Jacob The Heel Catcher - Spiritual Adultery

[MessageOfTheCross]

Bread Crumbs “He’s Working It Out” April 7

Have you ever been shocked and dismayed when you lost something you thought you would never lose. That is, when something you treasured is taken away and it seems so unfair or improper? There are times when the loss of something breaks our heart, causing frustration and in some instances even threatens our faith. Perhaps the proper way to think about the issue is not to dwell on what was lost, but rather, to watch and see what might be gained. As a child of God I believe that God is working all things together for my good. So what is taken away might just be the removal of one thing in preparation for the arrival of another. We have to let go of the old in order to embrace the new. If something has devastated your heart and you do not presently see the reason for its removal, have faith that God knows right where you are. He knows just what you need, and He is arranging something special just for you. God has a plan that is bigger and better than what we could possibly know or even imagine. Trust Him to work out His marvelous plan! You are going to like the way it ends!

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Pastor Loren Larson

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

The Miracle of God’s Word

Philippians 2:24
But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

If Paul had to send Timothy to the Philippians to minister to their needs spiritually, because he could not go, he would continue to believe the Lord for the opportunity to go himself. God’s people desire to be together for fellowship, worship and the learning of God’s Word, and like in Paul’s day, there remains few who “naturally care” for the people of God (v 20-21), but rather only tend to themselves.
Faith in the cross of Jesus Christ allows the Holy Spirit to change our hearts and to esteem others more than ourselves (Philippians 2:3), for this is the very Spirit of Love God gave us when we were born again (2 Timothy 1:7). The Spirit of Love is the very Spirit of the Cross of Jesus Christ. He suffered and died for ALL others, and all who are trusting in that work and that work alone, will find that same Spirit at work in and through their lives toward others. May we come back to the place of a “HIGH CHRIST ESTEEM”, the place of the cross, where the ‘HIGH SELF ESTEEM” was crucified!

Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!

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4/7/2020

Pastor Curtis

 

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[MessageOfTheCross]

Your Word for Today

“and the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spoke unto David, saying, Except you take away the blind and the lame, you shall not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion: the same is the City of David (II Sam. 5:6-7).

The Jebusites inhabited Jerusalem when David became king. Saul was never able to dislodge them. The Believer must remember this: If inward battles are not won (the Jebusites), then certainly we cannot hope to win the outward battles (the Philistines). In fact, the Philistines ultimately killed Saul.

The following also must be remembered:

That which God will use, Satan will make every attempt to sully, just as he did Jerusalem. The Evil One knew that Jerusalem would be chosen by God to be His City; consequently, he would place his strongest opponent to Righteousness, the Jebusites, there. This means that even though Zion was God’s City, it was so completely in the power of the enemy that even the blind and the lame were deemed sufficiently strong to garrison it.

But David took the city, even though others before him had been unable to do so. As well, our Heavenly David has defeated the enemy, all on our behalf, but yet the same is required of us, spiritually speaking, as it was David of old.

How did he take the city?

First of all, immediately on becoming king, he recognized that his enemy in their very midst had to be defeated. We must look at the weaknesses in our personal lives in the same manner.

Second, the way that entrance was gained into the city was by the water gutter, which is a Type of the Holy Spirit. In other words, that which we personally need to be before Christ cannot be brought about by our own machinations, only by the Holy Spirit.

Third, the Jebusites taunted David by saying that he was so weak that the “lame and blind” could defend the city against him and his army. David’s response was that he “hated the lame and the blind,” meaning, in the spiritual sense, that we should hate everything in our lives that makes us spiritually lame or spiritually blind.

David took the city and “dwelt in the fort.” The Holy Spirit demands that we dwell in victory where previously had been defeat. Only then, as David, can we “grow great, and the LORD God of Hosts be with us.”

—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

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Pastor Curtis

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=211424660280052

Pastor Curtis

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

The Miracle of God’s Word

Philippians 2:25
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

Paul’s desperation to get to the Christians in Philippi is really something to look at here. He says in this chapter that he wanted to come himself, but would probably send Timothy, and at this point is now going to send Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus loved, and also longed after the saints in Philippi. He had been ministering to the needs of the Apostle Paul, but now Paul deemed it necessary to send him to help them.

Paul calls Epaphroditus his Brother, his companion in labor, and fellow soldier, which is a great testimony to have, alongside the man who God had called to take the gospel to the Gentiles. It is those who walk together as the Family of God, companions in labor, and warring together as fellow soldiers that will find in this life the greater rewards within, and also the life to come. At the cross of Jesus Christ, through His death (Hebrews 2:14) every principality and power was destroyed and made an open show of defeat (Colossians 2:14-16). I pray we can see that today with the eyes of our hearts, so that our faith can arise to the ministry He has called us all unto, and His name can be magnified more than ever in and THROUGH the Church!

Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!

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4/8/2020

Pastor Curtis

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Bread Crumbs “Staying Strong” April 8

As a believer, you must learn to allow the Holy Spirit to lead you into every activity, function, or ministry project. Understand that just because you are following the leading of the Holy Spirit, that does not mean that you will not face opposition. In fact, doing the bidding of the Holy Spirit almost always guarantees that the powers of darkness will do their best to discourage, deflate, destroy, denigrate, or cause despondency in your heart. Bear in mind that there are multiple blessings, successes, and benefits that await the believer who keeps on in what God has told them to do. Fight to stay in the place where God wants you. Perform the ministry that God has chosen and designated just for you, and it will produce fruit and that fruit will remain. And if, while on this journey, Satan should strongly oppose you, recall to mind the truth that you are not on a path of your own choosing. We run the race but God chooses the course. Stay true and faithful to the path that God has placed before you and the benefits of your perseverance will chase you down and overtake you! The Holy Spirit will guide you safely and successfully all the way to your expedition’s end.

Acts 20:24 - But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Your Word for Today

“and David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. And David arose, and went with all the people who were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the Ark of God, Whose Name is called by the Name of the LORD of Hosts that dwells between the Cherubims (I Chron. 13:1; II Sam. 6:2).

As it regards the bringing up of the Ark of God into Jerusalem, this was a noble desire, no doubt placed in the heart of David by the Lord; however, as to the carrying out of this all-important task, David consulted not with the Lord, but rather with other men. Had he consulted with the Lord, success, and not disaster, would have resulted. But he consulted man, imitated the Philistine (placed the Ark on a new cart), and organized a great public function in which he and his plans largely obscured God and His Glory; consequently, the day ended in death, anger, and fear. All this was the planning of “the flesh.”

The Ark of the Covenant was to be carried on the shoulders of Priests, because Priests, under the Law of Moses, were types of Christ (Deut. 10:8; 31:9, 25). The results were that Uzzah put forth his hand to steady the Ark and died instantly — all because of David’s disobedience.

What man has set up, he feels himself bound to sustain. But the God of Israel needed not, as the gods of the nations, a human hand to uphold Him. It was necessary that He should teach His People this lesson. He must be held in reverence of all them who are round about Him; and all must learn that God judged the “flesh” in an Israelite in the same manner as in a Philistine; for there is no difference.

Uzzah, no doubt, thought with exultation how the Ark of God was death to the men of Ashdod, but he never anticipated it being death to himself! But the Living God is a consuming fire to the actions of the carnal nature, whether inside or outside the family of Abraham. Thus, did He judge the presumption of the flesh in Uzzah. This should be a lesson to us, in that God judges the “flesh” wherever it is found.

Paul plainly said: “So then they who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom. 8:8). The “flesh” is our own self efforts. Placing our faith in anything other than Christ and His Cross constitutes “walking after the flesh” (Rom. 8:1).”

—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

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Evangelist Torrance Nash
Evangelist Torrance Nash Ministries

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Bread Crumbs “Let it Be About Jesus” April 9

Boasting about who we are, what we have, or what we accomplish, comes naturally to the majority of human beings. As a result of the fall, man became obsessed with self. He is immensely and aggressively aware of what affects him, what he likes or dislikes, and what his abilities are. We are very prone to brag about our accomplishments and highlight our achievements. There is nothing wrong with experiencing success and achieving a desired goal or plateau. But for the believer, we should constantly recall to mind that every success, every achievement, every goal reached is the result of the Lord’s helpful hand intermingling with our feeble efforts. When one truly recognizes this, our boasting will cease to be in ourselves and what we have done. Instead, we will utilize the success as an opportunity to exalt and praise the Lord. The inherent pride in any individual may run interference to and can ultimately hinder the help that the Lord desires to give to us. If there is anything good that might be said about any situation in our lives, let us be sure to point to the Lord Jesus as the source. If it is all about we or me, it cannot be all about Him.

Psalm 34:2 - My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Your Word for Today

“and David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?
(II Sam. 9:1).

Why did David, even after Saul was dead, desire to show kindness to the house of Saul, considering that Saul, when alive, had repeatedly tried to kill him? The reason was the covenant that David had made with Jonathan, Saul’s son and David’s close friend (I Sam. 23:16-18). Such a covenant was inviolable, meaning it was unbreakable. Whatever belonged to Jonathan, also belonged to David, and vice versa.

It was found that one son of Jonathan was still alive. His name was Mephibosheth. His very name meant “the reproach of shame.” He lived in a place called “Lo-debar,” which means “the desert place, no pasture.” He also was a cripple. Thus, he aptly pictured man as a rebel by nature, a sinner by practice, morally deformed, self-convicted, and far from God. Yet David, “for Jonathan’s sake,” sought him, found him, pardoned him, enriched him, gave him a place among his sons, and brought him into his banqueting house, unfolding over him his banner of love!

The one condition which Mephibosheth fulfilled, and which made real to him his translation from hungry Lo-debar to the banqueting of Mount Zion, was that he surrender unreservedly to David. A similar surrender on the part of the sinner to the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, of which all of this is a type, carries with it a consciousness of forgiveness, life, and glory.

When sitting at the king’s table, Mephibosheth’s eyes must have shone with admiration when fixed on David; but what self-abasement must have clothed his mind when his gaze fell upon his deformed feet! Yet the knowledge that he was there, “for Jonathan’s sake,” and not because of any personal worthfulness, must have continually assured him of his position. So “he did eat continually at the king’s table.”

Grace saved him; the riches of that Grace endowed him; and its exceeding riches set him as a son at the king’s table continually. And so will it be for all who look to the Grace afforded by Christ (Eph. 2:8-9).”

—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

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Pastor Curtis

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Bread Crumbs “He Will Deliver Me” April 10

Some Christians seem to think and teach that the only time that faith is genuine is when the believer is experiencing no problems, no adversaries, and no obstacles. However, I would beg to disagree. True faith has to be tested in order to be proven genuine. True faith maintains its course even when that which one hoped for is not the conclusion of the matter. Honest faith looks defeat right in the eye and says, “I still believe what I believed before." Genuine faith is authored by the Lord, not by man’s foolish mechanisms. It makes its home in the depths of the heart of the believer. Even though one cannot see it with the natural eye, faith is a viable substance in the spirit. That belief way down on the inside rises up against opposition and says, “Somehow I know that I know that I know that what I believe is the truth.” Faith evidenced and maintained, even in the wake of perceived failure, is the verification of genuine faith. Just like the faith of those famous Hebrew three, true faith says, “We know that our God can deliver us, but if for some unknown unseen reason He does not, we still believe in Him. Genuine faith refuses to bow, even in the seeming face of defeat!

Daniel 3:17-18 - If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. (18) But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

The Miracle of God’s Word

Philippians 2:27
For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

What a great testimony for Epaphroditus to be able to proclaim that our faithful God had shown him mercy by healing and raising him up to be able to continue to minister to the Saints, as well as the Apostle Paul declaring that God had also healed his broken heart. I’ve always believed that if the Children of God would surrender to the real reason we are here on this earth, we would find more of the miraculous power of our Holy God working in and through our lives.

The mission field is great, we are the missionaries, and the time is now. Everywhere we go there should be either a love for us and the knowledge of Christ that we carry, or a hatred (2 Corinthians 2:14-16), and there will be if we are actually carrying and delivering the Truth of Jesus Christ. The job, the classroom, the marketplace, and everywhere we go, our mission is to make the knowledge of Jesus Christ known, through what He has done for us personally, and the sharing of God’s Word. Paul isn’t the only one called to the Gentiles, but so are we all in some measure. There are many more to come into the Kingdom and much treasure to be laid up for those who will be found serving Christ!

Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!

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4/10/2020

Pastor Curtis

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Your Word for Today

“and Nathan said to David, You are the man (II Sam. 12:7).

As one reads this Chapter, one must come to the conclusion that it testifies to the inspiration of the Bible, for only the Holy Spirit could have (would have) recorded so faithfully its infamy and horror. It gives a true insight into man’s nature as sinful and fallen. It teaches the reader the humbling lesson that such is the nature he possesses, and that, if Divine restraints are withheld and temptations sufficiently attractive and skillfully offered, there is no depth of evil, shame, and falsehood to which he will not fall.

Uriah, the husband of Bath-sheba, was one of David’s thirty-seven mighty men (II Sam. 23:39). To make him the bearer of the letter arranging for his murder was a depth of infamy which is appalling; worse yet, it was committed by one of the Godliest men who ever lived — David.

David’s efforts to shield Bath-sheba is the one redeeming feature in this sad history. But his plans were his own, and, unfortunately, they succeeded. Bitter fruit usually follows from successful human plans. Had David, directly he had sinned against God, Uriah, and Bath-sheba, cast himself with anguish of heart upon God, the Lord would have made a way of escape and forgiveness consistent with Himself and morally instructive to David (Williams).

The Lord raised up David as a king to witness to the nature of Divine Government. In this matter of Uriah, David falsified that testimony; God, therefore, vindicated Himself by judging and chastening David in the sight of all men. He was accordingly disgraced by one son (13:14), banished by another (15:19), rebelled against by a third (I Ki., Chpt. 2), cursed by a subject (16:5), betrayed by his friends, and deserted by his people. His child was stricken with death; the sword never departed from his house. His whole subsequent history was a succession of sorrows and calamities.

Concerning this, Williams says, “Thus God protects women, honors marriage, and strikes with burning judgments the sin which men lightly regard, clothe with poisonous poetry, or treat as a subject of humor and jesting.”

David’s anger in Verse 5 concerning the lamb is a remarkable instance of how sensitive the moral judgment may be at the very time when the heart is blinded by sin! This fact illustrates the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:13). And yet, David had a true knowledge of God. When his sin was pointed out by Nathan the Prophet with the awful words, “You are the man,” David’s first thoughts were, not the punishment that would follow, but the injury done to God.

Psalm 51 witnesses to the depth and sincerity of the king’s Repentance; and his submission to the judgment that smote his child showed that, although more guilty than they, yet he had a spiritual knowledge of God which others did not possess. He laid open the tenderest emotions of his heart to God — the heart that God was wounding — but directly the Will of God was manifested, he at once submitted. This was the evident Work of the Holy Spirit in him.

David really loved Bath-sheba; and she was, in many respects, a woman of character. In fact, the last Chapter of Proverbs, written by her son Solomon, portrays Bathsheba. The Holy Spirit sanctioned all that was written.”

—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

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[MessageOfTheCross]

Bread Crumbs “The Highest Calling” April 11

The calling to be a Christian is the highest calling on the planet. To be able to share with others the joy of salvation is a wondrous opportunity. To live a life that is free from the dominion of sin is exhilarating. The freedom of the true Christian experience is a life that the world does not understand or grasp. To most it may seem like foolishness and fanaticism. To the lost soul, zealousness for God is a waste of time. Having lived on both sides of the fence, I know the darkness and drudgery of life without Christ. But the last several decades have been worth every moment. I thrill to be a member of the five-fold ministry and a born-again believer. I want my life to be an influence for others to accept the powerful provisions that God has prepared for all those who call on His name. This is not just about the quantity of life but it is about experiencing a marvelous quality of life. I want others to experience the joy of Christ, the peace of Christ, and the blessings of Christ. Help my life, O Lord, to be a beacon of light that shines bright so as to guide others in the right way; the way of Christ and the way of the Cross.

Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

The Miracle of God’s Word

Philippians 2:28
I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

The greatest picture we see in the ministry of the Apostle Paul is his love and care for God’s people, and not only in word, but from a heart of love and a life devoted to them. A life devoted to the people of God by the people of God is the picture Jesus said the world would see if we were His disciples (John 13:35). This reaches far beyond the walls of a Sunday meeting, or any religious organization, for Christianity is the heartbeat of God in the earth today, and experienced when their faith is in His Son and His Son’s work at Calvary.

Sometimes the people of God have to be separated for various reasons, but the reason should never be that they can’t get along. We are one through faith in Christ, and our experience should be that of SHOWING love one to another. I know there are many in the Body of Christ who remain carnal and only expect everyone to love them, while they rarely themselves show the love of God, but nevertheless, these are the weak in the faith which we must continue to love. Together in the unity of the faith of Christ the world sees a bigger picture of Christ, and this is the purpose we are here, to express our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!

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4/11/2020

Pastor Curtis