Telling Others All Is Well When It Isn't

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my [Paul's] presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.  Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. - Philippians 2:12-15

Oswald Chambers wrote "My worth to God publicly is measured by what I really am in my private life." Living by faith and walking in the light does not just happen. It requires commitment and discipline.  This new life requires effort of the heart… to submit to the Lord requires us to lay down on the altar.  Working out our salvation is not self-effort .. trying harder to be “good” …. it’s submission. 

So many people are satisfied with working on having a good-Christian appearance and miss the joy and peace that comes from living in obedience to the will of God.  I know too many people that are struggling with life and refuse to trust God.  (perhaps you do too) If you ask them, they will tell you that “all is well”, but all is not well, they just want it to be in spite of their living in disobedience. 

Desperation of circumstances can subvert your faith and divert your walk.  Unless you are willing to trust and obey.  I wish I could do that for others, but I can’t and neither can you.  We can only watch their struggle and hope they look to God for answers instead of trust in their own designs that have consistently failed them in the past.  And perhaps be an encouragement to them to look up.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills - From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore. - Psalm 121

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it.  Let your light shine and give God the glory.  

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

What Affects Our Saltiness

Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! - Luke 14:34-35

Last week the Bible Study leader made the comment that salt cannot lose it's flavor or properties. I was familiar with what Jesus said about salt so I thought I needed to dig a little deeper. It turns out that pure salt (sodium chloride) does not lose its saltiness over time; however, salt that contains impurities or additives can lose its flavor due to exposure to moisture or other conditions. In ancient times, less pure forms of salt could become tasteless if the sodium chloride was washed away or diluted.

So Jesus was referring to pure salt becoming impure. So I needed to look at the Spiritual context of saltiness. Christians who are pure - washed from sin - wholly devoted to God add "spiritual flavor" to the culture they live in. 

For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. - 2 Corinthians 2:15

But - if they allow the culture to dilute their saltiness - then they are no longer accomplishing their purpose on earth. They become indistinguishable from the lost. In other words if the Christians allow the flesh, sin, to suppress, quench, the Spirit in them then they, as salt, will lose the ability to have a spiritual effect in the world and thus nullify their God-given purpose. Holiness is no small matter but I fear that its importance is often taken lightly. If I sin I will be forgiven.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. - 1 John 1:8-10

In the case of unconfessed sin - my spiritual impact is stunted. That should concern you if it doesn't. It is not just an impediment to our witness in the world but in our relationship with the Lord.

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. - Psalm 24: 3-5

The point is not about losing your salvation - which is the source of your saltiness, but embracing sin and your old nature which dilutes your saltiness.

Don't lose your saltiness for God's glory and the good of others.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it.  Let your light shine and give God the glory.  

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17

I am certain you have seen electric cars on the streets in your city. They are shaped like other cars. They have 4 wheels, headlights, tail lights, wipers. But what you can't see is that they do not have a piston engine running on gasoline. They have very big batteries, instead. That is my rather loose analogy to Christians living in the world amongst those who are not Christians. We are a new creation and have a new means of propulsion.  

When Nicodemus went to see Jesus. Jesus looked under his "figurative" hood and told him - you need a different engine.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again. - John 3:3-8

And so, everyone who is born again has a new nature. Old things have passed away. You look like the rest of the cars on the outside, but you are radically different on the inside. So what does this have to do with love. Well, running on the old motor you were capable of one kind of love - natural affection - brotherly love if you will. But, with your new means of propulsion you are capable of the same love that God showed you by sending Jesus and Jesus showed you by going to the cross for you. In the same way, we are to show the world that same spiritually based love. 

No greater love has one [person] than this but to lay down [their] life for [their] friends - John 15:13 

BTW, when I put words in [brackets] it is because I have changed the word in the scripture reference - most often from a male reference to an inclusive male and female reference.  

The love that God and Jesus showed the world is spiritual at its root and is called Agape [uh-gopp-aa]

So how do we get it? Well, it starts with God - John 3:16. Then when we are born again we love God back  

According to Jesus, the greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. - Matthew 22:37 Totally focused and surrendered to the Father. When that happens we are able to love others in the same way - Love your neighbors as yourself. The second greatest commandment. The thing is that we can't do the second unless we do the first - first. Jesus said that all of the law - which covers how to live and worship - is hinged on those two commandments. These are some verses that drive the idea home.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. - 1 John 3:1

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. - 1 John 3:16

We love Him because He first loved us. - 1 John 4:19

And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. - 1 John 4:21

Pretty simple - natural love is dependent upon our flesh - agape love is dependent upon the Spirit of God.  My conclusion is that if you and I  have a problem loving others it is because we have a problem loving God.

They will know you are a Christian without telling them but by showing them.

When Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loved Jesus (John 21) - Peter said yes and each time Jesus essentially said "Show Me!" by tending to Jesus' sheep.  That was going to requires Agape love.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it.  Let your light shine and give God the glory.  

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

When Did We See You

Then they also will answer Him [Jesus], saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me. - Matthew 44-45

Everyone could see just fine but were blind - uncaring - to the needs staring them in the face. Now if they knew it was Jesus - well that would have been different.  

There is a man and woman - I assume a couple - that sit in a pew two rows down from us every Sunday. She brings him into the sanctuary, by herself, with him sitting on a simple chair with wheels. This particular Sunday, before the start of the service, the woman got up for some reason and left the man alone. After a few minutes, I noticed the he slowly, with considerable effort, stood up and began inching his way back closer toward the aisle, where they usually sit and then sat back down. He seemed to be using every ounce of strength that he had to move just 4 feet over on the pew. Frankly, I wondered if that could be me one day. It is cool in the sanctuary before it fills up with people. I noticed that he was trying to put his jacket on while sitting down. The jacket got hung up behind his head as he tried to find the other sleeve of his jacket. He was struggling to put his other arm in the jacket. All the while there were people sitting in the pew behind him chatting away - as if the man was not there. I waited for about 30 seconds thinking someone would surely make a move - but crickets. So I got up, walked down to where the man was sitting, asked if I could help and then helped him with his jacket. He thanked me but couldn't look up to see me. I patted him on the shoulder - a guy thing, wished him well and walked back to my seat. The people behind him never stopped talking - apparently oblivious to the man's need. I was thinking, people should come to the service on Sunday primarily to worship God corporately, secondly to show others Jesus and not just focus on people they know. 

That's when the Spirit brought the parable of the sheep and goats and the good Samaritan to my mind. So I wrote a note down on my bulletin. The topic for a future BLOG Post - this BLOG post. 

It is easy to have a judgmental attitude toward the goats, or the Levite or the priest. Thinking "that would not be me!" But it gave me pause to wonder - has that ever been me - could it ever be me. I shared the story with you not so that you would think I should be credited for doing a good deed. I shared that with you because we all need to be on the look out - the police call that a BOLO for others in need. I should not and could not encourage you to do something that I am not willing to do myself?

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. - John 15:13

There are always opportunities to show the love of God toward others. You must be ready to cross the road. They don't have to know who you are. And you do not need recognition from others for being a "good Samaritan" like the Pharisees did. 

they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. - John 12:43

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it.  Let your light shine and give God the glory.  

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Choosing The Jesus Way

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. - John 10:9

As I read in the Book of John this morning, I thought about people I know that have been so close to salvation but have stopped at the door and not entered in. It is not because they have not heard the Gospel, but they have not believed. Oh, they believe there is a God, but not beyond the fact of His existence. 

You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! - James 2:19

My heart hurts for them as I watch them struggle in life. It is not that they don't want their lives to be better, they just don't want it if it means they must travel the "Jesus Way"

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. - John 14:6

I know the gate to heaven is narrow - meaning that few will enter as compared to the many that have populated this earth. Only if I could make them see. But I remember my own life. When my folks shared their faith with me and Martie - and almost with everyone they met - and although I was respectful, I really wasn't interested. I didn't realize that they were planting seed wherever they went.

Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. - Matthew 13:3-8

Of course I want the people that are close to me to be good ground - but that is not my call - mine is to cast the seed - just like my folks. I am reminded of Jesus lamenting over His rejection by His own people.

Now as He [Jesus] drew near, He saw the city [Jerusalem] and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! - Luke 19:41-42

So what to do. Don't mistake your concern for the people you care about to be a prompting from God to tell them once again "Jesus Saves". They heard you the first or the last time you told them. The burden is on them to yield to the Spirit of God by faith. Like Paul said ...

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. - 1 Corinthians 3:6

But for you and I? 

Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear - 1 Peter 3:15

Listen to this - Phil Wickam - I Choose The Jesus Way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARSGgC9iQb0

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it.  Let your light shine and give God the glory.  

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

The Cost Of Following Jesus

Andy Rooney, a commentator on 60 Minutes for over 30 years, once said that a writer’s responsibility is to tell the truth. Not the comfortable version. Not the popular one. The kind that weighs on you, the writer, until you finally put it into words. 

That is how I approach writing these Devotional BLOGS. Sometimes I would like to tone them down, but the Spirit will not let me. Always keep in mind that my goal is to encourage you to press on toward the mark of your high calling in Christ Jesus. To listen for His voice - hopefully you will hear it through the words I write or say on my podcast. - As for me, I have decided to follow Jesus - no turning back!

Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”- Luke 9:57-62

One man was concerned how he would live - his standard of living and security. Another was concerned about taking care of his family - nuclear or extended. Another was concerned about leaving family and not seeing them.

All of those reasons seem reasonable to people - even responsible. But put those things in context to what Jesus said.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  - Matthew 16:24

So what does it mean to deny yourself. It starts with changing your priorities. Your preference must be to submit to God - every aspect of your life. Loving God with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength. That does not leave any room for other passions or pursuits. But to be in step for Jesus. He may not lead you to missions in some foreign land but He will most certainly require you to abandon your priorities in life that would take precedence over your devotion to Him.

Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. - Luke 12:51-53

Choosing the Jesus way can cause division perhaps even in your own family and your friends. I know it has in ours. It will test your true devotion. Choosing your family over Jesus means that you are not willing to follow Jesus. You must trust God even in the face of rejection by the people you care most about. Salvation brings radical change in our natural life and relationships. Don't expect those who are not born again to understand your new life.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. - 1 Corinthians 1:18

It doesn't mean that you love others less -  it is that you love God more.

And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,  saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? .....  whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. - Luke 14:27-30, 33

Often people want the benefit of salvation - eternal life - but do not consider the cost of salvation and following Jesus

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it.  Let your light shine and give God the glory.  

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Spiritual Discernment

DISCERNMENT is the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure. Natural discernment is making a determination or drawing a conclusion about some observation involving a natural, physical, emotional, or relational event or a combination of any or all of those factors. The assumption is that everything can be understood through natural discernment.

Spiritual Discernment differs from natural discernment in that conclusions drawn from the same observation are not solely reliant upon natural wisdom and intelligence but on spiritual revelation through the Holy Spirit. And so the conclusion a Christian draws from any particular event may not and often is not the same conclusion as the natural man. The natural man, without the Spirit of God, is incapable of understanding life from a spiritual perspective.

Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed. - Matthew 16:1-4

I was recently asked to watch a short video on the determination of when Jesus was really born. The author of the work focused on that natural phenomenon and human activity to "figure" it out. He was careful not to question the deity of Jesus - just the celebration of His birth on the 25th of December. Jesus was confronted by the religious leadership of the day. They wanted a sign - They were talking to THE sign from heaven. Jesus spoke to the about their lack of spiritual discernment - they were religious. They knew the scriptures from a natural perspective - the wisdom of man - but they did not understand the scripture from a spiritual perspective - the wisdom of God. And even when they saw the sign of Jonah, Jesus rising from the tomb (from the belly of the earth not a whale) after three days, they denied that it was a sign. It didn't fit with their understanding.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. - Isaiah 55:8

The disciples struggled with the same problem - looking to the world for spiritual answers is the "go to" for mortals - looking to the natural to explain the supernatural. Jesus asked the question (BTW He never asked any question He did not already have the answer to)

How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. - Matthew 16:13-14

Then Jesus challenged their understanding of who He was and is - after hearing who the world was saying He might be.

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 16:15-17

Jesus said that spiritual truth and discernment comes from God - through the Holy Spirit - and not through the reasoning of men. That is what made Peter different from the other disciples and the religious leaders. And from us, very often.

So how do you get spiritual discernment - intimate relationship. With whom? God the Father. Being one with Him and Jesus. Do you recall Jesus' prayer in John 17?

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. - John 17:20-23

With spiritual discernment our view and response to world events is very different. That perspective is called having a Christian World View. That view is not limited to, but includes, moral issues. When you were born again you received a spiritual nature. That nature must be nurtured and should be primary in the way we look at life. The Spirit of God teaches us spiritual truth and give us spiritual insight - if we are yielded to the Spirit and serious about our faith beyond "getting a ticket to heaven".

I want to close this with a prayer of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians chapter 1.

[I, Paul, pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. - Ephesians 1:17-21

That is my prayer for you as well.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it.  Let your light shine and give God the glory.  

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

The Definition Of Good

 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:8-10

I am certain that many of those reading this recall at least hearing about Vince Lombardi. 

"It was the summer of 1961 and Vince Lombardi started Green Bay Packers training camp holding something that needed no explanation and said…“Gentlemen, this is a football.” In five words, he communicated his point: if you want to be successful, we’re going to remember the basics and make sure we’re executing the fundamentals. You never graduate past the basics. Yes, you build on them but you never move past them."  (Mark Tiderman, Jr.)

So I would hold up Jesus to you and say, "This is the source of our salvation and right standing before a holy God." The basics of our faith. Saved by grace through faith not by our "good" works. In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul wrote that 

"And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace." - Romans 11:6

Grace is unmerited favor. Mercy, on the other hand, is not getting what we do deserve. Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus that we cannot be good enough to merit God's favor. Once we are born again by faith then there are good works that God has prepared us to do by the power of His Spirit. If what we do does not have, at its root, a spiritual seed, then it will not accomplish God's purposes. 

I recall telling a group of what they called "Ex-patriots" (meaning that they were living in one country - Haiti - but were citizens of another - the United States) that if they were in Haiti and God had not called them to the work, then they should go home. That was not well received. Each one was doing a "good" thing in their mind - but if they were doing it without the prompting of God merely out of a desire to do a good thing, then they should not give God the credit. It was a work of the flesh not of faith. You are familiar with what the Apostle James said about faith and works.

"Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." - James 2:17-18

Good works are a natural result of faith. God purposed it. Faith apart from works is a dead faith - meaning it is not producing the fruit it was intended to produce. Do you remember the fig tree that was not producing fruit? If not look it up. Mark chapter 11. A faith that is alive will produce fruit – it can’t help it.

But works apart from faith are also dead. Doing good things apart from faith has no eternal value. It is possible for people who lack faith to do good things. It happens every day. But God is not in it.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10

Do you remember the story of the rich young ruler?

 "A certain ruler asked him [Jesus], Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Why do you call me good? Jesus answered. No one is good—except God alone." - Luke 18:18-19

Jesus went on to ask the man questions about his good works. The man said he did all of the things Jesus asked about. Then Jesus told him to sell all that he had, give it to the poor and follow Jesus. The man left sad. 

Why? Because his faith was in his riches and not in God. Good works are a reflection of our love for God – the first greatest commandment and that love is then expressed in our love for others and that is expressed through our good works. 

So how do you know if your good works - worked? Well, to be blunt – you don’t need to know. It’s not about you. It is about the God we serve. The Apostle Paul wrote.

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. - 1 Corinthians 3:6

God gives the increase through our good works – we don’t. If you start looking for results from your labor then you open the door for pride to come in. And that leads to a place where you do not want to go.

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8

Man calls good what comes from man. God calls good what comes through man from God.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it.  Let your light shine and give God the glory.  

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Praying For People Even When They Don't Seem To Care

…men always ought to pray and not lose heart. —Luke 18:1

Are there people in your life that you care deeply about that you watch as they struggle in life. Making poor choices, suffering the consequences and then making more poor choices.  Do you believe that God can make a difference in their lives?  Has He made a difference in yours?  We tend to look at what people might “do” differently rather than how they might trust differently.  

People who choose poorly do so because they have full confidence in their ability to accomplish whatever it is that they must accomplish.  They just have to try harder or again.  Watching them floundering in life, we want them … try to wish them into … choosing better … to not give in to whatever is disrupting any possibility of them experiencing joy.  Often, with great sorrow, we have little confidence that they will be successful. The problem is that we too, have lost focus on the solution to their dilemma. 

The solution is not doing more … but doing less and trusting God more.  That is a faith transaction.  No amount of wishing or wanting is going to make that happen.  So what to do.  We must intercede for them with the One who is able to do more than we can ask or think.

[God] is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us - Ephesians 3:20

The prayers of a righteous man (person) are powerful and effective. - James 15:16  

Do you believe that? Someone once said that the only part of the Bible that you believe is the part that you obey.  If I could make someone want to do right and act on it, I would, but I can’t.  I cannot change a heart .. only God can do that.  So if I want a heart changed for the good, I must turn to the One who can do that.  BUT … He will not force His will on anyone .. that person must yield their heart … and what of they don’t or more correctly won’t?  Then you will be heart broken … just like the Father is as He watches millions reject His great Gift and Hope, Jesus.  But don’t lose hope .. don’t stop praying .. don’t stop trusting .. don’t stop caring … Keep looking to the hills from which our help comes! 

I lift up my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber - Psalm 121:1-3

(My Grandma Elgin's favorite Psalm by the way)

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Rejoice! Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

The Myth Of The Wise Men

Sometimes we think something is true when it is not. It is loosely coupled to the truth and over time - if you are not careful it can be accepted as the truth over the actual truth. And that is the case with the 3 Wise Men. For reference, this is what the Bible says.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." - Matthew 2:1-2

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. - Matthew 2:10-11

We have ceramic figures on our fireplace mantle depicting the baby Jesus in a manger. Pretty standard display. Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, Shepherds, 3 Wise Men (Some translations refer to them as Magi), a donkey and a camel. Looks great on the fire place but the thing is - it is not Biblically accurate. I suppose you might think of it as the Reader's Digest version of the Christmas Story.

The word Magi refers to the priests in Zoroastrianism (pronounced : zuh-rah-STRI-uhn-izum), it is one of the world's oldest monotheistic (one god) religions, founded by the prophet Zoroaster in ancient Persia around the 6th century BCE [BCE stands for "Before Common Era which is the politically correct version of BC - Before Christ]. That faith system emphasizes the struggle between good and evil, with the supreme god Ahura Mazda representing good. - My point is, if that is so then the wise men were probably not followers of Jehovah God. But that is not known to be fact either.

That also suggests that there is a good chance that they were not kings - recall  We Three Kings Of Orient Are.

When did they visit? (when they had come into the house)

The visit of the wise men occurred after Jesus was born, not on the night of his birth. They likely arrived when Jesus was a toddler, living in a house in Bethlehem.

So - my ceramic figures represent shepherds who visited on the night of his birth and wise men who visited probably more than a year later. After Mary and Joseph had moved into a house.

Common Misconceptions

Number of Wise Men: The Bible does not specify how many Wise Men there were; the assumption of three comes from the three gifts. They would have traveled about 6 months to get to Bethlehem and most likely would not have traveled alone.

Names of the Wise Men: Traditionally, they are named Melchior, Balthasar, and Caspar, but these names are not found in the biblical text.

The common Western tradition has identified them as Caspar (also Gaspar, Jaspar, Jaspas, Gathaspa), Melchior (also Melichior), and Balthazar (also Bathasar, Balthassar, Bithisaria). One popular legend has portrayed Caspar as a king of India, Melchior as a king of Persia, and Balthazar as a king of Arabia. 

Kings: They are often referred to as kings, but the biblical account describes them as wise men or astrologers.

So what is my point?

My objective is not to throw water on the celebration of the birth of Jesus. My point is that traditions can blur the truth of the Word. We are to be students of the Word of God. To be like the Bereans.

Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. [The Bereans] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. - Acts 17:10-11

We should not tell stories that are convenient - filling in the blanks - where scripture does not provide details. Over time - people cannot discern what is in the Bible and what has been fabricated by man and accepted as Biblical. 

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15

So the answer to the question posed by the title of this BLOG post is "We don't know their names and we don't know how many there were." But don't get rid of your manger scenes. Just be ready to tell the story the way the Bible tells it.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God [God breathed], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness - 2 Timothy 3:16

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Rejoice! Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Responding To God's Call

God appeared to Moses and said to him, “ ‘…bring My people…out of Egypt.’ But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go…?’ ” (Exodus 3:10-11).

Perhaps like Moses, You may have thought that God only calls certain – special – people – not someone like you - but that would not be correct. True – they are ones that you hear about – but every Believer is called by God for God’s divine and eternal purpose.

Romans 12:5-6 says that  - We, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us – 

It has been said that God does not call the equipped – He equips the called

God calls, prepares and then sends.  That pattern is clear in both the old and new testament times and in the lives of everyday Christians since. After my new birth in 1976, I was certain that I had been called to the ministry.  I thought I should become a Chaplain in the Army.  Just change the tank on my collar (the insignia for the Armor branch in the Army) for a Cross [the insignia for a protestant Chaplain].  Looking back now, I can see that becoming a Chaplain would have been a huge mistake. 

Oh, it was a good thing, but like Moses, it was something that I chose to do in response to the call of God not what God was calling me to do.  

Fortunately there were some very wise men that gave me council.  One a chaplain, another a mature Christian officer.  So, here I sit today, in Texas, a state that is not my own, just finishing my 20th year in a work that God has shaped me for. 

In the book Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren wrote that God SHAPES each of us for the mission that He has planned for us. The word SHAPE is an acrostic.  An acrostic is a word where each letter refers to another word. To say God SHAPES each of us is to say He prepares us with “S” - spiritual gifts, “H” - a heart or passion for the mission, “A” - natural abilities, “P” = a unique personality, and “E” – life experiences. All for His purposes, His glory and the good of others.

But there HAVE been times when I wondered why I can’t be most other people.  But then I remember that “ (I am) GOD’S handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for (me) to do.” That is (Ephesians 2:10)  It is easy to accept what the preceding 2 verses tell us … that “we are saved by grace through faith and not our own works”, not so easy to accept that we belong to God.  He is the potter and we are the clay.  His plans are bigger than my plans for my comfort or preferred occupation … God’s plans are eternal.

I am reminded that “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps." That is Proverbs 16:9

I sometimes tell Martie, my wife, that I wish I could only do one thing, like work on a garbage truck.  Those guys really only have to know two things.  1. Don’t get off the truck until it stops and 2. get back on the truck before it starts. (Actually there is more to it than that and they provide a great service to the community)  But on September 12, 1976, I surrendered my life to God and from then on my life was no longer my own.  When God calls us to lay our lives down, that means we must loosen our grip. To let go and let God.  All of you reading this know that “letting go” can be a challenge.  It was for Moses … it was for Peter .. it is for us.  

Maybe your calling is not like mine.  It might be that you are supposed to be a butcher, a baker or a candlestick maker, or a stay at home mom, or maybe ride on the back of a garbage truck - whatever.  It does not mean that your life does not belong to God.  You may not be called to lead a nation across a desert, but you have been called to live a life that brings glory and honor to God and lifts Jesus up as the resurrected King. To walk in obedience to the will of God and not follow your own way.

 Listen, it’s a struggle … you will struggle so long as you are on this side of heaven … you will be tempted, like Lot's wife, is to “look back to Sodom” (Genesis 19:26).  Or like Adam in the Garden, with the question tugging at your mind is “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1). Is this what I am supposed to be doing? 

But there will be a still small voice that whispers to your heart .. “This is the way, walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21) In spite of those distractions, listening to the Spirit and pressing on is what the redeemed must do.  

That would be you my redeemed friend!

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Rejoice! Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Keeping Focus On Loving God - Loving People - Spreading The Good News

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. — Ephesians 6:12-13

Prayer is one our weapons in the spiritual warfare that we fight every day.  In a battle, communication with the commander is important.  If you are not communicating with the Father, you are operating on your own .. and that is not a good place to be.  It is so easy to lose focus on your mission.  To get diverted.  If you are not in constant contact with your “commander”.  

We have been in Texas since 2017, initially to help with the recovery from Hurricane Harvey.  But that was never our primary mission. Although we have responded to an array of needs since Harvey, our primary mission has never changed.  

Our primary mission is to lift Jesus up.  To make Him known. To let people know that God has not forgotten them and there is a Savior whose name is Jesus. The primary method we do that is by serving others who are in need and have no hope of satisfying that need on their own. It is all too easy to become so focused on the method that you lose sight of the mission.  There are many organizations, faith based and secular responding the needs created by natural disasters.  On the surface there is little difference.  But in the case of the former, there is opportunity for an eternal solution to the needs of the people, for the latter, the solution is only as good for a lifetime, maybe less.

If the eternal destiny of the people you help is not important. If that has somehow become secondary to the material help you are providing, then you have lost focus on your mission.  In Star Trek - speak, you would call it your Prime Directive.  In God-speak, you would call it the Great Commission and Great Commandment. In order to accomplish your mission you must be willing to lay your life down (John 15:13, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 6:24) and walk in obedience to the Father’s will.  Micah 6:8 is perhaps the best synopsis of what that is … 

“What does the Lord require of you, oh man?  But to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” 

That means to not go your own way, not do what you think is best or reasonable, but to obey the Father.  Just like Jesus! Go figure!  So what does this mean for you?  I am addressing Christians who are pursuing their new life in Christ. Not necessarily a new life that means leaving their home behind to fulfill their God-given purpose.  But it could!  The bottom line … every day you live should be encompassed by who you are in Christ and the fact that the world needs to hear the Gospel and to see Jesus through the lives of the Saints.  To see Jesus in you. A transformed life does not happen because you do good things. It happens because of Christ in you. Being one with Jesus and the Father. 

I do not pray for these [the disciples and followers of Jesus of that time] alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word [all Christians after that time - including today]; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. - John 17:20-23

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Rejoice! Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - But Whose Christmas?

God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ… —Galatians 6:14

How much do you want to be identified with Jesus?  I mean, what are you willing to give up?  Material things are not what I am talking about.  Your attachment to them is a reflection of something deeper.  They reflect your attachment … dependence upon … something other than God for your hope, peace and joy.  If your whole heart belongs to God (Matthew 22:37-39), then giving up any possession or practice becomes trivial.  

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ - Philippians 3:8

Christmas is upon us.  The celebration of the advent of the Messiah.  At least that is what it started out to be.  But the world has taken possession of it.  Now it is a season to satisfy the lust of our eyes, our flesh and to fill the coffers of the businesses.  Now it’s “joy to the world, the sales have come, let’s charge our credit to the max!”  

The word "Christmas" originates from the Old English phrase "Cristes mæsse," which means "Christ's Mass." This term was first recorded in 1038 and reflects the Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. The secular culture would prefer you say "Happy Holidays" so as not to promote Jesus.

We cannot serve two masters, God and the world (Matthew 6:24).  Well, God says you cannot .. but the world says “Oh yes you can!” Which one do you believe?  My purpose is not to send you on a guilt trip a week before Christmas. But I do want you to think about where your heart is?  What is your biggest concern today?  That you have not bought enough presents?  That someone will be unhappy?  Or that Jesus will be forgotten in your home, not to mention our country, in the midst of the celebration that is supposed to be about Him.  If you are dead to sin and the flesh and alive toward Christ then your life will reflect that devotion.  The opposite is true if you are alive toward sin and the flesh and dead toward Christ.  Be careful my friend … it is so easy, especially in this culture, to choose poorly.  You won’t lose your salvation .. but you will miss God’s purpose.  That may not mean much to you now, but it will mean everything to you in eternity.

Enjoy the holiday - enjoy your family and friends - but remember, Christmas is not just about you!  Don't forget the reason for the season - 

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. - John 3:16-17

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Rejoice! Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone 

Where Is Your Primary Focus?

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. - Luke 6:45

You may have heard of the term "World View". It has to do with how you view life on this planet. And how you view life will determine how you live life. So it is not what you say you believe but how you demonstrate your belief by what you say and do. Believing that something is right is not the same thing as acting on that belief. 

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. - Matthew 19:16-22

Very often people will qualify their faith to match what they are willing to do. They hold on to those things that matter most to them. You may be familiar with the term "giving or surrendering your heart to the Lord" The phrase is most often associated with salvation. But sometimes our understanding of the term falls short of God's expectation.

One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:  “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ - Matthew 22:35-39

The young man got it backwards. He figured the greatest commandment was to love others - which he had demonstrated. But we are to love God first - will our all our heart, soul and mind - loving no room for anything to compete with our devotion to God. Then - the love of God will manifest itself through us toward others. It is only when our primary focus and devotion is on God will we have a Biblical or Christian world view. The young man loved wealth and all that it brought him in worldly comforts and security. That love got in the way of the greatest commandment and he was unwilling to abandon that devotion. Confronted by that truth - he walked away - sad. He could not - would not - deny his old nature. There is a song - Almost Persuaded - "almost persuaded but lost"

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. - Matthew 16:24

Listen - before you shake you finger at that young man - understand that his struggle is our struggle. Our old nature want dominion over our hearts' devotion. It is not one and done on the day the Spirit revealed and we acknowledged that "Jesus is Lord and God raised Him from the dead". 

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. - Romans 10:9

Our new life requires that we are spiritually vigilant - every day. That our primary focus is on God, the Father - our faith is in Jesus - we are submitted to the Spirit - and we are strengthened by the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. The way we live and what we do springs out of that focused relationship with Jehovah God.

So how it that working out for you?

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

You Are Your Brother's Keeper

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?" - Genesis 4:9

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. – 1 John 3:16-18

How important is your comfort to you? How important is your financial security?  How important is your faith in God and obedience to the Word of God? Like it or not, there is a tension between the things of the world and the things of the heavenlies.  Our old nature and our new nature.  

I had the privilege of meeting with three families some time ago to hear their stories and their struggle. To consider how we might help them recover from a disaster. Every day they faced the possibility of total failure.  So many of us worry about the accumulation of our 401k’s while so many others wonder if they will be OK today – worried they won’t have enough to even see it through the day, much less if they will have money for retirement.  Each family I met was persevering in the face of great hardship – it brought perspective on my life.  I was reminded of Matthew 25 when both the sheep and the goats asked Jesus “Lord, when did we see you?” and He answered, “When you did or did not attend to the needs of those in need, you did or did not do it to Me.” It is so easy to walk by or look the other way – when you are focused on yourself.

And he told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’– Luke 12:16-20

God does not say go hungry so your Brother will not be hungry.  But He does say – “If I have given you an abundance, over and above what you need to live, it is not so can spend it on yourself." (or build bigger barns.) We have friends – mentors really – whose life motto is “We live simply so others can simply live!” They have been very successful in life, but live in a very simple way.  Are you willing to do without so someone else can simply do? Man has tried to mimic God’s plan for mankind – socialism and communism are natural imitations of Spiritual principles.  They both fail miserably – God is not in it – in fact He is excluded from it.  Since Adam – man has wanted to be – not just like God – but his own god.  1 John 3:16 reminded me of Jesus words in John 15.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. – John 15:13

That means setting yourself aside for the benefit of others. The world will not fault you for taking care of yourself. In fact it will applaud you in your financial success, maybe even call you a good steward.  God, on the other hand might say, “You Fool”.  Think about it – maybe it’s time for a change in your priorities.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Running The Race

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. - 1 Corinthians 9:24

Over the years we have been blessed to meet and serve with hundreds of Christians who share our passion for serving others. And though time and distance may separate us, I can talk with one of them voice or email and it is as if I had seen them yesterday. It is the Spirit of God that has bonded us together. 

As I was writing one on these BLOG posts I referenced a Brother, friend and mentor. Then I called him to tell him what I had done. We had not spoken for 5 or 6 years. I shared that "I have been wondering if our season for service has passed. Frankly I am not ready to “lay down the plow”, but have been asking “What next Lord?” I am not sure what the Lord has in mind for me in the days and years ahead – but I am pretty sure I am not done – but like Job I must say “the Lord gives and the Lord takes away – blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21) In the meanwhile I will keep my hand to the plow for God’s glory and others’ good."

He responded - "What next?  You’re doing it.  First thing Paul said after not forsaking getting together is to encourage each other….. At 90 and 87 we stay closer to home, but it is our intent to not to drop out of the race till we go home… Keep writing!"

My friend was telling me .... 

Fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith. - 2 Timothy 4:7

I told him that his words made me think of a foot race. While I was in the Army I used to do that a lot – 5k’s 10k’ and 8 mile runs. There were always people who were faster and slower than me. But my goal was not to beat any of them but to finish well.  I was competing only against myself and my last run.  

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us - Hebrews 12:1

While I ran I would fix my eyes on something down the road and run to that and then refocus on the next thing.  until I saw the finish line – then I would pick up the pace because I wanted to have nothing left when I crossed the line.

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. - Hebrews 12:2 

The hills were steep, my legs were tired, my breathing was labored - but I put one foot in front of the other - focused on the finish line. as I ran I saw more and more stopped or walking. This race we are in a spiritual one. It requires stamina that can only be found in Jesus and the power of the Spirit.

So how about friend? Are you in the stands cheering or are you suited up and ready to run the race that the Lord has signed you up for?

From my experience I can tell you that you better put a double knot in those shoestrings!

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Choosing Something Bad And Expecting Something Good To Result

... by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. —Galatians 6:14

"Consecration, being dedicated to God’s service, is our part; sanctification, being set apart from sin and being made holy, is God’s part. We must make a deliberate determination to be interested only in what God is interested.” - Oswald Chambers

I have known a good number of Christians who have made tremendous errors in spiritual judgement.  Those errors have derailed their lives and brought grief and heartache … sometimes that lasts a lifetime.  And yet, they persist in continuing to make similar choices based upon their emotions … their desire to “fix the problem themselves or satisfy the need that seems to dominate their lives.  

Although they may sing “Jesus loves me this I know” … time and again they choose their own path and solutions over the path that God has laid out for them. (Proverbs 16:9) They quench the Spirit and listen to their flesh.  They ignore the Biblical counsel of their friends and family … and repeat the same mistakes that they have made in the past with, predictably, the same result. When I see this happening, my heart breaks because I know the joy they have rejected for the trouble that they will inevitably embrace as they meet the consequences of their choices.  

Does that sound dismal? That’s because it is.  God has called us out of that life.  But our faith must be more than a philosophy … a “get out of hell free” card.  The great gift we have came with a price .. Jesus on the cross .. yet even that is a distant thought when making life choices.  That truth is not enough to motivate us to choose God .. to follow the Spirit .. to sacrifice the flesh.

So why does that happen? For one reason, most of us do not separate ourselves from our old life.  It’s one thing to be in the world as a Christian.  It’s quite another to participate with the world.  To embrace what we know to be sin in an effort to secure the world’s substitute for God’s will and way.  Jesus prayed ...

I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. - John 17:15-17

We are to be in the world but not of it— to be separated internally, not externally. The interesting thing is that although I might speak to the wayward Christian to encourage them to draw close to Jesus, only the Spirit of God can bring conviction to their hearts and only they can yield to that conviction and turn to God in repentance.  So what to do.  Well. Be an example.  Love them .. not their sin … like Jesus.  Pray for them.  And bear the hurt in your heart as you watch them struggle with the impossibility of the life they have chosen.  Jesus spoke to the problem … the Apostles wrote about the problem to the churches .. my point, it is not a new problem in our generation.  It is the age-old struggle between the flesh and the Spirit natures.  The nature that you feed is the one that will dominate. 

Today .. choose Jesus.  He is the Way and the Life and the Truth. (John 14:6) Stop doing what you know is wrong for you.  The only way you can do that is by the Spirit. “It’s not by might or by power but by the Spirit”(Zechariah 4:6) You must understand that “It’s not by MY might or by MY power but by HIS Spirit”.  You can do it!  With His help.  Do it today.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Your Devotion May Not Be Bad But It May Be Eternally Harmful

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”" —Luke 9:57-62

We listen to the words people say, but God sees the heart.  Jesus could see the hearts of the three men He responded to. The first needed assurance that he would have some place to come back to.  The second had greater commitment to the affairs of this world.  The third had greater affection for his family.  None of those things are inherently bad. But, if they keep you from Jesus, then they are eternally harmful. So many people still to cling to the natural in their yearning for the supernatural.  Like Lot’s wife. 

It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. - Luke 17:30-33; Genesis 19:26 

 
I have watched so many Christians turn to look back, like Lot's wife.  Perhaps some did not have true faith, like the parable of the seed (Matthew 13), I don’t know. But is saddens me to know what they are missing. When faced with an eternal choice, they chose poorly. 

Probably the greatest sadness is when it is someone in your family.  They act one way when you are around and quite another when you are not.  That behavior shouts of their spiritual ignorance. It is not me that they should be concerned with, but God who judges the heart and who is always present.  People, Christian or not, might hide their sinful ways from you or one another, but they cannot hide from God. The very thing they needed they turned away from to embrace an imitation.  Something that satisfied the flesh.

It is interesting that Jesus did not chase after them, but let them go their own way.  We can’t see the heart of man, so we continue to hope that one day, they will choose rightly and turn their hearts, once again, toward God.    

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Who Gets A Trophy For Finishing Last

Then [Jesus] came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked [His disciples], “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” But [His disciples] kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all. - Mark 9:33-35

Perhaps the greatest challenge we have as Christians is avoiding the interpretation of spiritual truth through the lens of the natural world. In high school the students vote to declare the person in the class most likely to succeed. For the person who is the smartest. For the person who is most popular. Identifying people are the best in some category.

But Jesus said to be the best in the kingdom of God you must be a servant. Declaring everyone else as more important than yourself. You know the second greatest commandment. Jesus said of himself -  the Savior of the world - 

And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. - Matthew 20:27-28

Not only did Jesus model that life for us, but He called us to follow His example.

Then [Jesus] said to [the disciples], “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. - Luke 9:23-24

giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her - Ephesians 5:20-22,25

The sinful nature was given birth through man's desire to be his own god. To make his personal well-being the thing of primary importance. But our admonitions from the Apostle John was and is ....

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. -  1 John 2:15-17

So who gets a trophy for finishing last? The children of God, that's who! And like the Apostle Paul we must press on to win the prize for which God has called us  

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:13-14

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Two Essentials When You Hear God's Voice

 He went out, not knowing where he was going. —Hebrews 11:8

Oswald Chambers said “[as a Christian] One of the most difficult questions to answer in Christian work is, “What do you expect to do?” You don’t know what you are going to do. The only thing you know is that God knows what HE is doing. Continually examine your attitude toward God to see if you are willing to “go out” in every area of your life, trusting in God entirely. 

Ok So what are the 5 W’s you might be wondering. In the Army there are two basic types of written orders – A warning order – which is a heads up that you are about to do something and a field order which gives the details. The warning order is composed of what is referred to as the 5 W’s. Who, what, when, where, and why. 

But the thing is, in my experience, God does not give you all of that information before He sends you out. 

There are a couple of essentials in “going out”.  The first essential is “knowing”.  Knowing what? Knowing that it is God and not your own idea of what you should do or want to do.  When God sends you, He goes with you.  It’s not like leaving your parents’ home.  You leave and they stay. 

You must be careful … if you go off on your own to do something that requires the power of God, but you are doing it on your own … you are in trouble from the start.  You can do nothing in the flesh that will please God. To know it is God speaking, your heart must be right with Him … your relationship must be solid … your devotion to Him consistent.  God examines the heart.  Why do you think He chose Abraham?  

The second is “leaving”.  Leaving what?  Paul wrote to the church in Phillipi …. 

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. -  Philippians 3:-13-14

If you are going to follow God then you must be prepared to abandon your earthly affections and trust God.

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. - Hebrews 11:8-10

These men were willing to put their lives, their affections, their cultural preferences behind them in favor of following God.  Jesus said if you are going to follow Him … be His disciple … your love for even your own family must be subordinate to obedience to God’s voice and His will.  

I have heard many men say that their priorities are God, family, then ministry.  If I understand the Bible correctly .. ministry is doing God’s will .. it’s not a vocation … God may ask you to do something that requires not only your sacrifice, but your family’s as well.  That is a true test of higher devotion.  

I know people who think that doing comes before being.  The thinking is that if I immerse myself in the work of the ministry then I will be in the will of God.  That is a “works” mentality. But doing the will of God starts in the heart not in the hands.  Following God for Martie and me has meant that we have not been with our family for years at a time.  Do we trust God enough to believe that He is in control?  Even in the lives of those on this earth that we love the most?  If not, when He says go – you will say no … or maybe later.

Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father. But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead. – Matthew 8:21

So what is it that God has been saying to you?  Nothing?  Maybe you have not been listening ... or maybe you put your fingers in your ears because you don’t want to hear. Or maybe what the Lord asks of you is more than you are willing to sacrifice to the Lord.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Spirit Is Willing But The Flesh Is Weak

In Nehemiah 13, after Nehemiah had restored the walls in Jerusalem, the people of Israel, their practices and their places he returned to the King of Persia who had sent him to rebuild the walls. Then, while he was gone the people returned to the way they had been living before the walls were reestablished. 

The people had participated in the religious ceremonies organized by Nehemiah but that did not mean that they had yielded their hearts fully to God. When he was no longer there to influence them - they drifted back to the way they lived before. That is a bit like people of faith today. 

Then He [Jesus] came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. - Matthew 26:40-41

A good number of years ago I had considered starting a discipleship ministry called the Bent Tree ministry. I imagine that you have seen young saplings just after they had been planted. Some grow straight without support - but many lean over, one way or the other and if not supported will grow crooked. So the planters will use rope and stakes to hold the tree straight until its root system and fibers are realigned. That can take years of care. If the support is removed too soon the tree will want to return to its original position. 

I recall a story about Chuck Colson - you may not remember him - an American attorney and political advisor who served as Special Counsel to President Richard Nixon from 1969 to 1970. Once known as President Nixon's "hatchet man", Colson gained notoriety at the height of the Watergate scandal, for being named as one of the Watergate Seven and also for pleading guilty to obstruction of justice for attempting to defame Pentagon Papers defendant Daniel Ellsberg. In 1974, Colson served seven months in the federal Maxwell Prison in Alabama, as the first member of the Nixon administration to be incarcerated for Watergate-related charges. His mid-life religious conversion while in prison, sparked a radical life change that led to the founding of his non-profit ministry Prison Fellowship (From Wikipedia)

Chuck was talking to a man about the importance of discipleship. The man said that he didn't need other Christians that he could go it alone just fine. Chuck walked over to the fireplace - pulled out a glowing ember with the tongs and stared at the glowing ember, saying nothing. The ember grew fainter and fainter until the fire went out. Then Chuck said - "That is what happens to Christians who believe they can go it alone. We need the presence of other Christians to help keep the fire burning." 

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. - Hebrews 10:24-25

Staying connected to other Christians who have a hunger and heart for God is critical to your spiritual well-being.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Being The Light Even When It Hurts Someone's Eyes

If we fail to embrace the primacy of our new nature in our life then we will put the natural at the front of the line .. at the top of the stack of responses to life. 

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” -  Galatians 2:20 

 The life I now live in the body .. means the natural life has been usurped by Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  How I respond to life should always be based on who I am in Christ.  Romans 12:2 says don’t be conformed to the natural but be transformed by the supernatural.  Loving God with all of you does not leave any room for the flesh and the natural.  Jesus said

 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” -   Luke 14:26-27 

That means that you must put the natural in its proper place and it cannot be ahead of Jesus and your new life.

Most people want to be in harmony with their family.  Sometimes our faith gets in the way of that natural harmony. Many people want the acceptance of their family more than anything.  If you are a Christian, that may not be possible if you are unwilling to compromise your faith.  Have you ever “tucked your faith in your pocket” when you are around certain people so as not to offend them?  If you have, you put the natural ahead of the supernatural.  You chose to deny your faith in favor of  acceptance from the world .. and that may include your family and friends.  You don’t have to be offensive, but you should also not be apologetic.  We are called to be salt and light.  Salt that has lost its saltiness …its ability to do what it was created to do … flavor and heal … is good for nothing and should be cast out to be trampled under men’s feet. (Matthew 5:13) That doesn’t sound good does it.

So .. we are looking at another Christmas … another reminder that God sent His Son so we might be saved from our sin.  The world is trying hard to erase that truth from this celebration and make it about money.  But ... you need to be salt and light – what you were created to be (2 Corinthians 5:17).   Have you ever been in a dark room and someone opened the curtains or turned the lights on.  Did it hurt your eyes?  That is what you do spiritually when you are around other people who are living in darkness.  Be the light!   

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” - Matthew 5:16

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Having More Of A Sincere Faith Than Most

Hananiah was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do. - Nehemiah 7:2  

Reading in Nehemiah this morning I came across a phrase that "popped" out on the page. The Spirit's way of getting my attention I suppose. Nehemiah, as you know, was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He was near the point of securing the city and delegated responsibility for overseeing the managing of, what I will call, the municipal operations. He chose his brother and Hananiah. He picked Hananiah because the man had integrity and feared - or respected is a synonym for feared - God "more than most people do".

So that made me think about  - the first and second greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-39) and the the story about the rich young ruler (Matthew 19). If you recall - the rich young ruler fulfilled the second commandment and staked his relationship with God and his eternal destination on it - but when challenged to sell everything he had and give it to the poor - he stumbled because he loved money more than God - and so he failed the first greatest commandment - loving God with your entire being. If you try to get to heaven by fulfilling the second commandment and not the first - it would be salvation by works and as you know - Ephesians 2 says it is by faith and not works lest anyone - like the rich young ruler - should boast.

So back to Hananiah. He was described as having integrity - the idea behind integrity is to be without flaw. That can describe a person who has moral integrity - or even a building that has structural integrity. You get the idea! So we might conclude that he was honest, loyal and trustworthy. Good traits for someone that you are going to delegate responsibility to. But there was also a spiritual component - he revered God more than most. I think that Nehemiah would have preferred to have someone that had 100% spiritual integrity - but had to settle for someone who "had more spiritual integrity than most". We don't know how much of his heart, soul, mind and strength were yielded to God - just that whatever the percentage was - it was more than most of the other people Nehemiah had to pick from. 

So what is the point. You may find someone who is an example of the second greatest commandment - with respect to their relationship and devotion to other people - but you will be hard pressed to find anyone who loves God the most - apart from Jesus. So long as we live in this sinful bodies we will struggle with our sinful nature. We might be in the "more than most" group - but our righteousness will always, only, be found in Jesus - not in us or by our effort. The best that can be said of any of us is that we feared - respected - God more than most. That like David - we had a repentant heart and a desire to please God.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Don't Lose Hope When Things Don’t Go Your Way

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. - Psalm 43:5

Have you ever been discouraged?  Of course you have.  Have you ever lost hope because life made a left turn when your thought you were going to the right?  It is the reality of living in a world that has rejected the One who created it.  A world that suffers under the burden of sin and the brokenness that sin brings.

I was talking with someone the other day.  They were sharing their concern for their child.  The child, who once had been “sold out” to Jesus, was now struggling with their faith.  Questioning their faith and God.  I would hazard a guess that most Christian parents know that concern. But it is not like pulling your child out of the street by the arm so they don’t get hit by a car.  When it comes to facing life and the struggle it brings, they must choose to get out of the street on their own.  You can certainly pray for them and should.  But no amount of talking (or nagging) will  coax them out of the street.  You must love them through their struggle of faith.

I told my friend that what we see is like looking at a picture.  A moment in time.  We should be careful that we don’t draw the wrong conclusions about their life.  I asked if they could remember a point in time when the child professed their faith in Jesus. “Yes” was the answer.  

I am an eternal security guy.  I believe that once your are adopted by faith into the family of God, nothing can change that.  I believe that being sealed by the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14) is a forever thing.  I believe that when Jesus said (John 10:28) “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”) That “no one” means no one, including the person who has been given eternal life. The person who was born again.

I told my friend that they needed to trust God and believe His Word is truth.  (Oh, did that sound like Proverbs 3:5-6?) That the certainty of salvation applies to their child even when they see the child wandering into the street – not embracing their faith.  Struggling to understand why what happened to them, happened to them.  Is God really there? Does their faith really matter?  

Don’t draw the wrong conclusion from that photo. God sees from beginning to end. We only see what is now and what we can see in the photo album representing their life in the past. God is sovereign.  He’s got this.  

 “Faith is the substance of things hoped for.  The evidence of things not seen.”  - Hebrews 11:1 

So I encouraged my friend and I encourage you, friends, with this.  

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7  

I just listened to a sermon by the pastor of the church we attend. He said that when we are facing problems in life we can count on the presence of God. The promises of God. And the provision of God.

That there are 5 things that we can know are true in the midst of our problems.

1. God is greater than my problem.

2. God is not limited by my problem, even though I might be.

3. God is with me in the midst of my problems

4. God will carry me through my problems

5. During the waiting for His provision God will sustain me, strengthen me, and satisfy me.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone