Lisa Crooms

Arthur W. Pink (1886-1952) Commentary on Matthew 7:7,8

"...Christ gave two apparently contradictory commands. First, He says, "Judge not, that ye be not judged": abstain from forming harsh estimates and passing censorious censures on your fellows. Second,…

Fear Is no Threat

"And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, The Lord is with you, you mighty man of fearless courage." Judges 6:12, AMP Whenever God's people discuss faith and fear, it seems as if we…

RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES

IF ISAIAH COULD "SEE" IT, WE SHOULD BY NOW BE ABLE TO GRASP IT--SINCE IT HAS NOW COME TO PASS. He saw it prophetically; but the actualization, the reality has happened and been recorded for us.WHO HAS…

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE NAME!

"O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and look at our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You for our own righteousness…

Daniel 9:8 (AMP), Daniel 9:9 (AMP)

have been in the world almost since there was a world--it won't stop, until Jesus appears; but the more we fight them, the more powerful and prolific we make them. They have the most powerful lobby in Washington, DC. The best thing that we can do, is to stop viewing them with disgust and look at them through the eyes of Jesus--with love and compassion, and win them with prayer and kindness. We have to recognize that we have a responsibility to care for people, practically, as well. The "least of these" have needs, while we heap lavish wants (lust of the eye) upon ourselves while they suffer--and even die. It is unrighteous to tell a woman that she cannot have an abortion, and at the same time end social programs to help her care for the child that you forced her to have. We cannot have it both ways. It is unrighteous for so many people to have nothing and many less to have so much and feel justified in withholding help and care from those that are without. Christians have the greater responsibility--our churches should be places where people can come to have their whole needs met. Church should not simply be about Sunday morning--nor should it minister mainly to those who are already in relationship with God. Where is the Gospel in that? If we really want our churches filled, we will have to begin to benevolently meet the needs of our communities. We need programs to feed them, clothe them, educate them and support them in the ways that are needed most in our community. We must be missions-minded, local, and world-wide. The needs of others must become a priority to us; not our desires for more, and more. We cannot be insatiable--except when it comes to God; we need to learn contentment with having our needs met. We have to realize that our prosperity is for the Kingdom of God, not our greed and selfish pleasure. Need and desire are not synonymous. God promises to meet our needs as we seek His Kingdom. Seeking His Kingdom is caring for the world--and those in it. Our selfishness, pride, prosperity is going to destroy us, if we don't change. It has happened before: "Therefore, O harlot [Israel], hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God: Because your brass [coins and gifts] and your filthiness were emptied out and your nakedness uncovered through your harlotries with your lovers, and because of all the [filthy] idols of your abominations, and the blood of your children that you gave to them, Therefore behold, I will gather all your lovers with whom you have taken pleasure, and all those whom you have loved with all those whom you have hated; I will even gather them [the allies you have courted] against you on every side and will uncover your nakedness to them, that they may see all your nakedness [making you, Israel, an object of loathing and of mockery, a spectacle among the nations]. And I the Lord will judge you as women who break wedlock and shed blood are judged, and I will bring upon you the blood of [your divine Husband's] wrath and jealousy. And I will also give you into the hand of those [your enemies], and they shall throw down your vaulted place (brothel) and shall demolish your high places [of idolatry]; they shall strip you of your clothes and shall take your splendid jewels and leave you naked and bare. They shall also bring up a company against you, and they shall stone you with stones and hew down and thrust you through with their swords. And they shall burn your houses with fire and execute judgments upon you before the eyes of many women spectators [the nations]. And I will cause you to cease playing the harlot, and you also shall give hire no more. So will I make My wrath toward you to rest and My jealousy shall depart from you [My adulterous wife], and I will be quiet and will be no more angry. Because you have not [earnestly] remembered the days of your youth but have enraged Me with all these things, therefore behold, I also will bring your deeds down on your own head, says the Lord God. Did you not commit this lewdness above and in addition to all your other abominations? Behold, everyone who uses proverbs will use this proverb against you: As is the mother, so is her daughter. You are your [spiritual] mother's daughter who loathed her husband and her children, and you are the sister of your sisters who loathed their husbands and their children. Your mother was a Hittite and your father an Amorite. And your elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters who dwelt in the north and at your left hand; and your younger sister who dwelt in the south and at your right hand is Sodom and her daughters. Yet you were not satisfied to walk after their ways or to do after their abominations, but very soon you were more corrupt in all your ways than they were [for your sin, as those taught of God, is far blacker than theirs]. As I live, says the Lord God, Sodom your sister has not done, she nor her daughters, as you have done, you and your daughters. Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: pride, overabundance of food, prosperous ease, and idleness were hers and her daughters'; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abominable offenses before Me; therefore I removed them when I saw it and I saw fit. Neither has Samaria committed half of your sins, but you have multiplied your [idolatrous] abominations more than they and have seemed to justify your sisters [Samaria and Sodom] in all their wickedness by all the abominable things which you have done--you even make them appear righteous in comparison with you." [Ezekiel 16:35-51,AMP] It is past time for God's people, in this generation, to recognize that it is ALL about His Name, His glory, and Him having a people who fit His Image and Likeness. It is a choice. He makes us righteous, and He will sanctify us, by His grace--if we want Him to. Can we do it, no, but we can invite Him to do it, in us. We can have that Daniel spirit, and pray reminding God that we want His Name to be glorified in us. Justice or mercy--it's completely up to us. Walk in love [Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 13:10; Galatians 5:14]. "And what this love consists in is this: that we live and walk in accordance with and guided by His commandments (His orders, ordinances, precepts, teaching). This is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you continue to walk in love [guided by it and following it]." [2 John 1:6,AMP] Grace, Lisa

"O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and look at our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You for our own righteousness…

Daniel 9:8 (AMP), Daniel 9:9 (AMP)

It Isn't Easy, But It Is Possible

It Isn'tEasy, But It IsPossible.... When Jesus taught His disciples about forgiveness (both sides--offended and offenders), it sounded so impossible and radical that the disciples responded, "Lord, Increase…

Luke 17:1 (KJV), Luke 17:2 (KJV), Luke 17:3 (KJV), Luke 17:4 (KJV), Luke 17:5 (KJV)

FAITH & FORGIVENESS

Faith & forgiveness go hand in hand. When Jesus taught forgiveness, the subject of faith came up more than once. [see Mark 11:22-26] Forgiveness is probably the most difficult act we do, as humans--it…

Mark 11:22 (AMP), Mark 11:23 (AMP), Mark 11:24 (AMP), Mark 11:25 (AMP), Mark 11:26 (AMP)

IT'S NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE EASY...

I had to smile a little when I read this portion [Colossians 1:10-12]--there are times when it seems like I (maybe you can relate, too) wish you had an "S" on your chest, and a cape--along with the ability…

Colossians 1:10 (AMP), Colossians 1:11 (AMP), Colossians 1:12 (AMP)

THE GOD OFFERING

There's an old Black-American congregational song that goes something like this: "You don't have to slay the lamb anymore; You don't have to put no more blood on the door. Jesus has taken the place…

Psalm 51:16 (AMP), Psalm 51:17 (AMP), Psalm 51:18 (AMP), Psalm 51:19 (AMP)

COME, NOW!

Most of us, have the misguided assumption that we have plenty of time. I turn 50 this year--it's amusing, I guess; but I can't even believe it! I really can remember graduating from high school, and what…

Isaiah 57:17 (AMP)

THE PURSUIT OF MIRACLES

The crowds in Acts, the 3rd chapter are a lot like us, today. They loved the sensational--they did the same thing to the apostles that they did to Jesus. They followed them for the miracles. They went…

Acts 3:12 (AMP), Acts 3:13 (AMP), Acts 3:14 (AMP), Acts 3:15 (AMP), Acts 3:16 (AMP), Acts 3:17 (AMP), Acts 3:18 (AMP), Acts 3:19 (AMP), Acts 3:20 (AMP), Acts 3:21 (AMP), Acts 3:22 (AMP), Acts 3:23 (AMP), Acts 3:24 (AMP), Acts 3:25 (AMP), Acts 3:26 (AMP)

David & Paul--Great Minds Think Alike

Reading this was like reading Romans 7. It was as if David and Paul were in the same place, at the same time, having the same experience--describing it in their own words. Psalm 130 is so prophetic and…

Psalm 130:1 (AMP), Psalm 130:2 (AMP), Psalm 130:3 (AMP), Psalm 130:4 (AMP), Psalm 130:5 (AMP), Psalm 130:6 (AMP), Psalm 130:7 (AMP), Psalm 130:8 (AMP)

RIGHTEOUS GOALS

I'm not sure if it's really correct to call ridding self of evil and replacing the evil with love, kindness and compassion, a "goal". I say this becausewecannot even begin to do these things, we can only…

Ephesians 4:31 (AMP), Ephesians 4:32 (AMP), Ephesians 5:1 (AMP), Ephesians 5:2 (AMP)

WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD HE DO IT???

I'll tell you what, I can really understand why those who don't have a relationship with God don't believe. It's just too awesometo be true--yet, nothingis truer!!! It makes no naturalsense that a perfect,…

Hebrews 2:10 (AMP), Hebrews 2:11 (AMP), Hebrews 2:12 (AMP), Hebrews 2:13 (AMP), Hebrews 2:14 (AMP), Hebrews 2:15 (AMP), Hebrews 2:16 (AMP), Hebrews 2:17 (AMP), Hebrews 2:18 (AMP)

TO BE CONTINUED...

Luke wrote maybethe most important letter recorded in the New Testament, to his good friend Theophilus. Luke was sharing his experience about his (and the other remaining disciples) final moments with…

Luke 24:45 (KJV), Luke 24:46 (KJV), Luke 24:47 (KJV), Luke 24:48 (KJV), Luke 24:49 (KJV), Luke 24:50 (KJV), Luke 24:51 (KJV), Luke 24:52 (KJV), Luke 24:53 (KJV)

GOD IS NOT ALWAYS FAIR, BUT HE IS ALWAYS JUST

I'm sure some of the non-Jewish early Christians thought the Jews who had not accepted Jesus, didn't deserve Him--at least those who had persecuted Him. Maybe it wasn't admitted or spoken, but sometimes…

Romans 11:28 (AMP), Romans 11:29 (AMP), Romans 11:30 (AMP), Romans 11:31 (AMP), Romans 11:32 (AMP), Romans 11:33 (AMP)

BUYER, BEWARE!

Have you ever gone into a store and perused the clearance rack--the products that "must go!" Sometimes, you might wonder how could they put a price tag on those items--just trash them and be done with…

1 Peter 2:20 (KJV), 1 Peter 2:21 (KJV), 1 Peter 2:22 (KJV), 1 Peter 2:23 (KJV), 1 Peter 2:24 (KJV), 1 Peter 2:25 (KJV)

CONDITIONS

As you can plainly see, everything about God is notunconditional. His forgiveness is so vast and deep toward us--freely and extensively bestowed, butit comes with a disclaimer. We can't have it unless…

Matthew 6:14 (KJV), Matthew 6:15 (KJV)

RESCUED BY VIOLENCE

Isaiah 53:1-12 is probably one of the most well known portions of Scripture. We read the words, and most of us are grateful for the sacrifice that Christ made--and, that the Father made, in giving His…

Isaiah 53:1 (KJV), Isaiah 53:2 (KJV), Isaiah 53:3 (KJV), Isaiah 53:4 (KJV), Isaiah 53:5 (KJV), Isaiah 53:6 (KJV), Isaiah 53:7 (KJV), Isaiah 53:8 (KJV), Isaiah 53:9 (KJV), Isaiah 53:10 (KJV), Isaiah 53:11 (KJV), Isaiah 53:12 (KJV)

IT'S AVAILABLE...BUT, IT'S YOUR CHOICE

Today, we live in such wicked times--days of unspeakable violence, without compassion, and no restraint. Often, I question (even thoughI knowthe answer, but still can't fathom the vileness) how can mankind…

Psalm 103:8 (KJV), Psalm 103:9 (KJV), Psalm 103:10 (KJV), Psalm 103:11 (KJV), Psalm 103:12 (KJV), Psalm 103:13 (KJV), Psalm 103:14 (KJV), Psalm 103:15 (KJV), Psalm 103:16 (KJV), Psalm 103:17 (KJV), Psalm 103:18 (KJV)

IT'S NOW OR NEVER!

Procrastination--what an enemy! It was the enemy of King Hezekiah, too. He had become puffed up in his service--allowing his servants to dismiss the God of Israel, Who had redeemed them. Chapter 37:29…

Isaiah 38:2 (AMP), Isaiah 38:3 (AMP), Isaiah 38:5 (AMP), Isaiah 38:6 (AMP), Isaiah 38:14 (AMP), Isaiah 38:15 (AMP), Isaiah 38:16 (AMP), Isaiah 38:17 (AMP), Isaiah 38:18 (AMP), Isaiah 38:19 (AMP), Isaiah 38:20 (AMP)

DIVINE FORGIVENESS

This really is DIVINE forgiveness portrayed for us, as an example of the kind of forgiveness that IS entirely possible for us. It is possible because the SAMESpirit lives in us, and He enables us to love…

Matthew 26:25 (AMP), Matthew 26:26 (AMP), Matthew 26:27 (AMP), Matthew 26:28 (AMP)

IT'S ME, IT'S ME, O LORD...

Today, I again had to include more than the 2-3 suggested verses. It took verses 14-19 to sum up what I am experiencing, at this time (this past weekend, and today). I am troubled by some feelings of…

Psalm 25:14 (AMP), Psalm 25:15 (AMP), Psalm 25:16 (AMP), Psalm 25:17 (AMP), Psalm 25:18 (AMP), Psalm 25:19 (AMP)

THE LORD--GRACIOUS & TERRIBLE

These verses (Psalms 145:17-20) show the wonder of the attributes of God. Often, people ask how a loving God could allow so many  atrocities to occur in the world--or sendpeople to Hell. The righteousness…

Psalm 145:17 (KJV), Psalm 145:18 (KJV), Psalm 145:19 (KJV), Psalm 145:20 (KJV)

BLESSED, REALLY????

It's very popular to respond when asked how one is doing, that "I'm blessed!" I often say, "I'm blessed, abundantly" and, I really am. We also tend to say, in parting, "Be Blessed", without thought, I…

Matthew 5:5 (AMP), Matthew 5:6 (AMP), Matthew 5:7 (AMP)