The Pfeifers

May 2008 - What is your Jordan?

First Peter 2:9 says we are a royal priesthood. When Jesus went to the cross we were grafted in at the level of a King/Priest. I went to Joshua 3 and studied what the priests has to do to get into their promised land.
All of us have obstacles in our lives that seem as impossible to get through as the Jordan River. It was flood season when Joshua told priests thay had to carry the Ark of the Covenant into that raging river. They were human beings and I am sure they were as scared as you or I would have been. If we can understand what the priest did to get through the mighty Jordan then I guarantee you can get through your Jordan. Maybe worry, panic attacks, fear, depression,, financial trouble, a bad marriage, time management issues, prioriteis etc. are the obstacles you can't seem to get through. The first thing we need to do is identify the obstancles in our lives. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that it was the Jordan standing in the way of God's people and their promised freedom. In verse 3 of Joshua chapter 3 we find the priest carrying the ark of the covenant. God's presence resided in the ark of the covenant. Therefore the priests were commanded to carry God's presence into the Jordan. When we have obstacles we are trying to get through we need to stay in God's presence. If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, His presence is in us but that doesn't mean we are in His presence. Hebrews 4:15-16 instructs us to come into the throne room boldly to find help when we need it. Obviously in our flesh we go in and out of the presence of God but our spirits are sealed. (Ephesians 4:30). How do we stay in the presence of God? By praying, staying in His word and having a constant awareness of Him. Another thing the priests had to do was sanctify themselves. The Hebrew word for sanctify in Joshua 3:5 means "to be clean" When we are fighting through obstacles we need to clean up our lives. Joshua 7:10-13 talks about the accursed things. We can't be victorious over the enemy of our soul if our lives are full of accuresed things. Accursed things can be vices or attitudes. Get rid of negative thinking, anger, jealousy, envy and all such things. Vices could be alcohol, drugs, maybe wanting attention or approval. We will never get to our promised freedom as long as we hold on to accursed things. The priests also had to trust God and believe He was in control. They had to be obedient and take that first step into a flooded river. When they took that first step the Bible tells us that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away. The priests then walked into the middle of the Jordan and stood firm on dry ground. There again, because the priests were people just like you and me I am sure they were very uneasy wondering whether or not the water would come back as quickly as it had disappeared. Finally, the priest had to be determined! Even though they may have been afraid they stood firm in the middle of their obstacle. The water was piled up in a heap about 19 miles upstream, so the priests would not have been able to see what was going on that far away. Never the less, they remained steadfast, trusting God. God was doing a great thing even though they could not see it with their physical eyes. In our lives when we are fighting through obstacles we need to trust and believe that God is dong a great thing even we if we can't see it at the time. As the priests stood firm, the people crossed. When we can be consistent and stand firm in the middle of hard times we will lead others into their promised freedom.

April 2008 - Get Control Of Your Mouth

I am going to talk about the "mouth" in this article and I would say our greatest challenge in life is getting control of our mouth. The Bible says in Matthew 12:34 "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. If we are going to gain control of our mouths, we will have to investigate what is in our hearts. The Greek word for heart in this passaage is kardia which is defined as; the physical organ of the body, the center of physical life, the seat of one's personal life, both physical and spiritual, the seat of one's desires, joy, pain, and love. The center for thought, understanding, and will. The human heart is the dwelling place of the Lord and the Holy Spirit. WOW ! That takes in almost every aspect of who we are. I would say it is imperative for us to discover what our hearts are full of. In order for us to examine our hearts (so we can get control of our mouths) I think we have to ask ourselves some hard questions with honest answers. Number one -- Do I talk about myself or others in a negative way? If we speak words about ourselves (apart from confessing weakness or sin) we make God a liar and His Word of no effect. I realize that is a very strong statement but it is the truth. Here is an example; "I am such a failure, nothing I do turns out right, I will never make anything of myself, nobody likes me, I will never have any friends, I am ugly, etc. ". If you are a child of God the Bible teaches quite the opposite. Phil. 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, 2 Cor. 2:4, I always triumph in Christ, Col. 2:10, I am complete in Christ, and Romans 8:37 says, we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ !! If there is an abundance of God's word in our hearts we will quit speaking negative words about ourselves. If we talk about others in a negative way, we are either, setting ourselves up as their judge asking God to move off of His throne so we can take over, or talking about other people somehow makes us feel bettter about ourselves. Maybe we have issues of unforgiveness, or there is jealousy and envy in our lives. We may have one or all four of these issues to deal with. If we are going to get control of our mouth we will have to repent ane renounce these demonic emotions that are abounding in us. Remember the defintion for repent is to turn and walk away from, a change of mind which in turn leads to a change in action and purpose. Question number two--What do I think about? Am I always worried, anxious, and thinking about myself and my needs? Phil. 4:6 instructs us to be anxious for nothing, but by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made know to God. My interpretation....quit thinking worried, anxious thoughts, take them to God ! Phil 4:8, says to think on things that are pure, lovely, and of a good report. Question number thrree--What do I allow in? What do I watch, what do I listen to , what do I read, and what do I believe ? What ever we allow in is what we have an abundance of ! We need to learn to guard our hearts very carefully, because out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. How do we guard our hearts ? 1) Choosing not to talk about myself or others in a negative way. 2) Thinking about what I think about. 3) Monitoring what I allow in. I am convinced that with the help of the Holy Spirit we can guard our hearts and get control of our mouth.
If my words are full of gossip, unforgiveness, jealousy and envy, if my confession is negative and angry then my heart has an abundance of evil----I have been deceived, I need to repent. If my heart has an abundance of faith in God and His word then my life will show it and my mouth will speak it !

March 2008 - Fan The Flame

I was reading in 2 Timothy 1:6 recently, about Paul's admonishment to Timothy. I decided if the author of two thirds of the New Testament had some advice to give, I had better check it out. Paul told Timothy to "stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands." The Greek definition for "stir up" in that passage means to fan the flame, get excited, be passionate about this gift. I think about basketball players when they get fired up before a big game. They definietley perform better and are much more effective when they are stirred up. If we are going to get stirred up about this gift of God, we need to understannd what the gift is.

The Greek definition for "gift" is deliverance, religious qualification, miraculous faculty, joy, cheerfulness, delight, and undeserved favor. Wow, what a gift! Then Paul went on to say, "which is in you". Think about it, you already possess this wonderful gift. Webster's definition of deliverance is setting free, resue, or release. We have been set free from fear, anger, jealousy, envy, depression, low self esteem, and every other negative emotion you can name. We have been rescued from the clutches of Satan, and released to live successful lives. You possess the gift of religious qualification. The blood of Jesus had qualified you for the job. You are well able to live and walk in the Spirit. Miraculous faculty is in you. Miraculous means super natural faculty is defined, power or ability to do some particular thing. We already posses the power and ability to maintain strong relationships, make right decisions, be the best at our jobs, make money, eat right, be disciplined and anything else that pertains to our everyday lives. Isn't that exciting. We already possess joy, delight and undeserved favor. All of this giftedness that is laready in us comes through the Holy Spirit which abides in us.

How do we "fan the flame", stay fired up and excited about this gift? First of all, I believe we have to worship, pray and stay in the Word. God is His Word and you cannot be excited and love someone you do not even know. Secondly, we have to acknowledge what the gift is....deliverance, religious qualification, miraculous faculty, joy, cheerfulness, delight, and undeservedd favor. We literally have the favor of Almighty God ! Thirdly, we have to believe ! The Greek definition for believe is to trust in, rely on, be fully convinced of. We have to trust in, rely on, and be fully convinced that we have this gift.

Worship, pray, stay in the Word, ackowledge the gift, and believe !!

January

From My Journal
My mother was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease yesterday. It is so hard to understand. She is in good spirits; her attitude is always good. I would like to be one-third the woman she is. My mother kept her life clean, so she doesn't have a bunch of garbage to deal with. I throw the garbage out, and then the devil carries it back in. I think it's time to burn it all through the power of Jesus Christ and through His blodd ! Jesus I really want you to heal my mom !

What Father Says
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." John 14:1
"When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Him, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick." Matthew 8:16 "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19

For You Today

From the day of Mother's diagnosis, I have lived in hope of her manifested healing. I do believe it is God's will to heal us. Just as I live in hope of heaven and Christ's return, I will live with the hope of healing. The Word is all about hope, and I refuse to live without it.
The subject of healing has been very controversial, and I know God is not pleased with that. Believe what you believe, but don't be argumentative. It is a time when Christians must be unified. We must face the enemy with united strength. There are things we all share. One is the sovereignty of God. He has the last word in everything. I learn these things from Scripture: (1) I must trust in God, (2) I must live in expectation, and (3) I must believe that He will meet all our needs.

December

From My Journal - January 2, 2001
Asking the Father questions and questioning His wisdom and authority are two different things. In Matthew 22 the Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus. It didn't work then, and it won't work now !

What Father Says
"Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Ceasar, or not?" But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? (Matthew 22:15-18)

For You Today
A loving Father will answer His children's questions all day long. Yet if that child throws a fit because he doesn't hear what he wants to hear, the parent will exercise discipline. Sometimes we act like spoiled children when we don't get what we want from God. At other times we try to manipulate God by quoting His own Word to Him along with interpretations of our own making.
We may greedily desire new cars, new homes, and other material things. But God is sovereign. He knows what is best for each one of His children. We can ask Him questions, but we must not question His authority.
The Pharisees were being manipulative in this passage, but Jesus knew exactly what they were doing. When we pray we need to understand that the Father sees the very intent of our hearts. he will not be manipulated. Let's get real and quit acting like spoiled children by questioning God's authority.

November

From My Journal - July 23, 1992
Last night was so strange to me. I became extremely emotional and cried over my brother's Sam's death in an auto accident. I haven't done that in years. My devotional today was on the death of a family member. For the Christian, that's a time to rejoice. Loneliness remains, but contentment overshadows it. I will go to heaven someday and be with Jesus. And I'll see Sam.
I feel very content when I am at camp meeting with Christian people who have this same hope. I wish I could capture this emotion every day of my life. It's hard for the devil to mess with you on a holiness camp ground, where Jesus is proclaimed and everything is devoted to and in honor of Him

What Father Says
"Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry For you today, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I" Psalm 61:1-2, "Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits: Psalm 68:19a

For You Today
It amazes me how our Heavenly Father gives us exactly what we need, when we need it. The day I needed comfort about the death of a loved one, my devotions were about that very thing. Situations like that happen to me all the time. You and I need to recognize them when they do. The Scriptures say that God "daily loads us with benefits." I didn't realize at the time that I could have the same feeling of strenght and security anywhere. Being surrounded with loving Christian brothers and sisters is wonderful, but it isn't our outside circumstances that dictate our happiness. We carry the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ inside of our spirit. The happiness of Christ's presence is like a well springing up within us.
Our mind, will, and emotions are affected by our circumstances, which is why we have to keep our minds renewed. How do we do that? By reading the word of God, speaking positively, and thinking on things that are pure, lovely and of good report. The Bible also says to pray without ceasing, be in an attitude of prayer, and always be aware of the Father's presence. When you do that, it will give you the feeling of comfort, strenght, and security for which we are all searching.

October

From My Journal - July 18, 2000

The Lord is bombarding me with scriptures about the mind--especially about what to think and say in order to keep it renewed everyday.  Today He gave me Colossians  1:13: "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love."  The dictionary defines dark as: (1) the absence of light--darkness, a dark place, (2) the state of being secret or obscure, often underhand secrecy; also ignorance.  We have been delivered from all this through Jesus Christ's death at Calvary.  It's real; it happened, I will walk in it !
 
What Father Says

"He has delivered  us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love:" (Colossians 1:13).
"For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him." (Colossians 1:16)
"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.  (Colossians 2:9-10).
 
For You Today

Depression is emotional darkness.  It is hopelessness and dread.  It is a terrible place to be!  I have experienced some depression myself.  Colossians 1:13 has always been the scripture I cling to when I feel demonic attacks of darkness and depression coming against me.  I have already been delivered from the power of darkness !  It has happened two thousand years ago when Jesus Christ died on the cross.  At that moment, I was conveyed into righteousness, peace and joy, in the kingdom of "the Son of His love."  Everything He gave me because of my faith in Christ and the Cross is counter to darkness, hopelessness, and dread.

The Bible says that all things were created by God and for God--including principalities and powers.  That includes the devil and all his lying demons! Although Satan now opposes God, God has him on a leash.  So the only power Satan has over us is what we allow him to have.  He is a liar and the father of lies.  The Bible says that we are complete in Jesus Christ and that He has power over Satan and all of hell. 

That power and authority includes the demon of depression !  Darkness is the absence of light.  Jesus is the light, and He lives inside you !   Believing His Word lets the light of His love shine into your depression or dread. 

Jesus, thank you for being the source of our deliverance !