The GhostWriter

Sermon Excerpt #2 CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR IMAGE?

The Ghostwriter — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:56:05 GMT

Heb 1:3

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

KJV

Concerned about your image?

Many of us are insecure about our appearance. We feel like we are too fat, too skinny, too feminine, too masculine, too this or too that. Politicians pay big money to have consultants and focus groups refine their image. Are they being too conservative or being too liberal? How is their image affected by this issue or that issue?

The Church is not immune from image issues. Where is the line on this issue or that issue? Are we being too legalistic or are we being too loose with Godly standards? How will this action be viewed? How will Church folks view us? How will the world view us?

As the advertising world says, “Image is everything”!

In the Scripture above though, the word “image” is used in a different way. Jesus Christ is referred to as the EXPRESS IMAGE of God. In other words, Jesus is God in HIGH DEFINITION. What does this mean?

God is so infinite, so large and so expansive that we could never fully grasp him while in these bodies. However God gave us an example of everything that we NEED TO KNOW. He gave us an example of everything we need to be. God provided an image that we could all follow in these bodies. God knows His Creation. He knows that we are visual, so He supplied an IMAGE before our spiritual eyes. He provided an image that we can see thru Scripture and one another.

From the outside, Jesus looked like everyone else. For this reason Judas had to kiss him in order to reveal to the authorities who within the crowd was the Christ. There was nothing special about his external.

Jesus was a special image for what He was on the inside.

Jesus was a special image for what He did and for why He did it.

Image is everything…… especially the image of Christ!!!

Sermon Excerpt #1 of TAX TIME preached by Pastor Tony Ares

The Ghostwriter — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:31:35 GMT

Luke 20

20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:

22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?

24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.

25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

This scripture is routinely used for justification for the separation of church and state, justification for taxes and also routinely used as justification for worldly Christians focusing on the world instead of the Lord.

The Lord asked me to bring you a question today:

What image do you bare?

In the text, Jesus says that whatever image is placed upon an object should be rendered unto the owner.

What image resonates from your soul?

In Genesis 1:26-27, we are made in the image and likeness of God. In Genesis 3 however that image is tarnished by the willful actions of Adam. Like Adam, our image is tarnished and reshaped into the image of the world thru our decisions and indecisions. Decisions of rebellion and sin echo throughout humanity.

Thru Christ we have the opportunity to reshape our image into that of God. We reshape our image into one that reflects Christ with our decisions to love, serve, give, pray, suffer, sacrifice and most of all obey, on a day to day basis. Remember, according to Jesus, the image that you bare will determine who you are given to(or rendered to) in the last day.

What image do you bare?

Bible Study Notes From Pastor Tony Ares

The Ghostwriter — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:31:44 GMT

Isa 32:18

18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;

KJV
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One day I waited on the phone for 30 minutes with the Help Desk, only for them to ask, "Have you rebooted?"

What’s sad is that I had to be told that more than once. When things got busy, I forgot.

A simple reboot fixed my problem.

How many times does God have to remind us that when life gets hectic….we need a reboot?

We don’t need a new drug, a new spouse, a new location, new parts or anything….we just need to start again, fresh with what we already have been given.

We need to shut down our excessive programs and start afresh.

Remembering this occasion, it made me research why reboots are necessary and what happens with a reboot:

Sometimes a reboot is necessary because we have too many programs running at the same time. We have opened too many and then there are others open that were a result of system defaults. In the human mind, we have things we consciously focus on and then there are things in the background of our minds that are still running, taking up spiritual RAM.

A reboot shuts all of this down and has the computer restart from anew. By using the TASK Manager you can shut down excessive programs and ensure that your memory is strong enough to work on your most important tasks. Sadly though sometimes a more thorough reboot is needed. This is true when you have a virus. What many people don’t want to admit to anyone is that they attained a virus by allowing something into their hard drive that was evil like pornography. Sometimes you need to reboot your computer to “factory settings”, where all memory and work is erased. You set the computer back to the settings of the MAKER.

When a computer reboots it goes quiet…no emails…no fan blowing…no heat…no programs…just for a moment or longer….quiet…stillness…..

(Scriptures regarding quietness and stillness)

Matt 6:6

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

KJV

Ps 23:2-3

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

What are we spiritually reminded of when we are rebooted back to our factory settings without all those programs going at once:

REST

Heb 4:9-11

9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.

LOVE

1 John 4:16-18

16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear

Protection

Zech 2:1-5

2 Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man with a measuring line in his hand. 2 So I said, "Where are you going?" And he said to me, "To measure Jerusalem, to see how wide it is and how long it is." 3 And behold, the angel who was speaking with me was going out, and another angel was coming out to meet him, 4 and said to him, "Run, speak to that young man, saying, ' Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls because of the multitude of men and cattle within it. 5 'For I,' declares the Lord, 'will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.'"

With the hectic natures of your days….don’t forget to reboot!!!!

James 1:23-25

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

KJV

Sermon Notes January 29 Minister Tom Harrell

The Ghostwriter — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:34:22 GMT

Overview: Romans Chapter 15:1-3

3 QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:

Who should restrict themselves?

How do we restrict ourselves?

Why should we restrict ourselves?

Romans 15:1-3

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not toplease ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

Romans 15:1WHO SHOULD NOT RESTRICT THEMSELVES

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

KEY WORDS OR PHRASES

•

“We that are strong” – Paul is referring to the believers in Christ that are strongly rooted in the Word of God which includes himself. He is addressing the Roman church

•

“Ought”– means under obligation or ought to/should

•

“to bear” – to carry, to uphold, to sustain/to take up

•

“infirmities” – scruples(a failing or defect in a person’s moral character) that arises through weakness of faith-) Ex: doubt, fear, unbelief, disobedience, complacency, stubbornness and rebellion

•

“The weak” – believers weak in the faith according to Rom. 14:1 and Gal. 6:2

•

“to please” – satisfying one’s own self interest / endeavoring to please yourself

Application:

•

Paul counts himself among the strong, yet he gladly placed restrictions on his conduct for the sake of his witness

•

example of sitting at the bar

Ref:1st Corinthians 9:19-27

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I ammade all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

HOW DO WE BEGIN TO BEAR THE INFIRMITIES (WEAKNESSES) OF OTHERS?

Romans 15:2 Explains the first step

Romans 15:2 - WE HOW DO WE NOT RESTRICT OURSELVES

Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification

KEY WORDS OR PHRASES

•

“Everyone”- no one excluded

•

“Please” – render service or to accommodate oneself to the opinions desires and interests of others

•

“Neighbor” – any other person regardless of race or religion with whom we live or whom we have a chance meeting

•

Edification – Literally “being built” or “building up” by promoting another’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, wisdom, happiness and holiness

Application:

•

WE HAVE TO CHANGE OUR SELFFISH MINDSET- “I’m saved and safe – oh well for You”

•

How can I out love my brother?-Pastor Smith

•

Paul is telling the Church they must have a mindset of complete spiritual service toward their brothers in the faith. In doing so, the others will grow from being weak in the faith to continuously growing (being built up) in their faith.

•

Ref :

•

1st Cor. 9:22 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

•

1st Cor. 10:24 and 33

•

1st Corinthians 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’swealth

•

1st Corinthians 10:33 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. –KEY POINT

Romans 15:3WHY SHOULD WE SHOULD NOT RESTRICT OURSELVES

For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me

KEY WORDS OR PHRASES

•

“it is written” – those things written in the sacred Old Testament which were not to be forgotten. Written in order to give directions on instructions

•

“The reproaches” – Insults or defamation / Christ suffered for, for the cause of God, from his enemies

•

“fell” - Cast upon or placed upon

Application:

•

By pointing to the example of Christ and quoting from Ps. 69:9, Paul answers the question of Why should I restrict myself?

Ref:Ps. 69:9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me

•

Because Christ so passionately in love with God, He willingly bore the insults of those that insulted God(His Father) to the point of death

Mat. 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt

Phil 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God alsohas highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

MODERN DAY APPLICATION: CONCLUSION

The strong brother is morally obligated to take the initiative and bear with the weak brother in those things that bother him. The stronger brother must forego hisliberty for the good of the weaker, so he is not offended or impaired in his spiritual life. The best example is Christ, who too our sins upon Himself. (Thomas Nelson, 1988)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer-sacrificed his personal freedom

Chirst sacrificed his life for everyone

Bleed Out

The Ghostwriter — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 01:21:33 GMT

Written by Jon Acuff remixed by Tony Ares.

I met a man that worked at a slaughter house. He shared how he killed animals. He said, "I like to bleed them out slowly! If they die a sudden death then it is difficult to remove all the blood. If you cut an artery though, the heart will pump out the blood. It's more painful for the animal but it is much cleaner for the butcher."

I began to realize...that is what the devil wants to do to us. He doesn't want a sudden fall or death. He wants us to slowly die to this world. He wants a slow kill. If your dying slowly...you don't have to give up your idols. When you hit rock bottom though, you learn to trust in the ROCK of God, Jesus Christ!

We all have a decision to make. Do we want to bleed out slowly over 70 years? Or do we want to really die suddenly...so that we can really live?

We need to get busy dying...so we can get busy living!

(The original version is posted on the link below. It is much longer and rambles a bit[sorry Jon]
http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/09/3710/#comments )

Sent from my iPad

Eddie Long

The Ghostwriter — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 22:48:08 GMT

On several websites and blogs, I have been encouraging people to wait and withhold judgment regarding Eddie Long. I have reminded people that the accusers broke into the Pastor's Office and stole an IPAD which would explain the pictures. (Many of us have pictures in our cameras, IPODS, and IPADS that we pray that NO ONE ever sees.)

Thank GOD it wasn't for anything sexual but I too have had people lie on me. When folks in a congregation don't get the money or support that they expect...they can get VICIOUS! (Ironically..the same people who give NOTHING, expect a lot when they get in trouble.)

So I was waiting for his Sunday Message with bated breathe. I was expecting one of two scenarios:

A.) I did it. I am wrong. I am seeking help. I am stepping down for a few years to reform my character. (We all fall down.)

Or

B.) I did not do this! I never engaged in any sexual behavior with those kids! I am innocent!

Here is what I didn't expect. I didn't expect a half tail explanation filled with ambiguous statements and the puzzling self-evident, "I am not a perfect man"! I didn't expect him to hide behind his attorneys.

Greater than his legal responsibility, the Bishop has a responsibility to his congregation and the Body of Christ. If he did it, he should MAN UP and take responsibility! If he didn't do it, he adamantly and clearly should stand up for the truth!!!

As a mature person in Christ, I KNOW that Pastors aren't perfect. Worshiping men is for babies. Everyone is struggling with something and before it's over, Jesus will expose us all!

As a Pastor once told me, "If you fall privately, confess privately, if you fall publicly, then you owe it to the Body to confess PUBLICLY!"

To come out half stepping is unfair to the congregation. The congregations applause to ambiguous statements demonstrates an unhealthy church. We are a nation in need of responsibility and accountability.

If the Body of Christ, does not function with responsibility and accountability...then where will the world find it?

Sent from my iPad

A UFC moment

The Ghostwriter — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 23:57:00 GMT

Once upon a time there was much debate about which Martial Art was the best. Then suddenly....there was a Martial Arts Apocalypse. A mixed martial arts tournament was held appropriately named, the Ultimate Fighting Championships(UFC). A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert named Royce Gracie dominated other styles, including boxing, shoot-fighting, karate, judo and tae kwon do.

Due to his dominance, today all MMA fighters need SOME training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in order to survive. The centuries old question was answered, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became the dominant martial art. As a result....boxing is no longer even relevant. For the first time, the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion was/is no longer regarded as the baddest man in the universe. (The current world heavyweight boxing champion...probably wouldn't last five minutes with most Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experts.)

Why do I share this? Sometimes all "styles" aren't equal. Sometimes we all can't be right. Sometimes the concept of "your truth" or "my truth" gets washed away into the reality of “THE TRUTH”. Out of political correctness and fairness, we all deep down want to believe that ALL RELIGIONS are equal. We sometimes want to believe that God just explained things to different groups in different ways and we all are going to heaven because after all...our different styles or religions have to all be equal….right?

    I wonder how it felt. I wonder how it felt to study a martial art for your entire life and then to have an expert in your “style” totally emasculated in front of the world over and over and over again throughout the nineties. How would it feel to study a style your whole life, only to discover that the style was indeed inferior to another martial art?
     For many, the martial arts are serious issues. Where you spend Eternity is much more serious though. In a post modernistic America, we have been trained that we are all correct, we just have different perspectives. I point out the Martial Arts Apocalypse for a reason. Sometimes life has nothing to do with different perspectives. Sometimes RIGHT IS RIGHT and WRONG IS WRONG. Sometimes there is no gray area. Sometimes one person is correct and ten people just THINK they are right. It will be hard to swallow for some, but one day all of the ideologies, traditions, opinions, religions and opinions will be exposed.
     In the Spirit, there is but one “art” which stands apart from the rest. This Earth will one day experience a much broader Apocalypse where many “styles” or “faiths” will be exposed. As magnificent as he is, Royce Gracie’s dominance will pale in comparison with the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ.

Which style are you following?

Will your style be exposed?

Are you following the right SENSEI?

Romans 14:11

      “ As I live, says the LORD,
      Every knee shall bow to Me,
      And every tongue shall confess to God.”

Devotional on pain or fear

The Ghostwriter — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:19:13 GMT

2 Timothy Chapter 1 verse 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but ofpower, and of love, and of a sound mind.
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I recently endured a physical pain that was greater than the pain when I broke my leg. It literally had me laying on the bed scared to move again, because I didn't want that pain to come back. The pain was so bad that I laid very still for the next two days.

This explains a lot to me about life. This world is filled with people who have been hurt.

Some physically, some mentally and some spiritually but many have discovered INCREDIBLE pain.

The question is after that pain will you be paralyzed by fear of that pain coming back?

How long will you lay on your bed of affliction, scared to move again, scared to try something new again or scared to love again?

God didn't give you the fear. Faith is pushing past the pain. Pain is a factor of life and so is healing and resurrection.

Don't let fear or pain box you in, keep on pushing!

Sent from my iPad

Great Video From A Former Atheist Report Lee Stroebel

The Ghostwriter — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:52:00 GMT

Friday Devotional: Flatliners

The Ghostwriter — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:37:00 GMT

1 Corinthians 15:31
31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
KJV

2 Corinthians 4:10-12
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
KJV
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Have you ever wondered why Jesus promised the abundant life yet you still suffer and struggle?

We are supposed to be New Creatures in Christ, yet the old man remains.

The old Tony or Kim or whoever still lives. He or she is struggling to survive. They want to live with all of their selfishness and sin.

The Apostle Paul talks about "walking circumspectly". In some translations that means "walking in a straightline". Walking straight is a metaphor for walking righteous.

Ironically our walk in our New Life is never perfectly straight until the Old Life flatlines.

Who is living within you?

Thursday Devotional: Jesus the Programmer

The Ghostwriter — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:23:00 GMT

Ephesians 3:8-11

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

KJV

Have you ever noticed that most computer systems have “bugs” or “errors” in them? Often times this is because the programmers do not account for human failure. Many times, they design programs with the thought that everyone will understand computers and software the way that they do. They do not account for the free will, lack of maturity and lack of understanding of the every day user. Henceforth the program does not endure or accomplish what it was designed to do.

Thankfully OUR GOD is a greater programmer than any man!!!!

When He created the universe, He knew that He would give us free will. He knew that with that free will, we were going to hurt ourselves, our families and our environment. Knowing that, He planned for our human failure. He put several “triggers” within the programming system of the universe. The most significant “trigger” is the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.

So don’t worry about the “errors” in your life, Jesus has planned for your human failure. Just reboot in Christ and remember that “Jesus SAVES”.

Wednesday Devotional: Sacrifice

The Ghostwriter — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:41:00 GMT

Exodus 12:1-6

12 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,

2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.

3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.

5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

KJV

Romans 12:1-2

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

KJV

In the Old Testament, God required sacrifices to make the people think about the consequences of sin. The sacrifice was costly. With a scarcity of resources an unblemished lamb was costly. This was ordained to synchronize the soul. The sacrifice brought awareness to the spirit about the depravity of sin and the need for God, specifically a savior.

In the New Testament, what does God require? God requires a sacrifice of the Spirit. He already died for our sins. He is the sin sacrifice. He still requires a sacrifice from us though. It’s no longer for our sins, it’s in appreciation of His grace and mercy. What do we give now? How much do we give? Answer: We give our lives and we give in remembrance of the unblemished lamb. We give until it hurts and then some.

Tuesday Devotional: Steeples and Peoples

The Ghostwriter — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:15:00 GMT

Matthew 16:15-18

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.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

KJV

CHURCH/ekklesia (ek-klay-see'-ah); from a compound of NT:1537 and a derivative of NT:2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):

When Jesus used the word “church”, he wasn’t talking about a building. The word in the original language meant, “congregation”. It’s amazing that today that word has been twisted to mean “building”.

It’s always been about the people…and not the steeple.
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"Why build these buildings glorious, when man unbuilded goes, in vain we build the world unless the builder also grows." - Markham

Baby Lungs

The Ghostwriter — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:51:00 GMT

2 Corinthians 4:17

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

KJV

Have you ever heard the saying, “Let the baby cry, it develops their lungs”? Well, actually that’s not true. There is no scientific evidence that crying develops a babies lungs. Actually that can cause despondency in a child. This is especially true for the first three months.

It is believed that this “old wives tale” developed because in the olden days there was manual labor that needed to be accomplished. Some mothers were constantly nursing and attending to their babies. For the sake of the tribe, they needed to put their babies down and get something done.

Most old wives tales have a glimmer of truth though. After the first three months, as the child develops, slowly but surely a parent must wean the child and prepare them for the rigors of life. While it won’t develop the lungs per say, consistent “spoiling” will delay or impede their spiritual, social and physical development.

This is also why God does not immediately answer all our prayers in the affirmative. It’s important for us to not remain “babies” in understanding. We should remain childlike in our disposition but not our understanding. Part of adulthood is understanding that everything is not about us. We don’t or shouldn’t eat every time we are slightly hungry. It’s alright if we are a little cold or a little warm. God will not hug us the second we get a little uncomfortable.

God has a plan to develop us all and to lead us to adulthood. His decisions of whether to bless us are not based upon our “feelings” or “cries”. They are based upon what’s best. So the next time you cry out to God, remember He hears your cries. He will pick you up and comfort you. He will feed you. He will CHANGE you. He will anoint you with oil. (and baby lotion) He will do all of this…when the time is right. He is preparing you for an ABUNDANT LIFE.

Disclaimer: I thought about posting the references for the "child development" portions of this devotional. I know that some mom will email me arguing about the details of child rearing. Please don't allow the analogy to shake you off the greater spiritual truth.

Psalms 22:3-5

3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

KJV

Psalms 27:7

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

KJV

Psalms 40:1-4

40 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

KJV

Romans 5:3-4

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

KJV

Romans 8:28

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

KJV