You Have Eyes, but Yet You Can’t See

Psalm 119:9-19, 37

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. ³⁷Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

What does it mean when it says “not sin,” in the 11th verse? Not go against, not talk negative, not being a headache, not being a bother, not being anything that tells God that you are going to be a whining and complaining saint; “not going against Your ways Lord.” When you sin against the Word of God, you go against God. We don’t really see the things we do, but we don’t really understand, if we sin against God, we sin against His Word.

What is vanity in verse 37? Your lifestyle; your mind’s concepts that aren’t God like can be vanity. It does not always have to be how you perceive yourself as you look in the mirror. Do you realize that when God is telling you to behold what you see is who you are, don’t try to give your own thoughts of what you perceive it to be, but tell it like it really is. God does not want you to psychoanalyze what He is saying. You have eyes, but you can’t see what you’re looking at. You are using your own wisdom to interpret what He says. We must get in God’s brain to know what he says. Getting in God’s brain is reading His Word.

We should not be wise in our own eyes. Don’t think that you know about all things or when someone ask you anything you have the answer for it because, it will lead you down the path of self-righteousness. You use your eyes to see everything; to find the path, to send messages to record daily events for your brain to store, its like an information camera. If God gave you eyes, and you look at something, let them be led by the Spirit and anointing of God, not your flesh. Don’t look at all things from your own understanding, but look at them through the Word of God. The Spirit of God you serve is in your heart! “Thy word have I hid in my heart…” What kind of spirit do you have? An over coming or a resistant, doubtful, unsure spirit? God wants you to open your eyes, perceive the situation with the knowledge that God can change it.

God says, if I brought you through this situation, then I will bring you through another situation. Through that situation God will teach you something. Don’t look at a situation through your own knowledge. God will give you victory over you, if you will let God order you steps. If you keep ordering your own steps God can’t help you in your walk. When you don’t see what God is trying to show you, then you become blind to the real truth, and when you become blind, the only thing you can perceive is negativity. Sin has us, and we don’t even realize. We are actually grabbing for sin. But we should say “God whatever You say, is what I’ll do.” Your trials will not be easy but Jesus’ burden is easy and His yoke is light. When you look through the eyes of flesh and not those of God, you perceive the danger instead of the victory, the trial instead of its completion. God is trying to pull you into the realms of what He will do, and you are putting Him in the realms of what you think He could do. He said we can do all things through Christ which strengthen us. He will not put anymore on us than we can bare.

Do you need something to satisfy you? We walk not by sight but by faith, so believe even when you can’t see the victory, seeing what He wants us to see and not what we want to see.

Matthew 13:1-7

The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

Verse 7- No foundation…when they came up for a test of the word that was in them, that they hid in their heart, it was found there was nothing in their heart! Because they didn’t not have that deep word, that word that was to the bone, they could not stand when a test came up to give an account of who and what they were.

Matthew 13:8-23

But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Just like any child, God wants us to go through our tests, whatever they might be to us. He wants us to find out what we are, then we will understand what we mean to Him. Does my test have to look like your test because you’re perceiving my test to be hard? What’s a test? Anything that causes you to stress about your connection with God; what we go through to find out what God says about us.

Is your life built on a solid foundation; the mercies and love of God; are your surroundings such that they are choking you out spiritually? Are you even aware that you are being choked out; are you walking haphazardly through your walk not really getting anything out of it? Are you so locked up with things that need to come to you in a preconceived way, when they may come differently? God’s ways are not like our, His order is not like man’s.

We all know what we go through in our walk; misguided, everything not being clear, not knowing if we’re in tests…Tests are what we have to look forward to in our walk. What’s a test for me? Look at what God is trying to pull you through. Being aware of a calculus formula and not how to use it are two different things. To know what the Word of God says, and being able to apply it to your walk are two different things.

Proverbs 4:7

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Having an understanding of the Word of God is wisdom; knowing how to apply it to your life is God’s wisdom.

Time to Let Go and Let God Step In

James 1:14-15

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

In this world we have nothing but a lot of violence, hurting, pain…all due to the lack of love. If you’ll recall from a previous teaching, it is also due to PMS (Power, Money, Sex). There are a lot of loveless people today. People aren’t concerned about their fellow man. Everyone is looking for something to believe in and count on; someone or something to depend upon. Thats why we get married, build friendships, get jobs, and get involved with people. We don’t want to be alone.

Galatians 5:19-21

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

At the top of the list, you’ll notice that adultery and fornication are mentioned first. This is a strong hold that Satan has over most people today. We use the act of fornicating as a expression of love, when it is just a temporary emotional high, the same effect as drugs. When we attach our love to this type of act, we get emotionally attached to who ever is providing that act, and look at that person as someone they are really in love with, when that person is only a one night stand of lust. It was just a moment of sexual and emotional pleasure that was enjoyed between two people, and not a permanent situation. That is were we go wrong. We think the act of sexual intercourse or you giving your body to that person means they owe you their commitment. God designed us to be into a single not multiple partner committed relationship that is between a man and a woman under marriage for life. Uncleanliness is a big cause of diseases in this world today, this is why everybody needs to practice good hygiene. Lasciviousness indicates a strong lustful interest that will lead to fornication and adultery. Adultery can also be committed against God, by whoring after other gods. The Father only asks one thing of you: that you have a pure unadulterated love for Him, with no strings attached.

God does not want us to have things in our lives that will cause separation from Him. As long as we are Children of God, then the desires that we have should please Him first, before it pleases us. Satan will come after you with the desire you want, and even though you may try not to given in, you usually will fall for it. He’ll come at you with something he knows will destroy you.

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Because of the misinterpreted and misdirected love in this world, the real meaning of love has been lost in so many people. The reason why relationships fail is due to the lack of understanding of what love is, and how love is used. The dictionary has a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes that range from interpersonal affection to pleasure to define the word love. It can refer to an emotion of a strong attraction and personal attachment. In the Bible, love is the high esteem that God has for His creation and in turn is what the creation should have for Him.

God is love as the bible declares:

1 John 4:8-21
(Verese 8) He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is Love.

1 John 4:9-12,18
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:18
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.

In Greek, the word love has two distinct meanings. “To love” the first “phileo” means “to have (ardent) enthusiastic or passionate affection and feeling” – a type of impulsive love. The other is agapao means “to esteem or have high regard.” The word love is used 3 different way in the Bible:
1) Indicates the nature of the love of God toward his Son (John 17:26).
2) Love conveys God’s will to His children and how they are to be toward each other (John 13:34, 35).
3) Love that expresses the essential nature of God (John 4:8).

In conclusion, take this scripture in the book of Matthew 11:28-30:
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Christian Faith Based Systems Part 3

Continuing from part two of our series…

Even though a lot of these popes in Vatican history have done some very terrible things under the name of Christendom, there are some Popes who have done some good things. However, the overall impact on Christian society today is that people are focused on the negative things that they are doing. It wouldn’t be a bad thing against the Roman Catholic Church except, that they are continually doing some of the same things that they did back then, during the years with the popes mentioned in part 2 of this series. We find out that in the 1980s, 1990s, and today, that there are Popes and Catholic priests doing some of the same terrible things. Instead of it being done openly and publicly, these things are being done secretly. How can a religious system be beneficial to the people, if they are still practicing the same paganistic mentalities that they did from years ago?

Now we will move on to another faith based system: The Word of Faith Movement.

The Word of Faith Movement is a world wide movement that teaches that Christians can access the power of faith or fear through speech. Its distinctive teachings are found on the radio, internet, television, and in many Christian Churches. The basic doctrine preaches that of wealth, health, and through positive confession. The Word of Faith Movement has distinctive teachings including physical, emotional, financial, and relational healing or prosperity for any who have the right belief filled confession. The Movement emphasizes choosing to speak the promise and provision that the speaker wants, as an act of faith and in agreement with God’s plan and purpose. They believe that this is what Jesus meant in Mark 11:22-23. The term “Word of Faith,” is derived from the passage Romans 10:8 that says…”the word of faith which we preach;”

We are not saying that the Word of Faith Movement is wrong, but when the people who are pronouncing it begin to change the very essence of what the Movement means, then problems arise. They began to pronounce to people that they were “gods.” “You are born again right? Then that makes you a Child of God, and if so, that means you are a god, because you came from God.” They emphasized this, not understanding the scriptures. In Isaiah 43:10 God says of Himself “before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me,” and further in Isaiah 44:6 that “I am the first, and I am the last, and beside me there is no God, and further in Deuteronomy 6:4 “The Lord our God is one Lord.” Also see 1 Corinthians 8:4-6. ” We are not “gods,” as though we are above anything petty and esteem ourselves higher that what we are. This world of Faith Movement started off the right way, and went on the wrong way. We will not be gods, but friends of God (John 15:15).

Below is an excerpt from an article published by Charismanews.com titled “10 Ways the Word of Faith Movement Went Wrong,” that explains how the movement, has gone astray although having faith in God is good. The entire article can be found on at this web address: http://www.charismanews.com/oinion/41054-10-ways-the-word-of-faith-movement-went-wrong

1. They preach a “rights centered” gospel rather then a “stewardship centered” gospel.

Perhaps influenced by our Jeffersonian heritage of individual rights in America, the way the gospel is applied to individuals in the Word of Faith movement is based on personal rights in Christ. Although this is partially true, the New Testament balances our rights in Christ with our responsibility that goes along with these rights.

2. Their dispensational belief precludes the role and importance of the Old Covenant in the New Covenant age.

I heard Brother Hagin brag several times in his teaching sessions that he did not read the Old Covenant because we have a new and better covenant now in Christ. The challenge with that teaching is that he did not understand the relevance and role of the moral and civic law of God found from Exodus to Deuteronomy—especially the Ten Commandments that were repeated over and over again either exactly or in principle by the New Testament writers. Without the moral law of God, we have no standard for holiness and will lack the conviction of sin the moral law gives as our standard of holiness and ethics.

3. They have a semi-gnostic dualism regarding their view of God.

Word of Faith preachers have a simple view of God: Everything that is good is of God, and everything bad is from the devil.

4. Positive confession sometimes leads to dishonesty and superficial Christianity.

I have been around many believers who are afraid to be honest and admit they are struggling with their faith. This brings people into bondage and even a form of superficial religion. Some believers are like robots—when you ask them how they are doing, they routinely say, “I am blessed and highly favored!” However, I know some of these people, and they are merely trying to keep a positive confession even though their world is falling apart.

5. Their view on prosperity is only based on giving.

While it is true that the Bible teaches we reap what we sow and that if we give, it will be given back to us (Luke 6:38), one of the flaws of the Word of Faith movement is that it only teaches people one side of prosperity. I believe the church needs to equip the saints not only to give but also to get, as well as how to manage what they get while investing and saving for the future.

6. They have faith in their faith as a principle rather than it emanating out of the person of Christ.

I have found in many instances where this movement presented faith almost as an impersonal force, like the law of gravity. This led to teachings like “having faith in your faith.” When this is taught, it can disconnect faith from intimacy with the Lord. The more I get to know a person, the more I can trust them. Faith is not a force. It is a result of growing in simple trust based on growing in an experiential knowledge of the Lord. Faith is relational. It is not an impersonal force.

7. Some pastors have modeled their church preaching after these “specialists” in the body.

Brother Hagin, T.L. Osborn, Smith Wigglesworth and the like were not typical pastors called to oversee a flock. Thus, they were able to preach based on their primary assignment, which was faith and healing.

8. It can put guilt and bondage on believers.

I have heard of many people who walk around in guilt because they are not healed or because they are struggling financially. In some cases, I have even heard of famous faith preachers who checked into a hospital under a different name so word would not get out that they were sick and under a doctor’s care!

9. It can produce independent, narcissistic believers.

When the Word of Faith movement went from a stewardship-centered gospel to a rights-centered gospel, it also attracted many self-focused people—people who used God as an excuse for their lavish lifestyles and who frowned upon those living in simplicity. Unfortunately, this teaching often appealed to the narcissistic tendencies in all of us, and many large ministries were built more upon the American Dream of having a nice house and a nice car than upon taking up our cross and following Jesus. Jesus said in Luke 14:33 that we have to lose everything in order to be His disciple, but many in this movement only focus on what we gain. Truly, you can’t be resurrected until you first go to the cross!

10. It is not connected to the cultural mandate of Genesis 1:28.

Last but not least, the Word of Faith movement did not go far enough. Instead of limiting faith to merely believing for individual healing and health, the Word of God teaches that our faith should also transform whole cities and subdue kingdoms! (See Isaiah 61:4 and Hebrews 11:33.) The gospel is a blueprint to disciple and baptize whole people groups, not just individuals (Matt. 28:19-20). It not only deals with individual sinners but systemic evil. The Word of Faith movement, though, brings faith for individual victory but doesn’t say much about corporate victory. However, regarding the community of believers, faith is also based on the corporate culture and anointing of a congregation. (First Corinthians 11:27-32 and Hebrews 3-4 teach that whole congregations can be negatively affected by a culture of unbelief or disobedience.)

Lord Where Should my Footsteps Tread?

Psalm 17:5

Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

One of the biggest questions today, I believe, on the minds of those in the Church is “Am I walking the correct path to Jesus Christ (Yahshua) or have I gotten it wrong so long that I can’t see the correct path?” Proverbs 14:12 says “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Are you on the path to death? With the influx of so many different doctrines and belief systems, the average believer and would be believer will be hard pressed to find the real path to salvation.

In the Word we read in Isaiah 26:3 that “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” In Galatians 6:3 we find “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” The Word is very clear about this concerning out walk with Him. Further in 1 Corinthians 10:12-15 we find:

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

We know this yoke in our walk with God is easy, and the burden in our life walk we all share is light.

Matthew 11:29-30

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

However, we are constantly in the way of our walk. We either are bound by our emotional soul and flesh in conflict, or bound by a spiritual soul conflict. If we give our conflict to Him, He will teach us how to go through the conflict in our walk. So that next time you will go through it with a “well done my good and faithful servant.” You’ll say, “now Lord, I’m ready for the next test or trail.”

Psalm 37:23

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

This goes for women as well. In this world, our footsteps have got to be ordered by God through Jesus Christ (Yahshua Messiah) our Lord and Savior! In order to cope with the entanglement of this sinful and adulteress generation, your steps must be ordered. You can’t do this by yourself, but we are all to help one another.

Titus 3:8-9

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

In conclusion, a hunter when pursuing a bear, looks for its tracks. If the hunter comes across deer tracks, would he stop and begin to pursue the deer? Would the hunter so soon forget that he is a bear hunter? The goal is not to change who or what you are to suit the tracks, but continue on your path and look for the bear tracks. You will be lead to the completion of your initial plans.

The Roman Catholic Church and Other Christian Faith Based Systems Part 2

Continuing on from our series titled “The Roman Catholic Church and Other Christian Faith Based Systems,” we are going to observe 5 of the most popular Popes in the past and their less than spiritual attitude and action towards God and Christiandom.

1) Pope John XII

The 16-year-old John XII was accused of sleeping with his two sisters and inventing a catalog of disgusting new sins. Described by a church historian as “the very dregs,” he was killed at age 27 when the husband of one of his mistresses burst into his bedroom, discovered him in flagrante, and battered his skull in with a hammer.

2) Pope John XXIII

Thirty-seven of his own clergy members witnessed and professed against John XXIII on charges of; fornication, adultery, incest, sodomy, simony, theft, and murder. He also had a harem of mistresses in Boulogne numbering two-hundred consisting mostly, if not entirely of nuns.

3) Pope Innocent VIII

The Rule of Innocent VIII is remembered as the Golden Age of Bastards: He acknowledged eight illegitimate sons and was known to have many more, although he found time between love affairs to start up the Inquisition. On his death bed, he ordered a comely wet nurse to supply him with milk fresh from the breast.

4) Pope Alexander VI

The vicious Rodrigo Borgia, who took the name Alexander VI, presided over more orgies than masses, wrote Edward Gibbon. A career highlight was the 1501 “Joust of the Whores,” when 50 dancers were invited to slowly strip around the pope’s table. Alexander and his family gleefully threw chestnuts on the floor, forcing the women to grovel around their feet like swine; they then offered prizes of fine clothes and jewelry for the man who could fornicate with the most women.

5) Pope Julius II

Julius II is remembered for commissioning Michelangelo to paint the Sistene Chapel’s ceiling. He was also the first pope to contract “the French disease,” syphilis, from Rome’s male prostitutes. On Good Friday of 1508, he was unable to allow his foot to be kissed by the faithful as it was completely covered with syphilitic sores.

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You Have Eyes, but Yet You Can’t See

Time to Let Go and Let God Step In

Christian Faith Based Systems Part 3

Continuing from part two of our series…

Now we will move on to another faith based system: The Word of Faith Movement.

Lord Where Should my Footsteps Tread?

Psalm 17:5

Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

The Roman Catholic Church and Other Christian Faith Based Systems Part 2

Continuing on from our series titled “The Roman Catholic Church and Other Christian Faith Based Systems,” we are going to observe 5 of the most popular Popes in the past and their less than spiritual attitude and action towards God and Christiandom.

1) Pope John XII

2) Pope John XXIII

3) Pope Innocent VIII

4) Pope Alexander VI

5) Pope Julius II

For more information regarding these popes and other popes, refer to this article titled Vatican Hall of Shame.