So Let Us Walk

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Born in 1839 (when the average lifespan was 40 years), Edward Payson Weston in his prime would walk 50 to 100 miles a day. In 1861, he walked 453 miles to Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration (Boston to Washington DC) in 10 days and 10 hours. Forty nine years later, he walked across America in 88 days, averaging 41 miles per day…at age 71. In his mid-eighties, Weston was still walking 25 miles per day. He died in 1929 at age 90 after being struck by a New York City taxi.

Walking can get serious. For example, do you practice pronation or supination? How efficiently do you swing your arms? Do you walk 20-30 minutes after ingesting caffeine into your system? Do you know the most effective times to walk, the optimum seasons, altitudes, temperatures, barometer readings, inclines, walking surfaces, distances, paces, eating and sleeping habits, medicinal intakes, lunar cycles, weights, shoes, clothing, breathing rhythms, and styles of walking? Companies publish periodicals called “Walking Magazine” and “Rambler”. People actually write books on walking.

The Long Road Turns to Joy : A Guide to Walking Meditation

Walking: The Ultimate Exercise For Optimum Health

Running and Walking for Women Over 40 : The Road to Sanity and Vanity

Websites cover a myriad of surprising subjects for walkers, like “How To Walk.” Organizations like “Shape Up America” attract many members. You can even hire walking coaches, for the love of Pete. But, don’t disparage serious walkers. Whenever you need advice you don’t go to the novices, you go to the experts. Lots of people talk the walk. We need those who walk the talk

Ten Lifestyle Traits Found in Healthy Aging People

• Physically active lifestyle
• Sense of humor
• Smart frugal eating
• Sense of spirituality
• Ability to cope with loss
• Positive attitude
• Affinity for lifelong learning
• Humanitarian spirit
• Strong social networking
• Good sleep, rest, relaxation habits

Walking is the essence of Christianity. After all the excitement of the new birth, after all the power of the supernatural, after all the revelations of the Word of God, everything settles down to a walk.

Walking is what you do every day in order to take care of the necessities of life.

Walking in Christ is what you do every day in order to maintain a relationship with God.

Walking is more than

• Speaking in tongues
• Dancing in the aisles
• Preaching, teaching, leading

Walking in Christ is… 

• …what you do when you get up tomorrow morning.
• …quietly deciding how you will spend your time tomorrow evening.
• …committing your life to God all day long tomorrow, and the next day…
• …your vocation.
• …your interaction among others in your world.
• …going to heaven one day at a time.

The New Testament instructs us how to walk in Christ.

Walk after the Spirit.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Also vs. 4)

• Walking after the Spirit means paying attention to the leading of the Holy Ghost.
• It means being lead by the Spirit of God.
• It means modeling your life after the Spirit of God.

Walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

• Walking in the Spirit means consciously listening to God’s commands.
• It means relying on the Spirit of God for your strength and ability to overcome.
• Some things that will never stop bothering us…they are lusts of the flesh.
• Our only answer is to replace or crowd out the flesh with spiritual pursuits.

Walk in good works.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

• Helping people; giving sacrificially; loving justice and righteousness.
• Some people do evil works; others do selfish works, others do no works.
• Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
• 2 Timothy 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

Walk in love.

Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

• Let’s think about what it means to walk in love.
• The way we talk to each other; the way we talk about each other.
• The way we treat each other; the way we treat the church.
• 1 Thess 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

Walk circumspectly.

Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Peripheral vision is a part of vision that occurs outside the very center of gaze. Peripheral vision is weak in humans, especially at distinguishing color and shape. This is because the density of receptor cells on the retina is greatest at the center and lowest at the edges. Peripheral vision is good at detecting motion, however, and is relatively strong at night or in the dark, when the lack of color cues and lighting makes cone cells far less useful. This makes it useful for avoiding predators, who tend to hunt at night and may attack suddenly from ambush. Peripheral vision loss may occur due to a number of ocular or neurological diseases or disorders such as glaucoma, stroke, etc.

The opposite of peripheral vision is tunnel vision. Spiritual tunnel vision makes people vulnerable to attack, pitfalls and boundaries.

Walk in wisdom.

Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Be mindful of how your actions affect the world around you.

Walk worthy of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Do not permit yourself to sink to low and shameful activities.

Walk in the light.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Walking in the light means avoiding darkness.

Walk in truth.

3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

You are responsible for the truth you have.

‘Fat Man Walking’ completes cross-country trek

Tuesday, May 9, 2006; Posted: 9:34 p.m. EDT (01:34 GMT)

Steve Vaught poses on the George Washington Bridge near the end of his cross-country trek.

• thefatmanwalking.com

NEW YORK (AP) — Steve Vaught didn’t count each mile he walked or weigh himself every day along the way. And as he completed the final leg of his trek across America , he said making it to New York City from California on foot was only part of his story.

“I’m glad that I’m here, but for me it’s never been about the destination,” he said as he crossed the George Washington Bridge from New Jersey to Manhattan more than a year after he began the trip to lose weight and find happiness. “It’s been about the journey.”

Vaught, 40, began the roughly 3,000-mile trek from his Oceanside, California, home to Manhattan on April 10, 2005, when he was 410 pounds and suffering from severe depression after he accidentally killed two elderly pedestrians while driving 15 years ago.

He ended the journey Tuesday about 100 pounds lighter. Along the way, Vaught slept in tents and motels and went through 15 pairs of shoes, more than 30 pairs of socks and six backpacks. But he didn’t travel with a pedometer or measure the food he ate, and he said he aimed to change his behavior — not just his weight.

“This is not about obsessing about numbers, or times, or dates, or miles,” he said. “It’s just about going on a walk and sort of having time to get things straight.”

Vaught chronicled his progress on a Web site, thefatmanwalking.com, which lists the names of dozens of supporters in 26 U.S. states. His trip attracted the attention of documentary filmmakers and national television, and he plans to write a book about his experiences.

As Vaught began walking the span from New Jersey to Manhattan on Tuesday evening with a flock of cameras and reporters, a passing bicyclist yelled, “Hey, that’s the walking dude! Congratulations! Good job!”

Nicoline Biggio, who went to see him complete his journey, said her husband has been following Vaught’s progress but was missing the finale because he was out of town.

“I think it’s great that he’s finished his goal,” Biggio said. “So few of us actually keep them.”

Vaught posed for photographs on the bridge with the New York City skyline in the background and standing in front of the “Welcome to New York, the Empire State” sign. Once he reached the other side — his final destination — he spoke to reporters for a few minutes on the street before being picked up by a black sedan that was to take him to a hotel.

His first plan, he said, to “put on some new socks.”

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Is That the Bible, Or Is That Just Me?

Have you ever had someone project his or her own opinion onto you? Maybe, in his opinion, he thought you were lazy and treated you accordingly. You might have lost a job or a promotion because of someone’s prejudicial views projected onto you.

Projection as a defense mechanism.

Psychology: Psychological projection is the phenomenon whereby one projects one’s own thoughts, motivations, desires, feelings, and so on onto someone else (usually another person, but psychological projection onto animals, parents, children, neighbors, other drivers, political figures, racial groups, states and countries, also occurs).

According to the theories of Sigmund Freud, psychological projection is a psychological defense mechanism whereby one “projects” one’s own undesirable thoughts, motivations, desires, feelings, and so on onto someone else (usually another person, but psychological projection onto animals and inanimate objects also occurs). The principle of projection is well-established in psychology.

An illustration would be those who feel dislike for another person, but whose unconscious mind does not allow them to become aware of this negative emotion. Instead of admitting to themselves that they feel dislike for someone, they project their dislike onto him, so that the individual’s conscious thought is not “I don’t like Bob,” but “Bob doesn’t seem to like me or I do not like that certain behavior that Bob does.”

Business: In business, psychological projection occurs when a person is operating in a social setting and unconsciously overlays some internal phenomenon on an external situation or person. The person then reacts to the internal overlay instead of to the external reality. To an outsider or to one on whom the projection has been overlayed, the person’s actions and responses seem inappropriate to the real situation.

Human Discourse: We project our opinions of a person’s or group’s motives, beliefs, ideals and legitimacy onto them, whether or not it accurately represents the facts. This leads to stereotyping, prejudice and other unfair assessments. Ultimately, it provides the root causes of civil strife, violence and war.

Psychological projection in matters of faith.

In the operation of belief systems, people tend to project their feelings, biases, hopes and opinions onto the circumstances surrounding them. These projections may be very deeply held ideas that they were taught from childhood. They may be simple coping mechanisms they have invented to deal with their reality. Many of these ideas have been handed down from previous generations as truisms. Here are some familiar ones:

• God helps those who help themselves.
  
• Cleanliness is next to godliness.
  
• Don’t be so heavenly minded that you’re no earthly good.

In terms of heaven and the afterlife, we have widespread sentiments that are based on emotion rather than scripture:

• All God requires is that you do your best.
• Just be a good person and you’ll go to heaven.
• Mom is up there looking down on us right now.

For a believer, the Bible is our final authority about everything.

• Faith and Practice: Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
• Salvation: James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
• The Word of God: John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Heaven:

Much of what people project onto the ideal of heaven comes from pure imagination. Heaven has been seen as the ultimate place of indulgence, the realization of every dream, every pleasure, every delight, every longing of mankind.

• OT:8064 shamayim (shaw-mah’-yim); dual of an unused singular shameh (shaw-meh’); from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve):
• OT:1534 galgal (gal-gal’); by reduplication from OT:1556; a wheel; by analogy, a whirlwind; also dust (as whirled):
• OT:7834 shachaq (shakh’-ak); from OT:7833; a powder (as beaten small): by analogy, a thin vapor; by extension, the firmament:
• NT:3772 ouranos (oo-ran-os’); perhaps from the same as NT:3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specifically, the Gospel (Christianity):
• NT:3772 ouranos (oo-ran-os’); perhaps from the same as NT:3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specifically, the Gospel (Christianity):

1. As used in a physical sense, heaven is the expanse over the earth (Gen 1:8). The tower of Babel reached upward to heaven (Gen 11:4). God is the possessor of heaven (Gen 14:19). Heaven is the location of the stars (Gen 1:14; 26:4) as well as the source of dew (Gen 27:28).

2. Heaven is also the dwelling place of God (Gen 28:17; Rev 12:7-8). It is the source of the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:2,10). Because of the work of Christ on the Cross, heaven is, in part, present with believers on earth as they obey God’s commands (John 14:2,23).

3. The word heaven is also used as a substitute for the name of God (Luke 15:18,21; John 3:27). The kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are often spoken of interchangeably (Matt 4:17; Mark 1:15).

4. At the end of time a new heaven will be created to surround the new earth. This new heaven will be the place of God’s perfect presence (Isa 65:17; 66:22; Rev 21:1). Then there will be a literal fulfillment of heaven on earth.

Where are those who died in Christ? Are they up and walking around? Are they meeting with people? Do they know what is happening on earth?

• Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Who will go to heaven?

• John 3:3-5  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again ^a , he cannot see the kingdom of God. ⁴ Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? ⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ^[1]
• Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Who will not go to heaven?

• 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, ¹⁰ Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Hell

We project unfounded ideas onto the place the Bible calls hell. We see it as less than heaven, but somewhat survivable; a place to shovel coal with our buddies, a place where the devil is boss; a place where our worst experiences recur daily; a place where we get stuck with the world’s most annoying people; the underworld inhabited by departed souls, etc. Sometimes we say that hell is not the place for the eternally dammed, but certain things that happen to us in this life, or certain realities we deal with in life (job, marriage, hometown, family, etc.).

Revelation 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Judgment

Here are some popular ways we project our opinions onto eternal judgment:

• God grades on the curve.
• We will be surprised whom God admits into heaven and whom he casts into hell.
• When you die, that’s it. You cease to exist.
• Nothing really matters except what you do on this earth.
• The idea of judgment is only a tool other people try to use to control you.
• If you live up to your own expectations in life, you will be fine.
• Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow, ye die.

But, the Bible has much to say about judgment. Actually, the bible speaks of seven different judgments:

1. The judgment of sin at the cross.
2. The judgment of every believer by the word throughout his life.
3. The judgment seat of Christ.
4. The judgment of the angels.
5. The judgment of the nation of Israel.
6. The judgment of the nations of the world.
7. The great white throne judgment.

Psalm 9:8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

Matthew 10:15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Loving God

We tend to project the very best of intentions onto people, especially those whom we love or admire. We sometimes take almost anything they do as proof that deep in their hearts, they really do love God. If we don’t like a person, we dismiss almost anything they do as insincere or as an attempt to manipulate God.

• He means well.
• She’s really trying hard.
• Yes, but look at all the good things he does.
• Well, nobody’s perfect.

But, what do the scriptures say? 

• Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
• John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
• 1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

Other inaccurate projections:

• God gives credit for any kind of faith.
• God does not hear a sinner’s prayer.
• Church attendance has no effect on one’s salvation.
• Any giving or offerings is the same as paying tithes.
• Church life and home life are two different things.
• Baptism is an outward sign of an inward faith.
• God fills people with the Holy Ghost at baptism.

We have no other authority than the Word of God.

Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

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Milemarkers on the Road to Christ

    The life of Simon Peter serves as a perfect pattern for the growing disciple. His humanness, his radical swings from passion to pride, from revelation to ignorance shows us how tough it is to follow Jesus. Every experience enhances our revelation of Christ.

1. His natural leadership qualities.

Matt 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

2. His brashness in climbing out of the boat.

Matt 14:27-29 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

3. His fear in sinking beneath the waves.

Matt 14:30-31 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

4. His revelation of Jesus as the Son of God.

Matt 14:32-33 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

5. His further revelation of Jesus as the Christ.

Matt 16:13-17 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

6. His denseness in understanding the mission of Christ.

Matt 16:21-23 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

7. His pride at the Mount of Transfiguration.

Matt 17:1-4 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

8. His resistance to Jesus in washing his feet.

John 13:6-8 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

9. His total abandonment to whatever Jesus said.

John 13:9-10 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

10. His impulsive actions.

John 18:10-11 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

11. His denial of Christ.

John 18:17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.

John 18:26-27 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? 27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

12. His restored fellowship with Christ.

John 21:7-12 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. 8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. 9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, and hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

13. His declaration of love for Christ.

John 21:15-17 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

14. His overstepping of authority.

John 21:20-22 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

15. His prominence in the upper room.

Acts 1:12-13 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

16. His recognized leadership.

Acts 1:15-16 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) 16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

17. His anointed preaching.

Acts 2:14-16 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

18. His instructions for salvation.

Acts 2:37-39 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

God Is Able

Daniel 3:17 “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.”

Daniel 6:20 “And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?”

• Everything in life is based on ability to perform.
• Never pick a fight you know you can’t win.
• Never invest more money than you can afford to lose.
• Never jump without a parachute.
• Never get in too deep.
• Never make a bargain with the devil.
• But God never worries about safe scenarios.

Think about Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego.

• God never whispered to them, “You’re pushing it just a little too far.”
• God never said to Daniel, “Cats? Maybe. Lions? I don’t know!”
• Regardless of the situation, God never lacks the ability to work his will.
• When we find something we can’t do, we work at it until we find a way.
• In the last decade or two, society has focused much attention upon disability.
• Building codes, employment laws and civil rights have addressed the problem.
• We have tried to make the disabled among us able to do as much as possible.
• Many of these changes have been good, and the disabled are grateful.

Man is not able.

• The fact is, however, that all of us are disabled when judged on God’s scale.
• We can only go so high, so low, so fast and so far as our inventions will take us.
• We wrestle with doubts, fears, hurts and tragedies.
• We have limited intellect, limited influence, limited power and limited life.
• We jump when we don’t know how we will land.
• We buy what we can’t purchase.
• We want what we can’t have, and reach for the untouchable.
• Someone has said that our reach always exceeds our grasp.
• Some today are awash in their own misery.
• Some are stretched thin, beaten down, hanging on by their fingernails…
• Some are tying the last knot in a knotted rope.
• Some are ready for the world to come crashing down.
• Some come to church hoping, hoping, hoping to hear something that will help.
• We are not always sure that God is willing, but we always know that he is able.
• We often have doubts about ourselves, but we know that God is able.
• Satan many times puts obstacles in the way, but we know that God is able.

I am preaching about a God who IS ABLE!

God is able to keep his promises.

Romans 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

God is able to help you through your temptations.

Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. (ASV)

God is able to save any living person completely.

Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

(Read list of salvation feats of God.)

God is able to keep you saved.

2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

God is able to do whatever needs to be done!

Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

God does not ask you to believe in yourself. He asks to trust in God’s ability!

Matthew 9:28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

Be Ye Filled With the Spirit

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.”  I John 5:4-8 KJV

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:18-19

I. What does “filled” with the Holy Ghost mean?

A. Several terms used in the Bible:

1. Received Acts 2:38; 8:27; 10:47

2. Poured out 10:45

3. baptized 1:5; 11:16

4. given 11:17

5. came on 19:6

6. filled 2:4; 4:18; 6:3

B. The specific meaning of “filled” is the Greek word (4137) pleroo (play-ro’-o);

from 4134; to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.:

KJV— accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.

C. There are two apparent aspects of the Holy Ghost.

1. Receive it for salvation.

2. Be filled with it for power and sustained relationship to God.

II. Every believer ought to receive the Holy Ghost and stay filled with it.

A. Can the Holy Ghost “leak out”?

1. The Spirit can be grieved and quenched.

2. Yielding to the flesh can defeat the spirit.

3. A person can expell the Holy Ghost from his life.

4. O. T. warnings:

a. “My spirit shall not always strive with man.”

b. “Take not thy Holy Spirit from me.”

B. Does God want us to be continually filled with the Spirit or just once in a while?

1. Ephesians 5:18

2. Proverbs 27:7 “The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.” When you are full of the Holy Ghost, you’re not hungry for anything else.

3. Samson lost the power of God in his life, but didn’t realize it.

C. Is it necessary to speak in tongues to be re-filled with the Holy Ghost?

1. Why wouldn’t one want to speak in tongues?

2. Tongues is our “prayer language”

3. Jude 1:17-20 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

D. The keys to living a Spirit-filled life.

1. Think right.

a. John 8:31; 15:7; 15:10

b. God’s will is revealed in His Word.

c. God’s Word is a cleansing agent.

(1) Ephesians 5:25-26;

(2) John 15:3; (Clean through the Word)

(3) Psalm 119:9 (Wherewithal shall a young man…)

2. Pray right.

a. Prayer is a vital communion with God. Matt. 6:6.

b. Prayer is partnership in God’s work. Rom. 15:30

3. Walk right.

a. James 1:22-24

b. John 16:13