https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:22:31 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3692/are-you-willing-to-wait-for-god-to-exalt-you https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3692


So many are running ahead of God's "best" time and exalting themselves. Hence, they are not properly prepared and oftentimes end up falling flat on their faces.



What will it be for you? Are you in a hurry to be in the "limelight" ? Or will you wait for God's fit time to promote you?



In Job 7:17, Job inquired - "What is man, that Thou shouldest magnify him?..." We learn from his question that it is God Who "magnifies" - raises a man or woman to honor or dignity - or makes

him great.



In Job 36:22, Elihu made the bold statement - "Behold, God exalteth by His power..." He is the One Who may, can, and does set up or pull down whom He pleases by His unlimited power.



In 1 Peter 5:6, the Apostle Peter implied who the only candidates were for this exaltation when he exhorted the believers to - "Humble

yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time." Only those who submit patiently and quietly to God's will for their lives experience a season of visitation when He personally raises them up.

To those who are willing to "humble themselves under the mighty hand of God" - He deals kindly with them. He displays His grace, goodness, help, and favor to them. They make themselves little in His sight, and He - in turn - makes Himself little to them through His condescension. Out of this condescension comes - "greatness" - or exaltation - "...thy gentleness hath made me great." (Psalm 18:35).



There were two men in the Bible who experienced exaltation by "the mighty hand of God." They were Joshua and Solomon.



Joshua 3:7 relates of Joshua - "And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee."

Joshua 4:14 also says - "On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life."



Notice first of all that the One Who was raising Joshua up in Moses' stead was the Lord.



"This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel..."

"On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel..."



Another note of importance is that when the Lord did magnify Joshua, everyone in Israel knew it. Just like Moses, he was endued with supernatural might, great understanding, and the token of God's presence in his midst. His authority from God was confirmed when he foretold how the waters would be cut off as soon as the feet of the priests touched them (Joshua 3:13). When it happened just as he said, he proved to all that God was working in and through him.



In addition, 1 Chronicles 29:25 relates of Solomon - "And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel."

2 Chronicles 1:1 also says - "And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly."



It was Solomon's God Who "magnified" him by giving him such a large measure of wisdom and understanding...putting honor upon him so that the whole nation marvelled at how famous he was...making him very great and extremely powerful...giving His blessing to all that he did... and giving him the glory of the Kingdom - wealth, riches, honor, and reverence - like none before or after him.



Look what happens when God "magnifies" individuals - when men wait for the fit time to be exalted by Him.



"Behold, God exalteth by His power..."



Like Joshua and Solomon, will you wait for God's "due time" to exalt you?



When He does, you will not have to tell a soul. Everyone will know it.



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:01:36 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3691/get-a-grip-on-your-mind-for-whats-ahead https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3691


2 Thessalonians 2:2 says - "That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand."



Here Paul was exhorting the believers not to become agitated or alarmed at the approach of the Day of Judgment or the Second Coming of Jesus.



They were not to be quickly, hastily, or suddenly shaken in any way by the things which they saw or heard - moved as a wave of the sea or as a ship tossed by an agitated sea. They were not to allow the sequence of devastating occurrences appearing so dramatic to throw them into shock or alarm. They were to get a grip on their minds and refuse to become traumatized by the events that would occur in the world around them. They could not allow these to affect their will, emotions, or ability to think, reason, or decide.



"That ye be not soon...troubled..."



They were not to become disturbed, jumpy, or terrified. The nerve-racking events that were about to happen would become so severe at times and come without a pause that - unless checked - would cause them to be devoured with worry, anxiety, or fear.



Just to give you an idea of the actual message that Paul was trying to get across to the Thessalonians believers at this time, we are including a translation and paraphrase by Rick Renner.



This is how the original Greek would read -



"Some things will be happening right before His coming that could shake you up quite a bit. I'm referring to events that will be so dramatic that they could really leave your head spinning - occurrences of such a serious nature that many people will end up feeling alarmed, panicked, intimidated, and even unnerved! Naturally speaking, these events could nearly drive you over the brink emotionally, putting your nerves on edge and making you feel apprehensive and insecure about life. I wish I could tell you these incidents were going to be just a oneshot deal, but when they finally get rolling, they're going to keep coming and coming, one after another. That's why you have to determine not to be shaken or moved by anything you see or hear. You need to get a grip on your mind and refuse to allow yourselves to be traumatized by these events. If you let these things get to you, it won't be too long until you're a nervous wreck! So decide beforehand that you are not going to give in and allow 'fright' to worm its way into your mind and emotions until it runs your whole life."



"shake you up quite a bit"

"really leave your head spinning"

"many people will end up feeling alarmed, panicked, intimidated, and even unnerved"

"events could nearly drive you over the brink emotionally"

"putting your nerves on edge"

"making you feel apprehensive and insecure"

"incidents...keep coming and coming, one after another"



Since we are in the final days before the coming of the Lord, it behooves us to know what to do. This exhortation pertains especially to us as endtime believers.



What does the Apostle Paul say to do? What admonition does he offer here?



"determine not to be shaken or moved by anything you see or hear"

"get a grip on your mind"

"refuse to allow yourselves to be traumatized by these events"

"decide...that you are not going to...allow "fright" to worm its way into your mind and emotions"



But, how exactly do you get a grip on your mind?



Colossians 3:16 says - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom..."



The only way to overcome fear during the upcoming events before the coming of the Lord is to stay saturated in the Word of God - to keep your mind focused on it and constantly in faith.



Here is what God's Word is saying to you today -



Genesis 15:1 says - "After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."



There are two fears that assail us all - the presence of evil and the absence of good. However, this promise covers them both. God as our "shield" offers protection from all evil. God - as the source of all good - as our "exceeding great reward" - offers us provision for all of our needs.



Psalm 112:7-8 says - "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid..."



The man who "fears the LORD, that delights greatly in His commandments" - the "upright" - the "righteous" - is not afraid of hearing bad news - hearing about reverses and losses - not alarmed when they do come. He is fully confident in his God. He has calmly entrusted all into His hands. He is fixed in a solid reliance upon Him. He is not afraid when assailed by his enemies. His confidence in God is firm and unmoved. His heart is supported by the strength of his Maker.



Matthew 10:28 says - "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him Which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."



The believer is not to be alarmed at the prospect of temporal death.



Matthew 24:6 says - "And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."



This is a warning against excitement over false reports - wars declared or threatened. The believer is not to be scared out of his wits by them. His heart is to be fixed - trusting in the Lord. In fact, it is against "the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16) for him to have a troubled heart in troublesome times.



Luke 12:7 says - "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."



The source of all human fears is the lack of faith in the goodness and providence of God. Understand this - an account is being kept of all your losses - symbolized by the hairs of your head. So careful is the Providence of God for all His people.



Luke 21:9 says - "But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by."



Do not be terrified when you hear of civil dissensions, seditions, tumults, internal troubles, or unsettlements.



John 14:1 and 27 says - "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me...Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."



Don't allow you heart to shrink back in fear of approaching evil. You have a "Peace" that will always attend you. You have a Friend Who will never leave you.



Romans 8:15 says - "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."



The spirit of bondage binds you. It is the spirit of a slave - of one who is constantly under fear and alarm. The spirit of adoption offers the feelings of affection, love, and confidence.



2 Timothy 1:7 tells us - "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."



God offers you the power to encounter all of your foes and all of the danger that lies ahead...the power to bear up under your trials...and the power to triumph in persecution. Nothing makes the mind more bold and constant than love to God and the souls of men. It nerves the soul to great enterprises and inspires courage. A sober mind under the right influences sees things in their proper place - sees things in their just proportion and relation.



Hebrews 13:6 says - "So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."



What or who could you possibly fear when you have the assurance that the Lord Jesus is on your side?



1 John 4:18 says - "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."



When your heart is filled with the love of God, you have no fear of anything. It delivers from all alarms. It gives bold confidence.



"Whoever or whatever controls a person's mind ultimately has the power to dictate the affairs and outcome of that person's life."



You have a choice! You can allow fear to grip your mind for what lies ahead. Or you can saturate your mind with God's Word - which in turn fills you with a lasting, bold, and sure confidence in your God.



God has called you to peace!



Therefore, choose His Word!



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Sat, 29 Aug 2009 22:47:04 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3690/whose-heart-have-you-broken-by-your-words https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3690


We live in a world filled with reckless words - cutting, killing, careless, and irresponsible words which are spoken rashly, quickly, hastily, inadvisably, or indiscreetly. The result? There are many broken people who are seeking desperately to function in everyday life and yet cannot seem to move ahead. They look around at others and wonder - What makes me so different? What is holding me back? Why can't I succeed as others? Why is it that I take two steps forward - only to fall back three?



In this message, we would like to use the Word of God to show you that oftentimes the source of the problem can be traced back to some sharp and harsh words which were spoken that cut and maimed the person - disabling him for life.



Proverbs 12:18 tells us - "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword..."



Could Solomon have chosen a better illustration than this one to depict the effect of thoughtless and rash words? There is no doubt about it - sharp words cut and maim like a sword...rash, careless, and thoughtless words act like sword thrusts...and harsh, angry, and abusive expressions deeply penetrate, wound, and permanently damage as any sword would do.



Proverbs 15:4 mentions - "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit."



"Perverseness" stands for perverse, twisted, deceitful words... cross, ill-natured language...crooked dealings...a lying tongue... or impure, unchaste, or corrupt language. It is the total opposite of "a wholesome tongue" - which implies language devoid of rudeness or harshness ...gentle and kind words...as well as a peaceable and soothing tongue.



Notice what "perverseness" or cutting words cause?



"a breach in the spirit"



What does that entail?



"A breach in the spirit" can be likened unto a breaking, bruising, crashing, destruction, hurt, or fracture to the spirit. It would be as though someone approached another and broke his foot or hand - maiming him and hindering his progress.



Since we communicate with God through our spirits (John 4:23-24), imagine the tremendous damage that can come to one who is the victim of such harsh and cutting remarks. His spirit immediately becomes "broken." A "breach" is caused. He cannot move ahead in God - no matter how hard he tries. There is a "breach" which acts as an impediment to any form of spiritual progress. There is a break in the spirit as well as a break of the spirit. This person is wounded and maimed and cannot go further - until he is healed of his affliction.



So many of God's people are in this place of "no progress" - and do not realize why. Some where down the road - someone spoke cutting words which pierced like a sword and crushed and broke their spirit. Just as a man with a broken foot is hindered in his walk, even so are these who had been critically wounded.



We want to stop here for a minute to ask ourselves a very important question - Are we responsible for speaking a cutting remark which has impeded the spiritual growth of another? Have we spoken thoughtless and rash remarks - which have penetrated deeply as a sword and wounded an individual whom God happens to loves very dearly?



We would never think of going up to someone and fracturing their foot or hand. Yet, are we responsible for fracturing and crushing another's spirit by our cruel and senseless comments? If we look back on this person, can we see that he or she has struggled through life - year after year - because of our harsh, angry, and "killing" statements?



O Saint of God! What have you done with your words? Have you killed or brought life? Have you helped someone go further in God, or have you impeded their progress?



What does God think about His very own people wounding one another and crippling their spirits for life?



Why not take this moment to get alone with the Lord Jesus? Allow the Holy Spirit to zero in on any incident in the past where you may have cut or maimed another through your senseless and mean remarks. Repent and ask the Lord to forgive you. Then begin to pray for this person that God would "restore health" to him and "heal him of every wound" (Jeremiah 30:17). Pray that he will begin to "soar like an eagle" and grow "by leaps and bounds" spiritually. Don't let up until you know that the Lord has completed the work of healing and restoration.



From this moment onward - as the Body of Christ - let's make a concerted effort to speak with "a wholesome tongue" (Proverbs 15:4) - a tongue which is "a tree of life" - one that brings life rather than destroys it. We want to be His "faithful ambassadors" (Proverbs 13:17) - ambassadors of truth - who keep back nothing profitable from our hearers - speaking sound doctrine which brings healing to the souls of men. We want "the tongue of the wise" (Proverbs 12:18) which steers clear of cutting and hasty remarks and soothes and heals. It comforts, encourages, edifies, and benefits others - closing up the wounds caused by others. We want to be sure to fill our hearts and minds with the Word of God so that we may bring forth "good news" or "a good report" (Proverbs 15:30) which will make our hearers strong...feel encouraged... experience times of refreshing for their spirit, soul, and body...as well as bring prosperity and health.



What is needed at this hour is that which is spoken about in Proverbs 16:24 - "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." Like honey - these kind, gracious, and well-ordered words will bring strength and healing to all who have been broken in the past by rash words. They will not only restore soundness but preserve and advance it.



We close with a final comment from Pastor Henry - "He that knows how to discourse will make the place he lives in a paradise."



How is it in your home, family, work place, office, ministry, church, etc.? Are you the one who is speaking cutting remarks or the one who is speaking "pleasant words...as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones"?



Never forget - Mean and hateful comments may not literally break bones, but they do break hearts and spirits - oftentimes causing the wounded to be maimed for life.



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:28:58 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3688/how-people-of-god-can-deal-with-stress https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3688


I encourage you to sit back and receive the comfort and strength of the Holy Spirit through His Word. Whatever trial or test you are facing, know this - God is going to bring you through it victoriously - in His might and power. He is fighting your battle - even at this very hour!



Be blessed of the Lord - the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

Connie

*********************************



HOW PEOPLE OF GOD CAN DEAL WITH STRESS



by



John Giordano





When I read the Bible, I don't see "super saints." I don't see men and women who were always positive, never went through a test of their faith, and always said and did the right things. I see normal people, who, much like you and me today, had stressful times in their lives.



Consider what the Apostle Paul said about his life -



"For when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus." (2 Corinthians 7:5-6)



"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed..." - (2 Corinthians 4:8a)



"And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling." (1 Corinthians 2:3)



"...we despaired even of life." (2 Corinthians 1:8)



In other words, Paul, the apostle, who planted numerous churches and wrote a good part of the New Testament went through some major stress in his life. He dealt with fear on a regular basis. Of course, he didn't let it keep him from doing God's will (since giving in to fear like this is a sin). Yet Paul still had worry, stress, and fear assailing him on every side. Consider this job description of the apostle:



"In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches." (2 Corinthians 11:27-28)



I don't know about you, but, if you ask me, that is some major stress that Paul was under!



Now consider the life of the Old Testament Patriarch Jacob. A period of time in his life was spent running from trouble. One could say that he was not exactly the most self-confident man. Yet, every time he got into a stressful situation, God was always there to bless, comfort, encourage, and strengthen him.



Consider the first major pressure that Jacob found himself in. In Genesis 27:41-43, we find that he was forced to flee from his brother Esau who wanted to kill him. Yet God showed him a dream one night (as he was in the process of fleeing). (Genesis 28) This dream was of a ladder going up into heaven with the angels of God ascending and descending on it. At the top of the ladder was none other than the Lord Himself telling Jacob - "...behold, I am with thee..." (Genesis 28:15)



The second major stress Jacob dealt with was when he came back to the land of Canaan several years later - and had to face his brother who was coming to meet him with four hundred men (Genesis 32). The Bible gives us insight into just how afraid Jacob was.



"Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed..." (Genesis 32:7)



"And Jacob said, O God of my father...Isaac...Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children." (Genesis 32:9,11)



God heard Jacob's prayer and sent an unexpected guest (the angel of the Lord) to wrestle with him that night. In the end, his name was changed to Israel which means "a prince having power with God and man." (This is recorded in Genesis 32:22-32). Thus God reassured him that everything was going to be alright.



Jacob's third stressful experience is recorded in Genesis 34. Through a series of events, his sons (Simeon and Levi) had made war with and destroyed a Canaanite city. This brought much worry to him.



"And Jacob said...Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the...Canaanites...they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me..." (Genesis 34:30)



Yet, here again, God was with Jacob. He told him to go back to Bethel (the place of his first major stress) and build an altar there to the Lord (Genesis 35:1). As he journeyed, God put fear into the inhabitants of the land and they didn't touch him or his family (Genesis 35:5).



So we can see that whenever Jacob was in a stressful situation, God was there to bring strength and encouragement.



Now let's go back and look at the Apostle Paul. Last we heard from him, he was despairing of life. The care of the churches was weighing him down. He was hungry, thirsty, cold, and lacking adequate clothing. Yet let's look at his testimony to the Philippians to see if the Lord Jesus was there for him in these difficult times.



"I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ Which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:12-13)



"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19)



At the very end of his life, Paul penned these words:



"At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me...Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me...and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion." (2 Timothy 4:16-17).



Christian, are you facing fear on every side? Is there worry and stress in your life? Are the bills coming due with no money to pay them? Are you studying for an especially difficult test in school and have no idea how you will pass? Are you out of a job and don't know how you will survive? Be encouraged! Mighty men of God in the Bible faced fear, worry, and stress on a regular basis. Yet God always brought them through, and He will do the same for you. Just trust Him. He wants to work a miracle for you.



David said - "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee. In God I will praise His Word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me." (Psalm 56:3-4)



Paul at the end of his life said - "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me." (I weep as I write this because I know it's for somebody right now). You can't see a way out of your situation. Stress, anxiety, and fear have you downcast and discouraged. But be encouraged. You will come out of this trial with your head held high saying with the Apostle Paul -



"Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me..."



May God Bless His Word,

John



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:18:48 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3685/overcoming-everything-contrary-to-god-amp-his-word https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3685


"When the ancient Spartans marched into battle, they advanced with cheerful songs, willing to fight. But when the Persians entered the conflict, you could hear, as the regiments came on, the crack of whips by which the officers drove the cowards to the fray. No wonder that a few Spartans were more than a match for thousands of Persians, that in fact they were like lions in the midst of sheep. So it is with members of Christ's church. There is no need to drive them to action, but full of irrepressible life, they long to overcome everything that is contrary to God and His Word. As such enthusiastic soldiers of the cross, we are like lions in the midst of herds of enemies, and with God's help nothing can stand against us." - Charles Spurgeon (taken from the Encyclopedia Of Sermon Illustrations)



According to Spurgeon, God's People are "full of irrepressible life." They are "enthusiastic soldiers of the cross...like lions in the midst of herds of enemies." And with God's help, nothing is ever able to stand against them.



As a member of the Church of the Living God, do you consider yourself to be "full of irrepressible life"?



What does that mean exactly?



According to Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, it is "life" that is impossible to repress, restrain, or control.



Are you full of that kind of "life" - the eternal, abundant, and supernatural "life" - which stems from the Lord Jesus and His Word and Spirit?



There are certain characteristics which depict a people out of which flows such a "life" that cannot be stopped. Let's look into the Scriptures to see what some of those traits are.



1. They Are Affected With the Necessity Of the Souls Of Men



Luke 10:2 says - "Therefore said He unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest."



There is an allusion here to the reapers who were nonchalantly bringing in the overly ripe harvest. The news of this slothfulness reached the farmer. He immediately commanded all laborers to speedily get to work before all would be lost.



Those Christians who are "full of irrepressible life" are serious about their mission from God. They are greatly bothered by the fact that the spiritual harvest is spoiling due to a lack of workers - reaping and gathering in the souls of men. They are fully aware of the fact that - every second - men, women, boys, and girls are dying and going to Hell. Hence, they make it a matter of fervent prayer that the "Lord of the harvest" would call for more laborers in order to rescue the perishing.



2. They Understand The Danger Of Their Work



Luke 10:3 says - "Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves."



They expect troubles, persecutions, threatenings, and revilings from bloody, cruel, and ravening "wolves" whose desire is to terrify them and spiritually tear them to pieces. Nonetheless, they let nothing and no one stop them in their work for the Lord.



3. They Understand Their Limitations



Luke 10:3-4,7 says - "Go your ways...Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way...Go not from house to house."



Their dependance is on the Lord God for Daily Provisions. Their business is serious; therefore, it must be without hindrance. They are assigned a particular place in which to deliver God's message, and they must be as men in haste to deliver it. They must never be found wasting time in frivolous and meaningless chit-chat, with distracted attention, or guilty of service that is not carried out promptly and faithfully unto the Lord.



In this particular portion of Scripture, there is reference made to the Oriental customs of that day. For one, there was a propensity among the people that, whenever they met up with an acquaintance - even in the midst of the most urgent business -they would stop and make endless inquiries among themselves. If they happened to come across an ongoing discussion or bargain of any sort, they would pause and offer their own ideas and opinions - even when it did not concern them. Also, the salutations among the Orientals required much formalism, ceremony, and time - with embracings, bendings, and even prostrations of the body on the ground.



There was a practice among the people that if a stranger arrived in their particular village, everyone would take turns entertaining him in their home. This consumed much time and resulted in levity and distraction of mind.



4. They Know Their Source Of Power



Luke 10:17-19 says - "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name. And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."



These believers are fearless. In the name of Jesus, they obtain victories over Satan and the powers of evil.



Just as Satan fell suddenly, rapidly, and apparently from heaven as a flash of lightning falls from the clouds, even so do the demons depart from all those over whom they pray.



These saints know who they are in Christ. Hence, they walk in Divine Power - with Miracles being an every day occurrence for them. They have God's promise of protection from all danger coming from bitter, malicious, crafty, and wicked men. Consequently, they fear no man nor evil.



5. Their Message Is Simple Yet Supernatural



Luke 10:9 says - "And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."



Through mighty signs and wonders, people are brought face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ as the One and Only Answer to their problems and dilemmas. They have a choice - they can either receive Christ or reject Him.



6. Their Message Is Followed By Peace Or Judgment



Luke 10:5-6, 10-11, 16 says - "And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again...But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you...He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me."



Among the Jews, a man who had a good or bad quality was called a son of it. Hence, a peaceful, quiet, and kind man was a "son of peace;" whereas, a wicked man was a child of wrath or disobedience.

For those whose hearts were melted as wax by the Word and Grace of God, they received the blessings of the Gospel. On the other hand, those who rejected God's message from His ambassadors received judgment on them and their cities.



The Christians who are "full of irrepressible life" walk in Apostolic Power - delegating Peace or Judgment upon their hearers.



7. They Rejoice More In The Grace Of God Than Spiritual Gifts



Luke 10:20 says - "Notwithstanding, in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."



So many today are boasting in the operation of Spiritual Gifts in their lives and ministries, yet they are not walking in right relationship with God. The Grace of God is not at work - enabling them to deny "ungodliness and worldly lusts" and to "live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:12).



These believers who "long to overcome everything that is contrary to God and His Word" are solely concerned that their names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. At no time, do they ever want them blotted out due to the unworthiness of their walk.



How do you measure up as an "enthusiastic soldier of the cross" ?



Do you personally have a longing to "overcome everything that is contrary to God and His Word"?



If not, why not?



We - as the Church - are supposed to be a people full of God's life which cannot be restrained or controlled.



From henceforth, may we live each day - bold as lions - in the midst of our enemies - knowing that with God's help -nothing can stand against us.



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:27:12 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3683/sin-notsin-notsin-not https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3683


"Let that be your aim, to 'sin not.' Let it be your fixed purpose, not merely that you are to sin as little as you can, but that you are not to sin at all."



"But not only would I have you to make this your aim, I WOULD HAVE YOUR AIM ACCOMPLISHED AND REALIZED; and therefore 'I write these things unto you, that ye sin not.' We are to proceed upon the anticipation not of failure but of success in all holy walking and in every duty. Believe these things, realize them, act them out. For they are such things as, if thus apprehended, change the character of the whole struggle. They transfer it to a new and higher platform. We are brought into a position in relation to God in which holiness is no longer a desperate, negative strife, but a blessed, positive achievement. Evil is overcome with good."

- both quotes are from the Biblical Illustrator - New Testament



In 1 John 2:1, the Apostle John wrote - "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not..."



Most people - when quoting this Scripture - emphasize the latter part of the verse - "...And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." It is as if they simply cannot accept the words that say - "that ye sin not."



It is almost as though there is an epidemic in the Church today called the "Christian Sin" epidemic. This epidemic plainly and clearly advocates that all believers in Jesus cannot help but sin a little each day in thought, word, and deed.



Yet, to think that someone is "abiding in the Vine" (John 15:7) or walking hand in hand with Jesus and looking at a woman to lust or is lying, railing, or bitter of spirit is totally absurd. How can one have his one hand in the hand of Jesus and the other in the hand of the devil and still believe that he is in right standing with God? According to the truths of the Bible, it is heretical to imagine "a loose liver" as a Child of God.



Let's look again at 1 John 2:1 and see what John was saying here - "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not..."



The Apostle was stating that his main objective in writing this entire epistle was one - namely, "that ye sin not." In other words - it was written to keep you from sin...that you wouldn't sin...that you may not sin...that you will not sin...to guide you out of sin... and to induce you to live a holy life.



It can't get any plainer than that!



A writer may have many objectives in writing his message. But "watch out" when he specifically mentions his goal or aim. It is crucial that you don't miss it.



In this case, John stressed his major design in writing this epistle as - "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not..."



Sin not...sin not...sin not!



In looking through the Bible, we can easily realize that John was simply emphasizing a Biblical principle - as seen from cover to cover.



Psalm 4:4 says - "Stand in awe, and sin not..."

Isaiah 1:16 says - "Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil."

Ezekiel 3:21 says - "Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin..."

John 5:14 says - "Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."

John 8:11 says - "She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."

Romans 6:2 says - "God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

Romans 6:12 says - "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."

Romans 6:15 says - "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."

1 Corinthians 15:34 says - "Awake to righteousness, and sin not..."

Ephesians 4:26 says - "Be ye angry, and sin not..."

Titus 2:11-12 says - "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world."

1 Peter 4:1 says - "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin."



Some would question - Was John referring to any specific sins?



Although he was referring to sin as the general violation of God's commandments, he did go on to suggest several specific sins that we should guard against.



1 John 2:3 says - "And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments."



The first sin to watch out for is - disobedience - not keeping the commands of faith and love.



1 John 2:4 says - "He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him."

1 John 2:6 says - "He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked."



The second sin to watch out for is lying - making a false profession ...claiming to have a walk with Jesus while covering up personal unholiness...in words professing to know God yet in works denying Him...and pretending to have religious knowledge yet no truth of grace.



So many today are living a lie - saying that they - are abiding in Him... know Him...are communing with Him...are walking as He walked...are living and acting as He did...are imitating Him in all things...are walking after His pattern and example - yet on closer examination of their lives, the opposite is evident.



1 John 2:9 says - "He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now."



The third sin is hatred - hating one's brother or sister in the Lord so much so that you wish to do them evil.



1 John 2:15-16 says - "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world...For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."



The fourth sin that John mentions is loving the world - seeking happiness in visible things...fixing your affection on worldly objects... and being influenced by worldly maxims and feelings.



He then breaks this "sin" down to three specific ones -

"the lust of the flesh" - unchaste thoughts, words, and actions... sensual appetites...and impure desires

"the lust of the eyes" - lascivious looks...seeking mental pleasure using the imagination...and an inordinate desire for fineries

"the pride of life" - empty, braggart talk...vain assurance in one's resources or in the stability of earthly things...desire of praise... and hunting after honors and titles.



"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not..."



"Let that be your aim, to 'sin not.' Let it be your fixed purpose, not merely that you are to sin as little as you can, but that you are not to sin at all."



If you will listen closely, you will hear the Divine Voice within you saying -



"Sin not...sin not...sin not!"



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:23:39 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3682/do-you-need-power-ask-god-for-it https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3682
"All the powers of all creatures are derived from Him, dependent upon Him, and are used by Him as He pleases. His is the power, and to Him we must ascribe it." - Matthew Henry

"Thou hast power to accomplish what we ask. We are weak, and cannot do it; but thou art Almighty, and all things are possible with Thee." - Barnes' Notes



There is one need that every human being has. This need faces them almost on a daily basis. It is the need for power!



People all over the world are looking for power - the power to live decently and securely...live free of guilt and shame...live in divine health...live free of fear...forgive those who hurt, betrayed, or abused them...make the right decisions or choices...understand the enigmas of life...overcome all obstacles...survive the tragedies of life...start again...run their race with perfection... succeed...fulfill their dream ...reach their goals ... manage their affairs ... raise a family successfully ... live in harmony with others ... have long lasting relationships...die to selfishness and pride...make an impact on society...influence others for good...be a world changer...and win the final victory over death, Hell, and the grave.



People are looking for power. That is for sure. But like all other things in life, many are looking in all of the wrong places. Yet, the Bible - God's Holy Word - clearly states the source of all power - the place and person to whom all humans should seek for it.



Psalm 62:11 says - "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God."



The strength which man needs - the ability to defend and save himself - is derived from God alone. His is the great power - even the almighty power. He is the source of all power and in Him it abides. Man needs simply to rest upon the Almighty arm while He - God - releases him from all his troubles and sustains him under all his burdens.



Knowing this, why would anyone look anywhere else or look to another besides God? 2 Chronicles 25:8 clearly states - "...God hath power to help..."



Nahum 1:3 describes Him as being - "...great in power..."

1 Chronicles 29:12 says - "...and in Thine hand is power and might..."

2 Samuel 22:33 says - "God is my strength and power..."

2 Chronicles 20:6 says - "...and in Thine hand is there not power and might..."

Matthew 6:13 says - "...For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

Matthew 28:18 says - "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth."

John 19:11 says - "Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against Me, except it were given thee from above..."



God Who is of irresistible and almighty power is able to save or destroy. He has the power to accomplish what we ask. We may be weak, but He is strong - strong in power - to redeem His people... defend His chosen...and subdue all enemies.



Not only do the Scriptures emphasize that God has power, but they also stress that He gives power.



Deuteronomy 8:18 says - "But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God, for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth..."

Psalm 68:35 says - "...the God of Israel is He That giveth strength and power unto His people. Blessed be God."

Matthew 10:1 says - "And 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."

Mark 6:7 says - "And He called unto Him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits."

Luke 9:1 says - "Then He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases."

Luke 10:19 says - "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

Luke 24:49 says - "And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."

John 1:12 says - "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."

Acts 1:8 says - "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto Me..."

2 Timothy 1:7 says - "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Revelation 2:26 says - "And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations."



Through His power, "a little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation..." (Isaiah 60:22) - "...he that is feeble ...shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them." (Zechariah 12:8).



It is God's great desire to give His people power so that one or the smallest among them would be multiplied to a thousand ...the company of weak persons would become a nation of strength and might...the weak would become full of courage and men of war...those of fearful hearts and feeble minds would be as courageous, valiant, and victorious as David... children would become champions...and weak saints would become great soldiers like David who - in turn - would attempt and accomplish great things for the Lord.



God knows His people need power. Therefore, the Scriptures tell us that He Who is "strong in power" readily "gives power" to them.



Why?



Acts 26:18 says - "...and from the power of Satan unto God..." Because Satan - their great adversary - has power to oppose them.



Luke 9:43 says - "And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God..." To show forth His mighty acts before the world so that they - in turn - will believe in Him.



Matthew 22:29 says - "Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." Because without the power of God in operation in their lives, God's people will err from the faith.



Acts 10:38 says - "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him." Because they will need the power of God to set the captives free from Satan's oppression and dominion.



1 Corinthians 2:5 says - "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." Because they will be tempted to place their faith in the philosophies of men rather than in the power of God.



1 Corinthians 4:20 says - "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." Because they will be tempted to accept a "form of godliness" but "deny the power thereof" (2 Timothy 3:5).



2 Corinthians 6:4 & 7 says - "But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God...by the word of truth, by the power of God..." Because the "power of God" will identify them as true ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ.



Psalm 71:18 says - "...I have shown Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to every one that is to come." Because the next generation needs to be taught to place their faith in the "power of God."



God has many gifts that He gives to His children. One of them is - Power!



Power is much needed - especially in the days in which we live.



When asking God for His mercy, grace, love - don't hesitate to also include - Power.



You need Power today! God is the source of it.



What are you waiting for? Ask Him for it! Be bold about it!



The Bible says - "He gives power..." And God cannot lie!



How much more convincing do you need?



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:04:25 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3678/jesus-is-about-to-overturn-your-table https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3678


"Great corruptions in the Church owe their rise to the love of money."

"In reformation, it is good to make thorough work; He (Jesus) drove them all out; and not only threw out the money, but, in overturning the tables, threw out the trade also."

- both quotes are from Matthew Henry



In John 2:17, we read of the Lord Jesus - "...The zeal of Thine house hath eaten Me up." This quote refers back to King David's words found in Psalm 69:9 - "For the zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me."



This reference to the Lord says volumes about Him. It is so important that we don't miss what the Holy Spirit is depicting about Him here.



So many serve a soft Jesus...a gentle Jesus...a cute, little Jesus...a cartoon-figure Jesus...or a Santa Claus-type Jesus. Yes, He is gentle, kind, and compassionate - but that is not all that He is!



This unbalanced picture of Him is causing many problems in the Body of Christ today. A sweet, little Jesus will certainly not cast anyone into Hell for their adultery, fornication, homosexuality, pornography, drunkenness, pride, abusive behavior or speech, hatred or bitterness, love of money or pleasure more than God, etc. He is simply "too sweet" to do such a thing!?! At least, this is how many people feel.



We can see from this misconception that many are in for a rude awakening - that is, unless they start reading their Bibles for themselves and find out what the "Real Jesus" is like. Hopefully and prayerfully, after reading this message, all will see that there is another side to Him that is missing in most people's mindset and is crucial to recognize and realize.



What exactly do the Scriptures mean when they say - "The zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up"? Whose "house" are they talking about? And how in the world can "zeal" eat a person up?



"Zeal" is an intense passion for something. It is always fiery, absorbing, surpassing, and jealous. In the case of Jesus, He had an intense "zeal" or jealousy for the honor of His Father's House. He was absorbed with a fiery love to see God's glory manifested in His House and also to see that the people's worship always remained pure. This fire which burned inside of Him engaged His entire attention and affection.



John the Baptist painted a very realistic picture of this "zealous" and fiery Jesus in Matthew 3:12 which reads as - "Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."



The picture drawn here is that of a farmer's threshing-floor - an area that is smooth or hard-beaten due to the grain being trodden down by the animals. It is an open space in a field that has no covering nor walls. It is an elevated place where the grain is able to stay dry and where the wind is likely to blow hard in order to carry the chaff away in the winnowing process.



The farmer would take his winnowing shovel or fork and throw up the grain - mingled with wheat and chaff - against the wind in order to separate the two. The wheat - being the substantial part - would fall to the floor, while the chaff - the light and useless part - would blow off in the wind.



This picture may not seem so "violent" in nature until you realize that the Church is the threshing-floor and the mingled wheat and chaff happen to be the congregation. Right at this moment, Jesus is cleansing and purifying His church. He is removing the "chaff" - all the professors of Christianity who are phonies, hypocrites, and liars. They are being tossed to and fro under His fiery chastisements - in hopes that they will come to the end of themselves and repent. The "wind" of the Holy Spirit is about to blow them away to the section reserved for all things headed for the "unquenchable fire" - Hell!



This farmer - in winnowing his threshing-floor - begins at one side and works through to the other one. He "thoroughly purges His floor" - not missing one section or part.



The Lord Jesus may not have met up with you yet, O Reader, but in due time, He will show up at your doorstep with His winnowing shovel and the fiery look of "zeal" for God's honor and pure worship in His eyes.



Woe to the man or woman who is "playing games" with Him when He shows up on their doorstep with His "fan in His hand"!



Understanding the concept of the purging of the threshing-floor as being the Church being purified, let's go to John 2:13-17 and catch a more graphic look of Jesus in His fiery "zeal" for God's Honor in His House - "And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when He had made a scourge of small cords, He drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not My Father's house an house of merchandise. And His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up."



The Scriptures tell us that - "...Jesus went up to Jerusalem..." Just as the threshing-floor was placed on an elevated part of land, Jerusalem stood on a higher ground than the lowlands of Galilee. It was as though the Lord was going up to the threshing-floor to do a purging work in His "floor." Can we say that He was going up to Jerusalem to separate the "chaff" from the "wheat"?



Believe it or not! The "chaff" was found to be the religious leaders - the chief priests - to be exact. They were the ones who were behind the entire marketplace set-up in the Court of the Gentiles. It was a lucrative business that they had going here. In fact, they brought in $300,000.00 every year.



Every male was required to appear at the Passover feast. Rather than lead animals to be used in the sacrifice over a long distance, they conveniently waited until they got to Jerusalem to purchase their "oxen and sheep and doves." The common currency was the Gentile money which was in usual circulation but refused at the temple. This is where "the money-changers" came into play. The temples' dues had to be paid in the money which was current at Jerusalem. The common shekel was then changed into the half-shekel - bringing a huge profit for the money-brokers - who happened to be the agents of the priests.

This scheming and conniving on the part of the money-changers and priests would have been bad enough. What made matters worse was where they set up their business - right on the temple grounds.



One of Jesus' designs in coming to this earth was to bring man to a proper regard for the glory of God. When He walked into the temple and saw all of the depravity and desecration, He immediately took action.



The Scriptures tell us that He - "...made a scourge of small cords..." Many Bible commentators agree that He collected the twisted rushes that were strewed on the ground and used for bedding for the animals. Or some say that He picked up some of the cords lying on the ground which the owners of the animals used to bring the cattle to this place. His intention of making the whip was not to use it on anyone. It was simply meant to be a symbol of God's wrath and judgment - coming on all those who desire to make religion (Christianity) a matter of worldly gain.



His "zeal" for His Father's honor induced Him to drive -"...all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen..." Notice that the Scripture says that He "drove all out of the temple." Not some - but all! He didn't spare anyone. And He also turned every table or board upside down where the money-changers sat - pouring out money everywhere - "...and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables..."



"...Take these things hence; make not My Father's house an house of merchandise..."



"The zeal of Thine house hath eaten Me up."



This same Jesus is coming to His temple - the Church - today and purging His "floor" of all defilement and profanation. More specifically, He is dealing with all those who claim to be "temples of the Holy Spirit." He is looking for those whose minds are filled with the cares of worldly business when they are attending the worship services, prayer meetings, or Bible Studies. He is searching out all those who are performing their duties or offices for filthy lucre and even selling the gifts of the Holy Spirit.



He has a jealousy for the honor of His house. He will not tolerate any who will make the place where the Father abides in "an house of merchandise."



Is your temple - "an house of merchandise"? Is it filled with "the love of money," "the love of pleasures," "the love of the world," or the lust for possessions and positions? Are you consumed with a desire for more and more of this world's goods - at the expense of desiring God and Him alone? Are your affections centered on earthly things rather than heavenly ones?



Get ready!

Unless you repent, Jesus is about to overturn your table!



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:32:30 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3676/lord-make-me-a-weeper https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3676
And after none but Thee,

And then I would, O that I might,

A constant weeper be." - Charles Spurgeon



"That should grieve us most by which God's honour suffers and the interests of His kingdom is weakened."

- Matthew Henry



"Christian ministers must mourn over those in the church who refuse to repent of and forsake their sin, for they are spiritually dead."

- The Full Life Study Bible



"None are affected by heavenly things as those who are much in the study of the word, and are thereby taught the truth and essence of things. Carnal men are afraid of brute force, and weep over losses and crosses; but spiritual men feel a holy fear of the Lord Himself, and most of all lament when they see dishonour cast upon His holy name."



"Those who are the firmest believers in the eternal punishment of the wicked are the most grieved at their doom."



"It is no proof of tenderness to shut one's eyes to the awful doom of the ungodly."

- the above three quotes are from Charles Spurgeon



Psalm 119:53 says - "Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake Thy law."

Psalm 119:136 says - "Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not Thy law."

Jeremiah 13:17 says- "But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD's flock is carried away captive."

2 Corinthians 12:21 says - "And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed."



The situation at hand?



...the wicked have forsaken the law...they keep not the law...the Holy Law is despised and broken by them

...many of God's so-called people will not hearken to Him - speaking through His preachers...they will not submit to the Word...they continue onward in their pride, haughtiness, stubbornness, and vain confidence

...the new converts have not yet repented of their sins but continue in them

...and the professors of Christianity are walking hypocritically.



What kind of reactions should news like this stir up in the Man or Woman of God?



1. Vehement Wrath



The Psalmist witnessed a mixed passion - caused by the sins of the wicked and dread and sorrow at the consideration of the judgment of God to come. He shuddered and trembled. He was afraid, filled with distress, and burnt up. His indignation over the conduct of the wicked was likened unto a burning tempest or a desert storm.



2. Eyes Pour Forth Floods Of Tears



The Psalmist, the Prophet Jeremiah, and the Apostle Paul all were zealous in keeping God's law. Hence, they were deeply afflicted when others violated it. This caused an incredibly deep sorrow for God's dishonor and for the miseries which the sinners were bringing upon themselves. They wept in sympathy with God to see His Holy Law despised and broken, and they wept in pity for the sinner who was bringing down God's fiery wrath upon his head. Because of the sins of others, all three attested that their eyes poured out full-flowing streams of tears.



3. Mourn & Be Grieved



All three servants of the Lord mourned and lamented the sinful state of God's people as well as the consequences of their actions - "...because the LORD's flock is carried away captive." These backsliders wouldn't hearken to the Word of the Lord...repent of their sins...humble themselves...nor glorify the Lord. The Corinthians - in particular - continued in the sins of "uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness."



Matthew Henry made these comments - "The sins of others should be matter of sorrow to us." "The sins of sinners are the sorrows of saints. We must mourn for that which we cannot mend."



Adam Clarke said - "O for more of that spirit which mourns for the transgressions of the land! But we are not properly convinced of the exceeding sinfulness of sin."



O Christian! Do you have "that spirit which mourns for the transgressions of the land"? Are you "properly convinced of the exceeding sinfulness of sin"?



Is it your heartfelt prayer that God would make you "a constant weeper"?



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:29:04 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3675/an-unhallowed-compromise https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3675


The question is - are you trying to blend something into your life which God is telling you to renounce? You know that you cannot hold onto this belief much longer, but you are afraid of persecution or what it will cost you in the end. It's time to let go! It's time to embrace the "cross of Christ" and allow God to take you to a higher ground in Him!



In Galatians 5:11, we read - "And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offense of the cross ceased."



What we have here is the Apostle Paul being attacked by the Judaizers. They were falsely charging him with preaching circumcision as a part of salvation. The reason being is that they were preaching exactly that in order to avoid any type of persecution from the Jews.



To the Jews, the preaching of the cross - the doctrine of justification and salvation only by faith in Christ crucified - was a stumbling block. Preaching salvation only through the sacrifice of Christ meant that the whole order of Jewish ordinances and rites - including circumcision - was set aside, removed, abolished, done away with, and brought to nought.



The Judaizers - the false teachers at the time - advocated that the law was necessary to justification. They maintained that it was binding upon the Christian. They attempted to mix Judaism with Christianity. They were willing to accept the cross with circumcision, but not the cross instead of circumcision.



They tried to pass the rumor that Paul was preaching circumcision just like they were. They referred to the fact that Timothy - his disciple in Christ - got circumcised. But the Apostle refuted their foolish argument with the question - "...if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution?"



The persecution that he was receiving from the Jews was proof enough that he was against circumcision as a necessary factor in salvation. It was proof indeed that he preached Christ crucified and not the Mosaic law as the sole ground of justification.



As we move over to Galatians 6:12, we find the real reason why the Judaizers clung to the old ways when trying to embrace the new - "As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ."



What did it mean "to make a fair show in the flesh"? It meant that they complied with worldly demands by conforming to external rites, customs, and ceremonies. They were extremely zealous in making converts and inducing them to conform to the old customs - overawing them with threats of hell and damnation if they didn't comply.



This "fair show in the flesh" implied that they did all to be seen of men...sought to gain the applause of or external glory from men... wanted to please carnal men in carnal and fleshly things... and made their religion a mere outward show or pageantry.



In order to avoid any persecution from the Jews, the Judaizers covered the offense of a crucified Messiah with the law. They knew that if they renounced the doctrine which taught that circumcision was necessary for salvation, they would come under the rage of the Jews. So, with a great zeal, they induced others to be circumcised in order to become a Christian.



Paul refused to obscure the glory of the "cross of Christ" - no matter what the cost. Unlike the Judaizers, he was not afraid of persecution nor did he lack any boldness or independence in maintaining that salvation came only as a result of the merits of the Lord Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. He didn't try to blend together the doctrines of Judaism and Christianity. He insisted on an entire dependency on the Blood of Christ and a renouncing of any dependency on the rites and ceremonies of the law.



What does this particular message have to do with you today?



Perhaps there are some who are reading this message who have felt - for the longest time - that God was calling them out of the old beliefs to bring them into the new. You may be a part of a church who is either teaching total error or else trying to fit some error into the Scriptures. It may be that you are a member of a church that has a perverted or distorted view of sin, salvation, holiness, Hell, or judgment to come. Or you may be a part of a group who does not believe in the miraculous for today or any move of the Spirit being possible in this day and age. If they do believe in it - they certainly don't expect it to happen anytime soon.



It is most likely that God has been trying to get your attention because He has so much in store for you. The only thing is - you know that if you leave the old for the new, you are going to encounter persecution.



You may have even tried to do as the Judaizers - incorporate the old into the new - in order to appease all parties and not appear so fanatical or extreme.



How badly do you want to move on with God?

Just how desperate are you for the things that He has for you and your family?



If you stay in the place where you are, you will miss the move of God for your life.



The truth of the matter is - you are more concerned about making "a fair show in the flesh" - of appearing good in the eyes of men than of pleasing God. If you will be real with yourself, you will have to admit that that is the truth!



Anytime that God asks us to move on to a higher level in Him - there will be opposition. We can expect it! Not everyone will be happy with our new position.



But it will be worth it all in the end!



C'mon, Saint of God! Don't allow a little persecution to stand in your way of reaching a plateau in Him that you never dreamed possible.



Let go of what He is telling you to let go of!

Renounce the old and embrace the new!

Walk in the Truth no matter what the cost!



God has great things in store for you!

The only one who can keep you from them is YOU!!!



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:43:08 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3670/lord-i-need-your-wisdom-amp-strength-right-now https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3670


Deuteronomy 29:29 says - "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever..."



There are many hidden things in nature, Providence, or in our relation to God Himself which belong to Him. They are known to Him alone. Some pertain to the future events - what should come to pass hereafter.



Barnes' Notes explains it in this way - "The future, when and how these good and evil things will take effect, it lies with the Lord our God to determine; it pertains not to man's sphere and duty. God's revealed will is that which we must carry out."



Romans 11:33 enforces this idea - "...how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!"



Such questions as - "Why would God do such a thing...Why did He not do it this way...what does He intend to accomplish by using this means or pathway..." oftentimes cannot be answered - in order to quiet man's mind or satisfy his conscience. The answers are hidden in the secret counsels of the Lord's will.



However, as we move over to the Book of Daniel in our study, we find great encouragement in Daniel 2:22 which reads as follows - "He revealeth the deep and secret things..."



Deuteronomy 29:29 says - "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God..."

Daniel 2:22 adds - "He revealeth the deep and secret things..."

Deuteronomy 29:29 concludes with - "...but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever..."



Yes, there are "deep and secret things" which are hidden from the eyes of the living. These include the purposes of God's heart...the deep things of God....and the secrets that belong to Him alone - things which are too profound for man to fathom by his own power and require a supernatural influence.



God and God alone knows what these "secret things" are for Daniel 2:22 goes on to say - "...He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him." Man does not know the deep truths nor does he know what lies in the future. He cannot read the thoughts and intents of men's hearts. He does not know what is in the darkness nor can he see all that is done in darkness. However, God knows all things for He is omniscient and omnipresent. He is the True Light Himself... the Father of Lights...the Light of the world... the Light of the Glorious Gospel...and the One from Whom the light of nature, grace, and glory flows. Light abides with Him...it goes from Him...it is all about Him... and He is in the midst of it.



Daniel 2:20 says of the Lord God - "...for wisdom and might are His." He is the source or fountain of both. He has infinite wisdom to design, contrive, or form the schemes of things - especially when all human wisdom fails - and has infinite power for their execution and accomplishment. He is able to impart wisdom and strength to any man, woman, boy, or girl - wisdom which is far superior to natural human ability.



Daniel 2:21 confirms this argument with this word - "...He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding." In other words, He gives clearness of perception... fixes the mind on important matters...offers life-changing counsel...aids with powerful associations...and opens up new and interesting views of truth.



At this moment in time - what does this message have to do with you? Do you need wisdom and power beyond human ability?

Have you tried every conceivable source of help and still find yourself at a loss for direction?



Let these Scriptural truths sink deep into your spirit.



"The secret things belong unto the LORD our God..."

"He revealeth the deep and secret things..."

"...but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever..."

"...He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him."

"...for wisdom and might are His."

"...He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding."



What you need today may be hidden from you, but it is not hidden from God. He sees in the darkness as easily as He does in the light. "The darkness and the light are both alike to Him" (Psalm 139:12). He is the source of "wisdom and might." What you need can only be found in Him - not in any other.



It's His desire to "reveal the deep and secret things" that you need to overcome the enemy...win the battle over fear, anxiety, worry, and stress...be delivered from the snare that has had you trapped for a long time... move ahead in the Spirit...receive the promotion that you rightfully deserve...move out of the place of defeat into the place of great victory...and inherit your promised inheritance.



God promises in His Word - "...He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding." Who are the "wise" or the ones "that know understanding"? They are the ones who have enough Holy Ghost sense to "trust in the LORD with all their heart; and lean not unto their own understanding. In all their ways, they acknowledge Him..." (Proverbs 3:5-6). They are the ones who reach out to Him in total confidence and childlike faith. And God meets them each and every time.



Can you be sure of it happening for you?



Look what the Prophet Daniel had to say after looking alone to the Lord God of Israel for help in time of trouble - "I thank Thee, and praise Thee, O Thou God of my fathers, Who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of Thee: for Thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter" (Daniel 2:23).



Perhaps you are facing a situation just as grave as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.



Look to the Lord God for your answer. "Wisdom and might are His."



Remember - "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God..." But our God is a God Who "reveals" and "gives." "He revealeth the deep and secret things..." "...He giveth wisdom...and knowledge..."



Simply trust Him to do that for you today.



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:48:20 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3669/a-temple-of-god-filled-with-idols https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3669


"That is a man's idol or god from which he seeks his happiness; no matter whether it be Jupiter, Juno, Apollo, Minerva, Venus, or Diana; or pleasure, wealth, fame, a fine house, superb furniture, splendid equipage, medals, curiosities, books, titles, human friendships, or any earthly or heavenly thing, God, the supreme good, only excepted. That is a man's idol which prevents him from seeking and finding his All in God." - Adam Clarke

"Whatever takes our worship from God is an idol." - People's New Testament

"The sense is, that for Christians to mingle with the sinful world; to partake of their pleasures, pursuits, and follies, is as detestable and hateful in the sight of God as if his temple were profaned by erecting a deformed, and shapeless, and senseless block in it as an object of worship. And, assuredly, if Christians had such a sense of the abomination of mingling with the world, they would feel the obligation to be separate and pure." - Barnes' Notes



1 Corinthians 3:16-17 says - "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."

1 Corinthians 3:9 says - "...ye are God's building."

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says - "What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost Which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

2 Corinthians 6:16 says - "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."



"ye are the temple of God"

"which temple ye are"

"ye are God's building"

"your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost"

"ye are the temple of the living God"



The Apostle Paul was definitely trying to get a point across to the Corinthian believers. What was the message? That their bodies were temples wherein the Holy Spirit dwelt.



The temple was a place where God dwelt and was also sacred to His use. It was the place where the visible symbol - the Shekinah glory or manifested Presence of God - was found. In the New Testament, Paul takes this same image and applies it to the Christian. God no longer dwells in buildings made with hands. On the contrary, He dwells within His believers who are occupied and inhabited by the Holy Spirit. Every real Christian is now a temple of the Holy Ghost. He is yielded up to God and possessed by and for Him.



"Where God is, there is His temple" (Adam Clarke). Every believer is now considered to be "God's building" - the place where He intends to dwell.



If this is so - and it certainly is - then how should every Christian conduct himself in this world? Being the "temple of the living God" - "God's Building" - shouldn't his life reflect a sacredness - a purity and holiness about his heart and conversation?



Matthew Henry, the renowned Bible Commentator made this statement - "The temple of the Holy Ghost must be kept holy. Our bodies must be kept as His Whose they are, and fit for His use and residence."



This is a great argument against the allowance of all fleshly lusts or doctrines which excuse such in the believer's walk. Being the "temple of the Holy Ghost," the Christian should now guard against anything which would bring corruption or pollution to his temple - making it an unfit "house" for the Manifested Presence of Jesus.



In his argument for the believer's body to be the dwelling place of God, Paul added these thoughts - "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?"



If any man "defiles" - corrupts - his temple through the wisdom of this world...errors or heresies...philosophies and vain deceit... idols...or fleshly lusts, God will "destroy" him. One commentator explains this by saying that God will take his part out of the Book of Life. This is extremely serious, wouldn't you agree?



Paul uses very strong language here. And we must get his point in doing so.



The "temple of God" has no connection with "idols" - things which God absolutely detests and cannot look upon without the utmost abhorrence. Idols are rivals for His honor. He is a jealous God and will not share His glory with another or give glory to another. He insists that the heart of every believer be His "house." Hence, every heart must be separated from a sinful and polluted world in its pleasures, pursuits, and follies. That which ought to be sacred must not be prostituted.



It is possible to love with an attachment the things of the world as - wealth, pleasures, fashion, and honor - and totally exclude God from the heart. This would be considered to be - Practical Idolatry.



Knowing this, the Apostle Paul admonished the Corinthian believers with these words as found in 1 Corinthians 10:14 - "flee from idolatry." In other words, escape...run from...and avoid at all costs everything that would have a tendency to lead into this sin. Abstain from the very appearance of anything that would be considered as a idol in your life.



The People's New Testament explained it in this way - "Sin must not be dallied with, but shunned." In other words, the sin of IDOLATRY must be 'SHUNNED."



The Apostle John admonished the believers with these words - "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen" (1 John 5:21). That is - guard against everything which would occupy the place due to God... would usurp the throne of dominion in the heart...would alienate the mind and heart from God...or would take away time and affection due to Him.



Barnes' Notes offers this comment - "God should have the supreme place in our affections. The love of everything else should be held in strict subordination to the love of Him."



In 1 Samuel 12:21, the Prophet Samuel gave the children of Israel a strong warning. This same Prophet "yet speaketh" today by saying - "And turn ye not side: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain." He told them of yesteryear and tells us the same today - "Do no turn from the worship of your God to 'vain things' or idols which cannot answer your expectations...profit you in your lack...or deliver you in your straits."



Adam Clarke made this comment - "That is a man's idol or god from which he seeks his happiness."



O Saint of God, do you realize that you are the "temple of God" and that the Spirit of God dwells within you just as the Shekinah glory rested in the tabernacle and temple of old? It would have been abominable for anyone to attempt to bring in an idol into the temple. Instant death would have been the result.



Nevertheless, in this day and time, it seems that it is nothing for a Christian to claim to be the dwelling place of God yet entertain many idols in his heart.



This, too, is abominable! God will not have it.



Remember His Word - "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."



God will not be mocked.



"The temple of God is holy"



"which temple ye are"



All idolatry must go!



"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon"

(Matthew 6:24).



Never forget the word of the Lord to you today - "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."



Are you going to dare to continue to "defile your temple" after reading this message?



Whatever it takes - "flee from idolatry." "Keep yourselves from idols."



"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God..."



"Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than He?" (1 Corinthians 10:21-22)



"If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy..."



Will you contend with God?



"God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar..." (Romans 3:4)



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:25:23 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3667/stop-telling-me-that-lie https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3667


"Fear argues a degenerate soul." - Virgil



"The consciousness of atrocious crimes astonishes and confounds." - Juvenal



The devil and the world want us - as Christians - to believe that we are really missing out in life by serving Jesus. Everywhere we turn, we are confronted with the images that seem to portray the fact that the Lifestyle of Sin is the Best way - the "cool" Life - the place of fun, happiness, great pleasure, and total satisfaction.



Our young people especially - through peer pressure - are made to feel that they are weird, extreme, missing out, or totally deceived because they refuse to partake in Satan's evil practices as sex outside of marriage, smoking, drinking, drug taking, etc.



It's time like never before that we rise up and demolish these lies with the Sword of the Spirit - God's Holy Word.



It's time that we - through the anointed, Holy Ghost, non-compromising, and truth-revealing preaching - present God's perspective - the correct side - on this issue.



When we do, sinners will most likely reconsider their evil ways, and the saints will stop serving Two Masters and quit wondering what they're missing by living holy, separated, and consecrated lives unto Jesus.



First of all, we would like to make it plain and clear that a name synonymous with Sinner is the name - Fearful. Wicked people are Fearful people.



In Revelation 21:8, we read that they are the first mentioned in a category of sinners who are headed for Hell - the lake of fire - "But the fearful...shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."



These "Fearful" comprise one of two people. They are either those who for fear of the consequences - loss of life, property, jobs, reputation, etc. or other forms of persecution - never receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. Or they include those who had received Him at one time - but are now afraid to associate themselves with Him in this adulterous and wicked generation or to stand by the godly principles as found in the Bible. These are the first ones headed for the "lake which burneth with fire and brimstone."



This kind of Lifestyle doesn't sound too promising, does it?



Psalm 73:19 confirms that the wicked are characterized by overwhelming fears - "...they are utterly consumed with terrors." Because they have chosen to live in rebellion toward God and resultantly - set themselves up as His enemy - their guilty consciences are constantly besieged by the "terrors" of the Almighty. They are continuously plagued with the fear of suddenly, swiftly, unexpectedly, or as in a moment, losing it all as they are brought to "desolation."



Psalm 73:19 reads in its entirety - "How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors."



In other words, they are destroyed by "terrors" - terrible things which produce alarm and panic in their minds and overwhelm their souls. They are confronted by severe and very dreadful things which result in their total and final ruin.



Is this the kind of Lifestyle that the devil presents as being Fun, Fun, Fun?????!!!!!



Job 15:20-21,24 go on to say - "The wicked man...A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him... Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle."



Oh! This really sounds like a Lifestyle that we all would like to envy!



Here is a picture that the Devil will never allow us to see!



Who in their right mind would want to be constantly tormented with "a dreadful sound" - the sound of fears or sudden frightful sounds - of "destruction" on the horizon?



The wicked man lives in fear - knowing that "the destroyer" can visit him at any moment. Even in his "prosperity" - times of peace and safety - he is never safe. He is constantly plagued with "trouble and anguish."



The Scriptures verify that a guilty conscience leads to inordinate and unholy fears.



In Genesis 3: 8 and 10, we read how Adam and Eve ran from God due to their disobedience in eating the forbidden fruit - "And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden...And he said, I heard Thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself."



Instead of enjoying sweet fellowship with God in the garden, they were hiding among the trees. Their own sin brought Fear and Shame into their lives. The Lord was no longer a Friend to them but a Judge. Instead of being a Comforter, their guilty consciences could only see Him as a Terror - "...I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself."



This is the true picture of suffering humanity today. As the Scripture attests - "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Hence, they are running from God in a Holy Fright. They know that they are guilty and cannot bear to come face-to-face with their Judge.



Psalm 53:5 also confirms that the way of Sin is one attended with Fear and Shame. It also adds that the wicked man faces imaginable fears besides the real ones - "There were they in great fear, where no fear was..." This is where paranoia comes in. At times, they will have no ground or occasion for fear - yet be filled with horror - simply because they are not in right standing with God.



Lastly, Proverbs 28:1 tells us - "The wicked flee when no man pursueth..." No matter how bold the sinner may present himself, the truth of the matter is that he is beset by continual frights and apprehensions. Secret fears haunt him. He is constantly looking over his shoulder - expecting dangers or troubles to come his way.



This is the kind of Lifestyle that -

...Hollywood has everyone laughing about

...the Devil presents as being so much fun

...Satan tries to convince us as Christians that we are missing out on.



All we can say here is that - THE DEVIL IS A LIAR!!!



This lie needs to be blasted from pulpit to pulpit across the globe!



The Lifestyle of Sin is not a picnic! On the contrary, it is one that is filled with "terrors," "desolation," "a dreadful sound," "trouble and anguish," and "great fear."



Where are the Preachers who - being inflamed with Holy Ghost Fire - will pound their pulpits in Righteous Indignation and send this lie back to Hell from whence it came?



Where are the Spirit-filled Christians who will witness everywhere - telling the truth concerning the pathway of those who are running from God?



It's time like never before that we - as the Church - stop looking across the fence to see if the grass is really greener on the other side.



Whose report will we believe?

Will we believe what Satan and Hollywood say or what God says?



Hear the Word of the Lord from the Prophet Isaiah today - ''Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him" (Isaiah 3:10-11).



"...yea, let God be true, but every man a liar..." (Romans 3:4).



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:40:51 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3664/3-sayings-of-pharaoh-how-they-apply-to-your-life https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3664


Are there things in your life that you keep putting off for tomorrow - things like getting right with God or fulfilling the call that God has placed on your life?



Perhaps you are like Pharaoh in that you know that there are "stinkin" things in your life that are displeasing to the Lord, yet all you can answer Him is by saying - "Tomorrow." Let's deal with these "stinkin things" tomorrow. In other words, you want "ONE MORE NIGHT WITH THE FROGS."



I pray for every one reading this message that Holy Spirit will shine His spotlight on any and all "frogs" that you are allowing in your life - yes, even for "one more night." May He give you the grace to say - "Enough is enough!" These things have to go - NOW!



"...now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).



Not one of us is promised tomorrow!



Obey God NOW!!!



Be blessed as you read this word from the Lord for you today!

Connie



********************************



3 Sayings From Pharaoh - How They Apply To Your Life



by



John Giordano



*********************************



In Exodus 8:1-15, we find the story of God's judgment on Pharaoh and his people - through a plague of frogs. This plague was so extensive that the frogs were in the Egyptian's houses, beds, ovens, and kneading troughs. The frogs were also upon all the people and all the land (8:3-4). Because of the severity of this judgment, Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and temporarily humbled himself. He told them that he would let the people of God (the Israelites) leave Egypt if they (Moses and Aaron) would pray to their God to have the frogs eradicated from the land of Egypt (8:8). But then Pharaoh made a puzzling statement. As Moses was about to leave the palace, he told Pharaoh:



"...I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile. 'Tomorrow' Pharaoh said. Moses replied, 'It will be as you say...' (Exodus 8:9-10 NIV).



Tomorrow? You would think that Pharaoh would have said to Moses - "Pray for me, my people, and land right now. I want these frogs gone this very hour. Please, hurry, Moses. I'm tired of these jumping reptiles. I can't even sleep at night because they are in my bed. Please, Moses, quickly go and ask God to send these things back to where they came from. Do it right now!"



Instead, Pharaoh told Moses that he should pray for mercy on him and his people "tomorrow."



I believe that Satan loves the word "tomorrow" when it comes to the things of God. How many people who have determined to seek God tomorrow and get right with God tomorrow, have died before tomorrow ever came? Or how many Christians have determined to do something for God tomorrow while souls went to Hell today?



In Acts 24:24-25, we find Paul being tried before Felix (for Paul's message of Jesus being the only Way). Verse 25 states - "And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee."



In other words, Felix was saying, "Tomorrow, or some other time I'll hear you. I don't want to feel this conviction of sin today. I'm not ready to get right with God and do what I know is right. But, when I find a good time for the message of the Gospel in my life, I'll call for you, Paul."



What Felix didn't realize was that he had an opportunity to be taught by one of God's greatest theologians and generals of the faith and rejected it.



How many of us today would give anything for the Apostle Paul to come back and teach us face to face? Yet when Felix had the chance, he blew it because Satan had convinced him - just like Pharaoh - that tomorrow was a better time to get things right with God.



Maybe today you are reading this message and you're putting off the things of God until tomorrow. Maybe you're away from God and you know it. It's eating you up. It's destroying your life. Yet you still, like Pharaoh, want to spend one more night with the frogs. Sin still has its appeal to you; and, although the judgment of God is all around you, you still put off making peace with God until tomorrow.



Please, sir, please ma'am, don't put off the things of God any longer. Come to Jesus today while He is still calling you. You don't have to be under God's wrath and condemnation for your sins. You can experience God's love and mercy today. Just surrender to Him today!



Christian, if God has spoken to you about a work that you are to do for Him, don't put it off until tomorrow. Make plans today. Start preparing today. Let God use you today. Many saints of God have made the mistake of putting off witnessing to someone they came in contact with - only to find that when they went to witness to them later, the person was dead.



Don't put off Bible reading or prayer until tomorrow! That's the biggest way that Satan deceives Christians. He gets them to slip up on their daily time with the Lord by promising: "Tomorrow, you can read the Bible more. You'll have hours to pray tomorrow. But today you are just too busy." The ones that listen to this lie often end up going days, weeks, or months without communing with God. Then they wonder why they become easily entangled in sin or don't feel the nearness of God's Spirit as they used to.



Psalm 32:6 gives a wonderful promise for those who seek God and cultivate their relationships with Him today.



"For this shall every one that is godly pray unto Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him."



In other words, God promises that, for those who seek Him today when He is calling, they will be protected from the storms of life. When others' faith is shipwrecked and blown out to sea, those who have not put off seeking God will rise above the waves. The same calamities and destructions that have others running scared in panic will not touch those that have done business with God on their knees, in the Word, and in prayer.



There are some things that can wait until tomorrow. But God is not one of them. Make the Lord Jesus first priority in your life. In this way, you will experience His blessings and favor. God has promised - "...Them that honor Me I will honor..." (1 Samuel 2:30). Honor Him with your time and talents today and watch how He rewards you.



May God Bless His Word,

John



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:14:02 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3662/3-sayings-of-pharaoh-dont-go-too-far-part-2 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3662


The devil and the world are continuously speaking to all Christians the same message, saying - "DON'T GO TOO FAR!"



However, you have got to decide - once and for all - whom you are going to serve and please.



This message is a wake-up call from Jesus to His people.



It's time like never before to get on-fire for God...to sell-out for Jesus...to become all that He wants you to be... to become rock-solid in your beliefs and convictions...and to not care who likes it either!



C'mon, Saint of God! How far away from Egypt are you willing to move? How long are you going to let "Pharaoh" dictate to you just how far you can go in your relationship with your God?



Who is Lord over your life - Jesus or Pharaoh?



May you hear Holy Spirit speaking to you as you read this message.

Connie



***************************************



3 Sayings Of Pharaoh - Don't Go Too Far! - Part 2



by



John Giordano



*****************************************



Many Bible scholars have said that, in the Bible, Egypt can be a type of the world, and Pharaoh can be a type of Satan - the one who wants to keep God's people enslaved in bondage to the world. This point can be well illustrated by the next saying of Pharaoh that we look at in Exodus 8:28 -



"And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: entreat for me."



Obviously, Pharaoh's only reason for not wanting the people of God to go too far away was so that he could control them and send his army after them to bring them back into slavery.



Just like Pharaoh, Satan wants to do the same to you. See, Satan does not want you to be all in with God and far away from the world. He knows that when you are in this state of being spiritually, it is harder to make you succumb to temptation. Also, it's harder to condemn you; it's harder to put you in bondage to fear, doubt, and unbelief. So he tries to convince you to not go very far with God.



He tells you things like: "You don't want to be too extreme about this Jesus stuff. What will your friends think? You don't see anyone else in your church as radical and on fire for Jesus as you are (and they're wonderful Christians); maybe you should calm down. You don't see anyone else seeking God as much as you do. Maybe you're a little extreme. You don't see your good Christian friends witnessing all the time - why should you?"



Now let me explain. There are some people who are flaky. These people get into extreme Charismatic nonsense in the name of being close to God. They go off the deep end doing crazy stuff - all with the excuse of "God told me." Many people have been hurt in church by these types of individuals.



Yet Satan tries to convince normal Christians that are truly on-fire for God that they are too radical or extreme and that they shouldn't go any farther with God. This is, of course, in an effort to get them to stay close to Egypt (the world) and eventually drift back into it.



I have seen and heard examples of this all throughout my Christian life. I have heard of youth who go back to their church from summer camp on-fire for God. These guys and gals used to cut themselves, drink, take drugs, engage in illicit sexual activity; but now they're saved, speaking in tongues, and want to tell everybody about Jesus. Yet, when they get back to their church, they are told by the dry-hyde, dead, lukewarm pew sitters to calm down and "be like all the other normal youth."



Now what is that?



It's Satan using so-called Christians to say - "Don't go too far with God. Stay close to Egypt. Be like all the other normal young people."



The truth is that "normal" young people, "normal" middle-aged people, and "normal" old people are on the road to Hell, and it's time to become an abnormal, radical, on-fire, devil chasing, and mountain-moving kind of Christian.



My friend, do you think the Apostle Paul was just a nominal "Christian" who went to church once a week? Do you think Jesus looked normal to the people of His day?



After all, this is the Man Who said - "if you don't eat of My flesh and drink My blood, you have no part in Me" (John 6:53-58). This is the Man Who said - "If you don't follow Me, carrying your cross, you can't be My disciple" (Matthew 10:38; Luke 14:27).



The truth is Jesus, Paul, and countless others in the Bible were abnormal to the people of their day, and that's how any true Christian will look to people close to Egypt.



I have also seen men and women of God get excited about Jesus and get a compelling burden for the lost. They began to get some tracts together and started handing them out on the streets of their town or city. Soon these soul winners were told by other "Christians" that what they were doing was too extreme, and that they needed to be more like everyone else. Many times these saints of God succumbed to the pressure and went back to doing nothing for God or His harvest fields. Some of these people later fell away from God because they were trying to fit in and be a "normal" pew sitter instead of an on-fire soul winner.



My friend, I believe that Satan's greatest fear is that you would go all the way with God. For, you see, if you go all the way with God, there is no chance of the enemy getting you back. Therefore, Satan uses people (even well-meaning Christians) to try to stop you from getting as far away from the world and the flesh as possible. He knows that, if you live a lukewarm Christian life - just outside of Egypt - he can soon take you back and enslave you again in sin.



Don't be afraid to get radical for Jesus. Don't be afraid to show that you are extremely in love with Jesus.



I was thinking the other day about the fact that no one tries to calm down fans at a sporting event. Some of them even have their faces (or other parts of their bodies) painted up with the team colors. Most of them are screaming at the top of their voices. But no one tries to calm them down. Why? They are fans - fanatics for their team.



My friend, be a fanatic for Jesus. Represent Him well to the world.



It never ceases to amaze me how people have two standards - one for the secular and one for the holy.



Let me explain. When people are watching their favorite shows on TV, I never hear them say - "I'll only watch this for five or ten minutes because, after all, I don't have too much time for this show. Besides, I don't want to be too extreme when it comes to watching this show."



Yet, when it comes to Bible reading and prayer, the same people say they don't have time for too much of that. They are content with five minutes a day with God. After all, any more than that would be extreme.



Christian, are you serving God on the border of Egypt? Has someone calmed you down and told you to not go too far with God?



Realize that Satan wants you to stay close to the world, so that soon he can take you back.



Get on fire for Jesus.

Come back to your first love for Him.

Go all the way with Him - as far from Egypt as possible.

Determine that Pharaoh won't stop you from getting to the Promised Land.



May God Bless His Word,

John



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:30:34 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3661/the-fact-that-youre-still-alive-is-one-more-proof-that-god-is-alive https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3661


Look how King Darius addressed Daniel. He called him - "servant of the living God."



What he was doing here was contrasting Daniel's God with the lifeless idols of the Medes and Persians.



Indeed, his God was "a living God" - One Who has life... imparts life... and is able to preserve life. When placed into a life - or - death situation, this servant lived despite the king's edict - simply because His God - Who can giving the living long life - intervened.



Today, the Holy Spirit wants to burn these words - "servant of the living God" - deeply on your soul and in your spirit - to the point where your life is never the same again - where your entire perspective on life - its trials, tragedies, and troubles - is totally transformed.



You are a "servant of the living God." Whether you find yourself in times of peace or persecution...prosperity or lack...divine health or sickness... life or death - nothing or no one can harm you to shorten your life - unless God permits it.



Fear not, little flock! You belong to Jesus - the Resurrection and the Life. He will take care of you. Don't let fear grip your soul any longer!



You may feel as though you are a "prey" in the "teeth" of your enemies. They are likened unto wild beasts - which are voracious, fierce, cruel, with tearing power, and are thirsting for your blood.



Nonetheless, God has two promises from His Word for you this day.



One is found in Psalm 124: 6 which says - "Blessed be the LORD, Who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth."

The other is found in Job 4:10 - "The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken."



We all know that Satan is the "roaring lion" who "walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). But we need not fear him - though he may be fierce as a young lion - for his works have already been broken and destroyed by the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary.



Though the calamities that he throws at you may seem ominous and life-threatening, they will not prosper. "The living God" will see to it that each device comes "to nought" and is rendered "of none effect" (Psalm 33:10).



God will fight for you. He will openly disarm the devil on your behalf... strip him of his power to do you any hurt...and break his teeth - shutting his mouth and causing his lies to be silenced that are set against you.



Never forget - the God Whom you serve is "the living God."



You should have been dead a long time ago. The fact that you aren't is just one more proof of His existence.



So don't run the next time that you sense the "roaring lion" coming your way.



Just "stand still" and watch God's salvation unfold before your very eyes (Exodus 14:13).



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:30:15 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3659/3-sayings-of-pharaoh-there-shall-not-an-hoof-be-left-behind-part-3 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3659


In this third and final part of his message entitled - "3 SAYINGS OF PHARAOH" - my son John stresses the necessity of making a clean break with "Egypt" - the world. If not, you will eventually find yourself going back there to pick up what you left behind.



When the devil says as Pharaoh - "Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and herds be stayed," that is when the Child of God must say with utmost determination - "There shall not an hoof be left behind."



God did not call you to negotiate with the devil. If you do, you will meet with utter destruction!



Take heed to this warning from God!

Connie



***************************



3 Sayings Of Pharaoh - There Shall Not An Hoof Be Left Behind - Part 3



by



John Giordano



**************************



In Exodus 10:24-26, we find an interesting dialogue between Pharaoh and Moses. Let's look at it - remembering that Pharaoh is oftentimes typical of Satan in the Bible and Egypt is often typical of the world.



"And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you. And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices, and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the Lord our God. Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind..." (Exodus 10:24-26)



In the last point to the message, I talked about not going too far away from Egypt and how it is comparable to not going too far with God.



This time I want to talk about another trick of the enemy - getting God's people to settle for not totally coming out of Egypt.



Think for a moment of what could have happened if the children of Israel had left their cattle in Egypt. As soon as they got hungry, they would have gone back. As soon as they needed to make tents, clothes, or blankets, they would have gone back (since their tents, clothes, etc. were made from animal products). Also, because God required blood sacrifices and when the people of God would have seen that they had no cattle to sacrifice to meet His requirements, they would have gone back to Egypt. (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22).



Now let's draw the comparison to our lives today.



Satan not only does not want you to go very far with God, but he also does not want you to totally come out of the world. He wants you to leave something behind that is really precious to you, so at the right time, he can use this to draw you back to the world. He doesn't want you to know what it means to sacrifice your all on the altar before God. He wants to keep part of you tied to the old life of sin.



He does this through a variety of methods. He may use a song that you used to love to party to in the world to get you to look back to your past life. He may use an old relationship with the opposite sex to try to pull you back to sin. He may use your lack of discipline when watching TV to activate something in your heart that you didn't even know was there. Then slowly you begin to be pulled back to your old life. Lastly, he may even use your family members to draw you back to the world.



I have seen this happen on several occasions. I can remember a man telling me that he would serve God - as long as his family served God also. The problem was that this man still had some family members in "Egypt." Soon these people drew him back into a horrible life of sin.



For the past few years, I have ministered in some of the local jails. I have talked with countless inmates who have told me - "...my girlfriend and I were doing really well. We were going to church, reading the Bible, planning to get married, and have a nice Christian home. But then she stopped reading the Bible and going to church. So I stopped doing those things, too. Soon after this, I got into doing a little bit of drugs. I began to do more and more drugs. She started doing them with me. One night, I was pulled over by a cop and busted with crack. Now I'm in here. My girlfriend says that she started going back to church and reading the Bible. I wish I never would have stopped doing that myself."



You see, my friend, if you leave anything precious to you back in Egypt, you will find yourself going back to Egypt to get it. That's why it's time to make a clean break with Egypt. It's time to say with Moses - "...There shall not a hoof be left behind."



Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying wait till your boyfriend or girlfriend, family, acquaintances, etc. want to serve God and come out of the world before you do.



What I am saying is that if your heart is still attached to anything in Egypt, you will not go very far with God. Therefore, you must leave Egypt (or the world) with all of you. Your heart, mind, will, and emotions - everything of you - must come out. There must be nothing of you left behind.



Jesus said it this way - "...No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is ft for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).



Now, let's look briefly at three individuals who left something of themselves in Egypt - and what it cost them.



Jesus told us in Luke 17:32 to "Remember Lot's wife."



What is it that Jesus wanted us to remember about her?



It was that she looked back to Sodom (after the angels had told her not to) and became a "pillar of salt" (Genesis 19:17,26).



Apparently, all of Lot's wife had not come out of Sodom. Her body had, but her heart and soul still craved "the good life" inside this wicked city. Satan used this as a hook inside of her to get her to take just one more look back - and meet with total destruction.



How about Ananias and Sapphira?



The Bible says that they - "...sold a possession, And kept back part of the price...and laid it at the apostles' feet" (Acts 5:1-2) In other words, they "lied to the Holy Ghost" (Acts 5:3).



Oh, they looked like nice Christians who had come out of the world - but did they really?



Apparently, their hearts were still into deceitful business practices. They were still tied to their old lives and it cost them their lives (Acts 5:1-11).



My friend, I plead with you today. Don't be of those who draw back to perdition (Hebrews 10:38-39). Don't leave anything of you back in the old life. Come all the way out of "Egypt" and go all the way with God. This is the only way to find eternal blessing and fulfillment.



Determine like Moses that - "...There shall not an hoof be left behind."



May God Bless His Word,

John



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:21:22 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3657/my-god-shall-supply https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3657


Some of you reading this message are facing hard times in your life. Your faith is being sorely tested at this point. You desperately need a Miracle from God!



Here is a message written by my husband Carl that is guaranteed to lift your faith. It will center your focus back on the Lord Jesus - the God of the Impossible!



Never forget - "...for with God all things are possible!" (Mark 10:27)



You may not see a way out of your troubles, but He does. Trust Him today for He is "...the Way, the Truth, and the Life..." (John 14:6).



Let the title of this message be your confession in the face of all your impossibilities, fears, and doubts. No matter what your need may be, look the devil square in the eye and say - "MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY..."



Have a BLESSED DAY in Jesus,

Connie



_____________________



My God Shall Supply...



by Carl Giordano



______________________







"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." -- Philippians 4:19



________________________



Here, in our text, we find God telling us, through His apostle( Paul ), that He will indeed supply our each and every need---



...." my God shall supply all your need "...



As bad as things are getting in this wicked world in which we live, I believe that we are going to have to hold on to the promises of God like never before. If you, dear reader, are a true blue, Blood washed, born again child of the Living God, then ALL the PROMISES of THE BOOK ( Holy Bible ) are yours to stand on and claim as your very own.



I remember, thirty six years ago, when I got saved, we used to sing these words---



"Every promise in The Book is mine

Every chapter, every verse, every line

Well, I'm trusting in His Word doing fine

Every promise in The Book is mine "



Just as I penned the words of that little jingle above, I was reminded of the following true story---



A certain Evangelist was preaching to thousands in a large coliseum. He finished his message, gave the altar call, and was concluding the service. Then it was, that a young lady stepped forward, out of the crowd around the altar, and she was weeping profusely. The Evangelist stopped everything and went to her side. He asked her what he could do for her and how he could help. With tears running down her face, this young lady told the Evangelist the following story---



"Preacher, I was raised in a Christian home. Oh, how my parents loved me and brought me up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. We had a wonderful home, full of love and the presence of God, always. Then came the day that I graduated from High School and went off to College. I tried to live my Christian faith at College, and at first everything was fine. But, slowly but surely, the professors of my classes wore away my confidence in the Bible. These 'teachers' constantly challenged Christianity and the Bible. At first, I resisted their arguments against the Bible; but over time, I weakened and their arguments made more and more sense as I grew weaker in my Faith.



Finally, I gave in and gave up my faith in God and in His Bible. Now, I came to this meeting to listen to what you had to say. Preacher! I want to believe! But, I can't! I feel this presence of something here in this place, and I feel overwhelmed by love; and yet I feel this hardness in my heart. Ever since I renounced Christianity, and gave up my belief in Jesus, I feel absolutely nothing but hardness. I want to believe again, but, I just cannot. My parents have been heartbroken over my renunciation of Jesus and the Bible. They are praying hard for me....yet, I just cannot believe in the Bible that I once loved. "



The Evangelist stood stunned. He did not know what to say, or what to do. He stood there silently praying and waiting on God for something to say to this young lady. He stood there, in front of her, and waited. She was weeping uncontrollably.



Finally, God spoke to the Evangelist and told him exactly what to do. The Evangelist went to the pulpit and retrieved his Bible. He stood before the young lady as she was trembling and weeping. He bent over and placed his Bible on the floor in front of her and then calmed her down enough to talk to her.



He said---"Honey, I want you to stand on that Bible."



The young lady, wiping tears from her eyes, said--- "Oh Preacher! I could never do that ! I may no longer believe the Bible, but I could never dishonor it by stepping on it with my dirty shoes. Why would you ask me to do such a thing?!"



The Evangelist said---"Just trust me. Place both your feet upon that Bible, on the floor, and stand on it."



Now, the young lady was trembling and weeping again. She looked down at the Bible on the floor, looked up at the Evangelist and cried out---"I can't! Don't ask me to do such a thing! "



The Evangelist said--- "Honey, trust me."



Now, weeping, and trembling from head to toe, the young lady lifted one foot and placed it on the Bible. She looked at the Evangelist again and with agony cried out--- " Oh! I just cannot do this!"



Then she placed her other foot on the Bible and stood up on it. Suddenly, just then, the POWER of GOD hit her in the top of her head, and the SPIRIT of GOD flowed into her and all through her and she cried out with great tears--- "Oh !!! I believe !!!!!! I believe in JESUS and I believe in His BIBLE !!!!!!! "



The Spirit of God, in one moment of time, broke all unbelief and hardness off of this young lady's heart and life and she went on and served God with great joy from that day forward.



The Evangelist told that young lady that she was going to have to stand upon the Word of God. I'm telling you, today, dear reader, that--- WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO STAND UPON THE WORD OF THE LIVING GOD! We are going to have to STAND upon THE WORD. Not with our feet, but, with ALL OF OUR HEART! God was telling that young lady "STAND ON MY WORD - NOT THE LYING WORDS OF MAN AND THE DEVIL . "



And, Our Heavenly Father and Commander In Chief tells us----



..."having done all, to STAND. STAND therefore" ...Ephesians 6:13,14



Jesus said-- "Have Faith In God" -- Mark 11:22



In our text, from Philippians 4:19, we are told that-- "GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED."



Either He will or He won't. Which are you going to believe? Man, the Devil, and demonic lying thoughts of doubt and unbelief may scream---"HE WON'T!"



Almighty God, by the "still small voice" of His Word and His Spirit, calmly and gently says to you---"I will."



The Triune Godhead asks--- "Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" --- Isaiah 53:1



The LORD Jesus asks--- .. "when the Son of man cometh shall He find faith on the earth?" --- Luke 18:8



Brother, Sister, the ARM OF THE LORD is REVEALED to ALL THOSE who will BELIEVE HIS REPORT - ALL who will STAND UPON HIS HOLY WORD.



Is your Mortgage payment due and you have NOTHING to pay it with?! Good News !!! Go back and "read all about it" in the words of our text from Philippians 4:19! Indeed, start in Genesis and go through all the way to Revelation and CLAIM AND STAND UPON ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD !



Whether it's a mortgage payment or payments due, or rent, or doctor & hospital bills, or NO JOB---you can rest assured today, by simply standing square upon the Word of The Living God.



"For ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD in Him ( Jesus ) are yea, and in Him ( Jesus ) Amen...2nd Corinthians 1:20



Maybe your particular NEED could be listed under the heading---"None of the above". I haven't even touched upon your particular NEED. That's ok, because whether or not I mention it in this message---GOD KNOWS ALL ABOUT IT.



Your HEAVENLY FATHER knows all about your EACH and EVERY NEED.



And He is the one that made and stands behind all of His PROMISES.



Remember this---God will ALWAYS meet your each and every NEED, somehow, someway.



I close with another true story----



A little CHRISTIAN widow woman lived next door to a man who was an ATHEIST. This man was nice enough. He always came over to check on the little widow woman to make sure she was ok and to see if she needed any help of any kind. But, he was a royal pain in the neck, in the sense that he would always mock this little Christian widow woman every time she would mention Jesus, the Bible, or tell him any testimony of the Lord's provision for her.



One day, the ATHEIST walked over to see if the little widow needed anything. As he was walking across her lawn, he noticed that her window was open, and he could hear her PRAYING inside. He smiled to himself, and snuck up underneath the open window in order to listen in on her PRAYERS.



Just as he arrived beneath her window, he heard the widow praying--- "Oh Lord, you know I NEED some groceries. I don't have any food, Lord......"



The ATHEIST, hearing this prayer, had an idea light up like a light bulb in his mind. He thought to himself--- "I'll show her that there is no God to hear and answer her prayers."



With that, he snuck off, back to his house, got his car keys, and was off to the grocery store.



Soon Mr. Atheist was back. It was now dark outside. He snuck slowly back across the widow woman's lawn to her front door.



He made several, stealth-like trips, back and forth from his car, bringing many bags of groceries and placed them all on the little widow's front porch. Then with his hand over his mouth, to keep from laughing, he knocked LOUDLY on the widow's front door.



Then he quickly jumped in the front bushes to hide. The little widow woman came, turned the porch light on, opened the door, and saw all the bags of groceries stacked on her front porch! She could not contain herself! She began to SHOUT and PRAISE GOD!



With that--OUT JUMPED THE ATHEIST FROM THE BUSHES!!! He began to point at the little widow as he laughed and mocked! Now, the little widow stood there quite perturbed, and annoyed once again, by her ATHEIST friend.



She asked-- "And just what do you think you are laughing at?!"



Her ATHEIST neighbor now explained to her that he had heard her PRAYING, earlier that day, and that-- "GOD DID NOT ANSWER YOUR PRAYER. THERE IS NO GOD! I ANSWERED YOUR PRAYER BECAUSE I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT HEARD IT! " Haw ! Haw !! Haw !!! He laughed and laughed and laughed some more.



But, as he was laughing, he couldn't help but notice that the little widow woman was, now, not just PRAISING God; she, now, was doing a little jig as she danced all over the front porch and all around the groceries. She was even more ecstatic now as she thanked and praised God!



The ATHEIST was befuddled and stopped laughing and asked the widow--- "What are you so happy about?! I just told you that I BROUGHT THE GROCERIES--NOT GOD--YOU SHOULD BE THANKING ME! "



With that, the little widow woman stopped and looked her ATHEIST friend right in the eyes. All was now quiet. Then she spoke.



With tears of great JOY running down her face, she exclaimed---



"Oh YES! My God HEARS and ANSWERS PRAYER! Not only did He HEAR and ANSWER my prayer for GROCERIES --- But he made the DEVIL deliver them to my front door!"



"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." -- Philippians 4:19



May God Bless His Word,

Carl



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:42:30 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3656/the-preparations-are-now-under-way https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3656


"The Church has to prepare herself for this event before it can take place. The Lord will not accept a bride who is not purified and fit for the Heavenly Bridegroom." - The People's New Testament



In Psalm 119:1, the Psalmist declared - "Blessed are the undefiled in the way..." These are the unstained, unsullied, and untainted - spiritually speaking. They are the ones who are without blemish, spot, or fault - who keep themselves pure from the pollutions of sin...are habitually sincere in their intentions...in whose spirit there is no guile...and act according to the word of God.



"Blessed are the undefiled in the way..."



They are washed in the Blood of Jesus...justified by His righteousness...and sanctified by His Spirit. They are wholly devoted to Him and completely separated unto Him - having no other loves.



They are the ones to whom the Heavenly Bridegroom yearns to share fellowship - "...Open to me, My sister, My love, My dove, My undefiled..." (Song of Solomon 5:2) ... "My dove, My undefiled is but one..." (Song of Solomon 6:9) ... "Thou art all fair, My love; there is no spot in thee" (Song of Solomon 4:7).



They are desperately in love with One - the Lord Jesus Christ. They are undivided in their devotion to Him - having Him as the only beloved of their soul. They are fully and wholly identified with Him.



"...My undefiled is but one..."



This "but one" group - without an equal - lives in the Spirit and has a single eye for Him.



It is interesting to note that they are classified as His "dove." The reason being is because the "dove" - in the Eastern countries - is noted for its dazzling plumage and beauty...is remarkable for its cleanliness...feeds only on pure grain...delights in being fed by its own mate...is distinguished for its love to its mate...and undergoes great grief when separated from him or her.



The "undefiled" like the "dove" are "all fair" - or all beautiful - having "no spots," defects, or impurities from any sin...feed on the "pure grain" of the Word of God...delight in hearing from their Master and feasting on His Word...are desperately in love with Him...and suffer great grief when He withdraws His Presence at any time.



The "undefiled" keep the spiritual marriage bed "undefiled" (Hebrews 13:4) - cleaving faithfully to their Heavenly Bridegroom - at all times watching against any unlawful or inordinate affections which would serve to steal their love from Him.



In no way are they "adulterers and adulteresses" (James 4:4) - loving the world more than Him... indulging in carnal inclinations ... setting their hearts on earthly things ... conforming to the world's ways ... giving their best affections to the world ... governing themselves by worldly maxims ... having a prevailing desire for evil things ... or delighting in the companionship of the men of this world.



They are members of the "Glorious Church" - "not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:27).



God is right now in the process of preparing this Bride for His Son. Ephesians 5:25-27 tells us how - "...even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot..."



That word "present" means to prepare. The Lord Jesus - right now - is preparing for Himself a Holy Spouse - a church cleansed from sin...a bride without blemish...one who is in every way full of splendor, honor, and beauty...and one who is glorious within - whose heart and life is holy.



How is He doing it?



By His Awesome Word!



In the meantime, these "blessed" ones - the "undefiled" - are "making themselves ready" (Revelation 19:7) - by yielding to the Holy Spirit in all areas of their lives and allowing Him to bring every part into subjection to His Word.



Do you feel the workings of the Holy Spirit at this time in your life - pulling, plucking up, turning, stripping, readjusting, or changing things - especially you ?



If not - we question where you are at with the Lord! Are you even a part of His Bride?



Remember the quote from The People's New Testament - "The Church has to prepare herself for this event before it can take place. The Lord will not accept a bride who is not purified and fit for the Heavenly Bridegroom."

Spurgeon said - "...the sorrow is that we bespatter His holy way with our selfishness, and carnality..."



Are you one of the "undefiled" - one of the "blessed" ones? Or is your own selfishness and carnality standing in the way of God's blessings?



"...The Lord will not accept a bride who is not purified and fit for the Heavenly Bridegroom."



If you plan on hearing these words from the Heavenly Bridegroom - the Lord Jesus Christ - saying - "Open to me, My sister, My love, My dove, My undefiled..." (Song of Solomon 5:2) ... "My dove, My undefiled is but one..." (Song of Solomon 6:9) ... "Thou art all fair, My love; there is no spot in thee" (Song of Solomon 4:7) - then it is needful that you immediately repent of all sins and submit your life totally and absolutely to the Word of God - allowing it to transform you.



"Blessed are the undefiled in the way..."



They are the Only Ones who receive the blessing of eternal fellowship with the Heavenly Bridegroom!



God will have it no other way!



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:29 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3655/preferring-the-toy-for-the-rock https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3655


"God's power and promise are a rock that is higher than we." - Matthew Henry



"How is it that men soon forget the solid, the real, the substantial?...We forget the Rock so soon; We prefer the toy; we want something light, something that can be spoken trippingly on the tongue - an easy fluent nothing. We do not care to bow down the head to study, to criticism, to the examination, and estimation of evidence, and commit ourselves to the acceptance of sound conclusions...Let us turn to the real, to the substantial, to the very revelation of God's truth, and abide there..." - J. Parker, D.D.



In Deuteronomy 32:31, we read - "For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges."



Here we have "their rock" mentioned in total opposition to "our rock." "Their rock is not as our rock." There are absolutely no similarities between the two. There are no chances of them having any likenesses.



The amazing thing about this Scripture is that the first ones to actually acknowledge this fact are the enemies of Israel. They wholeheartedly agree that Israel's Rock is not like their rock. They know this by experience. They are convinced of it, and hence, they are saying so.



First of all, let's explain what is meant by "rock" in this verse of Scripture.



"Rock" is anything in which a man seeks safety, finds rest, or looks for satisfaction and pleasure. It is that on which he builds his hope. The world has many "rocks." The Kingdom of God has One.



The world's "rocks" are earthy...in the world...of the world...and with the world come to an end. Israel's "Rock" - or that of the Christian - is heavenly and eternal.



The world's "rocks" consist of the many idols, the religious systems, all worldly things, as well as all the lying vanities in which men place their trust and confidence. To the man caught up in this world's system, the golden "rock" of money ... the smooth "rock" of pleasure ... or the proud "rock" of position would be his true "rock." The great man's "rock" would be his power, while the self-righteous man's "rock" would be his assumed goodness.



Throughout the ages, many pagan nations as well as infidels from all walks of life admitted that their "rock" did not offer the security, enjoyment, or happiness that they anticipated. If they were at all honest, they would even go so far as to admit that the "Rock" of Israel or of the Christian was the only One that offered security, strength, and a firm foundation of hope and trust.



Who is this "Rock" that Moses wrote about in the Book of Deuteronomy and is found throughout the Scriptures?



It is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ - the Living and True God. He is every believer's "Rock" for strength, protection, and abundance of supplies.



Deuteronomy 32:4 says from the very start about the God of Israel - "He is the Rock..." In other words, He is the One Who has power and stability ... Who is the faithful covenant-keeper ... Who is an unchangeable refuge and impenetrable shelter ... and Who offers a firm defense and secure resort to His people. He is the origin, fountain, or first cause of their being.



Deuteronomy 32:15 calls Him - "the Rock of his (Israel's) salvation." In other words, He is the author of it.



Deuteronomy 32:18 adds this phrase - "Of the Rock that begat thee..." Here we see - once again - the Lord God as being the first cause or fountain of their being.



In Psalm 62:7, David referred to Him as - "the rock of my strength."

In Psalm 94:22, Moses called Him - "the rock of my refuge."

In Isaiah 32:2, the Prophet described Him as - "the shadow of a great rock in a weary land."



David was depicting Him as the strongest support that a man could ever find - a strong rock on which we can stand firm and defy our enemy.



Moses was referring to "the bosom of omnipotence" (words taken from Charles Spurgeon) where the believer could run for shelter and find safety. It is this place against which the gates of Hell cannot prevail. And Isaiah depicted Him as a great projecting "rock" which offered refreshing coolness and relief to all in the heat of battle.



David went so far as to include two prayers regarding the need of every believer for this "Rock" -



"Bow down Thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be Thou my strong rock, for a house of defense to save me" (Psalm 31:2).

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psalm 61:2).



He acknowledged that God - for all generations - had been a "strong rock" for His people. But David wanted to make it personal - "be Thou my strong rock" - the One Who will shelter me from all my enemies who are set on my destruction. In order to do that - he prayed that God would take him to higher ground - to a place out of reach of his troubles, hindrances, and foes.



"For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges" (Deuteronomy 32:31).



Even our enemies know that their "rock" - the things in which they are placing their hope and trust - do not have the power and influence like our "Rock."



The question is - how can any Christian become "unmindful" and forget the God Who formed him? (Deuteronomy 32:18). How can he forget that it is from the Lord that all blessings flow?



"How is it that men soon forget the solid, the real, the substantial?...We forget the Rock so soon; We prefer the toy; we want something light, something that can be spoken trippingly on the tongue - an easy fluent nothing. We do not care to bow down the head to study, to criticism, to the examination, and estimation of evidence, and commit ourselves to the acceptance of sound conclusions...Let us turn to the real, to the substantial, to the very revelation of God's truth, and abide there..."



Who is superior?

"Their rock" or "our Rock"?



Never forget - all the "rocks" that the world has to offer bring doubt and confusion. The believer's "Rock" - none other than the Lord Jesus Christ - brings great certainty.



On which "rock" / "Rock" are you building your hope for the future?



Are you preferring "the toy" for "the Rock"?



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:48:22 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3654/one-word-that-describes-the-christians-walk https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3654


1. Great Power



Acts 4:33 says - "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus..."



The apostles preached with great vigor, energy, unction, courage, influence, and success...with great fervency and passion...with an uncommon zeal....with liveliness and resolution...and with many striking miracles.



2. Great Grace



Acts 4:33 says - "...and great grace was upon them all."



The apostles had great favor in the sight of the people and great success in their meetings. They witnessed God's protection and were influenced in their preaching by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit.



3. Great Faith



Matthew 15:28 says - "Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as though wilt..."



This poor Gentile woman was in dire straits. Her daughter was demon-possessed and needed deliverance. In spite of the hindrances, difficulties, and obstacles which stood in the way of her miracle, she persevered. It looked like her prayer would be denied. However, she allowed her faith to prevail for the cure.



4. Great Joy



Luke 24:52 says - "And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy."



Even though Jesus was leaving to return to glory, the disciples were overcome with great joy at His ascension. How could this be? Because they saw the One Whom they dearly loved being exalted in their midst. They knew that the work that He came to do on this earth - as the Redeemer of all mankind - was successfully accomplished. He was now returning to glory - to sit at the Father's right hand...to prepare a place for them... to receive gifts for them...and to intercede for them in their new work. With great cheerfulness, they anticipated the promise of the Father - the Holy Spirit - being poured out upon them for their work in winning the world for Christ.



5. Great Wonders & Miracles



Acts 6:8 says - "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people."



Stephen had a strong faith in the promises of God and an uncommon share of grace - enabling him to do great things. His preaching and teaching were power-packed and full of Divine energy. Wherever he went, he openly performed incredible wonders and signs.



6. Great Heaviness



Romans 9:2 says - "That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart."



Because of the Jews' unbelief and continual rejection of the Lord Jesus as their Messiah, the Apostle Paul suffered unceasing grief, anguish, and troubling of his mind. This burden weighed heavily and incessantly upon his spirit. It was a source of constant pain.



7. Great Door & Effectual



1 Corinthians 16:9 says - "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me..."



Here the Apostle Paul was referring to an extensive and abundant opportunity for usefulness. It was a grand opportunity to preach the Gospel at Ephesus. It would be a "door" that would effect great results and require great labors.



8. Great Adversaries



1 Corinthians 16:9 says - "...and there are many adversaries."



One of the evidences that the Spirit of God is at work in a place is the presence of great opposition to the Gospel. Whenever or wherever the Gospel is preached, there will be Satanic opposition to block up the way or prevent the laborers from entering the "door" opened by Jesus.



9. Great Light



Matthew 4:16 says - "The people which sat in darkness saw great light..."



"Darkness" in the Scriptures denotes ignorance, blindness, sin, misery, guilt, error, and infidelity. The people who are "sitting in darkness" are said to be in a greater "darkness" than those simply walking in it. They are in a continual posture. They love the "darkness" and are contented to stay in it. They see nothing and know not where they are going. They are ignorant of God and their duty toward Him.



Here Matthew announces that a "Great Light" - like the penetrating and intense light of the sun going forth in its strength - comes to these people. As great as their "darkness" was, so far "greater" is this "Light."



10. Great Astonishment



Mark 5:42 says - "And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment."



In this verse, we witness the immediate restoration of a twelve year old girl from death to life. Here was an extraordinary and very great instance of the power of the Lord which resultantly caused utter amazement, bewilderment, and great ecstasy among the people.



Preaching with great power followed by striking miracles...

Witnessing great favor and success in your ministry...

Displaying great faith despite the hindrances and obstacles...

Experiencing great joy when winning the lost - knowing that the Lord Jesus is exalted among men...

With a strong faith and an uncommon share of grace, performing mighty exploits for God...

Suffering under a great heaviness because many are rejecting the Gospel...

Constantly on the look-out for that extensive and abundant opportunity for usefulness...

Being fully aware that Satan will oppose any door opened by God and meeting his match with the power of the Holy Spirit...

Being faithful to "hold forth the Word of life" (Philippians 2:16) and "light" to those who are sitting in darkness...

Causing great astonishment among the people everywhere you go - for you are ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit and experiencing amazing acts of God.



These are 10 characteristics that should be typical for every Christian.



What do they say about your life?

Do you really have the power of the Holy Spirit as you suppose?

What is your evidence?



May God use this message to stir you onto a higher level in Him - while you continuously seek Him for an enduement of power from on high.



Remember, Saints! What is described here is supposed to be the norm for every believer - not the exception!



GREAT! MEGAS! GREAT!



There is no better way to describe the Christian's walk!



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Sat, 03 Oct 2009 20:41:43 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3652/you-need-to-slow-down-god-wants-to-talk-to-you https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3652


God is calling His people this day to "Stand still."



Who is listening?



What are some of the things that He is wanting to speak? The Scriptures offer us several examples -



1. What the Lord Commands Concerning You And Your Family



Numbers 9:8 says - "And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you."



God wants to reveal to you His mind on the matters concerning you. But in order to know this, you must take time to consider - to ask counsel at His mouth. You cannot determine the "way to take" according to your own fancies or affections. Every circumstance must be weighed in the light of His Holy Word. That takes time.



2. The Specific Word Of Direction Concerning You



1 Samuel 9:27 says - "And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us,(and he passed on), but stand thou still a while, that I may show thee the word of God."



In order to hear the specific word of direction for you individually, oftentimes, you have to separate yourself from others and "stand still" before God in order to receive His counsel, design, and plan for your life.



Have you done that? If not, could that be the reason why you are still in confusion and doubt as far as what to do and which way to go?



3. His Past Record



1 Samuel 12:7 says - "Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which He did to you and to your fathers."



Many times, God sends His servants with a word of instruction - a word to keep you in the way of duty. But if you are always in a hurry - worrying about the cares of life - you can miss the message which He is trying to convey to you.



You may be going through a "rough time" right now. God wants you to stop everything that you are doing to consider "all the righteous acts of the LORD" - all His past favors that He bestowed on you and your family. This is your key in making it to the next level.



4. His Miraculous Power To Perform Any Given Task



Job 37:14 says - "Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God."



Is your Faith wavering? Are you weary in well-doing? Are you perplexed over all that has happened to you over the past few months?



Then God is saying to you to "Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God." Stop trying to figure things out on your own - stop trying to solve your own problems. The Lord has the answer. It is found in His Almighty Power. But you will never realize it until you stop everything that you are doing to examine and weigh - separately and collectively - "the wondrous works of God."



God has been speaking, but have you been listening? Have you taken the time to consider what He is saying?



He desires to give you insight into His mighty acts of Providence - to share His secrets with you - to uncover the reason behind every cause as well as the effects to come.



5. The Awful Consequences Of Sin



Psalm 4:4 says - "Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still."



Daily, so many are rushing - headlong - down the road to destruction. If only they had taken the time to consider their actions and the consequences thereof. If so, many would have changed their ways or turned around.



One good remedy of sin is to deeply consider its subject.



You must be moved, disturbed, disquieted, and "stand in awe" while you reflect on the particular course that you are pursuing and its end. You must take time to consider and "commune" with your own heart about the matter. You cannot trust the counsel of your head, will, or passions.



You must choose a solitary time - "commune with your own heart upon your bed" - a time when you are withdrawn from the world and its various distractions and promptings.



The Holy Spirit calls you to "be still" - compose yourself into a serious frame - so that you may examine the day's events and its outcomes.



How did you handle each situation that was presented before you? Did you operate in the flesh or in the Spirit?



This silent deliberation aids in always keeping up a holy reverence for the glory and majesty of God as well as a holy dread of His wrath and curse.



6. God's Total Control Over All



Psalm 46:10 says - "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."



Are you facing troubles and persecutions because of your righteous stand? Are you under attack from the enemy of your souls for your holy walk?



God is calling His people as well as His enemies to "be still, and know that I am God."



He commands His people to be calm - devoid of all anxiety, worry, and care...tremble no more...and leave all matters with Him. He assures them that He will intervene with His defense.



His enemies - on the other hand - are to threaten no more - knowing that He is infinitely above them and too hard for them. In spite of their rage and malice, He will be exalted in their midst. Despite the fact that they set themselves up to do their own will, He will have His way.



7. His Judgments And Wrath In The Land



Habakkuk 2:20 says - "But the LORD is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him."



Here the command is given for all of the earth to "keep silence" before the Lord - not in worship but in reflection of His Mighty Judgments. All are called to be dumb - not dare open their mouths - in the presence of such an Awesome and Sovereign God Who will fulfill all that He has promised or threatened.



Let all men consider the terrible state of those who oppose such a Holy God. He will have no rivals, nor will He share His glory with another. He will cover all of His opposers with shame and silence the fury of His people's oppressors.



It is good for all to stop everything and reflect on the evil consequences of disobedience, stubbornness, or hardness of heart toward such a God. May all heed His commands with utmost respect and obey with the promptest obedience.



Are you always "on the run"?

Isn't it time that you stop everything to hear what God the Lord is saying?



The command is going forth to "Stand still."

"Hear what the LORD" is commanding.

Receive His Word for the situation that you are presently facing.

Consider all His "righteous acts."

Take account of His "wondrous works."

Stop and examine the course that your life is taking.

Repent of all wrongdoing.

Cast all of your cares upon Him.

Know that all those who oppose Him will face His wrath and judgment.

Consequently, serve Him "with fear" (Psalm 2:11) and obey His commands.



God is talking to you.

Are you "still" enough to hear Him?



Don't provoke Him to have to slow you down in order to get His message!



Hear and fear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to the churches.



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:39:11 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3651/will-someone-please-pass-the-salt https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3651


"A preacher, or private Christian, who has lost the life of Christ, and the witness of His Spirit, out of his soul, may be likened to this salt. He may have the sparks and glittering particles of true wisdom, but without its unction or comfort. Only that which is connected with the rock, the soul that is in union with Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit, can preserve its savor, and be instrumental of good to others." - Adam Clarke



"Plainly we are intended to infer that nothing is more contemptible than a Christian who does nothing to stay corruption. He is a soldier who wears the uniform of his regiment, but leaves the fighting to others; a physician who declines to visit the sick. It is of the very essence of the Christian that he makes some impression on the world." - Pulpit Commentary



Matthew 5:13 says - "Ye are the salt of the earth..."

Mark 9:50 says - "Salt is good..."

Luke 14:34 says - "Salt is good..."

Mark 9:50 says - "...Have salt in yourselves..."



What did Jesus mean when He said to His disciples - "Salt is good...Ye are the salt of the earth...Have salt in yourselves"?



Salt is useful, beneficial, and antiseptic. It makes food pleasant and palatable. It is good to preserve life and health. It is an antidote of corruption, putrefaction, and destruction.



Spiritually speaking - it prevails to cure men of worldliness and sensuality...it is an antidote to selfishness...and it is a living principle of grace in men's hearts to suppress pride, ambition, and contention and to subdue and mortify corrupt affections. The Christian seasons others by his instruction derived from the Word of God, godly example, zealous efforts, and fervent prayers.



"Salt' stands for the spirit of self-sacrifice - the opposite of the spirit of selfishness which is so prevalent in the world. So when a believer "has salt in himself," he is free from ambition and the struggle for places, honors, and office. He is led by the principle of self-denial. He seeks another's wealth and welfare rather than his own.



In Matthew 5:13, we find Jesus offering a warning to His disciples about their "self-sacrificing" influence in this world. He said - "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."



Believe it or not! "Salt" which is the symbol of purity can become ineffectual. The believer can experience a lowering or decay of his spiritual life...an impaired vigor of his Christian influence in this world...the grace, Spirit, and Divine Life of God vanishing - causing his mission to cease...losing his relish for Divine truths... becoming conformed to this world...becoming deaf to admonition and rebuke... becoming lukewarm...and quenching the power of the Holy Spirit.



Mr. Maundrell, when describing the Valley of Salt, saw salt that - being exposed to rain, sun, & air - had lost its savor. However, the inner part that stayed connected to the rock retained its savor. This is a perfect picture of what happens to the Christian who is exposed to the worldly influences and gets further and further away from the Rock - Christ Jesus. He loses his effectiveness for change.



Look what happened to the church at Sardis - referred to by Jesus in Revelation 3:1 - "...I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead." This church had a fame for its spiritual vitality. It professed to be attached to Jesus and His cause. It also professed to have true Spiritual life. On the contrary, it was dead spiritually...had not the life of God in their souls...did not walk consistently and steadily before Him...and was dead and lifeless in their exercise of grace and discharge of Christian duties. What happened? Apparently, Sardis got too close to the world and further away from their source of life and blessing - Jesus Christ!



How can you tell when you still have "salt in yourself" and are having an influence on others?



To avoid becoming like the church at Sardis, the Apostle Paul gave the believers an admonition as found in Colossians 4:6 which says - "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt..." Since it is "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks," (Matthew 12:34) dealing with the speech is a great place to start in making sure that you have "salt in yourself."



In order to show others that you have the grace of God operating at all times in your heart, you must keep a close watch on the words that you speak. The presence of the grace and holiness of God - "salt" - will surely make your discourse acceptable.



When you "have salt in yourself," you will find this kind of behavior going on -



The word of Christ dwells in you richly, causing you to teach and admonish others in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16).

You teach the Word of God diligently unto your children (Deuteronomy 6:7; 11:19).

You declare God's glory among the heathen; His marvelous works among all nations (1 Chronicles 16:24).

Your mouth speaks wisdom, and your tongue talks of judgment. The law of God is in your heart (Psalm 37:30-31).

You preach righteousness in the great congregation...do not refrain your lips...do not hide God's righteousness within your heart...declare God's faithfulness and His salvation...and do not conceal God's loving kindnesses or truth (Psalm 40:9-10).

Grace is poured into your lips (Psalm 45:2).

You declare and testify of what God has done for your soul (Psalm 66:16).

Your mouth shows forth God's righteousness and salvation all the day; you go in the strength of the LORD; you make mention of His righteousness; you declare His wondrous works; you show forth God's strength unto your generation and His power to everyone that is to come (Psalm 71:15-18;24).

You make known to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, His strength, and His wondrous works (Psalm 78:4).

You sing psalms unto the LORD (Psalm 105:2).

With your lips, you declare the judgments of His mouth (Psalm 119:13).

When given the opportunity, you speak God's Word before leaders and kings (Psalm 119:46).

You maintain a wholesome tongue which acts as a tree of life unto others (Proverbs 15:4).

Your lips disperse knowledge; they feed many (Proverbs 15:7; 10:21).

You are a good man who brings forth good things out of the good treasure of your heart (Matthew 12:35).

No corrupt communication proceeds from your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying - ministering grace to the hearers (Ephesians 4:29).



This is a perfect depiction of a believer who "has salt in himself" - who is connected to the Rock - Jesus - and staying further and further away from the worldly influences which would seek to strip him of his "savor" or saltiness. Like the church at Sardis, he simply does not have a "name" that he lives, and his speech - for one - demonstrates this fact to be true.



He has "salt in himself" and his words manifest it. By his words - his preaching, teaching, and witnessing - he cures men of worldliness and sensuality... suppresses all selfishness, pride, ambition, and contention...and subdues and checks corrupt affections.



Barnes' Notes offered an interesting comment on this subject - "Salt renders food pleasant and palatable, and preserves from putrefaction. So Christians, by their lives and instructions, are to keep the world from entire moral corruption. By bringing down the blessing of God in answer to their prayers, and by their influence and example, they save the world from universal vice and crime." Notice the mention of "instructions' and "prayers" as being the means of "keeping the world from entire moral corruption."



"Salt is good...Ye are the salt of the earth... Have salt in yourselves."



How can you know that you still have "salt in yourselves"?



Keep a diligent watch on your speech - which is flowing from your heart. It will be the barometer - indicating the level of "salt" in your spiritual life.



The People's New Testament said - "The disciples of Christ preserve the world from general corruption."



One way they do it is by their speech.



"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt..."



Will someone please pass the salt?



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Message at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:00:25 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3650/flagrant-sin-is-not-to-be-tolerated-in-the-church https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3650


"...one scabbed sheep infects a whole flock. A little leaven will quickly spread the ferment through a great lump. Note, Concern for their purity and preservation should engage Christian churches to remove gross and scandalous sinners."



"Pride or self-esteem often lies at the bottom of our immoderate esteem of others, and this makes us as blind to their faults as to our own. It is true humility that will bring a man to a sight and acknowledgement of his errors. The proud man either wholly overlooks or artfully disguises his faults, or endeavours to transform his blemishes into beauties. Those of the Corinthians that were admirers of the incestuous person's gifts could overlook or extenuate his horrid practices."



- all of the above quotes are from Matthew Henry



1 Corinthians 5:1-2 and 6 says - "It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you...Your glorying is not good..."



Let's take a closer look at this situation which Paul was addressing.



First of all, the Corinthian Church was filled with pride and vain conceit over their wisdom. They triumphed in their superior knowledge - glorying in their outward, flourishing condition - having riches, wealth, gifts, and great teachers.



What aggravated their situation was that they had a public offense going on right in their very midst. It was a situation that was known by everyone...in everybody's mouth...heard by all companies...and universally talked about. There was a member of their church who was involved in an incestuous relationship - a man married to his father's wife - being his stepmother. The truth of the matter was that this kind of immorality would have been regarded throughout the entire Roman empire with utmost abhorrence. Paul described it in this way - "not so much named among the Gentiles."



The Pulpit Commentary made a statement that says it all - "Spiritual pride and gross sin are often found together." Oh! How true that was for this self-inflating church that prided itself on gifts and the wealth of its members. They were "puffed up" - boasting of their spiritual gifts and intellectual distinction.



These Corinthians were lax in that they tolerated such an offense against morality. They allowed such an offender to remain unreproved in their midst - as though nothing was happening. They left this offense unrebuked because they were too busy boasting of their spiritual "knowledge." They should have been mourning or distressing themselves over this situation. Here was a man who was guilty of so foul a crime, yet they still applauded him and cried him up to be a wonderful preacher. They gloried on account of this scandalous person.



Believe it or not! The Bible Commentators agree that this man was one of great eloquence and very highly esteemed and followed. He was a leader or a principle man in the community and, resultantly, in this church. He was an orator (teacher) with a long purse and of a great social influence. The Pulpit Commentary confirms this by saying - "Possibly the prominence or wealth of the offender may have led to a more easy condonation of his crime."



"And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned... Your glorying is not good..."



Look how others reacted in the Bible when sin was in their midst.



Numbers 25:7-8 says that Phinehas "rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand: And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly." This happened after an Israelite brought a Midianitish woman into the camp - while the judgment of God was falling as a result of Israel "committing whoredom with the daughters of Moab" (Numbers 25:1).



Ezra 9:2-6 records Ezra's reaction after the "holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass. And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonished." Unlike the church at Corinth, Ezra and "a very great congregation of men and women and children" "prayed... confessed, weeping and casting himself down...for the people wept very sore...made a covenant with our God to put away all the wives...Ezra...did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away" (Ezra 10:1-6).



In Psalm 119:136, the Psalmist is recorded as weeping "rivers of waters" because of those who "kept not Thy law."



This is how the Prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 13:17 reacted to the people's sin and terrible consequences thereof - "my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD's flock is carried away captive."



Again, in Ezra 9:4 and 5, the right reaction to sin is recorded - "Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice...And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to Thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens."



"And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned... Your glorying is not good..."



As the present-day Church, we must ask ourselves - how are we reacting to sin in the camp - especially when it is found among the prominent leaders, teachers, noted tithers, etc.?



The Corinthians did not mourn on account of this scandalous man being in their midst. Instead, they applauded him and prided themselves in him. He was a great orator...had a long purse... and was a person of great social influence.



Are we guilty of the same offense before a Holy God?



Where is the mourning for all of the Preachers who are being found in fornication - adultery, pornography, or even homosexuality, etc.? Oftentimes, they are either allowed to continue preaching in their pulpits, or else they receive a little "slap on the wrist," take a three month sabbatical, and then are back up and running in the ministry - as if nothing ever happened.



No mourning! No sorrow for sin!



Just a picture of people "puffed up" over their so-called gifts, preaching and teaching skills, or ability to draw and hold a crowd.



SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE!



God did not call His church to glory in her riches and wealth... gifts...or great wisdom and knowledge - while all along ignoring the sin in her midst.



Flagrant sin is not to be tolerated in the church - no matter who is the guilty party.



Origen once said - "The early church mourned those who fell into licentious or other grievous sins as dead, and if they repented, received then as risen from the dead."



Bengel said - "We ought to mourn over the transgressions of others, and repent of our own (2Co_12:21)."



Matthew Henry added - "The sins of others should be our sorrow. Nay, churches should mourn for the scandalous behaviour of particular members, and, if they be incorrigible, should remove them. He that had done this wicked deed should have been taken away from among them."



We close with one final quote from the Pulpit Commentary - "The Christian Church is not a club, whose members are at liberty to receive and reject whomsoever they choose. It is a society of which Christ is the Head and Lord, and is bound to receive those who possess his Spirit, and to reject those who openly and unmistakably grieve and outrage that Spirit."



"And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned... Your glorying is not good..."



Is that the case with your church?



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:00:23 -0230 https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3648/the-devils-sin https://indiegospel.net/connie-giordano/blog/3648


"Pride of heart, by which we have lifted up ourselves, is a sin for which we ought in a special manner to humble ourselves."



"Men will be revenged, will not forgive, because they are proud."



"Men cannot punish pride, but either admire it or fear it, and therefore God will take the punishing of it into His own hands. Let Him alone to deal with proud men."



"Those that are rich in the world are apt to be high-minded."



"What men are proud of, be it ever so mean, is to them a crown..."



"Pride is a sin that hardens the heart in all other sin and renders the means of repentance and reformation ineffectual."

- all of the above quotes are from Matthew Henry



"Prosperity is apt to make men proud, and to lift them above themselves; and to forget what they have been, and what they may be; and to neglect observing the judgment of God on others, and to take warning by them." - John Gill's Exposition Of The Entire Bible



The Bible has much to say about "pride" - "the devil's sin."



Let's go through a list of Scriptures and examine some phrases which include the word "pride" and see what we can learn from our study. We guarantee that your eyes will be opened to its deadly nature.



Leviticus 26:19 says - "And I will break the pride of your power..."



What was "the pride of Israel's power"? It was the strength of which they were proud...that in which they placed their confidence... everything on which they prided themselves...and that in which they boasted of and trusted.



Various commentators said it included the sanctuary with its ark, their fruitful country, the multitude of their forces, along with the strength of their mighty men of war.



1 Samuel 17:28 says - "And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride..."



David's eldest brother accused him of being proud because he came down to the battle. Eliab insinuated that David was too proud to keep sheep and only came to advance himself in the army, make a figure there, and gratify vanity and ambition. Nothing could be further from the truth! Actually, who had the pride here - David or Eliab?



2 Chronicles 32:26 says - "Notwithstanding, Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart..."



Verse 25 says - "But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up..." What were the "benefits" that caused his heart to be "lifted up" in pride? There were several of them - the defeat of the Assyrian army...the miraculous restoration from sickness...and the embassy sent from the king of Babylon to court him.



Job 33:17 says - "...and hide pride from man."



Pride is pictured as an open pit. God covers it up, lest man should fall into it. The way He does that is by showing him his weakness and bringing him to a humble and ready submission to His will.



Job 35:12 says - "...because of the pride of evil men."



Men - who are so accustomed to rely on their own resources - cry by reason of their affliction. They cry proudly against God rather than humbly to Him. What is His reaction? He doesn't work deliverance for them because the affliction that was meant to mortify and humble them had not accomplished its goal.



Psalm 10:2 says - "The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor..."



The wicked man pursues his own selfish and ambitious purposes. This causes him to have no regard for the rights and comforts of others.



Psalm 10:4 says - "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance..."



The condition of the heart is oftentimes written on the countenance. If pride is seated on the heart, it will manifest itself on the face as a proud look.



Psalm 31:20 says - "Thou shalt hide them in the secret of Thy presence from the pride of man..."



God hides all those who fear Him in "the secret of His presence." From what are they sheltered? He covers them from the league, conspiracy, snares, plots, vainglorious boastings, threats, and insults of their enemies. He protects them from being trampled or treaded upon.



Psalm 36:11 says - "Let not the foot of pride come against me..."



Proud and haughty men are referred to as "the foot of pride." David prayed that they would not be able to overthrow, vanquish, or trample him under their feet.



Psalm 59:12 says - "...let them even be taken in their pride..."



The proud speak arrogantly - with hearts that are elated and sure of success. They will be trapped by their boastful lies.



Psalm 73:6 says - "...pride compasseth them about as a chain..."



The haughty adorn themselves with ornaments of pride. Their outward prosperity sets them off from others and makes them look great in the eyes of others.



Proverbs 8:13 says - "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy..."



Those who fear God will not think too highly of themselves... speak too well of themselves...nor despise others.



Proverbs 11:2 says - "When pride cometh, then cometh shame..."



The self-conceited, prideful man is unteachable. Because he is stuck on himself, he ends up falling flat on his face.



Proverbs 13:10 says - "Only by pride cometh contention..."



Pride causes nothing but quarreling, discord, and trouble. It makes men impatient with those who contradict their opinions or desires.



Proverbs 14:3 says - "In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride..."



The proud man's speech is like a "rod" in that it beats people down with condemning, demeaning, controlling, displeasing, and irritating words. These words stem from a root of bitterness.



Proverbs 16:18 says - "Pride goeth before destruction..."



Self-confidence produces carelessness which leads to destruction.



Isaiah 9:9 says - "...that say in the pride and stoutness of heart."



These people are unhumbled under the humbling providences of God. They defy His justice. They are exalted in themselves and have no fear of Him in their hearts. Hence, they speak so arrogantly.



Isaiah 16:6 says - "We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride..."



It was a well-known fact that Moab was haughty, at ease, confident in their own security, and without fear of anything or anyone - including God.



Isaiah 23:9 says - "The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory..."



God knows how to abase all men. He pollutes and profanes all of the glorious things in which they have placed their confidence.



Isaiah 25:11 says - "...and He shall bring down their pride..."



God lays low the pompous pride of men by totally humiliating them.



Isaiah 28:1 says - "Woe to the crown of pride..."



"The crown of pride" was an Hebrew expression denoting the proud or haughty crown of Samaria - the capital of Ephraim. It was built on a pleasant and fertile hill - surrounded with a rich valley and circle of hills. It was cultivated to the top with many olive and fig trees. The Prophet compared it to a "crown" or garland of flowers because of its strength, fertility, and beauty combined.



Jeremiah 13:9 says - "...After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem."



God would strip them of all that which was a matter of pride to them - that in which they gloried.



Jeremiah 13:17 says - "...my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride..."



Pride in the hearts of God's people caused them to shut their ears to the Word of the Lord through the Prophet Jeremiah. Resultantly, he mourned and bewailed their wretched fate.



Jeremiah 48:29 says - "We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart."



Moab "magnified himself against the Lord" (Jeremiah 48:26). God brought chastisement, but he was not bettered by it - only grew more arrogant and haughty.



Jeremiah 49:16 says - "Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart..."



Edom became "a desolation" (Jeremiah 49:17) as a result of its pride.



Ezekiel 7:10 says - "...pride hath budded."



Pride was at its height in Israel. Hence, God's judgment was on its way.



Ezekiel 16:49 says - "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness..."



Pride, luxury, idleness, and uncharitableness all go hand-in-hand.



Ezekiel 16:56 says - "For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride."



"The day of thy pride" was a time of prosperity. Prosperity made the people proud, caused them to lift themselves up above others, and to totally negate God's warnings of judgment coming on their lives.



Ezekiel 30:6 says - "...and the pride of her power shall come down..."



The glory of all of Egypt's strength, power, dominion, and grandeur - the greatness of their king...the largeness of their empire...and all their wealth and riches - would come down.



Daniel 4:37 says - "...and those that walk in pride He is able to abase."



God has various ways to humble all those who are proud and haughty.



Daniel 5:20 says - "...heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride..."



Nebuchadnezzar's heart was exalted with the enlargement of His dominion, grandeur, and glory. Resultantly, he behaved haughtily toward God and man.



Hosea 5:5 and 7:10 say - "And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face...And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face..."



The leading sin of Ephraim was pride. Hence, they were headed for a fall. Their so-called good and safe condition prevented them from humbling themselves under the mighty hand of God.



Obadiah 1:3 says - "The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee..."



The Edomites were proud above measure. Because of their strategic location "in the clefts of the rock," they thought themselves secure from all hurt and harm. Hence, they magnified their strength above what it really was.



Zephaniah 2:10 says - "This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts."



Contempt and shame would be the residue of the Moabites and Ammonites. They would be trampled upon by those upon whom they once trampled.



Zephaniah 3:11 says - "...for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride..."



God promises to get rid of all proud boasters and arrogant leaders.



Zechariah 9:6 says - "...and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines."

Zechariah 10:11 says - "...and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down..."

Zechariah 11:3 says - "...for the pride of Jordan is spoiled."



Look what God said would happen to "the pride" of each of these nations. The ground of their confidence would be "cut off"..."brought down"...and "spoiled."



There is no doubt about it - Pride is the devil's sin!



God can do nothing with it but judge people for it!



We leave you with one final remark from Matthew Henry - "Pride is a sin that God hates as much as any, and particularly in His own people. Those that exalt themselves must expect to be abased, and put under humbling providences."



May God Bless His Word,

Connie



© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved



Subscribe to Daily Bible Message at - connie@walkingintruth.org.



Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138]]> Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:37:46 -0230