On Unbelief by Frangipane

"We have received too much from God to allow ourselves opportunities for unbelief. We have received too many gifts and privileges to allow a grumbling, murmuring heart to disqualify us of our destiny. In contrast, the thankful heart sees the best part of every situation. It sees problems and weaknesses as opportunities, struggles as refining tools, and sinners as saints in progress." --Francis Frangipane

Be Faithful in the Land (season) of your Affliction—it is Temporary, You are a Citizen of Heaven!

Be Faithful in the Land (season) of your Affliction—it is Temporary, You are a Citizen of Heaven!

 

Gideon's Fountain,Near Jezreel. Courtesy of the Creative Commons

 And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly: 4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.) 1 Kings 18:3-4 (KJV)

 

 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. John 15:18-25 (KJV)

 

 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. 4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven Neh 1:1-4 (KJV)

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. 11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. 21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. Dan 1:8-21 (KJV)

 

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2 Peter 2:4-22 (KJV)

 

And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. 2 And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. 6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

He resists the temptation of his master’s wife

7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

He was falsely accused

13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, 14 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: 15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out. 16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. 17 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: 18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.

Joseph in prison

19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. 20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. 23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper. Gen 39:1-23 (KJV)

 

   False prophets abound in these last days before our Lord’s return (1 Timothy 4, Matthew 24, 2 Timothy 3) and many follow them. But each day the return of our Lord and Savior draws closer! Stay alert like the 5 wise virgins in Matthew 25 (for more on this, listen to A Tale of Two Believers by Vincent Newfield at                http://www.sermon.net/reallifeanswers/sermonid/1199876724 ).

 

     Keep your righteousness in the hard times. Righteousness means two things in Scripture either right living (holiness) or right relationship, right position with the Lord through Jesus Christ. Do not try to march on in your own strength, but depend on the Spirit and grace (Christ’s righteousness). Yet take personal responsibility for your conduct and choices (right living).

Thought 228: If God isn’t finished with me, what can anything do to me? from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 228

If God isn’t finished with me, what can anything do to me?

  If God isn’t done with me, then who or what can stand in my way? A government? A person? A storm? Death? Satan? All the forces of Hell? The Culture? The World? My friends? NO! Nothing can kill us or defeat us until God says that our life is finished.

Thought 202: I Want a "generic" God from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 202

I Want a “generic” God

   Have you ever said that statement in the tile inside your heart? Maybe God has chosen you to speak out, to teach, to do a little “public speaking” and none of your friends are being ‘moved’ to do the same. In those moments we sometimes say, “God, why can’t you be generic? I really want all my friends doing this with me, why don’t you move them (call) to do the same stuff so that I stay comfortable? What’s that? O! you want me to move out of my comfort zone…. Ya…ya, I know that you promised never to leave or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). . . . Alright, I’ll do this your way, Lord—I’m just feel so alone.”

     Are you honestly sure that you have never had a conversation like that with God. I made this example up, but at times we really do have more than a little irritation towards God’s will because what He is asking us to do makes us uncomfortable. Consider the importance of God’s sovereignty, love, perfection, and His plan today.

      We don’t need a generic God, we need a God that is all-powerful (omnipotent) and all-knowing (omniscient). Our God is this way!

Thought 201: Follow HIS Leading from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 201

Follow HIS Leading

 Read Mark 6:1-6

     IF God leads you to do something great for Him, your close family and friends might reject you. But will you still obey God, even if your loved ones spurn and reject you?

Do you know why you should stand for God?

Jesus was rejected by His own home town. He was as the prophet without honor. What does this mean to you?

Thought 200: Try, Try Again from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 200

Try, Try Again

It only takes one time trying to succeed,

but how many times will you fail before victory?

     The fact that we are going to fall on our face and have to get up again, that we are going to fail and have to push forward again is one of the most discouraging facts of life. In the Christian walk, our entire life is to be one of getting back up and pressing on: at times, doing what we may not like to do because our flesh must be denied. The only way that you can make it is by getting back up after a failure and staying focused. If you’ve given it all you’ve got and have failed Try, Try again!

Thought 195: “Faith Like Potatoes” from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 195

“Faith Like Potatoes”

Wow! This is one of the great Christian films of recent times. It is a powerful movie, with real life struggles. Please make it your goal to access a copy of Faith Like Potatoes and watch it soon. Before you watch ask the Holy Spirit to speak you and listen for His voice.

Thought 189: Fear from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 189

Fear

Will you let fear control you?

Can you stop it from controlling you without clinging to Christ the Redeemer? (No)

Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. "You have been so worried that you haven't touched food for two weeks," he said.  Acts 27:33 (NLT)

Have you noticed the word suspense anywhere recently? It is on bill boards, movie promos, etc… What is suspense? Well it is anxiousness, an “on-the-edge-of-your-seat” experience, it is a FEAR. Fear of a storm kept these men in Acts 27 from eating for two weeks! The suspense was on for quite a while! Based on what human survival experts say you can only live for 3 to 5 days without anything to eat and if you just consume fluids you can last around sixty days, but you become very, very weak; yet they hadn’t eaten in two weeks! Euroclydon had struck their lives.

But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind,                         called Euroclydon.  Acts 27:14 (KJV)

Did you catch that word? Euroclydon. I urge you to remember that word.

  I once was in a Frontiersman Camping Fellowship (FCF) service in which the man preaching taught on Euroclydon. Euroclydon is an intense storm, the most feared by the sailors of Paul’s day. The speaker said that he knew boys that where going through Euroclydon—the most intense storm of their lives. Remember that this great storm was feared by so many, yet Paul, a man of God, was there with the unbelievers at this time and he encouraged the people to settle down and eat somthing. He was also able to offer hope because the Holy Spirit spoke to him concerning the outcome of the their destinies. Be the man or woman of God you are called to be. In the hard times, just take life second by second, because that is all we can endure—we are not called to worry about the future, that is sin.

 Amen. May God bless you as you are fighting the good fight and running the race set before you.

Thought 186: Sensitive Subjects? from Ryan's devotional book series: Thoughts

Thought 186

Sensitive Subjects?

     Modesty? Sex? Taking a stand in direct defiance of the cultural norm? Persecution? Islam? In the modern culture of today many, pastors and Christians will not take an absolute right or wrong standpoint on “sensitive issues”. These “sensitive” subjects include: sin, lust, money, sex, creation vs. evolution, forgiving, marriage, divorce, dating vs. courtship, the inerrancy of the WORD of GOD, deception, lying, drinking, and many, many more.

      The culture basically says that anything that is unfamiliar or countercultural to it is a “sensitive” subject. We are warned by some that they will hurt us if we tell them that they are doing something wrong. But O followers of Christ, we cannot continue to be silent all the time! Some will hate us, yes, that is true. We WILL be persecuted. We will have to face temptations. Jesus promised us that serving Him would bring persecution, but we aren’t to fear the persecutor—we are to the LORD.

     Dear Christian, we are not supposed to be lukewarm. We should not be The Great Compromisers, but rather The Great Followers of God! Whether this means being bold, standing in an enormous gap against “the flow” (like evolution, the deity of Christ, the truth of sin, and the truth of moral absolutes),  praying and fasting and crying out to the Lord to heal your land, etc… We need to be world changers, not culture accepters!

     What way(s) are you accepting non-Biblical “stuff” into your life right now? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to make a change in your lifestyle and respond by throwing out any idols that He reveals. Throw out that X-box, get rid of that trash on your computer, get rid of cable, break or burn that music and those DVD’s that are encouraging you NOT to follow the Lord, and rip up or burn those books which are putting lies into your head every time you read them.

   We need to stand up for the Truth God in our personal lives. But only after we deal with our big “plank” we can clearly identify and remove our brothers “specks,” only after we have broken free from our own chains.

Read and meditate on Matthew 7:3-5 and then read 7:1-8

Thought 184: Mark 10:17 from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 184

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Mark 10:17 (NIV1984)

Have you ever asked this question? It is the most important question of your life.

Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!”

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”  Mark 10:18-31 (NIV1984)