Life or Death is What You Set Your Heart Upon

by Thomas Denegre

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How we identify ourselves in life is not done through our performance, but by whom we are through God. What we believe in our heart can bring us either life or death, "for the heart is the wellspring of life."  (Proverbs 4:20)

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Take for example a young man named Jacob. Raised as a Christian he sought his identity through his performance lifestyle. Whether it was through sports, religion, or the party scene; popularity was his idol.  Drugs and alcohol gripped him early in life.  In college he lost two sports scholarships when he flunked a drug test, and then things spiraled downward. As the old saying goes, he was looking for love in all the wrong places.  He found short success as a martial arts fighter, but that too failed from drug addiction.  Down to 119 pounds his parents found him living in their backyard shed. As Jesus once said, “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.” John 10:10 

We find a similar destructive path during the reign of Jeroboam II.  The nation of Israel was prosperous, but the people no longer trusted, loved, nor depended on God. Idols took over their hearts. They went into a moral and spiritual decay. Materialism and secularism captured their hearts allowing the full force of their sins to be manifested.  If you didn’t know any better, you think the list of sins was from today’s newspapers such as; killing, sexual immorality, lying, drunkenness, perversion, perjury, deceit, swearing, falsehoods, and deceptions. What grieved the heart of God more than anything else was idolatry as they placed their hearts on something else besides God. 

At this time God spoke to his prophet Hosea to marry a promiscuous woman named Gomer.  The short story is that Hosea fell madly in love with Gomer and had two children.  While Hosea prophesied to Israel to return to God, Gomer was left to her own devices by seeking a better life and a new lover.  Betrayed by his wife, Hosea felt his heart being ripped away by her rejection and distrust.  Similarly, God felt the pains of rejection from his chosen bride, the nation of Israel. While God can be jealous, he is also filled with justice, mercy, and an unstoppable love. He also has a long-term plan. 

While humans will naturally want to seek retaliation when they are betrayed, consider what God said through Isaiah. 

“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 55:8-9 

Hosea never stopped loving Gomer and neither did God stop loving Israel; despite the betrayal.  Both were consumed with the love of their bride.  Hosea eventually finds Gomer being sold at a slave auction. Clearly, a life of sin put a great downfall on Gomer. Filled with love and compassion, Hosea purchased Gomer for the cheap price of fifteen shekels. In a merciful act of love, Hosea restores Gomer to be his bride, his beloved, and his wife. This is the way of God too. 

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Going back to Jacob’s fallen life, his parents had great love and concern for him, so they placed him in a Christian based recovery program. One day Jacob woke up to find 30 men laying hands on him.   Just as Gomer was purchased for a price and delivered from bondage, so too was Jacob.  The love and the movement of the Holy Spirit touched Jacob’s heart. It was his first experience to taste the authentic love of God.  Later, he humbled himself, opened his heart, and truly surrender his life to Jesus.  As Jesus once said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) 

Just as the relentless love of Hosea rescued Gomer, the divine radical love of Jesus poured mercy and healing into Jacob to transform and restore his life.  To complete the final statement, Jesus said, “I came to bring life and bring it abundantly.” John 10:10 

Jacob now preaches at recovery centers to spread the authentic hope and love of Jesus.  Being the hero of his own story, Jacob carries the identity as a son of God and through love carries the authority of Jesus through his right of inheritance.  As Jesus once said, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt: 6:9-10) 

By restoring Jacob to be in life union with Jesus, (John 15:7) God not only blesses Jacob to go to heaven, but more importantly to live in that heaven now by living with intimacy and affection with the Lord. Jacob has become a divine instrument of God’s love and affection. For it is written, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” (Proverbs 11:25) 

“Therefore, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matt 5:16). 

Overcoming the Storms of Life

By Thomas Denegre 8/21/2019

Are you ready to overcome the storms of life so you can continue to stand and prosper? 

In today’s readings of Mathew 7:21-28, Jesus explains he is our rock foundation in the storms of our lives and like the greatest sports teams and armies in the world, the right preparation, attitude, and belief will make you withstand the onslaught and prosper.

Jesus instructions are based on the counter intuitive. You must die to live. The first will be last and last will be first.  Jesus states, it’s not enough to have intellectual knowledge of whom he is, otherwise he will spit you out.  Second, tribulations and storms are guaranteed to come into your life, so Jesus, like any other loving parent, wants to give you a rock-solid foundation to survive and flourish.

Let me tell you about two brothers named Mark and Bennie who are close in age. As teenagers they were two peas in a pod being mischievous, aggressive, funny, smart, and troublesome.  The father loved both his sons and tried to steer them away from harm.  Mark went into the army and learned to channel his energy constructively while Bennie got into sales, drugs, and fast living. 

As time progressed Mark became a believer in Jesus Christ.  He opened his heart to the Lord and became teachable to His ways.  Mark got married, had several children, and became a newspaper journalist. Life was not always easy for Mark as the internet crushed his career forcing him into unemployment five years out of ten. But, by being dependent on the Lord he always had money, good health, and a devoted family.  Knowing and behaving as a son of God, great favor was blessed upon him.

Meanwhile, Bennie was less fortunate. Being opinionated, stubborn, and rebellious, Bennie refused to be taught the character virtues for a successful life. When the storms of life came upon Bennie it crushed him.  He went into bankruptcy twice while his health deteriorated to the point of death.  Sadly, he had no family to console nor nurse him.  The outcome of his choices led him to disaster.

Jesus once said, “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come to bring life, and bring it abundantly.” John 10:10

I learned a lot from Mark.  He told me the greatest thing he ever did was open his heart to Jesus, so he could be loved.  By knowing how much God loved him, Mark lived in life union with Jesus.  He made sure the word of God was always in his mind and in his heart.  God’s Word breathe life into him, and he found himself naturally doing the things God wanted him to do.  Mark explained it was not an overnight transformation, but a gradual change over many years. His favorite verse was, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 

Mark explained that being dependent on Jesus allowed him to live out his God given virtues.

Mark pointed out the difference between living a life union with Jesus versus an intellectual knowledge of Jesus.  A life union with Jesus developed tremendous virtues and character traits within him, while the intellectual Christian rationalized his decisions by claiming his conscious overruled God’s Word.  Hence, the reason Christian intellectuals support abortion and sexual immorality, thereby unconsciously becoming the rebels against God; which is the reason Jesus did not know them and spitted them out.

Jesus is naturally the rock foundation for Christians to stand their life on.  The Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians Chapter 3, the framework to develop and apply our holy character.  By memorizing the verses, Mark said that every day some event would occur, and a verse came to mind for him to use.  By having God’s Word living powerfully within his mind and heart Mark developed the virtues of Obedience, Love, Mercy, Understanding, Compassion, Kindness, Patience, Forgiveness, and Repentance. 

Mark’s most used verse was, “Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ.” Col. 3:13 (TPT)

It turned out fellow Christians could be the most difficult people to deal with.  Most Christians were on a path from pride to humility, from self-centeredness to selflessness, from self-hatred to self-acceptance, from holding grudges to forgiveness.  Beneath the façade of many Christians was a lot of toxicity that God was slowly healing out, but in the meantime had to be confronted.  Mark admitted he was a difficult and sometimes toxic Christian too.  But God gave him the grace to see people like the father of the prodigal son, whereby the person was far more important than the behaviors they exhibit.  Jesus was able to teach and encourage Mark to apply the virtues as a healing tool for himself and for others.

Mark learned people didn’t care what you know, they wanted to know you care. By living with Jesus, compassion and service to others will help heal the wounds that the storms of life inflicted.

We know the storms of life will always rise again in our lives.  I too learned that a life union with Jesus while having his Words alive in my heart provides the best rock foundation to survive and prosper through storms.  Below are Mark’s favorite scripture verses, or holy virtues, on building a rock solid foundation in your life.

You are always and dearly loved by God!

So, robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy.

Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all.

Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others.

Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ.

If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them.

For love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues.

Love becomes the mark of true maturity.

Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body.

And always be thankful.

Colossians 3:12-15 (TPT)

The Power of the Normal Life

By Thomas Denegre

Matthew 6:9-14

I was talking to a Latino gang leader named Carlos during a Kairos Prison Ministry weekend event at a State of Ohio Correctional Facility. By looking at his face I can tell he was in a state of wonder and puzzlement.  God will do that to a sinner who is searching for the truth.

He explained to me how he spent most of his young life in a variety of prisons. Not long-ago Carlos was released from prison and paid a visit to his girlfriend.  They got into an argument and she called the police.  When they arrived, they found a concealed gun on him.  Back to prison he went.    Now he was spending a long Kairos weekend tasting God with the most powerful men in the prison; the Kairos team. So we had this conversation

“What is going on?” Carlos asked. “I’ve never been treated like this in my life. I’m being treated so well.  What’s the deal?”

“This is called normal,” I explained.  “All your life you lived in fear and violence thinking it was normal.  Yet this is the normal life and it’s called the Kingdom of God.  It’s why we do it.  It’s why we’re here. Do you want know more about normal Carlos?”

“Yes, I do,” exclaimed Carlos.

“Do you know the Our Father’s prayer?”

“Vaguely,  I remember my mother use to pray it over me when I was little.”

“Mind, if I give you the expanded version,” I asked. He nodded his head and I proceeded with the expanded version.

As you know it starts with “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” We have a magnificent and awesome Dad.  Everything seen and unseen has been made by Him. Before you were born every day of your life was ordained in his book as written in Psalm 139:16. Like the father of the prodigal son, our Dad has been watching you with a keen eye. He dreamed of you before you were born.   He’s less concerned about your sin than about you.  He’s waiting for you to cross the line into his kingdom.  Because when you do, he’s going to smother you with hugs and kisses. Instead of life filled with death and destruction, he’s waiting to give you an abundant life. (John 10:10)  You’re his dearest child and he created the universe so we can have a home to live in.  His greatness and love deserve our awe, respect, and love in return.

The next part says, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  So, what is the kingdom?  It’s his spiritual Kingdom coming into our lives on earth.  Just as water permeates a sponge, so does God’s spirit permeate our spirit. We are one in his glory. (John 17:22) The normal comes alive.  By living in life union with Jesus and having his words living powerfully within you (John 15:7) then his streams of love, joy, mercy, kindness, friendship, and long-suffering enter into your life.  No longer will you be imposing your will on others which results in fights and divisions, but like gravity, you’ll enter a mass of power called God’s love that will heal all your heart wounds and put you into a peace the world will never understand. This is the kingdom of God we bring to this world.

The prayer goes on to say, “Give us this day our daily bread.”  Let me tell you about the bread.  Jesus is called the bread of life for he’s is the great I am. (John 6:33) When I receive the consecrated bread, I know Jesus is feeding me with his spirit.  As you know, living in the world can drain the life out of you.  But Jesus has a plan. His daily bread refreshes us.  Jesus will say to you, “If you are in despair, I’m your encourager. If you are hungry for truth, I am your food. If you are weak, I am your strength. I am the way, the truth, and the life.  I am your life.  I am your love. I am your joy and peace.  I am your patience and long suffering in all things.  I am your battery charger of life.  I am your streams of love, tenderness, kindness, and mercy.  I am the great I am.  I am your source of life and let me charge you up.  Taste and eat me for I will refresh you!” Indeed, he does!

The next line in the prayer says, “And forgive our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Or, in other words, Jesus is saying, “I care more about you than what you have done.”  Do not let the poison of retaliation, hatred, and unforgiveness produce bitterness and self-destruction. Through experience I know that by living in life union with Jesus I can see you as Jesus does.  I can see the goodness and gold in you. Through repentance of your sins, and belief in Jesus as your savior, Jesus is ready to make you perfect and complete.  Through your humility and open heart, Jesus will craft you into your original design as mentioned in Psalm 139:16 and be made into His image.  Forgiveness is everything because it stops all the violence and destruction.  It allows a person to draw in the peace that heals the heart. Don’t we all want mercy? God will not give you what you deserve, but what you need. That’s why he’s such a great dad. He’s waiting for you to cross the border into his kingdom so he can bless you.

Lastly, the prayer says, “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Jesus knew that in this fallen world we will still face temptations and tribulations.  We are still flesh, and sometimes the old desires coming creeping up to tempt us.  But mark my words.  And it’s all about words.  Let God’s word always be in your mind and heart, because when events come your way, so will his word come to save you. 

“So, this is the normal life Carlos. It’s called the Kingdom of God.   Do you want it?” I asked Carlos.  He took it and became a new saint.

Like the father of the prodigal son, Jesus is always scanning the border to spot his child who wants to return home, waiting to make a mad dash to his child so he can smother him with kisses and to welcome him home. Jesus is always more concerned about the person than the sin.  Shouldn’t we?