How To Solve The Problems!

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19,20 NIV

Is there anyone in agreement about what we want God to do, really?

We talk a good game about how to solve problems–if this group of people would just do this and this group would just do that, we’d solve the problems. What problems are we solving when we can’t even agree as to how to solve them?

Can we solve world hungry, bigotry, unrest, poverty by talking about it? Can we push uneducated people into getting an education without their agreement? Can families create peace and harmony without agreement (and compromise)? If agreement is needed for in-home stability and peace, why don’t we understand that agreement is also needed to have peace in the land?

So, let’s agree with one another (without adding any “buts”) and if we have to, grab a third to see God work in solving problems:

Let’s agree to stop committing acts of sin–all of them–and just obey God.

Let’s agree to repent–turning away from all people and situations that would tempt us to sin.

Let’s agree to seek God’s wisdom in all we say and do.

Let’s agree to love everyone–unconditionally–and stop paying attention to differences and spend more time in embracing the one thing we all have in common–we’re human beings–in need of love and a Savior.

Let’s agree to not carry gossip and stop it in its tracks when confronted with it.

Let’s agree to deliberately look for the good in all we meet instead of complaining about others.

Let’s agree to help others overcome poverty and illiteracy by any means we have accessible to us.

Let’s agree to be the examples of the Living Word so all may know who we serve and how much He loves us.

Let’s agree to be people of integrity and provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Let’s agree not to harbor any ill-will against anyone.

Let’s agree to disagree with others when compromise is not possible, agreeably–without anger or animosity reigning in the midst.

And finally, let’s agree to allow God to reign in our hearts, our homes, and communities as we pray for the nations so there will be peace in the land.

Problems solved! Our God reigns!

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Having Authority!

“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (Luke 10:19 NIV)

The missionary report from the seventy-two who went out and proclaimed the Good News and healed those who were sick was good, but the Jesus reminded them–they rejoiced over the wrong thing, the submission of the demons to them at the name of Jesus. This they did when Jesus was with them. Now, as a cautionary note, Jesus went on to tell them, rejoice in the fact that their names were written in the book of life–not just in having authority over demons, while He was with them.

They had authority to trample on snakes–unaware of their existence, not by tempting the devil with foolishness--and not be harmed. He gave them authority–to overcome anything the enemy attempted to do them and promised them, nothing would harm them–this He did while He was with them.

Before He left to return to His place in heaven, he told the twelve (notice the reduction in numbers who operated with power), that greater works we would do–after He left, than they did while He was with them.

One of the reasons the Church of Jesus Christ is weakened and often thwarted by the enemy is because we think–the power is in the numbers. The power is not in how many people attend the building, but the power and authority is in the faith of the Believer–individually. Now, where two or three–faith-filled people gather, there is nothing they cannot accomplish when they do all in His name.

The power and authority we have is activated by our agreement with another faith-filled believer and being on one accord with Holy Spirit for the results. When we practice what we say we believe, we see the results of having power through Holy Spirit and know we cannot go wrong when we allow Him to lead.

If we want change in our society, change in our schools, change in our homes and change in our governments, we must practice the authority we have in Jesus’ name by coming into agreement with other Believers, guided by Holy Spirit, and then sit back and watch Him work it out–for our good!

Before we can actively, consciously do anything in order to operate in His authority, we must Know The Word, Pray The Word, and Preach The Word, in season and out, whether people want to hear it or not (Paul’s instructions to Timothy work for us today) and do all we do to the glory of God! That’s Having authority!

Division!

“He knew their thoughts, so he said, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart.” (Luke 11:17 NLT)

Who knew? Jesus knew what those around Him were thinking and He addressed their thoughts. Division results in failure, unity results in success and forward moving.

When there is division in a family and people take sides-one against another–there are bound to be hurt feelings and frustrations that lead to actions some–never forgive or forget.

When there is division in society–one group against another–there are bound to be problems that create gaps so wide they may never be closed.

Where there is division in churches–the deacons against the pastor–or the congregants against the deacons–however the division is made–only chaos and confusion will be the end result, causing fracturing and unforgiveness in the minds of some.

So what happens when there is division in the Body of Christ? More chaos and confusion, widening gaps that negate a desire to understand differing points of view, more refusal to forgive–those things that actually have nothing to do with being a Believer, but more about form and fashion (religiosity).

Division–disagreements that lead to not focusing on what is necessary–leads to a malfunctioning entity–no matter what it is–at home, in society, in churches, and especially in the Body of Christ. We are admonished to come together–in unity–to address the ills of our society and communities–willing to hear one another and find common ground by which problems can be resolved and no one has to be angry over the results–when we allow Holy Spirit to lead us.

A divided house will fall, just as a divided church will not succeed or a divided nation! If we want to see success–in every area of the lives of people, we must unite in Truth and allow Holy Spirit to have His way in our lives so we can live in peace and harmony, united by Love!

Power of Agreement!

“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. ” (Matthew 18:19,20)

There is power in agreement–power to get all things done–between people of like-minds and beliefs, whose faith is immovable and focused on Him who provides everything we need. If there is doubt in your mind, please stop reading at this point. In order for faith to truly work–doubt must have no place in prayer or belief that we will receive all for which we are praying.

Today, I’m sending out a clarion call for all Believers to stand in agreement–unifying our faith–to see change in the earth’s atmosphere for the benefit of all mankind. I’m standing in agreement with others in prayer for:

Healing of joint pains–alleviated and gone.

Healing of every type of cancer that attacks any part of the body–dissolved and gone.

Healing of blinded eyes–sight restored.

Healing of malfunctioning limbs–completely restored and functioning as intended.

Healing from all diseases that debilitate–eradicated and gone.

Peace in all nations where Believers have trod–established and affirmed.

Love overflowing hearts of all who read and agree–received and shared.

Restoration of families–they are whole and functioning as God intended.

Repentance in the heart of every person who has opposed themselves to God–forgiven and restored.

Desire for wisdom from above–received and acknowledged.

Desire to please God more than man–received and relationship reconnected.

Provision of all needs met–physical, spiritual, and economical–delivered and received.

Doubts about God removed once and for all–Faith in Him renewed.

Vision for every church leader, family leader, community leader, nation leader for the benefit of all mankind–received and implemented.

While reading this prayer list of concerns, if you are willing to stand in agreement with it, please comment–“I’m standing in agreement” and we will see the mighty hand of God accomplish all we have asked.

I’m thanking God for all He is doing in our lives and will do because of our obedience to intercede on behalf of others and know that with our faith, united in agreement, He will do it.

Father, we are standing on Your Word today and expect to see the fruits of prayers, aligned with Your Word, visible and known to all who stand in agreement with our requests and the results, in Jesus’ name, I thank You for Your response.

Mature Agreement!

“Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.” (Philippians 3:15 NLT)

In Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, Paul implores the people to think about the things he was sharing with them and understanding that some would not agree, encouraged them to see God in the areas in which they would disagree. He understood that those who were spiritually mature–already saturated with Holy Spirit understanding would immediately recognize what He was saying–aligned with God’s Plan.

With all of the interpretations and translations of the Bible and denominational doctrines that man is creating, who can be classified as the “spiritually mature”? Do we handle disagreement by allowing Holy Spirit to lead us or do we simply disconnect with other Believers and create yet another doctrine and then attempt to make people believe we’re the only ones who are right?

Like Paul, I cannot claim to have achieved all wisdom pertaining to God or perfection, but I do seek Him daily for understanding of His Word and for direction of my life here on earth. If I am not willing to live according to His Plan, then my living is in vain and will not accomplish all that He has planned for me, right now–to benefit others in bringing them into better understanding of who He is.

No, I’m not perfect–I manage to screw something up at least once a day and when I do–I’m quick to own it and go back to Him when I know I did not hear Him clearly. When people disagree with me or I disagree with them, I research an issue–whatever it is and then “send the link to them” to support my position or theirs. When I’m wrong–I’m wrong. When they’re wrong–it’s really no big deal. This is how we handle disagreement as spiritually mature believers. And if we cannot find the information needed, we simply agree to disagree. No need to disconnect the relationship because of disagreement.

But there are those who Paul describes in the next few verses and I’m sure we’ve all met some of them. The people who whose “conduct” demonstrates their lack of understanding and because of their lack of understanding, their fleshly desires have become their god and they do whatever they want to do and then attempt to get those who know to do the right to convert to doing their “right thing” still claiming to be a follower of Christ. Paul says they are headed for destruction. Do we see people–proclaiming to be followers of Christ–headed for destruction today?

Whether we believe all that is said in the Bible really does not matter in the end. His Word is true in spite of our belief or unbelief and He does not need our approval or permission to accomplish all He has planned. Those who have been faithful to God’s Word shall reap their reward and those who have not–will reap their reward. We cannot make people believe what God has said nor can we make them live according to His Word. We can–live our lives according to God’s Word in front of them–demonstrating His love and mercy towards all. After that–what they choose to believe will determine their fate, not ours.

Now would be a good time for a bit of deep introspection–one of those moments when we should examine ourselves rather than inspecting others. Are we spiritually mature or are we still infants–throwing tantrums when others do not agree with us?

Lord, help us to see us as we truly are and if there is anything in us that is not of You, remove it and replace with wisdom and understanding and greater love for all humanity.

Covenant and Commandments

“The Lord–our God–is God and keeps covenant with them who love Him and has mercy upon them who keep His commandments to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9 paraphrased).

Keeping covenant–keeping His Word or His promises toward us.  The amazing thing about keeping covenant is a covenant is between two–not one.  So in order for God to keep covenant with us, we must be in agreement to the terms established.  There’s a lot to be said about keeping covenants, but this is not the place to dwell on the various contracts–covenants–that mere human beings often break.  There is one area that we flawed beings should be able to keep the terms–loving Him and keeping His commandment of love towards others.

Jesus said, the greatest commandments are these–Love the Lord with all your heart soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself.  We need to keep these commandments to a thousand generations and if we do, we will have peace in the land. How do we know?

If we love God we can be assured of His hearing our prayers and answering them, providing for us and making ways out of no way to make sure all His promises towards us are kept.

If we love our neighbor (all those around us) as we love self, there would be no need for wars, domestic violence, crimes against one another or  humanity.

This is so simple–in fact–maybe it is the simplicity that keeps us from honoring these two commandments.  Maybe we complicate things to the point where we make it difficult to keep these two very simple commandments.

Stay in His Word and remember His covenant towards us.  Keep His commandments and watch the world around us change for the better!

Learn to love–self, God, and others!