It Was And Is And Will Be Jesus

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

I was not raised in a Christian home. My dad was a nominal Episcopalian married to a Jehovah's Witness. My mom was a nominal Catholic married to a Christian Scientist. I rarely went to church with my dad and never went to church with my mom. While I was in the Army serving in Vietnam, I started receiving letters from my mom, telling me about her newfound faith in Jesus. After I returned from Vietnam and got out of the Army I moved back home for a time. Home life was not what I remembered. Everything was different. I was confused and felt out of place. There was something they had that I did not, but I could not quite put my finger on it. When I talked to mom about what was happening, she told me what the difference was - It was Jesus. I understood the words but equated it to religion as I knew it. And left it at that.

Not long after, I got reacquainted with a girl I had met at a soda fountain in a local drug store and got married. I was confused by and really not interested in religion. She was Catholic, so we got married in a Catholic church, but I did not convert. I saw it as just a religion - like the other religions. I went to church with her, now and again, but I really wasn't interested in it. I went to make her happy. As time passed, our marriage was OK, but it was lacking. We were both committed to staying married, no matter what - but that commitment was getting stretched. 4 years after our marriage my mom invited us to church. That same Sunday, I came under conviction and told Martie that I was going to make a decision that would change our life together. She said later that she thought I was going to ask for a divorce. That wasn't it. It was Jesus. I told her I was going to surrender my life to Christ. She said, "Did you think that maybe I wanted to do that too?" So, we knelt next to the bed together and prayed the prayer of salvation. We started a new life together - because of Jesus.

Years later our daughter told her mom that she would never re-marry if she could not have what Martie and I had in a relationship. We have been married 52 years and our children joke about how we still flirt with each other. I told Martie to tell her that the difference in our relationship was and is Jesus. Jesus makes the difference. I saw a bumper sticker once that said, "No Jesus - No Peace; Know Jesus - Know Peace."

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He came that we could and would have life and have it more abundantly. Just as the Creator Father God intended. As an acquaintance with Campus Crusade for Christ, Military Ministry would say, "It's all about Jesus and all about grace". The difference was and is and always will be Jesus. He is a difference maker.

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 You Approach God

"The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory." —Psalm 97:1-6

“A person who has not been born again by the Spirit of God will tell you that the teachings of Jesus are simple. When we come into close contact with the teachings of Jesus Christ, we have our first realization of this. The only possible way to have full understanding of the teachings of Jesus is through the light of the Spirit of God shining inside us. If we have never had the experience of taking our casual, religious shoes off our casual, religious feet— getting rid of all the excessive informality with which we approach God— it is questionable whether we have ever stood in His presence. The people who are flippant and disrespectful in their approach to God are those who have never been introduced to Jesus Christ.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Are you familiar with the idiom “Coming with your hat in your hand”?  It means to approach someone “In a meek or submissive manner. (The removal of one's hat is typically a gesture of respect.)”  Men used to tip their hat or grab the brim and move it downward as a show of respect.  Standing before God with our hats in in our hands is comparable to Moses removing his sandals because He was standing on holy ground. When we come to worship, we may come just as we are, but we must be careful that we are not prideful in our attitude toward God thinking He can “take it or leave it”.  You are thinking, “I would never do that?”  Well, my fear is that many of us refuse to remove our hats when we stand before God.

Over the past 30 years, there has been a shift in how people dress on Sunday morning.  We no longer wear our “Sunday go to meetin’ clothes”, but whatever we pull out of the closet.  If a man wears a suit and tie to church people think he is going to preach.  You know that God judges the heart of man, not his outward appearance.  But very often the outward appearance is a reflection of the heart.  Don’t misunderstand me.  I don’t think Moses had a suit and tie on when God interrupted his life … he had on work clothes.  This is not about clothing.  It’s about reverence.  In times past, I am certain that many people came to church “all dolled up”, “dressed to the nines” (I love those old sayings) with sin in their heart, looking for recognition by men and not God.  What I am concerned about is that we may have lost our awareness that we have come to worship a Holy God.  When we approach Him, on any day, it must be with an awareness that the only reason we have access to God is because of Jesus and His sacrifice. 

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” - Hebrews 4:13-16

The next time you pray .. read the Word of God .. attend a worship service … maybe even take your next breath … keep this in mind.  He is the potter, we are the clay.  We are saved by God's grace and mercy through faith and not works .. with respect to our salvation, there is nothing we can take credit for.  So remember to take off your hat!

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

Singing Your Song In The Midst Of The Storm

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies." - 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

As I was walking down the hall after getting a cup of coffee – my morning motivation – I had an image of a little bird sitting on a wire calling out in the midst of a hurricane.  To what avail does the bird sing?  How can it possible stand against the storm.  How can it possibly be heard above the wind and rain and thunder.  

It may seem to you that the “cultural” storm that rages about us is too much.  The light that shines from us .. the song we sing .. is drowned out by the force of the storm – and we will have no affect.  Not so.  When the nation of Israel finally reached the river Jordan the first time, (Numbers 13-14) 10 of the 12 spies saw the “storm” – the Giants in the land and a great fear came over the people.  They refused to continue to follow the spiritual leadership of Moses.  They would not cross the river. And so they missed a blessing – the very purpose for leaving Egypt.  They did not fulfill their purpose because they did not trust in God but themselves.  And so, they died in the desert.  They missed God’s best.  True, they were no longer slaves, but they missed God all the same.

The second time the nation approached the river … the same storm was raging .. and more .. the river was at flood stage … impossible for men .. but possible for God.  When they stepped into the water by faith … the river backed up and they occupied the land.  Fulfilling God’s plan.  I was sharing how Pathfinder became Pathfinder with some friends the other day.  Before Martie and I submitted to God’s leading to start this ministry, we talked with my mom about it.  We told her about what God was leading us to do.  About the problems.  Our hesitation.  We had not gone to Mississippi with the intention of staying there and certainly not starting a ministry.  She said “Charley, the river Jordan did not back up until they stepped out into the water.”  My response was “Got it Mom!”  We had to step out in and by faith.  Put our trust in God and not in the hardship that we would surely face.  She asked, “What are you going to call it?” We had not thought that far ahead .. we were still trying to get our socks and shoes off before we stepped in!  She said, “What about Pathfinder?”  Pathfinder was the name of the youth ministry that my folks had started in Peoria, Illinois.  So, we decided to go with it .. Pathfinder on Mission.  Pathfinder Mission.  A work of faith.

Each of us is called to step into the water.  These are dark times spiritually .. but I suspect they are not the darkest times that have ever been .. just the darkest that we have seen.  When I flew helicopters in the Army, I sometimes flew at night in the desert.  It was very, very dark.  No visible horizon, meaning you could not see where the sky and earth met.  Hard to keep oriented.  But then someone would light up a chem-stick.  In all the darkness, I could see it from far off.  One light in the midst of the darkness.  Pointing me to my destination.  My encouragement to you … Let the Light of Christ shine through you! Sing the song that God has given 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

Living The Almost But Not Quite Christian Life

All the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen… —2 Corinthians 1:20

 “Jesus’ parable of the talents recorded in Matthew 25:14-30 was a warning that it is possible for us to misjudge our capacities. This parable has nothing to do with natural gifts and abilities but relates to the gift of the Holy Spirit as He was first given at Pentecost. We must never measure our spiritual capacity on the basis of our education or our intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured on the basis of the promises of God. If we get less than God wants us to have, we will falsely accuse Him as the servant falsely accused his master when he said, “You expect more of me than you gave me the power to do. You demand too much of me, and I cannot stand true to you here where you have placed me.” When it is a question of God’s Almighty Spirit, never say, “I can’t.” Never allow the limitation of your own natural ability to enter into the matter. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be exhibited in us.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest 

Do you ever feel like living the Christian life is too difficult?  It may not be for some people, but God expects too much of you.  Maybe you have given up trying and are content with living a life of partial obedience? No one knows you have settled for less. Well, except for you and God that is.  Here's the deal.  What the God demands of you is impossible for you to live by self-effort.  But don’t think there is no hope for you.  Don’t resolve yourself to a life of “almost but not quite”. 

 I am not suggesting that you will live a sin free life.  You will not be perfected until you are with Jesus, .. in heaven .. or in the air. But you can live a life confident of who you are in Christ all the while aware, actually reminded every day, of who you were and what your personal limitations are.  Who you were is not who you are and who you are is not who you are going to be. You must keep that focus.  Keep a clean heart by taking your sins to the Lord (1 John 1:9) every day.  Living the Christian life is impossible if you think you can do it on your own. Living the Christian life is a joy if you live it in the power of the Holy Spirit, knowing that you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13).

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 We All See Jesus - When Will That Be Exactly?

"For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places." - Matthew 24:5-7

Another Eclipse has come and gone. Millions of people stared into the sky with their special glasses to watch as the moon covered the sun for a moment. Darkness fell upon the earth in the same moment. Not like the evening that we are used to which is the sun gradually setting, but more like someone dimming the lights from bright to dark in a minute or two.

People marveled at the event. I think many if not most felt very small at that moment in time. They could not stop it from happening. It was way beyond their control. Some wondered if God was sending a message. Others were certain He was not, after all in their thinking, there is no God. But still, I think many or perhaps most realized how small each one of us are in this vast universe.

I know some Christians who are looking to the East expecting Jesus to come in the clouds any minute. There is a beating of the war drums in so many places, today - surely Jesus is on the way to bring an end to this madness, to the disasters, and the earthquakes. As much as we would like to know when that day will be, we won't until that day is upon us. 

"As he [Jesus] sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.... “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." - Matthew 24:3-8, 36-40

I think the Word makes it pretty clear that - as in the days of Noah - people will not be ready or even believe it is going to happen. There will be no "Jesus Tracker" on television pointing to where and when the event will happen. Jesus said that not even He knows the time. So why do we think that we can figure it out on our own?  Perhaps because we are not familiar with what the Word says about it. Maybe we "camp out" in the Book of Revelation - it is sensational, isn't it? And ignore the other Books. Peter wrote - 

"They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.  But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." - 2 Peter 3:4-9

Can you imagine this with me. One day in heaven - 24 hours is equivalent to one thousand years = 8 million 760 thousand (8,760,000) hours - on earth. So Jesus was crucified (33 AD) which is 1991 years ago. That is just shy of 2 days in heaven-time. We have a natural perspective on time. It's all we know. If I got my math right, an 80-year life span in earth is equivalent to about 1.92 hours in heaven. Oh, I can hear the fingers typing on the calculators now! (Use Excel - it's easier)

I remember my mom asking me if I thought Don - her husband, my spiritual father and stepdad, who had passed away 8 years prior, remembered her. I did the calculation and said, "Mom he has only been in Heaven for 12 minutes - he is just figuring out where he is!" You probably noticed I did not answer her question. Frankly I am not sure about all of that. What is important is knowing that God is faithful and one day Jesus will return. Until that day, our place is to be faithful in how we live and 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

Trusting God In Spite Of What I See

"I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth." —Genesis 9:13

“Waiting for God to act is fleshly unbelief. It means that I have no faith in Him. I wait for Him to do something in me so I may trust in that. But God won’t do it, because that is not the basis of the God-and-man relationship. Man must go beyond the physical body and feelings in his covenant with God, just as God goes beyond Himself in reaching out with His covenant to man. It is a question of faith in God— a very rare thing. We only have faith in our feelings. I don’t believe God until He puts something tangible in my hand, so that I know I have it. Then I say, “Now I believe.” There is no faith exhibited in that. God says, “Look to Me, and be saved…” (Isaiah 45:22). When I have really transacted business with God on the basis of His covenant, letting everything else go, there is no sense of personal achievement— no human ingredient in it at all. Instead, there is a complete overwhelming sense of being brought into union with God, and my life is transformed and radiates peace and joy.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

You may have heard the saying “Those who can’t do, teach.” Well, that may be true for some, but there are many teachers who are masters at their discipline and have chosen to teach others in that discipline, communicating their skills and knowledge they have gained in “the real world” in the classroom.  In the same way, I could not write the words that I do, had I not experienced what I write about.  That is the nature of discipleship.  I can study books that tell me about flying, but unless I actually have flown, it’s all hypothetical.  So …. as I read Chambers this morning … I was reminded of our faith journey.  God has called Martie and me to a life that is unfettered from conventional wisdom.  In other words, we do things that don’t make sense to “reasonable-rational” men … that is if you want a secure retirement and to live the American dream.  Nothing wrong with those things .. that is unless they are the source of your saying “no” to God.  If that is the case, they are stumbling blocks and should be tossed aside.

The most important question for a Christian to answer is .. “Do I trust God?”  if not, then you trust something else.  Abraham followed God and did not know where he was going.  He trusted God without seeing.  Life is like that.  We should not presume that we can get ahead of God. Martie and I are in the center of His will for us, of that we are confident.  We are doing what He called us to do.  Worldly consequences are not the measure of the “rightness” of the call.  If things don’t seem to be going the way you thought they would or should … will you still follow God and walk in obedience to what you “do” know? Or will you want to turn back like Israel facing the Red Sea. People asked Noah where the rain was.  It was on its way, but God was holding it back. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, but we must be obedient to what we know 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

A Demonstrated Heart For God

“…that I may know Him…” - Philippians 3:10

“We are not here to develop a spiritual life of our own, or to enjoy a quiet spiritual retreat. We are here to have the full realization of Jesus Christ, for the purpose of building His body. Am I building up the body of Christ, or am I only concerned about my own personal development? The essential thing is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. To fulfill God’s perfect design for me requires my total surrender— complete abandonment of myself to Him. Whenever I only want things for myself, the relationship is distorted. And I will suffer great humiliation once I come to acknowledge and understand that I have not really been concerned about realizing Jesus Christ Himself, but only concerned with knowing what He has done for me.” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

I met a guy while I was working on a house in Houston after Hurricane Harvey.  He had come to measure for replacement windows. As it turned out, he owned the business.  One of the first things you notice about this particular guy is that he is very strong .. Arnold Schwarzenegger strong.  It is obvious that he spends a lot of time in the gym.  Getting past that and the unspoken challenge to your own manhood, the next thing you notice is that he is very kind.  As we talked, I learned that he was a man of faith and a Brother in Christ. When I posted a picture of us on Facebook someone commented about his biceps. That is because they are disproportionately large for his stature.  But what you could not see on Facebook was the size of his heart and the depth of his faith in the Lord. Although he obviously was concerned about building up his body, He was more concerned about the Body of Christ.  He told me that he would not charge anything for the windows or the labor - it was a gift for the homeowner.  When I mentioned he might be recognized for it, he balked at the thought.  Why? Because with his heart from God comes humility before God.  It was a picture of Micah 6:8

“What does the Lord require of you, oh man? But to do justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8

If we do anything for God then we should be ready to give all the credit to God.  My new friend spoke a lot about God’s grace.  Unmerited favor.  He was shown grace in his life and was showing grace to others.  Showing grace and mercy to others will cost you something .. but when your heart is right, it is a price you will gladly pay. 

“No greater love has one man than this, but to lay down his life for his friends.”  - John 15:13

That was not a simple act of benevolence .. it was a spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1-2). 

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

Be The Light

"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world." - John 1:6-9 

I can't remember how many times I have written "Be the Light" at the end of one of my devotions. Sounds good but it falls short of the truth. Like John the Baptist - the greatest man that ever lived according to Jesus (Luke7:28), we are not the light, but we are sent to bear witness to the Light.

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." - John 8:12

The light is Jesus. 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." - 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

We have all been given the ministry of reconciliation - like John the Baptist. As ambassadors of Christ we are to implore the world to be reconciled to God (the Father) through Jesus the Son. The Light that was sent into the darkness. Do you see it? Do you receive it? Do you embrace it? Jesus is the Light and we are little lights sent out to share the Good News with words and the way we live and love.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." - Matthew 5:13-15

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

Seeking Vindication And Justification For Loving Things That Do Not Honor God

"Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt." —Psalm 123:3

"What we must beware of is not damage to our belief in God but damage to our Christian disposition or state of mind. “Take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously” (Malachi 2:16). Our state of mind is powerful in its effects. It can be the enemy that penetrates right into our soul and distracts our mind from God. There are certain attitudes we should never dare to indulge. If we do, we will find they have distracted us from faith in God. Until we get back into a quiet mood before Him, our faith is of no value, and our confidence in the flesh and in human ingenuity is what rules our lives. Beware of “the cares of this world…” (Mark 4:19). They are the very things that produce the wrong attitudes in our soul. It is incredible what enormous power there is in simple things to distract our attention away from God. Refuse to be swamped by “the cares of this world.” Another thing that distracts us is our passion for vindication. St. Augustine prayed, “O Lord, deliver me from this lust of always vindicating myself." - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

There are things in this world that are spiritually neutral. In other words, they don’t have a positive or negative spiritual consequence. The problem is that our discernment can become dulled to those things that have negative consequences but are acceptable in our culture but contrary to the Word.  

“Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." - Proverbs 4:23

There are certain things in everyone’s life that we cling to, even though, in our heart, we know they are not right.  There are things that we teach our children are wrong, yet we will sit in our living rooms and watch those wrong things being played out on the television screen or in a movie theater.  What you allow in your home through music and visual media is a statement by you to your children that those things are acceptable.  Do this.  The next time you watch your favorite television show, count those things (words or relationships) that are contrary to the Word of God.  Each one is a lesson.  There is an old adage “Do as I say, not as I do.”  Well, I would suggest that the lesson being taught in many homes is, “Don’t do as I say, do as I do.”  I can remember when I was a little boy, my dad told me not to smoke because it was bad for me.  All the while he was smoking a cigarette.  What is the “real” message there?  If you want to be like me, then you should smoke.

When we observe sin, vicariously, we convince ourselves that it is entertainment and not “really all that bad”.  What we don’t realize is that our flesh is at the root of it.  Sin is attractive to our flesh because our flesh is sinful.  Look, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig!  Whether it is language, life style, or sinful behavior … it promotes those things that are supposed to have been crucified in your life. Bottom line, if you crave those things, you have a sin problem.  Hope you don’t stop reading my devotions because of that!  Our country has a problem with violence and the most popular television shows are about people killing people.  Parents fear their daughters getting pregnant before marriage, yet most movies and television dramas portray and promote extra-marital sex.  The same media that is slamming men for sexual aggression toward women is promoting Victoria Secret in China, the world’s sexiest man, and promoting women as sex objects at every turn.  Think about it Church!  It’s the frog in the pot.  Christians are being boiled alive … and they think the water is just right!  Don’t try to vindicate yourself .. justify your actions .. confess and repent .. honor God in all you do.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." -  Philippians 4:8

Be careful that you are not turning your spiritual nature off when you turn your TV on, sit down in a movie theater or gather with other people.  

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 Temptation To Jump Off A Bridge

"Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Has your new life in Christ made a difference in the way you live .. in what you value .. in what you do?   Making the transition from the old nature to the new nature is troublesome for most Christians.  Embracing the idea of being forgiven and going to heaven is easy compared to submitting your will to God everyday .. every moment. Will you lay your life down on the altar. (Romans 12:1-2)

Did your mom ever ask you in response to your saying “all my friends are doing it”, “If your friends jumped off of a bridge would you too?” We have been called to follow after God, but it is so much easier to choose to follow the majority instead.  The Bible says “Don’t give Satan a foothold” 

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesian 4: 29-32

But what if the other Christians you hang out with are doing some of those things?  Are they really that bad?  Watching the wrong things, saying the wrong things … doing the wrong things … Good question.  In fact that question has been asked many times over the centuries.  The first time was in the Garden.  “Did God really say you will surely die?”  When you ask a question like that, you are suggesting that God is wrong in telling you not to.  Listen .. It is easier to give in to sin than it is to the Holy Spirit.  You don’t have to fight your natural will when you do.  I am not trying to send you on a guilt-trip but want to challenge you to consider where you are in your spiritual walk.  The choices you make. What needs to change in your life?  You don’t know?  Read the word and pray about it.  The Spirit of God will reveal it to you. 

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

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

Keeping Your Heart In Tune

"They said to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die." —Exodus 20:19

“We don’t consciously and deliberately disobey God— we simply don’t listen to Him. God has given His commands to us, but we pay no attention to them— not because of willful disobedience, but because we do not truly love and respect Him. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). We show how little love we have for God by preferring to listen to His servants rather than to Him. We like to listen to personal testimonies, but we don’t want God Himself to speak to us. Why are we so terrified for God to speak to us? It is because we know that when God speaks we must either do what He asks or tell Him we will not obey. But if it is simply one of God’s servants speaking to us, we feel obedience is optional, not imperative. We respond by saying, “Well, that’s only your own idea, even though I don’t deny that what you said is probably God’s truth." - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

I am certain that you know already how it is that God speaks to us.  By His Spirit, through prayer, the Word, circumstances, and other believers (the Church).  Of the four ways, the common point is the Spirit.  Our relationship with the Father is a spiritual one not a physical one.  I know, I know, tell you something that you don’t already know.  The problem is not in the knowing .. it’s in the remembering and after the remembering in the obeying.  To receive what the Spirit says to you, you must be in tune with the Spirit.  In other words, your heart must be right.  You must be ready and willing to hear.  Some years ago, a friend of mine and I were preaching at a revival at a small church in Mississippi. He was also responsible for leading the singing.  He had brought his guitar and his two sons with him.  Unbeknownst to him, while he was speaking, his sons detuned his guitar .. not maliciously, but out of curiosity and innocence.  All was well until he played the first chord.  A strange noise came from the guitar that did not sound at all like a “C” chord. There are 6 strings on a guitar.  His fingers were in the right place on the fret board.  But the guitar was mis-tuned.  Being fast on his feet, he announced that we would sing acapella that night.

In the same way, you can be on the right place … in church, Bible study, quiet time, prayer closet .. wherever, but if your heart is out of tune … if you have unconfessed sin … if you are self-focused, when the Spirit speaks … you won’t hear a “C” chord.  Your heart will resonate something else.  

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." - Galatians 5:24-25

Before a performance musicians check the tuning of their instruments.  It sounds like a jumble of sounds if there is more than one instrument.  But then, the conductor gets their attention, and everyone focuses on the conductor and they play together in harmony.  What was noise, cacophony I think is the word, becomes a thing of beauty.  When we obey the Spirit .. when we are living in tune with God, our lives become a thing a beauty and shine like the morning sun in a dark and desperate world.  So, tune up my friend … this world needs to hear your song.

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

Just One Letter Out Of Place

"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

If you are in Texas reading this then you know that there was a BIG rodeo event in Houston recently. As part of the event, Fort Hood sent their ceremonial cavalry unit to participate.  They interviewed a couple of the young soldiers in their garb.  One of them identified themselves as being from the First Calvary Division. No, I did not mis-spell it. The soldier mis-pronounced it. It is a common error. (I bet their commander winced when they heard it and I doubt that not many civilians caught it) I was in the 3rd Armored Cavalry - Aviation Squadron for almost 3 years. I heard people say Calvary when they meant to say Cavalry all the time. BTW, to all you who served in the 3rd Cav - Brave Rifles!

The words are so close. But just one letter out of place makes a world of difference. Is it a military unit or the spiritual pivot point for all of humanity. A friend of ours used to say, "If you get the "I" out of place in "United", it becomes "Untied". One letter out of place. The difference is Jesus. Jesus makes Calvary significant for eternity. Jesus brings unity by faith and rebirth for eternity. 

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