EXCERPTS FROM CONVERSATIONS WITH THE KING

"Because the Holy Spirit is a teacher, He will correct us and teach us all things. He chastens us always with a purpose of setting us on a righteous course. Case in point, His word purposes to encourage and build up His people. When we speak on our own and out of our flesh our words have the opposite effect of God’s word. Our words become void and are discerned by the spiritually alert that empty utterances have gone forth. In addition, there is no spiritual fruit to evidence that what we have said or done is truly of the Lord. However, when we speak under the direction of the Holy Spirit, our words are really God’s words. They minister, heal, encourage, correct, and whatever else He deems essential for the listening ear. We see scripture come alive in such moments.”

GIVE GOD ALL OF THE GLORY

“Prior to our outward show of holiness, there is an inner transformation that must occur; the renewing of our mind. It is what goes on within us that brings us to the point of wholeness with God. It is not the fashioning of the exterior; it is the constructing of the interior. So, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Any child of God can live holy. It is a matter of choice. Will we choose to think in conformance with the world or in the transformation given by God?”

I THINK THEREFORE I AM

“There are times when we should evaluate ourselves; question our agenda. Do we remember offenses to validate evil or promote righteousness? In our choice of remembering, are we seeking supporters to rally around our selfish cause? Do we fear the challenges of progression? Do we enjoy images of personal vengeance? When we truly forgive, recollections of personal offenses are not granted authority to thwart God’s plan for our spiritual development. Surrender of our pain and anger to the Lord disables the intentions of Satan.”

FORGIVENESS IS NOT AN OPTION

“Time alone with God forces us to see ourselves truthfully. The Lord will show us aspects of ourselves that represent self-centeredness and other vices that are not in His will for us. The flesh detests the truth so be prepared to fight; to wrestle with yourself. An uprising of the flesh will work vigorously to thwart God’s will for us. Do not yield to its’ maneuvers. Yield instead to the absolute control of the Holy Spirit. Regardless of how sensible it seems to do things suggested by the mind or an intelligent friend, hold on to what God has spoken into your spirit. And when it becomes necessary, talk to yourself. Encourage yourself in the Lord. Know when to admonish your moods, emotions, desires, and thoughts in Jesus’ name.”

SHUT IN FOR A GLORIOUS PURPOSE

“Our minds, hearts, and bodies belong to Him rather than the circumstance. Little wonder people are unaware of our vyings. Whether God chooses to place us with our burden on display or confine it to a small group of confidants, many will marvel and stand in awe as they witness what God does to, through, and for us. Like an outfit tailored just for us, sufferance can bring out our best. The cross that we bear is personally designed. Through Christ we are able to wear affliction well whether others are able to discern that we are indeed struggling or not. Because our God is the God who preserves and restores, we do not have to look like we have gone through ten years of famine. But if God decides to take our physical health, the Holy Spirit has a way of altering our minds to the likeness of Christ Jesus. We must confront raging storms in life, yet Christ desires that we emulate Him completely in the process.”

YOU WEAR IT WELL

“Whether the report of the adversary contains some truth or is totally fabricated, the Holy Spirit is ever ready to remind us of who we really are. As new creatures in Christ we are responsible for living up to God’s standards and His alone. If it is not settled in our spirits that we are sinners saved by the grace of God, then we are prime targets for those who dare to use unsettled and old issues as weapons against us. Confronting and challenging ourselves can be discomforting and a real eye opening experience. An honest evaluation will show us that we are not all that we or others think we are because of sin. But there is someone who deals with sin thoroughly. One of His specialties is image building, an unfulfilled promise of many seminars and workshops.”

WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?

“Forms of godliness and play-acting are of the flesh; therefore, they can not maintain the appearance of holiness. The divine ability to be godly endures regardless of circumstances but forms of godliness eventually reveal one’s true intentions. Herein God is glorified through His Word as He instructs us to resist haste in the laying on of hands, I Timothy 5:22. Knowing a child of God from an imposter is difficult unless the Spirit of God usurps control in the believer’s life. It is the Spirit of God who reveals the things of the Spirit.”

MAKE A BELIEVER OUT OF ME

“Wilderness and desert experiences on the other hand appear bleak and bare, but actually are full of God’s knowledge and wisdom. Regardless of what we see and do not see, God is working on our behalf. Such an experience is not devoid of His presence and power. Unlike spiritual barrenness, spiritual reproduction occurs in the wilderness and desert experiences. Yes, there is life in the wilderness and desert. Animals and people have learned to survive in such harsh regions for thousands of years because God has made a way for them to live, “I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, “Isaiah 43:1b. We are comforted by His oases; fertile green spots in dry situations. He utilizes and leads us in these episodes of life to draw us closer to Him and to spiritually empower us.”

LIFE FOR THE LIVING DEAD

“We do not have the ability to change others. Subsequently, neither do we possess the supernatural ability to convert a wicked heart to one that is unbound and undefiled. Divine change in an individual emerges when the human heart willingly responds to the call of Christ.”

CHANGED BY THE UNCHANGEABLE GOD

“Distractions arise which intend to prevent God’s business from prospering. It is during these times that we should look to the only one who handled diversions well. He remained focused on His Father’s business throughout His entire life. Set up after set up, He directed His actions and thoughts to the present and future pursuits of Kingdom building. Our Savior knew that in modeling servitude; minding the business of God, He was teaching us how to prepare for eternity…Nothing ought to be given the authority to divert our purpose and discourage our calling in Christ. Like a business, we should be buying and selling, making use of the gifts and talents that God has given to each of us.”

MIND YOUR BUSINESS

“Blood may be thicker than water, but obedience to Christ is profitable, for in it is true strength and eternal security. Families must know that God is first, not the institution. We are gifts to one another; therefore, we should work to create environments that are conducive for each others’ spiritual, emotional, intellectual, social and physical development.”

CONTAMINATED BLOOD

“Incidentally, maintaining some things are not always comfortable and pleasurable. If we were to ask some supermodels, who many people cannot imagine exercising, we would find that in order for them to remain the same dress size some form of physical workout is incorporated in their life style. Whether the routine consist of stomach crunches, leg lifts, cycling, body sculpting, aerobics, running, swimming, or stair stepping, such physical exercises can be grueling when done for extended periods of time. Yet, the results to the body can be phenomenal. Similarly, Christians must exercise faith in God. Effort has to be directed towards developing and preserving our spiritual endowments which are given to glorify God and edify His church.”

POWER THAT PLEASES

“Christians must openly acknowledge the benefits given to us by our Heavenly Creator and declare how His truths impact our lives. In doing so, we give Him all of the glory and praise. To give tribute to our Savior and Lord in this manner is an expression of our love, adoration, acceptance and obedience to the only One deserving of the highest praise. This kind of praise is reserved for none other, but the One who has made impossibilities possible, kept some events from befalling us, yet allowed some events to transpire that they would assist in character building. He has motivated us to accomplish multiple and superior tasks, given us peace in the midst of turbulence, instilled patience when anxiety demanded authority over us, and implanted divine visions to combat hopelessness and insecurity.”

I’VE GOT TO TELL IT