F4S: November 2015

Sunday, November 29, 2015

"Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.." Galatians 5:16

http://kurtwvs.tumblr.com/post/134198831283

Fleshin'-out is ugly and leaves regrets. It doesn't represent well. Seen him, and sometimes the enemy be me.

Man!.. why do I sometimes act the way I do? 
O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death.——Paul, Romans 7:24
Just need to refocus on the living Word.. Christ ..cuz He has actually freed us from sin’s penalty. Yup, His Spirit frees us from self, from the power of sin, from Satan, and the old fleshly nature! 
Have failed.. have stumbled before. I tell my wife that she's a much better Christian than I am. I blow it, like when I get cut off on the road. I haven't given the anyone half a peace sign backwards as is often seen, but I have sure felt like it. It's not a daily thing, but it has happened. Bad-dumb attitude.. so been there. O wretched man that I am--I'm not supposed to be a hypocrite! But I have acted that way before. You know after the first time of turning away from sin to Christ, repentance really needs to be an ongoing posture with me... cuz I'm still under construction. Ain't done, just ain't there yet. I have a long ways to go. 
I am not proud to say, but I know that walking in the Spirit sure beats walking in the flesh! Wanna be ready daily.. and take preventative measures early so it's easier to do the former rather than the later. 
Why be all self-confident or cocky like a proud cock towards others.. that gets into one fight after other with individuals? We can fight the good fight of faith instead and win. 
How can you or I win over the circumstances of life, or even begin to win others if we can’t even get a grip on how to win over our old fleshly nature? 
You’ve undoubtedly heard how centuries ago, some Roman emperors all about inflicting the hideous punishment of binding the corpse of a murderee (the murder victim) to the back of the person who was convicted of doin’ that crime–it was on the murderer until it rotted on his back, and on into his flesh. 
The attacker now became physically attacked by the now dead attackee that he or she made that way (dead).. bringing a consequence to the sinner. It sends a message to all other would be attackers who would see this.. to leave innocent citizens alone and safe.     
Under penalty of death, no one was allowed to remove the dead body from the condemned person–the soon to be killed person. I know this sounds so gruesome and uber-macabre a practice, but it does call to mind the words of the apostle Paul. You remember what he said in the Bible–Romans 7 don’t you? It’s as if something dead were strapped to him and that accompanied him wherever he went. How does one deal with that old person, that death giving consequence? 

 Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Jesus can. And the people of Paul’s day knew what he was talking about. His illustration was so fitting. Yes, for new Christians of every era who didn’t want and don't ever want to be brought down into defeat by that old nature with them.
The flesh says do what you would do—
 Just be what you would be;
 But Christ says do what’s right and true
 If you would be like Me. —DJD  

Ain't nothin' good in yo flesh, or in mine. Nope nothin'.

Did you see “Creed”.. that Rocky 18 movie?
Not really sure how many Rocky movies there are now--several! But boxing oughta remind us of the ongoing fight we are in--the good fight of faith. 
There’s a point in there where the now older sage, Rocky Balboa, says to young Adonis, “See this guy here” pointing to his reflection in a mirror, “That’s the toughest opponent you’re ever going to have to face. I believe that is true in the ring and I think that’s true in life. Now show me something.”
That was a key line and those words reminds me and my Dallas friends here of what I.. yes, what we each as Christians, must deal with. That is until the day we arrive home with the Lord.
“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:1-4
It’s so easy for me to get unfaithful–so self-confident, depending upon my own flesh if ya will. I hate that.
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’ But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.” 14-15
What are the three enemies of every believer? 
1.) The old fleshly nature–that sinful nature inside that tells ya to do what it tells ya to do. It’s in opposition to the Holy Spirit at work inside of you by His anointing.
2.) This world system–all about this life here that opposes the Lord and the work of Christ.
3.) The devil, including all his fallen angel minions.
http://kurtwvs.tumblr.com/post/134197003673

Is there anything good in your fleshly nature? Nope. The Bible, Gods word clearly says so. The Bible says...
“For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that [it is] good. But now, [it is] no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but [how] to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will [to do], I do not do; but the evil I will not [to do], that I practice. Now if I do what I will not [to do], it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” Romans 7:14-20.
I’ve heard false teachers error by tellin’ me, “No Kurt, there is no fleshly nature in the Christian now. You just need to confess it better and receive your blessings.” 
Now it’s true that when we repent and are reborn..you know of the Spirit.. we each get a brand new nature inside us from Christ. Free of charge--don’t have to earn anything. And that’s why it’s way important for each of us to have the fear of God as we sow to the Spirit ......instead of sowing to the flesh. I mean choosing right.. to live disciplined and built up spiritually so that we can win over that black dog (old nature) inside us so to speak. Read your Bible daily, pray everyday, fellowship with growing Christians, avoid sin and all those places where you used to, and sharing your faith. No time for mixed sowing to the world or dead religion which is part of this world’s system etc.
And other people have told me, “O Kurt, our flesh is good not bad.” Well, to me it’s kinda like my car, and I am indeed grateful to God that He gave me this body to get around in down here. I love to explore places.. and one day soon I’ll have a brand new body, an updated 2.0 version, but I’m really talking about my old sinful nature here. Don’t wanna walk in the flesh but in the Spirit. Ain’t nothin’ good in my flesh, or in yours. See what God says about it…  

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.” ~ Paulv. 18

Think about it. Go do a study on this looking at these verses in their whole context. You know that people sin in three areas of temptation: 1.) The lusts of the flesh, 2.) The lusts of the eyes, and 3.) The pride of life. Go look at those in the Bible who sinned and see that each involved.
So, what is it that draws us toward God over and over again? It’s His grace. The Spirit gives this grace to the humble, not to the proud or rebellious. It’s by grace–that’s how we get saved aka born again, and how we daily walk in victory by the Spirit ..instead of walking in defeat according to the flesh.
Submission is so important with this as well. But submission to the right Person instead of to the wrong persons. We submit to Christ, and to delegated authorities over us (short of doing sins). Yes we appeal to them so we can to things the right way instead of spiritually compromise.

How can you or I expect to have peace and joy and love, or expect to influence others in the right direction if we are not strong in the Lord? 

We are to resist the devil and all his fallen-angel-buds that keep trying to tempt us. We deny ourselves. We run to the Cross so to speak–we mortify the works of the flesh and then receive newness of life. Resurrection life to not remain dead here. Submission brings order, not problems so let’s apply the word, pray the word, meditate upon the word, and daily speak the word when tempted. Jesus did that. Enjoy winnin’ in life this way--and winnin’ others to Him

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Easily addressed--such impossible problems. Fixed! He's done it before and Christ can do it again. Healing on all levels.

There’s too many so called faith-healers out there, but people still need Christ’s healing.
And during the holidays it’s a good time to take some time for people.. to pause, to listen, to focus, and simply pray for them regarding their needs. Just had someone over for lunch who brought one of those sports bottles for water. I thought, they must be trying to lose weight or somethin’. No, after asking.. I heard that the water was supposed to help against migraine headaches and I never knew this person suffered with those. Prayed!  
Basically.. all needs can be easily addressed by God when we go to Him first ..with those needs. Yes, such impossible problems.. fixed! Of course He might direct us to a doctor if it’s some kind of physical chemical imbalance or something like that. 
Been lookin’ at how Christ met needs back in the day. Yes, He’s done it before.. delights to!.. and the Lord can do it again for you. Been thinking about His healing ..on all levels. And you know He doesn’t always heal us physically down here pre-rapture n all. And He has good reasons for that cuz He knows best, but He will eventually do that.. if we just live for Him. Daily, we can trust the Lord to meet our needs. What happens with carnal Christians is that they start looking elsewhere.. like to this world first to meet their needs. Or looking half to the world to meed their needs and they cool off. Doesn’t need to happen like that. Many of us can start to depend upon ourselves too much–I’ve done that before.  
Me thinks it’ll all be good for believers that suffer.. sooner than we know. Been lookin’ lately at this old story about different types of healing too. 
There was this man in need, but he had some decent friends who cared. And when they couldn’t reach Jesus directly the normal way through the entrance.. because of the packed crowd, “they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.” Mark 2:1-4
Are you willing to help, or to get unconventional for others?

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” v. 2:5, and then came the words “Get up, take your mat and go home” v. 11. Done, over, past.. the start of a whole new life. I love it! you do too. Such an easy fix for Jesus. How cool was that! And Christ hasn’t changed–He’s the same yesterday, today and forever. What He’s cared about in the past He still cares about–people!

Forgiven and healed of his incurable condition! That’s how the man was after he met Jesus. But as friends of needy people, we too have the privilege of praying for them and bringin’ em to Jesus who can easily address any and all of their needs.

God cares about your needs today, and those of your friends around you. He’s indifferent to none of them. What, where, or which need do you have for the Lord to address today? Being forgiven is most important! What do your friends or enemies need? Have you prayed about it, for prayed for them? 
I say.. don’t forget to find a healthy Christian church that has a heart for need-meeting too. Refuse to listen to the false teachers–for sure, cuz there are some sound ones out there. Listen to the Lord’s word most and obey Him. You’ll be so glad you did. He can heal your headaches or whatever is whacked or hurts.  

“But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.” Malachi 4:2 
"Bless the Lord , O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:2-5  facebook.com/shareJesus

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." ~ Jesus in John 15:5

Beyond fallin’ there’s hope. Beyond a face-plant and failing, real life can still be found.

Been talkin’ with a guy who got so caught up in what he was doin’ that he crashed.

How caught up have you gotten? What’s been more important to you.. that dream, that job, that goal.. or the One who first inspired it all–the Fulfiller of dreams? Or.. do you have one that he did not inspire?

It’s good to make sure. Was it a so called dream.. from Him? And if it was…you know He’s still far better than that dream or blessing don’t you?

“Hey, your dream is out there and we’ll help you find it” said an investment company.

Why do so many Americans live for their dreams? In the Bible I don’t see people living for "their dream." I see people that had some wild dreams that shook em. Not every dream is from God or is good. Met people who go to classes weekly to learn to interpret their every dream thinking they're all from God. Stop that. That's just weird.. and not biblical. Me knows some are from spicy tacos.  

What happens when our dreams die, when they don’t align with God’s will for our lives? Might be gone forever, or might come back later after we get our priorities back in order.

“He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only.” ~ C.S. Lewis

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” ~ Isaiah 55:8


“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ~ Jesus


He who has God and many nice things.. say a new shiny car, a big house, a wonderful healthy marriage, an impacting ministry that’s sound.. doesn’t really have more than he who has God only.

Have God. Let God have all of you. God is enough–He is my all in all. Never let me down. Ask Him to meet your needs. He can see your heart, knows what you want, and sure… He is able to resurrect any dead dreams.

So live for Him not your dream–put your hope in Him alone. If you get too busy serving Jesus–working for that dream where you don’t have time for the dream-Giver.. then you’ve simply gotten too busy.

One sign that you’re in the right place with the Lord.. it bears fruit. Changed lives! He causes growth.

But even with that joy.. Christ is by far the best of it all still. He beats all ministry dreams, opportunities, other kinda dreams, and blessings.

happy thanksgiving to y'all!

http://kurtwvs.tumblr.com/post/133927851678/add-in-the-thanks-yeah-thanks-in-it-when-ya


Monday, November 23, 2015

It could someday arrive at your address, and what will you do?

Trouble, pain, difficulties, sorrow, or suffering.. in this fallen world some of it could actually arrive on your doorstep. Sure I hope none ever does. I want the best to instead, but sadly it probably will. And how will you respond?
You can get ready for it in advance, and if you’re wise you will. 
Paul says, “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Read Romans 8:18-29).
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Unlike what false teachers teach (even within some so called christian churches), believers also suffer. Did ya know that more Christians have been martyred in the last 35–50 years (thousands have been murdered–it’s not a skin issue, it’s a sin issue) than were killed in all the persecutions of early Rome. It’s true, see Voice of the Martyr publications. 
Some get mad at God knowing He is able to deliver them or their loved ones from suffering and He doesn’t always.   
“..our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”Daniel 3:17-18 
After being attacked ..and sadly many people have been.. a spiritual believer will turn to and get closer to God knowin’ that He is good. Yes, they will draw closer, but a carnal believer or a nonbeliever will turn against Him ..viewing Him as mean, untrustworthy, mean.. even though God didn’t do the attacking the hurting person will sadly distance themselves from the Lord. So sad. When hurting or blessed, move closer to the Lord. It’ll long-term go good on you. 
I’d say some ninety percent or so of people that go away from God do so because of what they feel is unanswered prayer. But Christians are called to suffer at times and Christians die–and they die differently. We get answer–a “no”, a “wait,’ or a “yes” from God–those are still answers and God does know best. His plan for you is good and His timing is flawless. 
What the false prophets are teaching out there on “prayer” unfortunately gives many people wrong expectations that lead to disillusionment, disappointments and some get really bitter and angry at God. God doesn’t kill em with a lightening bolt, but get’s the blame for what they charge, Chaa-Ching!, say an do. God is merciful and gives so many of us sinner.. time to repent (to turn to away from the wrong-doin’s to Him). Time to believe.
God can work it for good and He does. I think that whenever God allows one person to get the big “C”.. Cancer, He pretty much allows a Christian to get Cancer too so that the world can see the difference in how they suffer or die, and Christians do suffer differently. They die differently–God gives grace for it. We can still thank Him for the good things He’s given even while suffering. The later wouldn’t even be here at all if man hadn’t sinned here, so it ain’t God’s fault. Never has been.    
I heard one grateful believer say, “Cancer can focus the mind–it clarifies your values. You can sorta see the glories of heaven and the presence of God in new ways. Can seem to see better.” 
God cares, but He calls His people to suffer at times. Not sure of all the reasons why. Did you know that the Good News and biblical Christianity would have never have spread if God didn’t allow His people to hurt. 
The Church historian named Ciprian said that, “Christianity would have never encompassed and conquered North Africa if it were not for the plagues.”God allowed the plagues and then brought blessing there. And the reason that Christians die differently than the pagans die.. was made evident. The pagans said, “It’s as if they carry their dead in triumph. Where are you getting all this hope from? We want what you have. this faith always leads to ultimate triumph.”
Remember how John the Baptizer had some doubts near the end.. and was disappointed. He was put in prison and then lost his head. God gave him grace to get through it. What a great no-compromise guy. All his friends mourned a lot, but then they had a new resolve inside to live all-out for the Lord that John lived for. And God can give you His strong grace as well. 
There’s a triumph with unanswered prayer–when you seem to get a no or a wait answer from God yet keep getting closer to Him just the same. Eternity is real long and there are only two places to end up in.  
What kind of outlook and attitude should we believers exhibit when there’s pain or when other things suddenly go south ..as they sometimes do? (Read more...)

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Do ya Google for knowledge?

The world's wisdom.. lacking answers.. deals with the horizontal, but we want to live well vertically, gain viable answers, and then live better on the horizontal.

You can Google spell check and for knowledge, yes, click and at times land some knowledge, but the best kind of wisdom comes from above. #AskGod4It

Knowledge enables one to take things apart that don't or use to work, but wisdom enables you to put things together or back together ..so that they work well.

The world lacking answers has its own but with the best wisdom, you can lead a family, properly raise children, succeed well in biz and manage money.

"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." #James3/13-18

"For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you." #2cor1/12

The wildest and often considered the 'most dangerous' colt on a ranch can become the best horse.. but not minus one wise cowboy working with the colt. kurtwvs.tumblr.com

What kind of attitude should we believers have ..when things suddenly go south as they sometimes do?

Keep a light touch regarding the blessings, your personally property, and the fishing tools etc... that you have. So much I have ain't really mine. Much here.. is on loan for me to enjoy and use to glorify the Lord. We are blessed to enjoy, to thank God for.. and to become a blessing with.  

Give thanks in all circumstances, believer, cuz God will work it for good. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude.. yes, having a light grasp on stuff--it's better on all involved. Remember that Romans 8 is still in the Book. Go prayerfully meditate in and upon the whole chapter and book. 

Why get overly hung-up on anything down here. I've received far more good ..so many good things than I actually deserve, and I really don't need super long depression-sessions to bog me down on my way home. Too many friends around me are still lost. Seriously, they need to hear the Gospel.  

God molds each of us by allowing certain circumstances into our lives. Not all are fun. I submit to Him so that He might work in and through me.. His eternal purposes. I thank You, God, in all ..not for all the disappointments and losses that I have experienced.

Paul says, "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17).

God's work in your life may be shocking, disillusioning, upsetting or painful right now, but He's aiming at the eternal goal. He wants to perfect and bring you into a more abundant glorious entrance into His kingdom.

Maybe He has to deprive you now of something that you've demanded or wanted.. or feel is so very imperative.. radically important to you. But He opts to  overlook your request, your temporary ease and blessings for your eternal interest and blessing. He wants us all to develop godly character and trust Him-ward.

He has such wonderful things prepared, and He's trying to lead us toward them. If only we would learn to flow with the Spirit and be thankful in all things, because we belong to God. If we live this way we'll never be disappointed.

Accepting God's will for your life is kinda like that little boy who carefully worked hard and built a model sailing ship he delighted in. 

He O so carefully glued into place all the masts, riggings, and sails. Really got into it! After months of labor he took it down to the pond and gently laid it on the water.

Then proudly, he watched as constant the winds filled the sails and the little boat sailed gracefully across the pond.

But then.. midway across that l'il lake a strong gust of wind came down..wooosch!.. and blew it over. Totally knocked the sailboat upside down ..and then it sank before his tear filled eyes.

The little boy felt so bad for a moment... then looked up, popped up to his feet, and said, "Wow!" And as he quickly ran over the grassy slope towards his father, he yelled, "What a great wind for flying a kite!"

A video posted by Kurt von Schleicher (@kurtwvs) on

A death of a so called vision sometimes precedes another living vision aka goal.. yes, and a resurrected vision beats a dead one. Cuz it show the world a God who can do that. Ever have something fall through or die before your eyes? Don't forget to look up.

When God stops you on one venture, be open to what He may have in mind. Don't sit down and cry non-stop being depressed for life. He's still in control.

He has something else for you to do. Look up, pray, and look for it! For Him and His plan.

God often has to deal with us kind of severely sometimes.. in ways unexpected, because we're grasping on too tight, or made a good thing an idol.. not being open, or hearing, or even listening to Him. Ever made one of His blessing to you.. into an idol? Many have before.

We easily get into boring ruts with our self-ordered lives and never stop to inquire or look for what God wants us to do or have.

"I'm at a good job, getting seniority, and doing fine. This is terrific!" One day you go to work and the foreman says, "Here's your termination notice." Now it's, "Lord! What are You doing to me? This is terrible!" But God has a better job for you, and you weren't even looking for it. Now you are! God couldn't bring you to the better position until He upset the old conditions. Now you're suddenly open and listening to what God has to say to you. 

The Father delights in giving good things to His children, just as an earthly father loves to give some wonderful gifts to his child.

That boy got over it.. he was out flying his kite with joy. And the kite was so high up that it had disappeared out of sight into the clouds. He knew he was right where he needed to be. Fulfilled too.

A man came by and asked, "What are you doing, son, holding on to that string?" The boy answered, "My boat sadly sank but I've now got a kite up there. Can't think of anything better."

The man looked up and said, "I don't see it." The boy replied, "Well, I know it's there because I can feel the tug." #IcanFeelTheTug  facebook.com/shareJesus