Don't Slip

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

– Hebrews 2:1

Here in the past few months, I have noticed something very serious, has been happening throughout the Body of Christ. We have let the things which we have heard (the message of faith and righteousness) to slip through the cracks.

I'm not just observing those believers who have been so choked out by religion that they've never heard about the power that's theirs through Jesus. Not at all... I'm talking about those of us who have heard the Word and have even experienced the thrill of living by faith.

In my own life, for example, there were times when I've prayed for healing. I'd say all the right words, "Thank You God, I know what your Word says.... I believe it, I receive it..." and all that. (Yah, you know the drill)... But on the inside, I'd be thinking, "I wonder if God even cares about healing me?" (I'm just being honest..)

You see, even though I would say I believed I was healed, I hadn't really, really believed it. I would question the promises of God, believing what my mind or intellect told me, instead of believing the Word of God.

I don't care how long you've been a believer or how long you've been exercising the principles of faith. You can easily slip into unbelief in trusting in the promises of God. And, when you begin to do that, it could cost you dearly.

"But if slipping into unbelief is so easy,"  "how can we avoid it?"

I am so glad you asked.... You so Smart!!! (hahaha)

Hebrews 4:11 tells us: "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief."

We must labor!! (and before you tune me out, hear me out...)

Not by working with our hands and feet.... struggling to do something just right so we can get God to do something... (I'm not condoning works!!) 

When I say labor, I mean by spending time in God's Word--hanging onto the promises of God by faith day after day. We must labor by... holding on to the Word of God and refusing to let it slip.

Don't get casual about getting into the Word. Don't make the grave mistake of thinking, "Oh I know all that faith stuff. I know how to receive my healing." 

Don't slack off and give the devil any opportunity to catch you off guard and thump on you!!

Instead, dig more deeply in the Word than ever before. Labor!! Be diligent to keep your faith from slipping--and you won't have to fall!!

Have a wonderful Week!!! I pray blessings over you!!

Burk

No I Won't Back Down

And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And He (GOD) said, Certainly I will be with thee.

– Exodus 3:11-12

Has there ever been a time when the Holy Spirit inspired a dream, a remarkable dream, a dream of doing something really, really BIG for Jesus? A dream of leading thousands of people to the Lord? A dream that could create an invention that millions would be touched and influenced for the Kingdom of God?

Whether you want to admit it or not, you probably have, but perhaps you backed away from it. Maybe you thought, "What in the wor-, I couldn't do that. What am I thinkin' ??" Satan's kept me beat down for so long, I could never do that, I have a poor self-image."

If that sounds like you, I have good news for you. (Everyone likes good news)

If you'll believe God, and take Him at His word, even a poor self-image won't keep you from being a success. Look in the book of Exodus... you see a man who proves my point. 

His name was Moses.

Moses didn't have a very good self-image. He'd made HUGE mistake early in his career/ministry. It was thiese mistakes that drove him into the wilderness and kept him there for 40 years herding somebody else's sheep. (SHEEP?)

He'd once dreamed of being a deliverer of God's people, but because of mistakes and a low self-image.... not any more. As far as he was concerned, he was done, finished...and he was a failure...a flop!!!

But God had big plans for little Moses. In fact, when God came to Moses in the wilderness, He didn't ask for Moses' credentials. He didn't mention his shady history. He didn't point out all his flaws. He just told him to go see Pharaoh and tell him to let God's people go.

Moses, couldn't grasp that, he was still wrestling with his poor self-image, and having an Old Fashioned Pity-Par-tay!!!. "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?" he stammered.

You know what God said in response? He just said, "Certainly, I will be with thee."

You see, it didn't matter who Moses was. What side of the tracks he came from. What social Class he represented. What mattered was that the living God was with him. 

The same thing is true for you today. You don't need a history of successes behind you to answer the call of God. You don't need a string of spiritual credentials. All you need is the presence of the Lord. That one-on-one relationship with God, Himself.

Think about that when the devil tells you you're a failure, when he says you'll never be able to do what God has put in your heart to do. Because of everything that you have flubbed up over the years!! Put that Stinkin' Devil in his place. Tell him it doesn't matter who you are because the living God is with you. and Greater is He that is in you...( you should know this verse...)

Then dare to follow your dream!! Press on!! Press In... and let God guide you to your destiny!!

Have a Great Week!! Blessings!!

Burk

RUB OFF ON YOU!!!

For those whom He foreknew--of whom He was aware and loved beforehand--He also destined from the beginning...to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness].

– Romans 8:29

As a Christian, you are destined to be molded into the image of Jesus, to allow your Spirit to grow until you look just like Him. That process began the moment you got saved. Your inside were changed instantly. But let me tell you," How successful you are in allowing this change to progress to the outer man is completely up to you." We grow up spiritually just like we grow up physically.

I get asked this question alot..."What can I do to speed this growing up spiritually process along?

This is my answer, plain and simple....

Spend more time pursuing the things of the Spirit than you spend pursuing the things of the flesh.

OOOOHHHH!!! Whatchu Talkin' 'Bout Coach Burk? I mean, become dedicated to the Word of God and building a relationship with Him. Be willing to pull aside from the busy things of life to get alone with Him, so He can guide you, teach you, and rub off on you.

Have you ever noticed that if you spend time around people who have strong personalities, you will automatically be affected by them? (i.e. My Wife... Kian haha) You'll find yourself doing the things they do. Their mannerisms will rub off on you. You can't help it. They just influence you, especially if they are people you respect and admire. (i.e. My wife Kian..hahaha)

I had to add that last part to get me out of the Dog House!! haha

The same thing is true in your relationship with God. If you spend enough time with Him, eventually He's going to rub off on you!! Straight up!! His ways will become your ways. The things that He's concerned with, you find yourself concerned with....The things He loves and enjoys, become things you love to enjoy!!

So make yourself available to Him by praying in the Spirit, worshiping and loving Him. Hang around His Word and the people who love His Word and watch it begin to "RUB OFF ON YOU!!!".

Before you know it, you'll begin to notice yourself changing. You'll find your character becoming more like His. You'll begin to think like He does and talk like He does and even act like He does. His image will begin to transform who you are!! So, let God RUB OFF ON YOU!!!

Have a wonderful week, and see you next week!!!

Burk