From My Perspective

Concerning Angels

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:50:00 +0000

Hebrews 13:2 "....some have entertained angels without knowing it."

There has been a lot of talk among spirit-filled Christians concerning the involvement of angels in our lives here on earth. There are countless books and periodicals on the subject. The activities of angels, according to them, range from uninvolved watchers to warriors, or servants of the believers to be commanded by them. I recently saw an advertisement on a popular Christian television network for a book containing 12 revelations on how to contact your angels and "put them to work on your behalf".

I felt a need to "weigh in" on the topic. I do this at the risk of troubling some popular theology; not that I have ever lost sleep over that, just giving you a heads up. : )

The only question that needs to be answered is, "Are the current teachings really biblical?" Sadly, I must say that most of them are not.....

I will not get into a long teaching here, but simply know this. The angels do NOT work for us. They work for the Father. We do not command the angels; the Father does. You may quickly point out Hebrews 1:7 and 14, where it speaks of angels being sent to minister to those who will inherit salvation. I will ask you to read it in context of the entire chapter. It refers to the Son being superior to angels NOW, AFTER he has been glorified. It also says the angels are SENT (from whom, and by whose authority) to serve (minister to-not take orders from) the Father's children. Currently in our pre-resurrection condition we are made a little lower than the angels, but only for a little while. After the resurrection Paul says we will judge angels! (1 Cor 6:3).

The greatest examples I can give you to support our inability to "command" angels is found in two places. One in the OT and one in the NT. In the book of Daniel the Lord tells us that an angel closed the mouths of the lions. Daniel does not command the lions' mouths to be shut nor does he command any angels to assist him. Also in regard to warfare, he does not command any angelic involvement over the Prince of Persia or over Michael the archangel. The final example is from our Lord Himself. Remember when he was questioned at His trial about death? His response gives us tremendous insight. He does NOT say HE could command 12 legions of angels to assist Him. He says He could ASK THE FATHER and HE would SEND the angels to help.

So what do we do with all the rhetoric out there about our commanding angels, and how do we relate to the angels?

First of all we need to be cautious! 2 Cor. 11:14 says Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Gal. 1:8 warns us that an "angel from heaven" could possibly lead us astray by teaching a different Gospel, and Col. 2:18 tells us that some "teachers" can become arrogant due to visions and the worship of angels.

Finally, we can be confident that everything that is under God's command will operate according to His perfect will without any assistance from us; which includes the angels. Like Paul reminds us in Romans 8, "...we don't know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit searches the deep things of God and prays according to God's perfect will." (v 26, 27). In other words we do not need to memorize the "12 revelations" or the "3 steps of angelic warfare" to have our angels minister to us or on our behalf. God knows how to command His army. He is the Captain of the Host!!

Angels are powerful. Angels are fierce and comforting at the same time. Angels are active and encamped "all around us and have been given charge over us lest we dash our foot against a stone". Angels are the Father's; not ours.

All we are told to do is to show hospitality to strangers because it might be an angel on a mission. Thank God for such a simple task!

God bless you!

There are seasons and times

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:58:00 +0000

My wife and I are now entering into a brand new season of our lives. Last night was my official farewell to my Southland family as their Senior Pastor. I have learned much more from them than they have ever learned from me. It was a bittersweet experience. The love and Grace that was shown to us was overwhelming! It has been an incredible 10 year journey.

The big question is now what? Well for starters I plan to go back to work in my father's real estate business, the same business I left to join the staff at Southland. Next I intend to start up a new website on which I will post several devotional works, study guides and eventually a book I have begun. I also hope to launch my own You Tube Channel for sharing some spiritual thoughts. I believe at some point the Lord will open doors for me to step more into my Prophetic calling.

Please keep your eyes and ears open for the new stuff!

Deep thanks to all that have been apart of the last 10 year journey. You have all shaped and imparted into me in various ways and I am grateful.

Much Love.......D

The Cycle

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:49:00 +0000

Whomever finds his life will lose it. Whomever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Finding Life. Losing Life. Finding Life Again.

This is a cycle of ministry. When you begin to seek out life in ministry you soon discover it will cost you all you have. You lose your life in service. God is faithful, however. For if we lose our lives in service to Him, He will give us life to replace the one we lost.

He said, "Whoever gives up family and belongings to follow Him will receive hundred fold return in THIS life and receive the Kingdom in the life to come. That's a great deal. Painful to walk through, but well worth the journey.

God's will is an attitude, not a place.

More than a Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Sun, 03 May 2009 17:28:00 +0000

I have been asked if it is possible to have a church like I described in my last post; if I knew how to build a church like that. The answer is yes to both questions. The commentator also pointed out that many people would be afraid of such a church. I agree with that statement also. Especially the ones who stand to lose power over the people. The "church" realized several centuries ago that it is easier to control the masses with a fear of hell than with an army. If you hold the "keys to the kingdom" then you can control most any religious crowd. Control and manipulation have produced a distorted and perverse entity that we like to call "church" but has very little similarity to the original design. It truly has a form of godliness but has absolutely denied the power. How tragic!

Somewhere in history we have taken on the role of defining who God is instead of letting Him define who we are. Unfortunately we are ALL wrong! God is richer and has more depth than our imaginations of Him. His freedom is farther reaching than our feeble attempts to experience a "controlled expression" of Him. We have brought ourselves into bondage to our own definition of freedom.

It is for Freedom that Christ has made us Free....

To build a church like I envision one must first remember the foundation has already been laid. It is built upon the apostles and prophets. The foundation dictates the placement of the remaining house. Second, we must remember that it is meant to be a house of prayer (communication with God) for ALL nations and not a den of thieves that steals worship from Father. Third, it must be a place of refuge and healing for the oppressed, blind, broken and captive. Fourth, we MUST remember that God Himself plans to be a cohabitant with us in the house. He is a consuming fire and our works will be tested with the fire of His presence. Finally we must agree to mutual submission to one another. Leadership is meant to guide, not control. It is meant to remedy problems that arise but never be the central controlling group. Our love for God and for one another is where true spiritual counsel is discovered. We all have a voice and we all have a place for ministry.

I doubt seriously that an existing church can be converted into such a house. It will most likely have to begin from the existing spiritual foundation. Is it possible?? I believe with all my heart it is.

Saving Jesus from the church....

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:28:00 +0000

"I have been in almost as many churches as Jesus has, and even some He hasn't"

How terrible to think that we could have "church" and Jesus not be present? Of course I know He is Omnipresent, but I think you get my point. So just what would church look like if Jesus were not there? Sadly, some would not miss Him, or even notice He was absent. In church we have mastered the ability to substitute anointing with production and relationship with programs. Over time we have grown accustomed to; even comfortable with; a very select few "leaders" having a direct encounter with Jesus and telling us about their experience.

We have had our inheritance stolen from us. Our birthright despised. A new priesthood has been established. We sit in "sanctuaries" week after week, but never really find "sanctuary" for our souls. Its time to save Jesus from the church.

The Church is supposed to be HIS body. The church is institional and budget driven.
The Church exists for HIS pleasure. The church exists for popular opinion.
The Church is a place of refuge. The church is a place that hurts people.
The Church is a place of inclusion. The church is a place of rejection.
The Church produces Faith Hope and Love. The church remimds me I'm not good enough.
The Church is a place to discover God's wisdom. The church creates catchy phrases.
The Church is on Fire with His Spirt. The church is fired up with personal preference.
The Church preaches salvation. The church encourages self help.

Its time to save Jesus from the church.
Its time to be the Church.

Which one are you a member of?

Be Still

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:28:00 +0000

When God said "Be still and know that I am God", what did He really mean? I won't presume to fully understand the mind of the Lord, but I have learned some things about Him.

Stillness is so much more than lack of activity. It runs deeper than trying to just focus on one thought instead of the thousand that race through our minds. Likewise, knowing is greater than familiarity. It is more involved than predicting behavior.

Stillness is abandon. A release of my 5 senses. A refusal to limit God to my own personal definition of Him. Stillness is yeilding to His Spirit; His reality; a giving up of my own opinions and perceptions. Stillness is trust. Stillness is humilty. Stillness is a choice.

Knowing God is not about understanding Him the way we understand the world around us. It is not about studying scripture to simply figure Him out. Knowing God is absolute trust in His understanding of ME. It is embracing His design and intent for my life. Knowing God is releasing myself from the pressure to know it all. It is holding tightly to the one who is all knowing.

Be Still......Know that I am God

PDA

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:13:00 +0000

Love God in Front of People
Love People in Front of God
God will Love You in Front of People

The PEACE that Fits

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:34:00 +0000

People wandering, their lives squandering
Looking for any peace that might fit
.
Searching, begging, crying for
Something they can get.

Truth before them, ignorance blinding them
Oh how simple is the fit
Absolute abandon; Total Surrender

How stupid to question whether over or under
Just yeild and submit.

Jesus the Christ
the only Peace that really fits.

Through my Darkness

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:32:00 +0000

Sometimes I fear I won't make it
At times I forget who I am
But you reach through my darkness
You hold tightly to my hand

Because of Your Peace
Flowing from Your Grace
Drawing me into Your Presence
I am safe

Crossing Over

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:02:00 +0000

His world divided - Spirit from Flesh
So who built this wall of separation?
The veil has been torn - Access granted
We stand in line pretending to wait for Him
Too afraid to admit we like this side
The other side is too real - more of Him
But we like US more than we like Him
We have mastered eschatological flattery
Do we really fool Him or simply anesthetize our souls?
His eyes are peircing - but never harsh
His sword severs completely - but never to kill
His heart is for oneness - but never isolation
So why then do we pretend to wait in line?
Who will go first - who will cross over?
Prophets and Poets have seen it - they speak and they sing
But our ears are so numb
Holy fragrance drifts through the air
Our very names are whispered on wind chimes
And still we stand - pretending to be in line
Inclusion has been purchased and yet we stand worlds apart
Holy Spirit come - guide us through the labyrinth of our thoughts
Grace grant us the courage to cross over
Standing face to face - spirit to spirit
Beyond the veil of our own making
Peace and Wholeness everlasting.

Insight

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:03:00 +0000

“May you have the hindsight to know where you've been, The foresight to know where you are going, And the insight to know when you have gone too far”

God Grant You Always

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:02:00 +0000

“May God grant you always...A sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you. Faithful friends near you. And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.”

I Believe

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:35:00 +0000

I believe in the sun when it's not shining, I believe in love even when I feel it not, I believe in God even when he is silent.”

THE Fellowship THE Body

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:47:00 +0000

I Captialized THE because I want to make a distinction between common pleasant association and the deep spiritual connection that Christ followers are supposed to share. We are the Body of Christ. The phrase has come to be interchangeable for a "group of believers". I challenge that simple thought. It does not only refer to a "Group" but to a "Person".

A group is a collection of individuals with one identity. The BODY, although it is made up of many different parts, can never be separated and continue to truly be considered whole. Without each member we are not complete. WE NEED EACH MEMBER TO FUNCTION TO ITS FULLEST.

In my opinion there are only TWO MEN left in the world today. One is the MAN OF LAWLESSNESS that will be removed when Christ returns. The other is THE SECOND ADAM (Jesus Christ Himself). As individuals we choose to be a part of one body or the other. To be IN CHRIST is to function together to advance HIS Kingdom and purpose. To not be in Him is to function together with Lawlessness to stand in opposition to Christ's kingdom and to further the spread of unrighteousness.

WHOSE BODY ARE YOU?

(2 Thess 2:3-12; 1 John 3:10; Rom 7:4; 1 Cor 12:12-26; 1 Cor 15:45-50;

What Lies Beneath

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 06:47:00 +0000

Look at me.
What do you see?
Are you certain it’s me?
Or what I pretend to be?

You don’t know do you?
What I say and what I do
Therein lies the clue
Do words and action match
Or are they askew?

Pull enough layers off
Throw them away like old cloth
Masks and faces and deceptive thoughts
Underneath the hardness is a heart that’s soft.

Will I let you see it?
How close will you get?
Do I strip the layers and expose it?
Or find another mask to fit?

I need to blow the protective fuse.
Continuing to cover is no use.
It’s time to get honest.
I need you to see truth.

Hanging on by the skin of my teeth.
My knuckles are white
My nails begin to bleed.
Desperate for health and wholeness
But terrified of what lies beneath.

Mirror Mirror

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 06:42:00 +0000

Mirror, Mirror on the wall
Why don’t you just go on and fall?

Off the wall and out of sight
So with your image my soul won’t fight.

The image I see is not really me
Only what you and my head think me to be.

With you, O mirror, I do not DO LIFE
I’m not Friend, Father, Mother, or Wife.

You have no right to define who I am
My image comes from the GREAT I AM.

My image is pure and my mind is renewed
God’s TRUTH will now end this feud.

No longer can you make me do penance
All I see now are Reflections of Innocence.

Justified Apathy

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:09:00 +0000

My wife asked me to get something for her from the kitchen. I looked in the normal place. It wasn't there. Being a great wise man I looked at the secondary location to which I was certain she would direct me. It was no where to be seen. I felt a bit justified as I walked back to our room across the cold floor to announce that it was in neither place. I was proud of my efforts of course. She immediately instructed me to look again. My vindication would be nice : ). Walking back to the second location I hear her say ,"Dont' give up so easily".

I looked and there it was, hidden from my sight. Vindication slipped through my fingers!

As I brought her the item I was reminded how easily we give up and then justify our apathy. I felt completely satisfied in my search efforts and therefore gave myself permission to quit; unfortunately to my shame!

Proverbs 25:2 tells us, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search out a matter."

Resist the temptation to justify apathy! Don't give up and you may just find it. Your spouse will be happy too : )

Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Griner) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:28:00 +0000

I feel as believers we should be thankful for 3 experiences: What God HAS done, What God IS doing, or What God IS ABOUT to do. This Thanksgving let's take time to reflect and pray in faith for these experiences. Thankfulness keeps our hearts tender towards the Voice of God and ultimately towards each other.

Life today is moving at a blinding pace and uncertainty looms overhead. Many of us will have family and friends gathered with us during the holiday season. Some of them may be struggling as they process through a difficult circumstance. We can offer them hope by demonstrating our own thankfulness.

1 Peter 3:14b-15a (NIV)
"Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience.