to “fear not” and that God will supply all our needs according to His riches, not our own. Nevertheless, it is vitally important, more than ever, that our confession of faith in Christ is backed-up with our lifestyle.

For many years, Christians have been praying for revival. There have been several “bursts” around the country that claimed to be revival but fizzled out as self-serving motives of men were revealed. Now, with so much economic upheaval taking place, maybe ‘Christians’ will have their eyes opened and will get back on the path God has called us to. But as believers are faced with turning to Jesus, what type of message is it going to take to aid a real spiritual revival in this land?

2 Thessalonians 2 tells us the message Paul employed. “For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile … not as pleasing men, but God which tries our hearts” (verses 3-4b). Deceit means having an ulterior motive. Uncleanness refers to impure motives. And guile means trickery.

The days of the feel-good-and-don’t-offend me message is past. The watered-down message of Christ has been the number one contributor to an ineffective and powerless church that a majority of Americans, unfortunately, consider has no answer for their problems. Wealth and prosperity, contrary to what has been taught both on Wall Street and in Mega-popular Church has nothing to do with economics!

2009-02-08T14:08:00.000-06:00

To Judge or Not to Judge

Language is interesting in that many times the meaning of one word can sometimes contradict a different definition of the same word. Digging just a little deeper will often dispel the difference and as conscious, thinking people it is something we are prone to do.

The Bible is often criticized because of apparent contradictions. Again, unless there is further research, the paradox appears genuine. Jesus said, in Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged”. Seems cut and dry, as well as obvious. We are not to pass judgment upon others.

Because of a lack of study, many in churches today have taken this to mean not to research and check out things they hear a teacher or minister say; that to do so is “judging him” and is condemned by another scripture that commands we are not to “touch God’s anointed” (see 1 Chronicles 16:22).

Simply by reading the entire chapter 7 of Matthew there will arise a problem. Verse 15 says “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” How can you know the difference without judging it? Verse 16 says “You shall know them by their fruits …”. Obviously, Jesus is referring to different definitions of the word ‘judge’.

No where in the Bible does it condone passing judgment on people. To do so wreaks of self-righteousness (“for all have sinned and fallen short”). At the same time, the Bible clearly tells us we are to exercise proper judgment between what is right and wrong, good and bad, biblical or pagan. The synonym is ‘discernment’ and without it being exercised we don’t stand a chance of separating Truth from fiction.

2009-02-01T13:17:00.000-06:00

The Only Light of the World

“Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world: he who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life.” John 8:12

Every living thing has to have light in order to live, grow, and mature. It is an essential element to life. How tall would a cornstalk grow without light? How safely could we walk without even a little bit of light? And what about all the beautiful waterfalls, mountain scenery, and wide open spaces? They would be hidden from us, unseen, without light.

Throughout life’s sometimes dire situations and somewhat overwhelming temptations, the only way we are going to survive is not by hiding in the darkness; sheets pulled over our head, lights turned out making no sound hoping things will go away.

Just like with nature, our souls need Light in order to develop correctly and to function productively. Keep in mind what you learned in physics class. Light moves at 186,000 miles per second, is a form of radiant energy, and is something that makes things visible.

Though the natural instinct may be to run and hide from things, Jesus explained we are hide in His light. Not artificial light, imitation light, or “new” light, but True Light. Any thing but Jesus Christ is not light but instead is darkness (of which Paul instructed we are to flee). Our souls’ vital nutrients and purpose will spring forth as easily as spring’s new flowers as we draw towards The Light.

© 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-01-25T14:49:00.001-06:00

"You DID run well"

We all, as Christians, look forward to the day we hear Jesus say “Well done, good and faithful servant!” But what if we heard “You used to be faithful. What happened?”

Over the years there have been many people come in and out of our lives. We can picture those we used to see all the time at church and now haven’t seen them in many years. In fact, there may be somebody thinking about you in this way. Galatians 5:7-8 states “You did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion comes not of Him who calls you.”

Note the word did; past tense. While there may be many reasons folks stop going to church and quit reading their bibles, its not something God has inspired someone to do. The sin nature living within us, this self-gratifying world, and spiritual wickedness all serve to distract, disarm, and dispose of exclusive faith in Jesus Christ. One thing that seems to utilize all three ‘enemies’ is false doctrine.

False doctrine starts out as liberal interpretations of scripture. The zeal of black-and-white Christianity gets blurred into a grayish idea of non-offensive, all embracing religion which places Man’s desires, ideas, and priorities above anything else - including God’s Word. Emphasizing that which is not biblical is false teaching and false teaching hinders faith in Christ. The two can’t mix because just a little false teaching messes up the “whole lump” (see verse 9).

Despite where we are, grace always allows the opportunity to focus (or re-focus) on Christ and His completed work on the Cross.

2009-01-18T15:31:00.001-06:00

The Foolishness of God

The Bible purposely points out God has always confounded the wise with the foolish. In other words, where Man would choose the smartest, best qualified, most handsome, or best suited, God the Father does just the opposite. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

Any public relations firm, if faced with the job of spreading the Good News about Jesus Christ, would probably come up with a “smart” campaign that would look something like this. First, hire the best writers, public speakers, and professional people in the field of marketing. Next, there would be guidelines defining what was appropriate wording so as to not offend any potential ‘followers’.

You can see where this is going. Multi-level marketing, conferences, self-help seminars, and public service announcements on the Internet - all ‘wise’ ways to win the lost, yet the bible just stated what the power of God is (the preaching of the cross) and it has little to do with things.

As the early church began to grow, God instructed them to choose seven men to help the Apostles with ministry. Their qualifications? Not degrees or successful businessmen - simply “men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom” (see Acts 6:3). Why does God operate this way? “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men …” (1 Corinthians 1:25a)! Every time!

Copyright 2009 IllumiNation Ministries

2009-01-11T14:21:00.000-06:00

Compassion and Mercy Belongs to God

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23.

Just when we begin to think we are something important; that we are in control of our own lives and make things happen, we stumble across a verse like this one. As much as we think, wish, and confess ourselves to be righteous the truth is all the glory belongs to God.

Paul wrote in Romans our most righteous works are as filthy rags and can, therefore, not prevent us from being consumed (destroyed or cut-off). If it were left up to us, and we were able to live a holy life, how much compassion would we have on others who wouldn’t measure up? Isn’t ‘not measuring up’ the great divide that separates Man from God?

There is good news and bad news that accompany these thoughts. The good news is God’s compassions never fail and His mercy endures forever. The phrase “They are new every morning” tells us His mercy is never exhausted. His mercy yesterday was for yesterday and even before we get out of bed, His mercy today is for today.

The bad news is because of a lack of discernment, many believers don’t know this and seek day and night to obtain a relationship with God through acts of contrition, religious ceremonies, and ecumenical programs they think provides mercy and grace; as if “great is Your faithfulness” is a reference to the believer‘s steadfastness.

Remember, its ALL about Jesus and what was completed at the Cross.
© IllumiNation Ministries

2009-01-04T15:04:00.001-06:00

If You Believe in Him, its not really Him you Believe In!

“Jesus cried and said, He who believes on Me, believes not on Me, but on Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.” (John 12:44-45)

Here is a section of scripture that divides the religious church go-er from the truly faithful. An inspired minister could pull twenty or more sermons from these words of Christ. These words were spoken shortly before the Last Passover Jesus would celebrate before His arrest and execution. And keep in mind, He is talking to His followers.

He indicates it is necessary to realize the manifestation of God in the flesh. Jesus, in His human form, offered no expression of deity. To the rest of the world, He was simply another teacher or rabbi. Not everyone who saw Jesus actually “saw” Jesus. We even tend to forget and allow the cares of this world to separate the Divine and the natural, preventing us from seeing God in the Person of the Son in and through our everyday lives.

These words also expose the error one can believe in God without believing in Jesus Christ. Believing in Christ IS believing in God. Jesus wasn’t multi-cultural when it came to faith. Not all religious roads lead to God. There’s only One Way. It is a truth that often divides rather than unifies. Its often unpopular and not politically correct. But nonetheless, the words are in red, so to speak.

May God grant us a reminder of this simple yet powerful revelation. The One who paid the penalty for our self-righteousness to make us right with the Father is the same Person we’ve been made right with!

www.IllumiNationMinistries.org

2008-12-28T14:53:00.002-06:00

Forget About the Past (Good or Bad)

As move further into the future, we are tempted to look back at things in the past. The natural tendency is to wishfully dream “if I knew then what I know now”.

Left unchecked, this can be a problem for the child of God. Purposefully getting back to being led by the Spirit, we will remember the Bible declares the following: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

Rather than to suffer with the memories of past failures, of sick body and sick mind, the Bible clearly proclaims “this is the day the Lord has made”. Present tense. Forgetting those things is a reference to the days in which we tried to please ourselves or to serve God through rules and formats that were all a let down.

Reaching forth indicates we are to look forward, move forward, and progress forward; which makes sense in that we can’t go back. We must realize that those things consists of all the victories we have in Christ because of Calvary. To press toward the mark represents a specific moral and spiritual target. An engine idling in neutral won’t cut it. The prize of the high calling of God ? Christlikeness.

We have a man-date to go and let the Light of Christ shine. So the next time there’s the thought either of fondness or regret concerning the past, let us purpose to forget all that and remember what He did for us so that we can be effective for the lost.

© IllumiNation Ministries

2008-12-21T15:33:00.002-06:00

The Birth of Christ - Good thing or threatening thing?

The birth of Jesus the Messiah has had an effect upon the entire world. Despite all cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, political persuasions, or even religious beliefs, everyone has or will face an eternal consequence because of it.

Most of us are familiar with the “Christmas Story” of Luke chapter 2. But the book of Matthew gives us an interesting example of two ways to look at the birth of our Savior. In chapter 2:1-2 the Bible mentions Wise men from the east looking for “He who is born the King of the Jews …” The birth of this particular baby had altered their lives to the point they were compelled to worship him. Is this how we have been affected by His birth?

Matthew 2:3-8 speaks of another person’s reaction to news “a savior is born”. King Herod was troubled with the thought of a king being born. History indicates that, in fact, he had two of his sons executed because he thought they were plotting to over throw him. In fact, the rest of the text tells us King Herod sent out a decree to have all Jewish males 2 yrs old and younger to be killed. The birth of this baby had a tremendous affect on him as well.

The birth of Christ will either threaten you and ‘your kingdom’ or it will compel you to repent and worship. Who Christ is to us dictates how we react to Him and every situation we face.
Is He a baby in a feeding trough? Is He God manifest in the flesh? Was He simply born 2,000 years ago? Or is He Alpha and Omega?

He is either Lord of all or not Lord at all!

© IllumiNation Ministries

2008-12-14T15:01:00.001-06:00

THREE STEPS TO LIVING FOR CHRIST

We seem to relish formulas for success these days. The easier the better. Most popular are “Steps” or “Keys”. Five steps to this. Four keys to get that. In keeping with what’s trendy, I want to offer “Three Steps to Living for Christ”.

A few notes and disclaimers must first be cited. After all, the authors of every self-help book, religious or pagan, need help themselves. If Man-made psychology was truly effective then the past 100 years or so would have seen a decrease in selfishness, jealousy, physical abuse, and other matters Freud explained starts in the mind. According to a poll co-sponsored by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association a few years ago, 90% of Christians live a defeated life. Closer inspection will probably reveal Believers began to be overrun with “problems” about the same time Pop psychology was introduced in the Church and replaced the counsel of the ages - the Bible!

When considering the steps, we must understand Jesus is the first one. Step one is GRACE. We don’t know how to live for God or to get right with God. It takes grace in order to live for Christ.
Step two, again a result of Christ, is LIBERTY. Because of receiving grace, we are at liberty and are set free from struggling with religious dos and don’ts that enslave mentally and spiritually.

And step three, because of grace and liberty, is VICTORY. Victory isn’t making it to the finish line and we achieve the perfect life; with perfect kids, no job worries, only blue skies and smiles. Victory is that sought after place where we no longer believe the devil and have our full faith in Christ.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-12-07T14:38:00.001-06:00

"FEAR NOT: FOR I AM WITH YOU"

In the year 712BC, the prophet Isaiah wrote, as the Lord gave inspiration, the following great promise:

“Fear not: for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you: yea, I will help you; yea, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10).

Admittedly, its not always easy to ‘fear not’. The mind, the facts of the circumstances seen, and the natural tendency is to fear. Much more than simply worrying or being concerned, fear is the opposite of faith. Bible-believing Christians will always encourage folks to ‘have faith’, ‘hang in there’, or ‘God is in control’. But all that goes out the window if fear takes hold.

Notice in the verse a specific progression in this promise from God. At first, “I am with you”. Then He comes closer: “I will strengthen you”. Still closer: “I will help you”. Until finally He throws His arms around us and says “I will uphold you”. Despite whatever happens, we are to fear not. Note this is not a suggestion, but rather a command.

Some may argue “You don’t know what the future holds. What about the economy? What about my loved ones? What about the doctor’s report?” Nothing else matters if the Creator of the Universe and you are on a first name basis! His promises are 100 percent solid; tried and tested!

When up against fear, remember that verse 13 explains God Himself will be our strength, courage, power, and victory. It was finished at Calvary just 2,000years ago. All we have to do is receive it. A-men?

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-11-30T13:57:00.001-06:00

Pitfalls of Liberal Interpretation of Scriptures

The number one way to know the Word of God is to KNOW the Word. There are too many variations of liberally interpreting scripture that paraphrase the bible rather than to say it like it is. But trickier than that is the popular act of taking something out of context in order to try and prove a point. This is irresponsible and deceptive but by no means new.

Just prior to stepping into the full-time ministry, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness and was tempted by Satan three times. The first temptation came at the height of physical hunger, inviting Jesus to turn some rocks into bread (see Matthew 4:3). Christ’s reply was to tell him what the Word of God said. For the second temptation, the enemy used a familiar tactic. He quoted scripture from Psalms 91to support his suggestion Jesus jump off the pinnacle of the Temple. A liberal interpretation of the Word would actually back up Satan!

Jesus’ reply, however, indicated it is very wrong to pull out scripture and make it fit an agenda. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:16 and said “You shall not tempt the Lord your God”.

By the third temptation, after all else failed, the enemy offered an easy way out (a spiritual temptation), which ignores the Word of God and appeals directly to the flesh. For most of us, if we had made it this far, we probably would have lost it because words in a book wouldn’t seem like an answer to a carnal desire to avoid martyrdom.

We can rest, like Jesus, that God’s literal Word is all we need to triumph over our enemies. “You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve” (Mat.4:10).

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-11-23T15:27:00.001-06:00

Wording Indicates the Subject

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

I have always been fascinated with the particulars of wording. Sometimes the slightest variation can alter the meaning of a statement or thought, many times in a very subtle way. Who is doing what and how they are doing it is important in understanding a sentence like the one above. The wording of it looks simple until you look a little closer.

I have been crucified with Christ is a reference to Romans 6:3-5 which defines the foundation of being a Christian. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me means its not our ability or strength that gives us new life. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me takes us back what was done at Calvary.

Here’s my point about words and wording. The subject of everything we have or ever hope to gain from God is Jesus Christ. Oftentimes, messages and sermons have at their center Self. Even the subject of many of our songs are focused on “Me”, “My”, and “I”. How can this be if we have been crucified? How can a message be of any benefit if the subject of that message is a corpse? The wording of the gospel is very specific. It is all about Christ and Christ alone.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-11-16T15:47:00.001-06:00

Pride, pride, and more pride

Most analysis’ of life problems can be summarized with three categories. The author states the things that influence Mankind is “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life”. A brilliant mind can explain how everything within this world operates on a system (banking, political, social, religious, etc.). However, John’s inspired words here state clearly “ALL that is in the world” indicating that as we struggle and are seeking a way out, God’s ways are not Man’s ways.

Of the three ways we fall victim to ‘situations’, the most subtle one is pride. We don’t often associate it with evil, as we do murder or immorality. In the Garden, it was pride that caused Adam and Eve to hide from God and then to try and turn blame away from themselves when they were busted. God states in Proverbs 8:13 that pride and arrogance is something He hates.

According to Wikipedia, “pride is the lofty view of one’s self or one’s own”. It is what caused the arch-angel Lucifer to think he could exalt himself above God. Pride is the what causes us to think too highly of ourselves and prevents us from admitting error, to return to God when we know we should. The Expositor’s Study Bible comments that the pride of life is “that which trusts its own power and resources, and shamefully despises and violates divine laws and human rights”.

Let us examine ourselves. Am I trusting in my own abilities to solve things? Am I searching for my own resources as I struggle with my sinful nature? Worse, is pride keeping me from doing what I know God has commanded? An honest answer will tell is what to do.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-11-09T14:12:00.001-06:00

Got Any Talent?

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability ….” Matthew 25:14-15a NKJV.

Have you ever wondered about ministry? More specifically what your ministry gift or talent is? Most would agree not everyone is called to be a preacher, standing up before hundreds and thousands to preach repentance and to give an alter call in which many people come forward to receive Christ as their Lord. Not very many people have a desire to leave family and friends to go over seas and work the mission fields of Africa or India. Hearing testimonies of folks healed miraculously after a person, anointed of God, prayed for them.

Every believer is given a fully proper ministry that is unique to them. In this parable it is easy to glance over the words “according to his own ability”. We aren’t supposed to be responsible for something that isn’t ours. However, we are responsible for that which He has given us! As the parable illustrates, we won’t get away with burying it somewhere and not doing anything with it. We are obligated to share it.

Your ministry calling or gift is directly related to what you are good at and what you enjoy doing. But guess what? If you’re not ‘taking a chance with it’ and putting it out there for others in Jesus’ name, then you’re not being a “good and faithful servant”. No matter how miniscule it may seem we are equipped and obligated to use it for His glory.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-11-02T20:33:00.001-06:00

The Only Way We are One

In today’s instant information age and with all the knowledge available at our fingertips, its good to focus upon the Truth of the Bible. With all the various choices out there, God’s Word declares:
“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called, in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV).

Never mind all the many false voices tempting us to consider “another” way. Political correctness and multi-cultural “prophets” compelling us we have to compromise the above verse in order to show true Christian love to folks who have contempt for, and want to destroy, us. Hollywood elite mockingly attack the idea of only one Lord and set out with almost every movie to define, in their minds, what a Christian is.

We are one body, not by common denominators, who we vote for, who we don’t vote for, the way we dress, the people we associate with, the color of our skin, or even the content of our character. We are one body strictly and solely as a result of the One who is “ ..One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in” us all.

Jesus Christ is the one and only way. By placing our faith exclusively in Him, and His completed work at the Cross, we are indeed “blessed and highly favored”. None else will ever do!

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-10-26T14:23:00.000-05:00

Quirky T-shirt slogan

Have you ever had read a quirky comment on a t-shirt you thought was profound? Seldom will I actually purchase one and certainly seldom will I write about it in the context of a devotional column.

2 Corinthians 1:6-7 precedes the quirky comment: “Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.” What happened to Christ and His first disciples as a result of turning away from religion will also happen to us. The words ‘afflicted’ and ‘enduring’ and ‘suffering’ aren’t looked at as positive and/or encouraging. Yet throughout the Bible, we are told to expect it.

It is the nature of this world to seek out the easier paths. Many have compromised morals and principles in order to better themselves. At work, in social circles, politics, even church if a particularly tough situation arises the easier, ‘best’ position is to seek out the most pleasant one - the least painful. We, as Christians, have no right doing this because, in fact, Jesus Christ Himself didn’t. Because of what He accomplished on the Cross, His disciples (which today includes ALL who profess Him as Lord) are able to realize afflictions and suffering, a.k.a. pain, is serving its intended good purpose.

So what about the quirky and profound statement on the t-shirt? “PAIN is weakness LEAVING THE BODY!”

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-10-19T15:02:00.000-05:00

Repentance Means There IS Going Back!

Bouncing off the theme from last week, let’s turn it around to say “there IS going back”. Not only do we have built within us the God-given ability to choose, we also have the choices to choose from.

The first such example of freedom of choice is, of course, in the Garden of Eden. But that isn’t a good example because it was after all a bad choice. In Luke 15 is arguably the best indication that through Jesus Christ we are able to “go back”. Verses 11-13 begins the parable of the prodigal son, a younger brother who wanted his father’s inheritance so he could ‘live his own life‘, so to speak. His father didn’t stop him but rather allowed him to choose for himself. Similar to how God works with us, isn’t it? Many times He could force us to do something but instead allows us to do what we want.

When his money ran out, and life was no longer an orgy of fun and games (which is always the end result of sin), he had another decision to make. Pride could say “You wasted your money, and made a fool of yourself”. He could imagine “My father may not forgive me. I’ve hurt him greatly”. And of course, he could always blame things on someone else; ‘Its not my fault’.
Verses 18-19 tells us he opted for no excuses. He decided he was going to take a chance and go back, to admit error, and ask for forgiveness. Verse 20 shows the only time our Father runs is when He runs to us when we return to Him.

Despite wrong choices we’ve made, either years ago or minutes go, repentance allows us to go back to that perfect relationship with God where there is peace of mind and joy.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-10-12T13:14:00.000-05:00

A GREAT QUOTE

"If they had a social gospel in the days of the prodigal son,
somebody would have given him a bed and a sandwich and he
never would have gone home." - Vance Havner

2008-10-12T12:57:00.000-05:00

If God's Not There, Then I'm Not Going!

We’ve all heard the expression “there’s no going back”. While this relates to many things in life, it is especially true after accepting Christ as savior. Once you’ve experienced that release from your past mess-ups and sensed His presence like cool, refreshing water on a dry, hot day there truly is no going back.

It is written in Exodus 33 an account where Moses was commanded to go out. His reply, and brief summary, was “Lord, if You’re not there, then I’m not going”. While others were content to worship ‘at a distance’, satisfied in knowing the Presence of the Lord was with someone else (Moses), Moses had a personal encounter and there was no going back.

Today is different in that we longer have to go out to a specific place to worship God. John 14:15-17 explains how God’s Presence dwells within every believer. So today, rather than to go out to the Holy God, the Holy God goes out with us … wherever we go. This means whatever we expose ourselves to we’re exposing Him to as well. A sobering thought to say the least!

Its easy to grow luke-warm at times; to somehow drift off into a lifestyle of passivity. Its not our nature to constantly pursue the things of God. But equally easy is the ability to refocus. As a matter of choice, we can remind ourselves of where we were, what He did, and how radically we were changed. By doing so, something within us won’t be able to resist the call ‘If God’s not there then I’m not going’. We also have to admit that truly, there is no going back.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-10-05T06:55:00.000-05:00

Read Jude

“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3)

There’s not a major publisher today that, if it were submitted for consideration, would think about publishing the book of Jude and placing it in national bookstore chains, Sam’s Clubs, or Wal-Mart.

In this short letter from Jesus’ half-brother, all Christians are encouraged, challenged, even warned to be on guard against the most dangerous enemy to truth --- deception.
“For certain men have crept in unnoticed …” (verse 4). Notes from the Expositor’s Study Bible state “they came in by stealth and dishonesty; however, their methods were by no means new; they would assume an outward expression of light”. Just a casual ‘glance’ is not enough to discern error. This truth applies to any area of life, not just spirituality; politics, for example.
The term “earnestly contend” is the key. Jude, inspired by the Holy Spirit to write it, was saying Believers have to defend the doctrines of Christianity with intense effort. By not doing so, we are setting ourselves up to be led away from Christ. It isn’t an automatic thing.

Don’t think that living in this enlightened age of information we are somehow above being fooled. In fact, when was the last time you saw a ‘teaching series’ on the book of Jude? When you read the short 26 verse book, I think you’ll understand why pluralism, unity at any cost, multi-culturalism, and so forth is not equal to black-and-white.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-09-28T17:08:00.001-05:00

Blind leading the Blind

A W Tozar wrote “Until self-effacing men return again to spiritual leadership, we may expect a progressive deterioration in the quality of popular Christianity year after year till we reach the point where the grieved Holy Spirit withdraws - like the Shekinah from the temple." Now, more than ever, it is apparent what is needed most in our country, lives, and churches is an obvious return to spiritual leadership.

Politics of the past 50 plus years has portrayed faith in God and morals as something that should have nothing to do with governing. As we read of Washington Leaderships’ incestuous relationship with Wall Street and examine where this nation is today, we see the consequences of a serious lack of spiritual leadership.

The same was true in Jesus’ day. Under Rome and religious ‘leadership’, Israel was reaping the results of a nation without God. Blame for this wasn’t the secular leadership but rather the spiritual leadership. Matthew 15:10-20 provides insight into this. Jesus taught that it isn’t what goes into the mouth that defiles us but what comes out. In verse 12, His disciples told Him what He had just said offended the Pharisees. Jesus’ reply was to leave them alone because they were “blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” (verse 14b).

Herein is part of the problems today. We’ve been taught to not offend anyone. The risk of offense is no excuse for not speaking the Truth. We need to pray for spiritual leaders with the courage to speak the Truth, to shine the Light of the Gospel and to heal the blinded eyes of those chosen to serve us.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-09-21T14:25:00.000-05:00

Healing for the Spiritually Blind

Its fascinating how Jesus’ actions, parables, and miracles always amplified God’s plan of salvation. Despite the world’s best efforts to ridicule Christ and to devise any number of alternate ways to God and redemption, there always was and remains to be just one Way - the Cross of Christ.

John 9:1-6 records such an example of Christ’s actions illustrating this truth. It is the account of Jesus passing by a blind man. “And as Jesus passed by, He saw a man which was blind from his birth”. Some people, then and today, assumed ‘blindness’ was the result of some deliberate sin against God (verse 2). ‘’If only they had enough faith or practiced correct ordinances then God would bless them with a healing.’

A person born blind has no way of comprehending light. Speaking spiritually, there is nothing a ‘blind’ person can do to bring about ‘sight’. That’s where Jesus comes in.

Verses 6 and 7 says Jesus spat on the ground and made some clay with the dirt, applied it to the eyes, and told him to wash it off in the pool of Siloam. The clay is symbolic of Christ’s humanity animated with the moisture of the breath of life. It was applied not to the forehead, or anywhere else, but the eyes. Washing in the pool is reference to the shed blood of Christ.

Nothing brings sight to the blind except Jesus and His finished work at the Cross. Any other way is futile and is a case of blind leading the blind.

And where do you think that will get you?

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-09-14T14:21:00.000-05:00

Reprint from 2005 - "Beginnings"

In Matthew 24, Jesus tells His disciples about the day and hour in which He would return. One that stands out is an unusual statement in verse 37.

“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” To get a grasp of it, we must go back to Genesis and imagine what allusion Jesus was making.

How strange Noah must have seemed to those around him. Not unlike a sold-out believer doing what the bible says despite the mockery and ridicule going on around him today. There is no evidence there was even an ocean nearby, yet here was this “religious nut” building this humongous contraption because God told him to. Don’t you know people warned others to stay away from that guy!

Genesis 6:9 picks up the story of Noah. Clues to figure out what Jesus was telling His followers in Matthew start here. It reads “…Noah walked with God.” Verse 11 says “The earth was corrupt … and filled with violence.” Verse 13 “…I will destroy them with the earth.” Verse 17b “everything that is on the earth shall die.” Verse 18 “But I will establish My covenant with you.”
Violence. Immorality. Idolatry.

These things preceded total devastation for the entire planet. Yet, just prior to the first drops of judgment, the person who walked with God was put out of harm’s way. Noah was saved by God’s grace. And interestingly, his salvation affected his family (the bible never said his sons were righteous).

Jesus was telling His disciples, including those today who walk with God, to be preparing because you never know when “enough is enough”. All the extreme violence, hatred, and immorality mean only one thing for the believer --- the end will come suddenly.

If you are a Christian, you can rest assured that going to church on a regular basis, reading your bible, praying daily, even tithing and fasting is God’s directions for building your ark. It won’t be something you’ll always want to do. It may not be popular in the community. It could even cost you something on the job. I’m sure there were times when Noah struggled in his mind.
But when the rains start and you get into the shelter you have built, even if it took a lifetime to complete, don’t you know it will be worth it?

Copyright 2005, 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-09-07T15:14:00.000-05:00

The Wheat and the Tares

Many are familiar with the process of sowing and reaping. Likewise, there is a great appreciation for Jesus’ use of parables that used analogies around planting, seed, and so on. Such as the parable of the wheat and tares. Matthew 13:24-30 records the parable of how the kingdom of God is like a man who sowed good seed and while he slept, his enemy came and planted tares among wheat seed.

Its interesting how for every type of seed that bears fruit, there is a counterfeit. A counterfeit is a worthless copy of the original. In the case of tares, it will take up water, nutrients, sunshine, and space, everything needed to bare fruit, yet when it is harvested there is absolutely nothing inside it. Have you seen a gord? It looks like a watermelon on the outside, but inside there is nothing but grassy looking stuff. It wasted all the water and nutrition that would have been used by the true watermelon.

As Christians, we have to stay awake so as to lessen our chances of our enemy, Satan, sowing apostates among us. Equally important is refraining from God’s role of Judge. Only He is able to separate the “weeds” from the “wheat” without injuring or destroying the fruit. We don’t have it within us to be wise enough or discerning enough to do it fairly.

This is how sticking to God’s Word takes care of the whole issue of true and false doctrine in the last days. Growing up beside Truth, time will always expose “tares” for what they are; vain, empty, void of anything good. And Christ will always be magnified.

© IllumiNation Ministries

2008-08-24T14:48:00.000-05:00

A Higher Standard

How do we know what to do when there is seemingly no solution? How can we decide between opposing viewpoints that both seem valid? These are dilemmas we find our selves in from time to time.

We all have a way of determining the best course of action. Everyone has a standard to go by. A good illustration of a standard is the measuring stick on the side of the big dip on a rural road. It is there to indicate how deep crossing water is at that point. Without it (the standard) there is no way of knowing how dangerous or insignificant it would be to drive through it.

In dealing with the circumstances of life, there are three standards we can go by: God’s standard, our own standards, and standards toward others. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 says “so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” This world offers many distractions when it comes to “living right”. God’s standard is holiness (set apart for a particular purpose). As Christians, we are to have higher moral standards if we are to have any chance of avoiding sorrows (see 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7). Equally important is having a higher standard pertaining to how we look at and treat other people. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 state clearly “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.”

We may not always know what to do, but a higher standard will never let you down.

© IllumiNation Ministries

2008-08-17T16:15:00.000-05:00

Sons of Light, not night

“You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5,8).

Encouraging words are appreciated in the middle of trying situations. The social and political climate in 2008 is an ever increasing trying situation. The above scripture is meant to remind us to stay focused on who we are in Christ and why it is we live to be an example of true believers.
We are children of light because we know Jesus, who was declared in John 8:12 to be the “Light of the World”. We are to be completely different from the lost; as day from night. Whether we know it or not, people are aware of our profession of faith and are ever watching to see if what our mouth says matches up with what our actions say.

This is why we are to be encouraged and reminded from time to time of our assurance in Him; that proper faith in Christ and His completed work at Calvary will continue to produce love that both believers and non-believers will clearly see. Even if things aren’t going right and it seems all of hell’s fury is coming against us, may our spirit be lifted up today and know ‘it won’t be long now’.

One day soon we will physically be where our hearts already are. Until then, we must continue to trust in the Lord, stay focus upon Him and His word so as not to fall victim to con-men and their deceptions (keep the ‘Light’ on to chase away the darkness), and maintain heart-to-heart contact with our Hope of salvation - Jesus Christ!

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-08-10T15:02:00.000-05:00

Discernment - A Good Habit To Make

Learning a good habit is a hard thing to do. It takes practice, discipline, commitment, and consistency. Though we may start out with all good intentions it isn’t very far down the road drudgery and unwillingness to venture on begins to creep in.

Paul stated in Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Pressing towards any goal, especially the ‘prize of the upward call of God’, doesn’t mean casually walking when it is easy or convenient; maybe thinking about it and working towards it a couple of hours a week. It means to be determined that despite how we feel or what anyone else thinks, we’re going to bring that good habit into a lifestyle.

A good habit desperately in need these days is discernment. In most areas of life, discernment is encouraged and actively taught in order to make good choices. How do you pick a good doctor? The right investment advice? The correct attire for a social occasion? The classes to take to work towards a degree? It all requires judgment and a closer examination of facts in order to make correct choices. Discernment.

Practicing discernment in spiritual matters, however, is altogether different. Past and present cult leaders have succeeded at getting folks to believe it is a sin to compare things they say and teach to the Bible; that it is comparable to ‘touching the Lord’s anointed’. The Early Church was insistent to judge right from wrong as it pertained to doctrine.

With any good habit, practicing discernment will have far reaching and long lasting benefits. Let us begin today.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-08-03T14:28:00.000-05:00

One Thing Missing in American Christianity

Recently I’ve been noticing something missing in many songs on Christian radio. I couldn’t really put my finger on it. The music was uplifting and encouraging and had a much different, and better, ‘flavor’ than secular stations. Then I began to listen to popular CDs and paid closer attention to new Worship songs and noticed the same missing thing.

Flipping across Christian satellite stations, TV ministries, and speakers at Christian conferences you guessed it. Something vital is missing yet it is so subtle many folks don’t even notice. Do you know the missing ingredient in Christian ministry and entertainment these days? Jesus is missing!

Let me explain it this way. In grade school we learned about diagramming sentences and about the different type of words that made up a sentence. The noun is the subject and the verb is something the object is doing. By looking at a statement, you can determine the subject or focus of attention is always the object of the verb. Using this principle I noticed that much of what is supposedly ‘Christ-centered’ is actually ‘self-centered’. For example, consider these best-selling book titles: “Be a Better You”, “The Total Money Makeover”, “Reposition Yourself: Living Life Without Limits”. Do these cause people to focus on Christ or do they enable us to focus upon our selves? Most give themselves away with pronouns (you, yourself, I, and me). Many modern church songs are aimed at the same subject. Self, self, self. Where is Jesus?

He’s where He’s always been. Ever waiting for us to get past ourselves and to come to Him --- on His terms.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-07-27T13:22:00.000-05:00

The Narrow Road

Jesus, the Light of the world, said the following: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (NKJV)

Living a Christian life isn’t any easier today than it was 2,000 years ago. Even in a society that calls itself “Christian”, the very idea of sacrifice, going against the norm, of being socially unpopular, isn’t something easy to do. Its so much more comfortable, convenient , even pleasant to cruise down a wide-open, smoothly paved highway than to ‘take the next exit’ and deliberately choose to turn off onto a skinny dirt road covered with potholes, weeds, and rocks.

That is the Lord’s point.

It is a contrite heart that earnestly desires to lay aside his/her own agenda, one that ultimately separates us from God, to follow the “few”. And while most see this as somewhat negative, when the benefits of the end results are considered it is obvious which road is the best road. Paul wrote “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (see 1 Corinthians 1:17-19). The message of the Cross is the narrow path. The right road. The power of God.

Let us be reminded of which road we are on and examine our motives so that we can determine, in fact, our pursuit of Him.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-07-20T15:15:00.000-05:00

Christ is the Rock

It is any wonder that as our faith is placed in something or someone other than Christ we are less able to deal with life’s circumstances? That’s not to say by having faith we will never have problems. Many have been taught that in order to receive something from God, we have to do something. Its this very idea that causes faith in Christ to be substituted with faith in works.

Let me explain. Jesus said: “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” The rock is Christ and the foundation is the Cross. The subject of the parable isn’t the rain, the floods, and the wind. The subject is faith in Christ. A wise man puts His faith in the Rock before any storm, bad circumstance, or temptation may come his way and rests in the confidence that no matter what may come, he’s anchored to the Rock.

To say “all it takes is faith in Christ” sounds pretty simple. Some will want to mention where James wrote “faith without works is dead” to justify ‘doing something’. Although it sounds simple, its one of the hardest things to do because of our desire to step in and do something. Even the good things we do as Christians, such as prayer, fasting, and giving can be turned into something we think we have to do in order to get something from the Lord. Just as we can’t stop the rain and the wind from coming, we can’t do anything to keep it from destroying our house. The Good News we don’t have to because Christ has already accomplished it for us.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-07-13T16:04:00.000-05:00

His Disciples

While reading in the book of Matthew, I noticed some interesting things relating to Jesus and His disciples. In chapter 10:1 it reads “…When He had called unto Him His Twelve Disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease”.

Notice it says Jesus chose them, not the other way around (as it states in John’s gospel). Not just that, but did you see what these followers of Christ were capable of doing? If God changes not, and His Word changes not, does that mean we, as His disciples today, have the same power over darkness and illness? It most certainly does. However all too often, Man thinks he has the power within his own abilities to perform such things. He rationalizes that doctors, medical procedures and medicines is how we overcome such things today. The Bible clearly states this power comes from God and we see in third world countries, destitute and economically busted, miracles and healings of biblical proportions taking place at the hands of men and women called of the Lord to be His disciples.

Sadly, America has slipped into decay. Jesus warned further down in Matthew 10 to “…Beware of men …”. He was speaking of religious apostates that would come in and pervert the Gospel message to the point of powerlessness and ineffectiveness. Rather than illuminating Jesus Christ, the modern-day church has as its focus the unholy trinity - “Me, Myself, and I”.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-07-06T17:55:00.000-05:00

Revival

“We need revival!”

Have you considered what is meant by this statement? It brings up different images depending upon one’s age.

As a physical example, a person who’s heart has stopped beating and is unconscious needs to be revived. He’s not necessarily dead, but without revival he soon will be. A power source separate from himself is needed in order to “shock” the heart into beating again, supplying the body with the necessary oxygen and energy to live.

Both individual people as well as groups of people (the church) need a strong heartbeat in order to function properly. This is done through revival. Complacency, materialism, compromising with the world, prayerlessness, and neglecting God’s principles and presence contribute to an individual’s need for “the paddles” of the Holy Spirit applied to our hearts, just as division, cultural conditioning, softness on sin, arrogance, and powerlessness are signs a church needs revival; despite maybe an appearance of vibrancy.

Revival simply means “to be awakened, resuscitated, or brought back to life or consciousness”. Psalm 85:6 says “Won’t you revive us again,so your people can rejoice in you?” NLT. Not only is God willing to revive us but He is the only One who truly can. Christian pep-rallies and self empowerment retreats won’t do it. No more than immorality and sorcery can do it. Revival starts with you and me, coming to Christ one on one, to seek His Presence; a small spark that will turn into an all consuming fire to affect real spiritual change in this nation!

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-06-29T14:56:00.000-05:00

How To Be His Disciple

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24 NKJV.

Jesus didn’t say this to just anybody (or everybody) but to His followers. That’s important to know in today’s multi-cultural society. Often it is thought that to put on our Sunday’s best and go to church at least once in a while makes us a disciple. Nothing could be further from the Truth.

People have a built in desire to possess peace, joy, love, and the other side-effects of living a moral life and being able to overcome sin. According to Jesus’ words, the first thing we have to do is to not do what we want to do. That’s referring to us trying to obtain something using our own strength and ability. We have to deny ourselves the urge to “do something” before we can be His disciples.

Next, He said to “take up his cross”. For many, this has a negative connotation. “The Cross” is where something is executed; flesh is put to death (which is the penalty for sin). We can’t be disciples, again, unless this is done. After it is done, we are free to follow Him, referring to adhering to His Words and proclaiming to a lost world the Good News. This verse tells us what to do but it doesn’t say how to do it. Truth is, there’s no way any of us can actually do this.
The Good News? Jesus Christ did it for us! He denied Himself and died on the Cross making it possible for you and I to follow Him by faith. Any other way and we aren’t His disciples!

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-06-22T17:33:00.000-05:00

Knowing God Brings Blessings

When considering what it takes in order to have a blessed and peaceable life, nothing is of higher priority than knowing God. More than just knowing about Him, a personal relationship with our Creator makes it possible to know Him.

This defines two categories of people; the righteous and the religious, the hot and the cold, the faithful and the unfaithful, and so on. 1 John 2:3-5 bluntly spells it out: “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.”

Through a relationship with Christ, we know His will, His beliefs, His likes and dislikes. According to John, we can know our relationship with Christ is genuine if we do what he says. With obedience comes blessings such as we cannot imagine (the kind of stuff money can’t buy!). Psalm 1:1 mentions “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked ….” Our “walk” is our lifestyle and obedience to Christ means not going along with the latest thing if it, in fact, declares a “new way” to God other than Christ.

Knowing God leads to freedom. Freedom from the struggles of trying to overcome the flesh and not having communion with our Father in Heaven. Blessings await those who defy the world and place their trust and faith in Christ … realistically …consistently …obediently!

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-06-15T15:01:00.000-05:00

Difference Between Good Works and Serving the Lord

There is an amazing contrast between serving the Lord and performing good works. The two can look similar in both function and result. The key in distinguishing right from wrong is in motive.

Luke 10: 38-42 illustrates the contrast. Mary and Martha invited Jesus and His disciples into their home. You can imagine the chaotic scrambling as these two women, on short notice (there was no two or three week advance notice via telephone, Internet, or Instant Messenger), prepared food and drink for over a dozen men from out of town. Somewhere in all the confusion, Martha saw that her sister Mary was sitting down at the feet of Jesus, listening to things He was sharing.

Keep in mind. They both felt it a good thing to have Jesus come to their house. Yet the only one performing a good work was Martha, while Mary wasn’t doing anything. She was just sitting there listening.

Did you see the difference?

How sad it is when we get caught up in doing things, good deeds meant to help others and to lift people up, but then miss out on personal one-on-one fellowship with the Lord. Jesus told Martha when she requested He ask Mary to help her “One thing is needful”.

Many things that demand our attention and occupy our priorities, even as disciples, create stress, fatigue, and burnout. And worse, it keeps us away from Christ. The one needful thing we all have is communion with Christ. Doing good works and serving others is important, but we aren’t talking about just any Tom, Dick, or Harry! Our first priority is Jesus Christ!

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-06-08T15:21:00.000-05:00

More on Verifying

Last week was the subject of “Trust but verify”. Continuing with that thought, what happens when you check the validity of something and you find out it isn’t true? Or suppose you trusted the authenticity of something and time revealed that, in fact, it wasn’t true. As with most things in life, this is the point in which a choice has to be made.

Adam trusted without verifying the words of the serpent. Shortly thereafter he found out the serpent had lied. His reaction? Try to hide from God as long as he could and when the Lord asked him about it, he blamed God for making Eve. How differently would Adam’s life have been if he’d verified the serpent’s words with the Lord.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day met with Judas and “ministered” with him. Without verifying with Jesus the truth of what they suggested, he soon betrayed the Lord for 30 pieces of silver. What did he do when he discovered he had been lied to? Note that nobody names their newborn son Judas!

Being gullible to the lies of others is understandable these days. There is some much information, marketing, and packaging. The bible even describes deception being so subtle even the “experts” in the faith will fall for error. This is what makes the statement “Trust but verify” so important.

Whether or not someone we listen to, or even our selves, is “walking in the Spirit” of Truth (which is Jesus Christ), it has got to be verified with the Word of God. Verify a belief in Christ not in Man!

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-06-01T13:48:00.000-05:00

Trust But Verify

U.S. President Ronald Reagan had a most unique foreign policy that consisted of three words: Trust but verify. He said the U.S. was going to reduce its nuclear arsenal and trust the U.S.S.R. to do the same; trust them, but make sure they did.

This is the same way to hold ourselves accountable to God for supporting teachers and ministries. We are called to lift up in prayer and support our leaders and trust they are hearing from the Lord. But its not supposed to stop there. Ultimately, we each will be judged upon our own merits and our personal walk with the Lord. Therefore, we have an obligation to verify that what we hear is worthy of our trust.

In the Garden, there is an incident that would have turned out better if verification had taken place. It was summed up in Genesis 3:4 where the serpent (our common enemy) told Eve “You shall not surely die” if she disobeyed God. A false teaching, or lie, doesn’t appear as such. When it is put forth, there are two ways we will fall for it. Eve fell for it through deception. Adam accepted it by choice. In either case, if trusting the serpent was followed up by verifying what he said with God, a terrible consequence would have been avoided.

The same is true today except the subtly of the enemy and his many tactics has never been craftier. We have all got to verify every thought, teaching, principle, and latest movement with the Word of God. There’s still only one Way, one Truth, and one Life. Always consider the source to discern the Truth. Trust but verify!

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-05-11T16:29:00.000-05:00

Here she is! The brand new 2008 model fully loaded! ZOEY DANIELLE

2008-05-11T16:28:00.000-05:00

Fundamentalists and Evangelicals
(Part 1)

We’re all familiar with the verses in Revelation that speak of the church that was lukewarm. The Laodicean Christians were neither ‘hot’ nor ‘cold’ in their walk with Jesus (see Revelation 3:14-17). They preferred gray instead of black or white.

For just over 100 years there has been something taking place within the realms of theology that has been quietly “changing” the message and meaning of Christianity. At the turn of the 19th century there began to be an introduction of modernism and worldly philosophies into the church and along with it a liberal interpretation of scripture. In response, many General Assemblies and Bible Conferences came up with the American fundamentalist beliefs, agreeing upon five key points that all agreed make up the basics of Christianity. 1) The Inerrancy of the scriptures, 2) The virgin birth and deity of Jesus, 3) Substitutionary atonement through God’s grace and human faith, 4) The bodily resurrection of Jesus, and 5) The authenticity of Christ’s miracles.

In other words, they took a stand and declared it honorable to say a true fundamentalist Christian is one who is “…not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes.” (Romans 1:16). Lukewarmness is compromise. And when humanistic philosophies or New Age occultism is added to the Bible the gospel message is compromised.

Today there is a common mantra in all things socialistic/ liberal. From Brian McLaren to Barak Obama, there’s a push for everyone to compromise the fundamentals in order to “unite” people to bring about change. (to be cont’d).

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-05-04T15:20:00.000-05:00

Hostility Towards True Believers

Have you ever found yourself the recipient of hostility? I’m not referring to being ignored, put-down, or mocked by persons that don’t go to church, but rather people you have been friends with for years.

Increasingly, this is happening in the church community of the United States. So if your answer is yes, you are not alone. 2 Timothy chapter 3 describes the last days. Verse 1- 9 talks of ‘perilous times’, ‘a form of godliness but denying the power thereof’, ‘lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God’, and so on. It all falls under the category of APOSTASY. And it is talking about the modern church today.

Paul was telling Timothy about the condition of ‘Christianity’ after faith in Christ would be replaced with faith in man-made philosophies and religion. What ever a famous person, leader, or movement says to do, think, confess, etc., must be adhered to without question. As long as you ‘know your position and submit to authority’ and be a ‘faithful servant’, then you will be blessed, have favor with leadership, and be permitted to ‘minister’ to others who are to be submitted to you.

Turns out Paul wasn’t a popular leader at the end of his life. He taught we are to submit one to another in love, that God is no respecter of persons, and that we are all judged according to our relationship with Jesus Christ. This leaves little room for serving false teachers and false religions that enslave. Its when you “come out from among them and be separate” that these last days religionists convey their true spirit upon you. To which we must reply “Praise the Lord!”

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-04-27T14:59:00.000-05:00

Positively Different

Sometimes the easiest thing to do is to go along. There’s less confrontation, no difficult uneasiness, or awkwardness. Blending in and not standing against the ‘accepted’ way of thinking and believing could be easier but consider the cost of our witness for Christ.

As Jesus was preparing to go to the cross, He prayed for His disciples “I pray not that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from evil. They are not of the world…”(John 17:17). John later wrote “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world …” (2 John 2:15a). 2 Timothy 2:19 states “…Let every one who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity”. And, Titus 2:14 declares God “gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

These verses help explain how Christians should be different from the world and its view of things. What’s okay for the lost, immoral person shouldn’t be okay for the person of whom God shed His Son’s life for. It was too high a price to take lightly. God calls us to be different from those who don’t know Him so others will see a stark contrast between darkness and light; that there’s such a thing as moral absolutes. Also, there are right-and-wrong consequences for choices, lifestyles, and behavior that Christians are to be a positive example of.

That doesn’t require the unattainable position of sin-less perfection. It requires following, by faith, the One Who is sinless --- publicly and privately.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-04-20T14:51:00.000-05:00

A Thought Or Two About Faith

A few passing thoughts pertaining to faith. Not just faith in general, but faith in God (there is a difference).

Isn’t it curious how ‘scholarly’ folks ridicule faith in God? One of the first statements made goes something like “How can you believe in something you can’t see?” Scientifically, they claim God doesn’t exist because you can’t see Him or touch Him therefore it is foolish to have faith in a Supreme Being. But what does that say about gravity? Electricity? The brain? Wind?

The Bible says faith is actually the evidence (or proof) of things not seen (such as the spirit realm and God). It also says that because of faith we understand everything we see physically was made by invisible means. Hebrews 11:3 “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”
Faith is only as good as the source we place our faith in. Everyone has a certain amount of faith in something. To believe a light will come on when we flip a switch up. A car will start when a key is turned. Or that God will guide our lives when we put our trust in Him.

True faith in God is not conditional, whimsical, or motivated by selfishness. Faith in Christ requires nothing on our part but to believe His Word and accept it for the Truth it is, disregarding hardships, triumphs, victories, and failures. Faith (trust or confidence) in anything other than Christ is blind faith and/or no faith and always ends in disappointment.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-04-13T14:26:00.000-05:00

The Most Important Word

Its easy to slip into deep, analytical discourses concerning various ideas about God, the bible, and spiritual matters. That is one of the tremendous things about the viability and relevance of God’s Word. If not kept in check, one can easily delve deeper and deeper into Greek and Hebrew linguistics and make the appearance that to understand God is a very complicated issue, something not for lay-persons.

For example, I read an article recently that was discussing two schools of thought concerning God’s relationship to and with His creation; His “immanence” and His “transcendence”. Understanding doesn’t have to be complicated!

Of all the words in the bible, there stands out one that is more important than ALL others. And simple to understand, even if its not easy to always do. Can you guess the one word? You may say ‘Love’ is the most important. Or maybe ‘Faith’. Maybe even ‘Word’. In the book “In His Face”, Bob Sorge writes “It is through this one word that we unlock everything that Christ has made available to us in spiritual realms”. It is the non-complicated, simple word “HEAR”.

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Mat.11:15). “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one…” (Mark 12:29a). “Faith comes by hearing …”. Its not enough to listen … we have to hear! It is inferred that Listening + Understanding = Hearing. Simple, basic instructions for the simple and the scholarly.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries.

2008-04-06T14:07:00.000-05:00

There is a RIGHT way and a WRONG way.

In whichever direction we choose to walk, there is always one constant at work; there is a right way and a wrong way. The trick, of course, is learning to see it and willing to do it.

Proverbs says “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”(14:12). We aren’t always able to discern what our best course of action should be in certain circumstances. Not just because of uncertainty but because of our human nature.

Paul admonished in Romans 12:3 to “not think of yourself more highly than you ought …”. Oftentimes our desire for things, positions of leadership, a need for more money, even ministry-related agendas can blind us as to what it is we really NEED, as opposed to what we really WANT. God has promised to supply us with our every need. There is a right way and a wrong way.

The flagship scripture for me defines it perfectly. I Timothy 4:12-16:
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

Again, there is a right way and a wrong way and a choice WILL be made.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-03-30T15:48:00.000-05:00

More on Attitudes

I ran across some interesting statistics. See if you can guess the answers: the odds of dying in a plane crash? 1 in 400,000. The odds of being hit with a meteor this year? 1 in 5 billion. The odds of dying from the bite of a snake, spider, or other venomous creature this year? 1 in 21 million. The lifetime odds of dying from AIDS? 1 in 97.

These are things many people suffer anxiety from. Yet in light of the odds of the event actually coming to pass are slim to none. If our attitudes are based upon fear and circumstances, then we are destined to be unhappy.

The Bible states very clearly we are to be anxious FOR NOTHING. In fact, Philippians 4:6-7 states, in the NIV, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

That’s a tremendous word when you consider this one other statistic: the odds that you will eventually die? 1 in 1! We oftentimes worry about things we shouldn’t and don’t worry about things we should. Of course, when we’ve put our trust and faith in Christ and His completed work at Calvary, all our fears and anxieties are settled and we are no longer hostage to our emotions.

The trick, however, is to get to the point we don’t have to be reminded to “make our requests known” but rather to have it settled already.

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-03-16T14:24:00.000-05:00

Adjust Priorities

Watching children grow up its fascinating to see how, like ourselves, priorities change over time. The main concerns and focuses in a 10th grader’s world are not the same when he is in the mid-twenties. First starting out in a marriage, a couple’s goals, dreams, and challenges change drastically over time.

In Titus 3, Paul reminds us of how our priorities change from living a life without Christ and living one with Him. Verse 3 states: “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another” (KJV). This is the by-product of living life with the wrong priorities. It will cause a constant turmoil, of not being satisfied with who you are, and worse still, it will keep you from a relationship with the Lord. But the good news is grace can cause a priority change. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5-6).

We can put our time, efforts, and resources into something that has more enduring value by prioritizing our walk with Christ. No longer tossed around by every situation that demands attention, we can forget “those things which are behind, reaching forth to those things which are before” (Philippians 3:13b) and will enjoy the benefits of joy, peace, love, patience, etc. (the fruit of the Spirit). Ironically, prioritizing Jesus Christ is actually the best thing you can do for yourself!

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-03-02T14:43:00.000-06:00

Change your Perspective

There is a small line between destitution and victory as it pertains to enduring tough times. Oftentimes, that small line is perspective. How bad (or good) things are often depends upon how we see it.

James 1:2, for example, states “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials”. I don’t know about you but trials aren’t something I naturally would consider a good thing; something to count as joyful. But that’s because, from my perspective, there’s nothing good about hard times. They are unpleasant, uncomfortable, and often places me outside of my own ability to handle things. But that’s one perspective.

The bible teaches us that God is in control and that He always has our best interests in mind. The next passages in James 1 goes on to explain: “knowing that the testing of your faith (various trials) produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” We aren’t able to see the whole picture and therefore aren’t capable of obtaining an accurate perspective of things. Its only when we change our perspective from “Self” to Christ we are able to “count it all joy”.

Little wonder how Paul was able to constantly encourage other believers throughout the many regions he had carried the Good News, despite the horrific circumstances he found himself in. In fact, all of the Early Church faced animosity and persecution we can’t fathom. From their perspective, God was getting the gospel of Christ out to a lost and perverted world and theirs was but a small role to play in it.

©2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-02-24T14:55:00.000-06:00

In What Do You Have Your Being?

The whole sum of faith in Christ is this: “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being …” (Acts 17:28a).

While its somewhat popular to be labeled ‘Christian’ in society, evidence would indicate that most place their faith in many, many other things instead of or in place of Christ. And is it any wonder?

We have our senses bombarded with everything from TV programming to politicians, all compelling us to put our trust in their product. We identify who we are by what we believe, or more aptly, by the things we place the most importance on. Oftentimes without noticing it, we label ourselves. Conservative Republicans. Liberal Democrats. Baptists. Methodists. Black men. White women. Southerner. Yankee. The list goes on.

But when all is said and done, we are only Christians or potential Christians. Once we understand we are complete in Him (see Colossians 2:10), we don’t need to be convinced to put what motivates us, what defines us, and what makes us who we in to anything other than Christ. That goes for politicians, entertainers, and dare I say any other person.

When our life source is Christ, there is not a chance for disappointment. No chance for failure. No way to be let down. Identifying with Christ isn’t something we do. Its something we are. Today is the day to be reminded that, in fact, all we are and hope to be is to be centered upon Christ. A-men.

©2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-02-17T19:45:00.001-06:00

2008-02-17T19:21:00.000-06:00

Considering the cost

“Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:42 NKJV)

At first thought, it is hard to imagine, in a country of freedom of speech and freedom of religion, anybody keeping their belief in Jesus a secret from religious leaders. Religious leaders who were the authorities on scripture and held huge influence over the day to day happenings in everyday life.

It would seem the religious leaders would be the most joyous when it came to Jesus Christ. His teaching, even at age 12, stunned them with His knowledge of the Word. He performed numerous miracles without calling attention to Himself, but rather God the Father. Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s Promise to Israel. Yet, if people wanted to retain their leadership positions and their place in society and “church”, they could not publicly confess a faith in Jesus Christ. Instead, they would have to submit to self-appointed authority that superceded Christ, which most people did!

As previously stated, our first thought is its hard to imagine, yet, upon closer examination, the satanic spirit behind the actions of the religious leaders of that day is still very much active today. At the heart of the matter is Man’s sinful nature. He doesn’t want to follow God and His one prescribed way. Religious leaders want to be the creator of their own way. So today, because of a very massive network of man-made managerial and psychological systems, there is still a very heavy option to weigh when people discover the true message of Jesus Christ.

Sure, accepting Jesus as savior is okay. Making Him “Lord of your life” is acceptable, especially if you keep things religious. Today’s Pharisees have no problem with pew-sitters or men and women content with looking like leaders, who in fact are just following a leader. Its when a person “comes out from among them” and confesses Jesus of the Bible does the true nature reveal itself. Jesus said, in verse 46, “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.”

Are we willing to consider the cost, even today, of following Christ and not abiding in darkness?

2008-02-03T14:12:00.000-06:00

Satan Doesn't Mind Faith!

As hard as it may be to believe, Satan wants you to have faith! Let me clarify that a little. Our adversary doesn’t mind if we have faith in our good deeds, in our talents and abilities, in our paycheck, or in religion. He has no problem when he hears a believer ‘confess’ he’s a good person and that inside dwells ‘a champion’. As long as believers put their faith in these things, they will not be able to focus on the one faith God endorses, blesses, and anoints!

Even the world has no problem with someone expressing ‘faith’. Its good, wholesome, and medicinal even to agnostics. Generic faith is even politically correct in that all religious and non-religious people can have it. Its not until a person chooses to have faith in God does the boat begin to rock (and oh yes, there is a difference!).

Jesus used the words “Have faith in God” in Mark 11:22 when He explained the withered fig tree (see Mark 11:12-14, 20-22). He literally meant “Have the faith of God”. This type of faith isn’t something a person conjures up from within himself to manipulate his own circumstances towards an end result he thinks to be correct. It is literally setting aside all self-effort and trusting that God has, is, or will do His will in any and all situations. Period.

Faith in God is the last thing our enemies want us to have, for all other types of faith can be manipulated through various means, such as emotion, will-power, perception, etc. There was a fad recently to ‘have faith in faith’ in order to ‘make it happen’. Wrong. In the realms of Heaven, it has already happened because of Jesus Christ. He already did it. All that remains is to have faith in God!

© 2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-01-27T14:41:00.000-06:00

Spiritually mature way to present the Gospel

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NKJV

These verses from Paul to the Christian believers at Corinth speak volumes about witnessing Christ to the world. By many of today’s standards, the above formula would be seen as anything but effective as far as church growth is concerned.

First, it is too narrow-minded. In a diverse world in which there are many different people with many different likes and dislikes, customs, and religious pre-sets we’ve got to have programs, seminars and workshops on issues such as marriage, family, and of course money if we expect to reach people for the Lord.

Second, without pervasive words and complex formulas on how to be an “overcoming Christian“, the simplicity of this message leaves individual witnesses with no responsibility to do something to affect change on others. In other words, once Christ and the gospel message is preached, it is up to the Holy Spirit to tug upon the listener’s heart, rather than that person to put himself under the covering of rules, laws, and works.

Faith must be in Christ and Christ alone. Grasp this thought and you will have grasped spiritual maturity, like Paul.

©2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-01-20T15:43:00.000-06:00

Children Running the Church

A number of years ago, family counselor James Dobson wrote a best-seller entitled “Dare To Discipline”. It was somewhat radical in that it went against popular myths that insisted strict boundaries backed up by punishment if those boundaries were crossed was somehow harmful to a child’s self-esteem. It had been the trend since the 60s, and Dr. Benjamin Spock, to not dare discipline a child.

Its been a long while since my kids were young and at home, but as memory serves, Dobson, and a host of pro-life, conservative counselors, theologians, and psychologists found that young children need and want boundaries. A three year old will cry for candy and refuse to eat healthy foods if it were left up to him. It is a guardian’s responsibility to exercise discipline and do what is in the best interest of the child in order to help him to mature in a healthy, proper way.

In many churches today, spiritually immature believers are not being raised up with the guidance afforded previous generations. Contrarily, spiritual “children” are running church programs with the not so subtle notion “if things aren’t kept positive, self-centered, quick and light then I’m going to go somewhere else”. Many of today’s pastors and leaders don’t dare to discipline and train up these children in the way they should go (with the Word to deny self and follow Christ) because, like exercising self-control with kids, its much easier in the short term to let them be happy doing what they want to do.

But what about the law of reciprocity?

©2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2008-01-06T14:33:00.000-06:00

Convictions and Diversity

We live in a world of diversity. God made it that way. Imagine what a bland and ordinary place it would be otherwise. Diverse cultures. Diverse traditions and customs. We hear talk of the “need” for diversity in society, even though diversity is automatic. What social engineers and leftists mean when they say diversity is pluralism, which is altogether different.

As stated, God is the author of diversity. And how we as children of God serve Him depends upon our personal convictions. Conviction is “a strong persuasion or belief”. Its what defines our actions and attitudes towards things, be them major or minor. If we believe strongly in the inerrancy of God’s Word, then that conviction will influence us in other areas of life, such as politics, family issues, and lifestyle choices.

Conviction will also determine the type of Christian we are. While there is talk of cultural diversity, it is important to keep in mind that God is not theologically diverse. In other words, there are many different ways to worship and serve God, but there is only one way to connect with God. If its not His way, then it won’t accomplish anything. People who have determined to not have “fundamental” convictions about spiritual matters tend to be willing to entertain diverse principles, doctrines, and teachings that most often contradict rather than confirm God’s Word.

As the New Year gets started, let us consider our convictions and what type of Christian they make us. A-men?

©2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2007-12-30T14:28:00.000-06:00

WHAT WOULD JESUS NOT DO?

During a recent Bible study, one man shared a thought.

“When I was young, the rebellious thing to do was to smoke cigarettes. One day my Youth Pastor saw me with a cigarette in my mouth and I thought he was going to let me have it that next Sunday.”

“Sure enough, he called me aside. But instead of scolding me, he simply asked me a question: ‘Can you imagine Jesus standing on a street corner with a cigarette dangling from his mouth? Then why are you?’”

We’ve all heard ‘what would Jesus do’ (W.W.J.D.?), meant to call attention to the things we say and do and compare them with Jesus and what we know about Him in the Bible. Many things are easy to figure out, such as would Jesus be a smoker or a beer drinker. Of course not.

But let’s be honest. In today’s pluralistic, materialistic, narcissistic society there may be no way of even considering how Jesus would handle or react to some things. That’s when its easier to approach it from a different angle. What would Jesus NOT do?

We don’t always know what to do but usually know what not to do. For example, if we are dealing with a temptation to go off a (New Year’s resolution) diet, we may not know how to lessen the urge, but we know not to go to an all-you-can-eat buffet!

Going to a church that is dry. Building a border fence. Reciting the complete Pledge of Allegiance. Staying with an unfaithful spouse. Again, we may not know what Jesus would do, but we know what He wouldn’t do. True?

©2008 IllumiNation Ministries

2007-12-23T16:06:00.000-06:00

Condemned vs Conviction

I’d rather be condemned for repeating what Jesus said than be convicted for repeating what men have said. Does this make sense to you?

The key to understanding is knowing the difference between the two. To condemn means to “show the guilt of”, “to pronounce or declare to be unfit for use, usually by official order”. This is what people do to others when something’s not approved of. It is self-righteousness that returns guilt for a mistake, raised eye-brows at an opinion not agreed with. Condemnation comes from Man.

Conviction is “the state of being convinced; firm belief”. It is the feeling of guilt rather than the showing of guilt. This is what happens when they do or don’t do something they should or shouldn’t. It’s a small, still voice that pricks the conscience just enough to gently remind us to choose the right thing.

How many times have we been willing to share with someone our thoughts about a movie, new book, or offer a Christian perspective about current events? Maybe even quote a Christian minister or author. Compare that with how many times we offered someone the words of Jesus, explaining His take on a particular issue.

People will condemn a person who quote Jesus Christ. Its politically incorrect, insensitive, and offensive to even say His name in public. But for a Believer, the Holy Spirit will convict a person who knows better than to stand up and stand out for any thing but the Word (Jesus Christ). Wouldn’t you rather be condemned by men than convicted by the Holy Spirit? Today?

©2007 IllumiNation Ministries

2007-12-16T15:59:00.000-06:00

Ephesians 4:1-2

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:1-2)

Several words used by Paul in these verses aren’t words many of us would consider prerequisites to living an overcoming life in Christ. Prisoner. Lowly and meek. Longsuffering. There is a reason why we’re uncomfortable with them and there aren’t sermons on TV that use them.

Being a prisoner places a person under the control of someone else. We don’t want to be told we have to submit to someone else, we want to control our own destinies with whatever means we see fit.

Its in our nature to perform works in order to be ‘saved by grace’ and to ‘walk in the Spirit’, though put in that context most would object. A closer examination of this text will indicate these are works of the Spirit, which means they can’t be done within our own abilities (walk worthy, lowliness and meekness, longsuffering, forbearing). This means rather than placing our faith in trying to do good works, we are assured of help from the Holy Spirit as we put our faith in the completed work of Christ at Calvary.

For many who haven’t understood the difference between sanctification through works and sanctification through faith (and yes, I wrote ‘sanctification’ and not ‘justification), this may seem overly simplistic. But being a prisoner of the Lord requires simplicity in order to do HIS will.

©2007 IllumiNation Ministries

2007-12-02T15:11:00.000-06:00

Another thought on "Temperance"

Last week I went over a term used in hardening steel. Temperance. Of course, the spiritual gift of ‘temperance’ is an altogether different thing. Its definition warrants another examination this week.

A good definition of the noun version which goes along with Galatians 5:23's use of the word is as follows: “The principle or practice of total abstinence from intoxicants” [Go ahead; re-read it]. Wow! The fruit, or by-product, of the Holy Spirit is a total abstinence from intoxicants!

Before we decided to live according to Christ’s doctrine, we often let how we felt or thought dictate what we would do. Many times, we would find ourselves ‘under the influence’ of various different things that permitted our emotions to make hasty decisions that would often end up causing problems. This is a natural result of being intoxicated.

Even now, after having been a Christian for quite awhile, I will find myself not totally abstinent from various intoxicants such as pride, self-will, ego, self-righteousness, and dare I say - religion. When we take in these (and many others), the resulting by-product isn’t from the Holy Spirit!

Temperance can only come from God and will only manifest if Self is crucified so that Christ may live!

© 2007 IllumiNation Ministries

2007-11-25T15:20:00.000-06:00

Temper, temper

While thinking about my job and certain terms used, I thought about the word “temper”. Not the emotional manifestation of anger, but the verb of how steel is hardened to its various different grades. In order for the steel to be of use, a person has “to bring to a state of moderation or suitability, as by the addition of another quality”. With metals you add alloys such as carbon. Depending upon what the steel will be used for determines what is to be added in order to temper it.

In metals, the tempering process requires much heat. There has to be no impurities in the molten metal, else when it cools cracks and pockets of trapped oxygen forms defects called inclusions. If this happens, the sections with defects are either cut out or the whole piece is melted down in order to repeat the process in the hope of “getting it right”. With an expert chemist, a good recipe, and a slow yet deliberate, and proven, process will assure good temperance, able to with stand the non-destructive testing that follows.

Did you know “temperance” is a fruit of the Spirit? Once we have been born into the kingdom of God, and choose to live in the Spirit, so as to not fulfill the lust of the flesh, our Chemist will put into us His desired ingredients, according to His recipe, those things He knows we need in order to fulfill what it is He wants us to do. Theologians use the synonym ‘self-control’. But true temperance isn’t self control, but Christ-control. The likelihood of defects and potential failures are completely reduced when our life is tempered with His mercy.

© 2007 IllumiNation Ministries

2007-11-18T14:16:00.000-06:00

One Body and One Faith

In today’s instant information age and with all the knowledge available at our fingertips, its good to focus upon the Truth of the Bible. With all the various choices out there, God’s Word declares:
“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called, in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV).

Never mind all the many false voices tempting us to consider “another” way. Political correctness and multi-cultural “prophets” compelling us we have to compromise the above verse in order to show true Christian love to folks who have contempt for, and want to destroy, us. Hollywood elite mockingly attack the idea of only one Lord and set out with almost every movie to define, in their minds, what a Christian is.

We are one body, not by common denominators, who we vote for, who we don’t vote for, the way we dress, the people we associate with, the color of our skin, or even the content of our character. We are one body strictly and solely as a result of the One who is “ ..One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in” us all.

Jesus Christ is the one and only way. By placing our faith exclusively in Him, and His completed work at the Cross, we are indeed “blessed and highly favored”. None else will ever do!

© 2007 IllumiNation Ministries

2007-11-11T15:38:00.000-06:00

The Call To Test the Spirits

We are instructed in God’s Word to discern whether or not certain doctrines and teachings are scriptural. Its vitally important we cling to truth and let go of lies. All things aren’t relative when it comes to truth, because the message of the Bible is there is only one truth --- Jesus Christ (see John 14:6).

In his first epistle, John was inspired by the Holy Spirit to let us know how we are to “test” and determine what is God-inspired and what’s not. In the fourth chapter of 1 John its spelled out clearly.

“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God” (1 John 4:2). Without much examination this text may seem generic, abstract, and generally all inclusive with most Christian beliefs. But look closer.

Behind every doctrine there is a spirit. If its true doctrine, the Holy Spirit is behind it. If false, evil spirits. The one dividing point between truth and error is the Cross of Christ. Jesus was born flesh for the sole purpose of going to the Cross, paving the way to make available both justification as well as sanctification through faith in that completed work.

Only the Spirit of God will confess this. It is an evil spirit, and wrong doctrine, that will lessen, ridicule, mock, or even ignore this precept. Verse tells us that many false prophets (liars) are out there and we have to be diligent to not believe, follow, or condone them.

© 2007 IllumiNation Ministries

2007-11-04T15:40:00.000-06:00

The Love of the Father

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew Him not.” (1 John 3:1).

There’s no way we can truly understand the love God has for us; to call us “sons” by virtue of being adopted into Hs family. And if we can’t understand it, don’t you know folks who have nothing to do with the things of the Lord can’t get it.

When Jesus Christ walked this earth and told everyone He saw about the kingdom of God, they didn’t get it. When Pilate said he was looking for truth, he couldn’t see Truth standing in his presence. As Saul (later Paul) held the coats for the religious leaders as they stoned Stephen to death, he never imagined Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit while he (Saul) was serving Satan.

Though its somewhat difficult for mortal eyes to see our position with God, one thing is very true. One day soon, after all this “stuff” is finished “we shall see Him as He is”. Strictly and exclusively not because of what we’ve done or earned, but because the love of the Father adopted us as His own.

Glory to Him!

© 2007 IllumiNation Ministries

2007-10-28T18:10:00.000-05:00

Are You Rejected?

“But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house’.” (Matthew 13:57). That is how Jesus responded to persons in his hometown and their rejection of Him as anything other than the oldest son of Mary and Joseph. Never mind how astonishing His wisdom of the scriptures was or amazing works had accompanied His words. This just couldn’t be the promised Anointed One of Israel. Their eyes were blind to faith by familiarity. The reaction He received, even from His brothers and sisters, was not unexpected.

Fortunately for us, Jesus wasn’t controlled by His feelings. It didn’t matter what others thought about Him and whether people believed Him or not. When He was baptized by John and the Spirit sat on Him like a dove and there was a voice from heaven … that was all He needed. Can you imagine how lost we would be if our Savior was concerned about being liked and accepted instead of doing the Father’s will?

Are you a prophet in your hometown?

No doubt there is probably some who, upon seeing you get out of church on Sunday mornings, can’t help but wonder “is this the same person I grew up with? The same person who did that in high school? Judging by his/her actions back then I can’t see this person as a Christian”. Never mind Christ coming into your heart and making you a new creation, wiping away your past and giving you a fresh start that has destined you for heaven. What can you do to change their opinion of you?

In and of yourself, nothing. The Bible says that in Jesus’ hometown He couldn’t do great miracles because of their unbelief. But that doesn’t mean He never made Himself available to them. He didn’t gripe them out or try to change their opinion of Him. He didn’t have to because He knew the Father.

To be a disciple of Christ is to learn by His words and actions and copy them. Its how we become Christ-like. Its important to keep in mind we can’t change things in our B.C. days (before Christ). For better or worse they’ve contributed to the persons we are today. Following the examples Jesus gave, it is possible to show others there is a fresh start available to anyone willing to face rejection.

© 2007 IllumiNation Ministries

2007-10-21T15:52:00.000-05:00

The Faith of Noah

One of my favorite men of faith is Noah. He was a simple man, determined to live a peaceable life by God’s Word. The Bible says he found grace in God’s sight. So set on trusting God, he labored 100 years to build an ark because God told him to.

Think about the scenario a moment. What type of person would take their commitment to God to such an extreme? To be able to ignore and endure the criticism, the mockery, even ridicule? What a man of faith!

It isn’t easy when we find ourselves isolated because of our faith. Its easier and more socially acceptable to compromise in order to get along or fit in. Recent church growth movements even encourage Christians to not be so “open” about the Gospel. A major missions network today don’t permit persons telling people about salvation from sin through Jesus Christ because it “creates division”.

But that wasn’t Noah.

And thank God the Jesus fanatics who labor a lifetime undeterred by blind agnostics and mocking unbelievers. Sadly, unless they’re saved in Jesus’ name, their fate will be as sudden and horrific as those in Noah’s day.

We all owe a debt to Noah’s extreme faith. Without it, the entire human race would have been wiped out!

© 2007 IllumiNation Ministries

2007-10-14T20:40:00.000-05:00

You've Got To Have Faith

“You’ve got to have faith”. Even the most devout agnostic will go out each morning and not give a thought to whether or not his car is going to start. He will get in it, turn the key, and expect the car to start even though it is an inanimate object that has given no indication it will start or not.

“You’ve got to have faith”.

And don’t forget “Faith without works is dead”. Most folks will remind us of this when they want us to volunteer for something. Like the analogy of the car starting, in addition to having faith there has to be some sort of action following it in order for something to happen. But are there different kinds of faith? Or is the main thing simply having some sort’a faith?

James 2:14-26 has a complete discussion about faith and works. Many commentaries explain, correctly, that faith and works are closely related. By one we are justified before God and by the other our faith is made known before people. Its very important in today’s ‘everyone’s okay, don’t say anything offensive’ society to not gloss over exactly what James, and in fact the rest of the writers of the Bible inspired by the Holy Spirit, is talking about.

There is only one faith that is taught, recognized, and honored by God. It isn’t generic. It isn’t something invented by men. It isn’t mind over matter manipulation. And it isn’t popular because a person’s own strength and power to control his/her own destiny is made void. Even the famous Hebrews 11:1 definition for faith refers to one specific item: Jesus Christ.

Its is only by having in Jesus Christ and what He did before, during, and after the Cross that we are able to overcome the various circumstances in life. When we put our faith in Christ, rather than ourselves, the Holy Spirit has free reign to operate on our behalf, guaranteeing that others see confirmation through the works we are automatically able to do.

Works, as religion defines, are things we have to do in order to make God pleased with us with the hope that He will grant us a relationship with Him. Some works may even be good things done for wrong reasons, such as praying 1 hour everyday so that you won’t be tempted to sin or taking communion in order for God to bless you with money.

You see, Christ already completed everything. Faith in Him is all there is.
© 2007 IllumiNation Ministries

2007-10-07T14:28:00.000-05:00

The Silver and the Dross (part 2)

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12-13 KJV

Though it runs counter to our nature, fiery trials are by-products of living in this world. And if you are a Christian, they are necessary in order to grow spiritually mature. Hence, Peter wrote the above words “Think it not strange”. The fiery trials that arise as a result of our relationship with Christ will ultimately lead to tremendous joy when His glory is revealed. His glory is revealed not only when He returns as this verse suggests, but when the Silversmith sees His reflection in the purified silver!

As discussed previously, silver is heated up in order to cause dross to be separated out. With Christ living inside us, the ‘dross’ has to be removed. Fiery trials is what it takes to disable, weaken, and lessen self in order to show us we CAN’T handle it. These same fiery trials allow Christ to live, grow, come out, and take over which enables us to become more and more made into His image. Romans 7:18a says “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing …”. This is dross and unless it is separated out, there will remain an impure product. But how do we get this dross out? How do we heat it up? Scoop it out? See that it is all out with nothing remaining?

Since the fall of Man, religion has tried to go through this process with works, rules, good habits, positive confessions, acts of kindness. The last century saw the marriage of Christian doctrine with atheistic psychology intent upon somehow enabling Mankind to heal himself, learn to accept the dross as normal, and otherwise achieve some sort of relationship with God on his own terms. Only the Silversmith controls the heat and is able to get the dross to come out. The dross doesn’t have the desire or ability to remove itself. And any attempts to do so are ALL in vain anyway because Jesus completed the entire process when He went to the Cross and declared “It is finished”. All that’s required of us is to place our faith in that completed process in order that Christ reign within us dross-free!

© 2007 IllumiNation Ministries

2007-09-30T15:46:00.000-05:00

The Silver and The Dross

I was reminded of a familiar word. Dross. Basically, it is “a mass of solid impurities floating on a molten metal bath”. Typically, it refers to impurities in silver that, when heated up, is separated and removed leaving a dross-free metal that is valuable. Surely you’ve received the forwards in your In-box that describe how a silversmith knows all the impurities have been removed when he can see his reflection in the heated silver. And, of course, its analogy of how this relates to you and I and our relationship with God the Father to continually make us more into His image.

Psalm 25:4 says “Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer”. This is only accomplished through a refining process which requires much continued heat. It isn’t done at comfortable room temperatures one or two hours at a time once or twice a week. Attempts to do so will result in a flawed product that won’t be worth much.
Where the Old Testament uses the phrase “refiner’s fire”, the New Testament uses the term “fiery trials”. Check out the following various verses and see how they are the same thing when it comes to relationship with God (Malachi 3:2-3, Psalm 66:60, Isaiah 48:10, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:7).

It occurred to me the analogy of the silver being us and the dross representing sin (impurities to be removed) and the Holy Spirit is the silversmith removing the dross, though a somewhat good thought, is not all together theologically accurate. For Philippians 1:21 to be true and Galatians 2:20 to make sense it must be looked at this way: Christ is the silver and we are the dross!

Trials and circumstances are the Silversmith’s refining fire aimed at getting rid of Self (the sin nature, flesh, etc.) causing the precious purity of Christ to be all that remains. Looked at this way, we as believers can see the fullness of God working . God the Father is the Silversmith, the Craftsman in charge; God the Son, the precious silver; God the Holy Spirit is the fire, meant to draw out impurities so that Jesus is glorified. And there on top, being scooped out and disposed of, is our prideful and arrogant self.

[To be continued]

© 2007 IllumiNation Ministries

2007-09-23T19:59:00.000-05:00

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Oftentimes we may find ourselves dealing with the question of ‘why does God allow suffering?’. Understanding this subject is important when it comes to telling others about our faith in Christ. Each of us may have even wondered about this at one time or another.

A key verse on this subject is found in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (NIV).

People often blame God for troubles in the world. This is because of a lack of understanding. In the beginning, when God created everything, there were no sorrows or suffering whatsoever. It was only after Adam’s deliberate choice to rebel against God that suffering became the natural state of things. Basically, the Lord has nothing to do with suffering. But He has everything to do with taking what was meant for bad and turning it around for our good (not to be confused with the idea that everything bad that happens is from God, aimed at making you a champion or something).

Because of freewill, sin and evil are natural consequences of Mankind’s abuse of the gift of choice. Like Adam and Eve, our natural tendencies are towards self-centeredness, greediness, and doing our thing rather than God’s will. The basic question of how a loving God could allow evil and suffering indicates a misunderstanding of what normal is. Disorder and destruction is the norm in a world that has defied God.

When teaching this subject to a group of high school students recently, I asked the question “Do you think its fair that Adam and Eve’s sin affects us even today?” A few admitted that it doesn’t seem fair. But one girl softly said, to which I asked her to repeat it, life’s not fair. Very wise words. To remedy all this suffering, God did something that wasn’t fair.

Rather than doing away with Adam and Eve and starting over, He allowed them to make the choice. It wasn’t fair that He gave us the choice to worship Him. It wasn’t fair that He gave His only begotten Son to pay for all the suffering and sorrow that was, and is, the by-product of sin, providing a way of escape to peace and joy despite what may beset us.

© 2007 IllumiNation Ministries

2007-09-16T15:44:00.000-05:00

Only One Way!

Last week, I wrote about the rich ruler. The incident indicates that although the man wanted to gain eternal life, he simply wasn’t willing to give up every ‘thing’ he had accumulated. Truth be known, he didn’t understand that what he would give up in no way compared to the wealth he would have gained.

Much like today. We work full-time to have an income, pay our bills, raise families, and to live the American dream as best we can. And along the way, we go through the various troubles and situations that help to mold us into the people we are.

It is in these daily, weekly, and yearly routines we can get sidetracked and our faith’s focus get off-centered. Where at first the focus of our faith was on Jesus Christ, various different thoughts, ideologies, doctrines, even fads will move our faith towards physical, temporary things that will preoccupy us and may even prevent us from having faith in Jesus.

Jesus asked “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36 KJV). He asked this immediately after proclaiming “…Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it” (see Mark 8:34-38).

It used to be a belief that to be a truly spiritual, ‘in-touch-with-the-Lord’ Christian you couldn’t have a lot of money (many reading this may recall the days). No fancy car, big house, or tons of money. Deliberately living poor isn’t what Jesus is referring to when He speaks of taking up or cross.

Likewise, and equally so, its no sign of being more blessed of God than others if you DO have boat-loads of money, expensive cars, mansions, and so on. ‘The very best blessing the Lord has for me’ is His Son Jesus Christ. And there is only one way to receive that.

We can’t earn because we don’t deserve. We can’t buy it because we can’t afford it. Our best, physical efforts are religious and unholy. Jesus Christ completed it all at Calvary and placing our faith in that is the only way we can successfully ‘take up our cross’ and follow Him to our ultimate destiny of victory!

© 2007 IllumiNation Ministries

2007-09-09T15:21:00.000-05:00

The Rich Young Ruler, a.k.a. Many Americans

As Americans, we have to admit we have things pretty good. Even on our worst day we are more blessed financially, health-wise, and just about in any other area you can imagine than most people in the world today. So much so we may get complacent, passive, even indignant towards others. And, in a worse case scenario, we may become like the Laodicean church mentioned in Revelation (see Revelation 3:16-17).

We may even find ourselves in the situation a rich young ruler did when he saw Jesus passing by. He was a young man in good standing with community, with plenty of money and youth. He was a faithful man committed to living a faith-filled life.

This young ruler (we’re never given a name) seemed to have everything going for him. Yet, there was something missing in his life. Despite everything mentioned above, he was compelled to kneel at Jesus’ feet and ask how to inherit eternal life.

Did you catch that? Wealth, prestige, youthfulness, and religion didn’t bring him that “peace that passes understanding”.

All these attributes tend to make life a lot easier and comfortable and, in fact, are the things most of us would love to have and hold on to. There is nothing wrong with them until they become more important than the one and only to gain eternal life (both now and forever).

Mark 10:17-23 relates the story of the rich young ruler and serves as a reminder for us that even with the best of intentions (such as keeping the 10 commandments, as if we have it within us to be able to), it will lead to ultimate emptiness if we don’t first lay down our agendas in order to due His agenda.

Isn’t it interesting how the man sadly turned and walked away from Jesus when He told him what to do in order to have eternal life? The Lord told him to “sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven”. He didn’t say to get it ALL to the poor! But this isn’t all together what made him sad. Many of us today have no problems with giving either.

Its that next part that separates the sheep from the goats. “Come, take up the cross, and follow Me”.

Talk about investing a little and getting a return of so much!

© 2007 IllumiNationMinistries

2007-09-02T15:20:00.000-05:00

Thought I'd share this recent picture of "the King Girls" (though one is now a Kahm, and one is a Ramirez). This was taken August 25th at Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico.