Tag: christian

Tares: Thief Series #5

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

Jesus relays a parable in the book of Matthew explaining what happens when we are ‘sleeping’ rather than watching in prayer. 

But be sure that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Matthew 24:43 

Watchful is a term for being alert concerning spiritual matters, being attentively observant, and exercising care or restraint. 

That being said, I want to draw your attention to another type of thief that comes in when we sleep, both corporately as a body and as individual Christians.  

This thief comes along, and plants tares after the word of God is sown. 

  Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. Matthew 13:24 

This is a kingdom principle. When the seed, God’s word, is sown on the earth, the enemy comes along immediately to sow tares. You can know you are sleeping and not being watchful if you have yet to consider this spiritual principle. 

The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Luke 8:11,12

 “So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” Mark 4: 26-29

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. LUKE 8:11

Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 1 PETER 1:23

The enemy sows tares. The enemy, the devil, is a thief. He comes to kill, steal, and destroy. He does this by coming along after the seed is sown to sow his tares. 

What is interesting is the interpretation of the word tares. It is the Greek word zizanion. This is a type of Darnel that resembles wheat. Darnel, known as Lolium temulentum is a false grain. It is an annual plant of the Lolium, Poaceae family. Which are types of grass.

Darnel grows in the same areas as wheat. In fact, it looks so much like wheat that it is often mistaken as wheat. Darnel however is a toxic grass. 

Eaten in enough of a dose, Darnel can actually kill a person. Darnel seeds actually make a person drunk. It was used at one time to make beer. 

The Latin word for Darnel is L. temulentum. It means ‘to get drunk’.  

Darnel looks similar to wheat until the ear appears. 

Farmers have to separate Darnel from the true harvest. Darnel today is removed by sorting machinery that separates it from wheat. 

On closer observance, wheat can be distinguished from Darnel. Darnel has thinner spikes than wheat. However, if Darnel is plucked out too soon, the true wheat will be damaged. 

At harvest time, the Darnel and wheat can be more easily distinguished. 

Watching in prayer is making sure the seed that is planted is indeed wheat. We do this by observation or discernment in the Spirit. 

Seeds can be separated before planting, but sometimes this process is difficult, so Jesus tells us to wait until harvest. Then, it will become clear which is wheat and which is not.  

Sometimes people look and act like real Christians, or a ministry may seem to be of the Lord, or the message preached may seem sound, but after careful observance, we find that it is really Darnel, not wheat. 

Also, sometimes wheat and Darnel grow together. There is a mix, and we need to be able to separate. 

It is easier to spot a blatant false way than one that seems right but is slightly off. Since a little leaven will eventually grow, it’s best to separate ourselves before we get choked out from the false wheat!   

One way to discern false wheat from true wheat is by comparing what the word of God says to what is being put forth. This is not so easy. Sometimes one must dig deeper to find false wheat. What looks true may be either outright false or have some false attributes. 

All of us have been duped at one time or another by false wheat. This is because false wheat looks almost true. How can we know for sure what is true and what is false? 

By doing what Jesus said, ‘watching and observing’. We must look closely to see if something is off. The Bible gives us guidelines on what to look for in this regard. I am not addressing in this blog blatant doctrinal error or cultish behaviors, (although that is part of the Darnell problem); I am talking more about distinguishing what is Biblically true from what is almost true. 

Paul tells us that false teachers or false messages put people in bondage. Even if the word being presented has some truth in it, if that message is imposed upon another person, it becomes a work of law rather than an act of grace. 

Paul tells us not to impose our views or our conscience upon others. While some have a clear conscience about eating meat, others do not. Some may feel that wearing makeup, jewelry, tattoos, what one eats, or how one worships is wrong. If a view is imposed on another person, then it becomes to them a form of law. Even if that view is grace to you. (Romans 14:1-23)

Christians should always operate in a graceful spirit. That does not mean we give license to sinful behavior, it means being respectful and graceful in our operation toward others. Even if we do not agree with them or practice our relationship with the Lord in the same way. 

Let me give some examples. 

Some Christians feel to get up and pray every day at 5 in the morning. Nothing is wrong with that, but if they impose it on others, then it becomes spiritual abuse. Law is imposed rather than grace being exercised. 

That makes it, Darnell. False wheat. Why? Because everything, if it is not done in love with the objective of perfecting the saints for their spiritual growth, is the law. 

The law brings death because no one can keep all its stringent requirements! My grace maybe someone else’s law! 

Paul tells us that whatever bothers our conscience is a sin! We don’t know another person’s issues, culture or life journey. To impose our lifestyle on other people becomes a sin! It does not matter if it’s a good thing or not! 

This Darnell I’m addressing is the Darnel of the law instead of grace. It can cover a whole bunch of things. The point is that grace is loving another person who does not live up to our standards! 

Now the guy who gets up and prays every day from 5 am until 6 am, then goes to work all day, and then gets up at 5 am the next day and does the same thing has a pattern of prayer that works for him. However, the retired grandma who spends all day in prayer has a different schedule.

She gets up and works in the garden, praying and worshipping. Then she prays as she cooks dinner, prays while she shops, prays after dinner in her rocker, and prays before bed. 

Shall Grandma impose that on all the people who have to work all day?  

What about the biker or gang member who gets saved and has tattoos all over them? Should we condemn that guy for having tattoos before he was saved? Impose our law or grace on him? 

What about the new believer addict in recovery? Should we impose a strict law-based schedule on that guy who doesn’t even know how to live straight, let alone adhere to a bunch of scriptural requirements? 

Do you see the point? Spiritual adherence without love is the law. It is a form of Darnell.

The Pharisees tried imposing their stuff on Jesus all the time. He called it obeying jots and tittles.  

Paul calls it ‘touch not, eat not, handle not’. (Colossians 2:21)

Legalism is Darnell disguised as wheat. 

Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment after loving God is loving others. 

Paul said that if we have faith to move mountains but don’t have love, then we are nothing.

Love is the greatest pursuit. God’s love is revealed through his grace. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

God’s grace teaches us to live godly. Living godly is being an example to others, not imposing our way of doing things on others.  

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

In conclusion, Darnell is fake wheat. It is poisonous. It can even kill.

The law kills, but grace through Jesus Christ brings life. This is the true wheat. God’s word in the flesh!

Love that came down from heaven! 

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House of Grace

~ Kim Balogh ~ 3 Comments

In Mark chapter 6 (after Jesus had fed the 5000) he told his disciples to get into the ship and go to to Bethsaidia, while he sent the people away.

When Jesus sent his disciples to Bethsaidia which in the Hebrew means house of grace he went into a mountain to pray.

In the evening (when the ship was in the middle of the sea) Jesus was watching his disciples from the shore. They were toiling to row the ship, because the wind was coming on really strong.

Around the fourth watch of the night Jesus came towards his disciples walking on the sea. He would have passed them by but the disciples saw him. They thought he was a ghost. They became troubled and cried out in fear.

Immediately Jesus reassures his disciples that it is him.

Then when Jesus gets into the ship with his disciples the wind calms down.

The disciples were amazed and wondered. They had forgotten about the last miracle Jesus did by multiplying the bread and fish.

It is interesting to note that on the 4th watch of the night Jesus looks out to the sea to find that his disciples are in trouble.

He had given them a word, “Go to Bethsaidia” but the enemy (who works in the darkness) tried to hinder their assignment.

Satan who is “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) caused a storm to rise up. It was so fierce that all the toiling the disciples were doing were getting them no where.

In Israel culture (as well as Roman and Greek) the night was divided into 4 watches. Each watch had a specific name and time frame.

The evening watch, was from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The midnight watch, from 9 p.m. to midnight. Cockcrowing from 12 am to 3 a.m., and the morning watch or 4th watch, was from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Exodus 14:24 last watch of the night
Psalm 63:6 watches of the night
Judges 7:19 middle watch
Mark 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning
Luke 12:38  And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

The fourth watch is the last watch of the night. In scripture breakthrough events many times happen on the night watches.

Moses led the Israelites across the Red Sea. Exodus 14:25-46

Jacob wrestled with God. Genesis 32: 22-31
The angels appear to the shepherds in the field to announce the birth of the Savior.  Luke 2:8-14

Jesus is resurrected from the dead, Matthew 28:1

The bridegroom woos His bride in the night hours, Song of Solomon, Matthew 25:1-13

On this particular incident on the fourth watch of the night Jesus sees trouble occurring.

The prince of the power of the air is acting up. Trying to attack the Lord’s disciples.

Intercessors know that the fourth watch usually means warfare. It’s a time when the demonic powers are doing their oggie boogie through their human vessels. 

Notice that Jesus sees on the forth watch of prayer that his disciples are in trouble.

This is one reason the Lord exhorts us to watch and pray. The enemy is always looking for a place to attack. If we are in prayer the Holy Spirit will show us trouble coming our way or someone else’s way.

When trouble comes and we find we are toiling in our own strength, (getting no where, when the enemy attacks) Jesus is walking on the water right there in front of us!

Water or waters in scripture many times represent people. Jesus is always in front of people. Always available. Always willing to calm the storm. However, many times we are so freaked out over the battle that when the Lord comes walking towards us we don’t recognize him. All we see is what the enemy is doing.

Notice how Jesus was going to walk right on by his disciples. Seriously? That’s what the scriptures tell us! That’s what happens when we are afraid. As long as our eyes are on the battle instead of the Lord Jesus Christ we will miss him, even though he is right there in front of us.

The good news is that if we look to Jesus he will calm the storm in our life. He will get in the boat with us! Jesus will calm our fears! He will rescue us from the attack of the enemy!

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water they mistook him for a spirit. They cried out in fear.

Fear can do strange things to the mind. Sees and hears all kinds of crazy things.

Even then the Lord can’t help but be merciful. When fear gets a hold of us by the throat Jesus will turn in our direction if we call out to him.

Hearing his disciples cry out in fear Jesus walks on the water towards them. When the disciples see that it is Jesus they are not afraid anymore.

Our struggles in life (like the disciples who rowed in their own strength against the wind) can be demonically inspired some times.

Facing great difficulty can be scary when it looks like we are going to drown but remember the Lord is watching us in our struggle. He knows what’s going on.

Jesus is right there in the midst of our trouble. All we have to do is cry out. He will not pass us by! He will get right in the boat with us and comfort us!

Jesus will always lead us to safely because his grace is sufficient. His word to us is always, “Go to Bethsaidia, “the house of grace.”  

Our high priest ever lives to make intercession for us.

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

Mustard Seed Faith

The Word of God

~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a comment

The Scriptures tell us that God has magnified his word above all his name. (Psalms 138:2)

Magnified in Hebrew is gâdal which means to lift up in power, high estate, to increase and grow.

God magnifies his commandments, his speech, his word both written and oral above all his name, shêm which means individual position, honor and authority, renown.

The reason for this is that a person’s word proves their name.
If my word does not back up my name then my name has no credibility. It’s discredited if I do not honor my word.

Have you ever had any “friends” like that? I have. Say they will do something and they don’t. Talk a good talk but don’t do what they say? Yeah, not someone you can count on and so they end up on your “not reliable list.”

When one gives their word it is like drawing a contract. It is binding. To break one’s word dishonors one’s character and then their name is not worth very much. One’s name must back up their character.

The legal term in contract law is “good faith” which means fair dealings that are honest and sincere towards the other party in a contract.

In other words God’s name is only as good as his word.

When you enter into contract with another person whether a marriage or business contract for example the contract terms must be binding in order for that contract to have any credibility.

I can tell you what my name is or my company’s name but so what if I can’t back up the terms of the contract.

In the same way the name of Jesus is validated by his word. His contract with the other party.

The name of Jesus is honored and glorified because his word has preeminence.

In other words the word of God as laid down in scriptures (contract in writing) represents who Jesus is. All the word (Bible)had to say is all about who Jesus is and like every contract it must be entered into by two parties for the contract to be binding.

Jesus tells us in scriptures that he is the word. The significance of that is that he is what he says. 1 John tells us that in the beginning was the word. God’s word existed before anything in our natural realm existed.

The word was with God, that scripture goes on to say.

God’s word accompanies him at all times even from the moment of creation.

The word was God. Jesus is God’s word.
God actually became flesh in order to demonstrate his word.

Like they say, talk is cheap or unless backed up by action is worthless but God not only spoke his word in the beginning and created our natural realm but he became his word through taking on flesh.

Jesus demonstrated who God was.

But it doesn’t stop there. Scriptures tell us that those who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord become born again of his word. (1 Peter 1:22)

Now God’s seed can propagate the Kingdom of God in the earth. We are epistles read of all men. Not written in ink on tablets of stone (written law) to bring the message of reconciliation between God and man but in fleshly tablets of the heart. ( 2 Corinthians 3:3)

This is significant in regard to God’s word magnified above his name in that as God’s seed the Holy Spirit bears witness in the world that we are the sons of God. Therefore our representation in the world proclaim God’s word to the world. For we are temples of the Holy Spirit which demonstrates through us the word of God to every one we come in contact with.

In conclusion God’s word which represents who God is through the Holy Spirit is manifest through Jesus Christ and consequently through the born again person to manifest the Kingdom of God and bring reconciliation between God and mankind.

God has magnified his word above all his name. At the name of Jesus who is the word manifest in the flesh every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!

Truth Produces Faith !

~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

God’s word produces faith because the truth sets us free!

According to 1 Thessalonians 2:13 when we receive the word of God, as truth, then the word of God, will effectually works in us who believe it.

To work effectually in the Greek is energeō which means to be ferverently and effectively active.

So in other words if we believe the scriptures as truth in our hearts then the word of God is able to produce an outcome or result with intensity and passion.

The key to this effective ferverent working of God’s word to produce a desired outcome for us is to BELIEVE.

What does it mean to believe? The word believe in this verse is translated pisteuō which means to have faith, trust and confidence in.

How do we get this faith, trust and confidence in?

Roman’s 10:17 says faith comes by HEARING And HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD.

Wait a minute ! You mean in order to believe the word of God I must hear the word of God and believe it? Yes, you see unless the word that you hear is mixed with faith it will not bring you any profit. You can be a hearer but not a doer of the word of God the Bible says.

So you must hear the word of God being proclaimed AND then you must understand what you are hearing. Holy Spirit revelation or rhema is what produces faith.

Faith comes by hearing or inclining your ear to hear and hearing or the ability to hear as receiving truth comes by the rhema or living word of God through the Holy Spirit.

Head knowledge or theological education does not produce faith. Holy Spirit revelation of God’s word is what produces faith.

So how do I get this Holy Spirit revelation of God’s word? By inclining your ear! Reading the Bible with your ear open to heaven. Listening to the Holy Spirit as he opens your understanding to his truth.

This requires frequent visits to the secret place of the most High or as Jesus put it entering into your prayer closet.

As we pray that our understanding may be enlightened and that we can know what is the hope of our calling and the riches of the inheritance of the Saints. Then the Holy Spirit will reveal to us his word and when our understanding is enlightened we will receive manna from heaven or rhema. THEN faith will come ! ( Ephesians 1:18 )

Remember that Jesus was walking with his disciples after his resurrection and they didn’t know him UNTIL he opened their understanding and expounded to them the scriptures. (Luke 24:27)

When Faith comes by receiving rehma then the word revealed to you will begin to
work effectually and fervently to produce the desired result.

What are you desiring from the Lord Jesus? Healing? Provision? Sanctification? Deliverence? Whatever it is the answer is in the Bible. Read the scriptures concerning your need and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal his truth to you about the matter by enlightening your understanding.

Then when faith comes for your need wait patiently for God to effectually work his word to manifest the desired outcome!

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