You Are Not The Boss Of Me - Part 2

Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?  Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” - Matthew 22:15-21

The Pharisees wanted to test Jesus' willingness to submit to legitimate earthly authority. Legitimate meaning "Being in compliance with the law; lawful." by someone vested with some authority. You are familiar with the phrase "by the power vested in me". Vested means that you have been officially given the legal authority to perform a specific action, such as officiating a wedding. It indicates that the speaker has the legal right to carry out the task they are performing. Law enforcement is often referred to as "authorities".

So paying taxes was submitting to the authority of the government of Rome. Most laws are ones that we are to submit to that are not in conflict with God's laws. Those laws belong to Caesar and should be complied with. But if there is a conflict, in other words God says you shall or shall not and the government has put laws in place saying the opposite,  contrary to the Word of God then those laws are unlawful and should not be obeyed.

That does not mean that you will not suffer negative consequences for not obeying them.  Do you recall the recent political turmoil that erupted when some Democrats in Washington posted a video telling members of the military that they are not to obey unlawful orders?  That was not a reference to God's laws but man's.  They were saying that if a superior tells you to do something that is contrary to man's laws you have an obligation to refuse them.  That is something that is taught to every member in the military bv the military. It is not a new idea. The politicians were "merely" reminding the military of what they already knew. But they were also "firing a verbal shot" over the heads of their political opponents. Those opponents took offense - and so the turmoil began.

Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) addresses the failure to obey "lawful" orders or regulations. Service members can face serious consequences, including court-martial, for failing to comply with these orders.

Do you remember from history when the Nazi military leaders were tried by an international tribunal for the atrocities they participated in during World War 2?  Their defense was "I was merely following orders".  They were convicted and some were executed. If you obey an unlawful order then you are complicit in the crime. My point is that if you comply with man's order or law that is contrary to the Word of God then you are complicit - guilty of the sin. You can try to excuse yourself but God will not accept that - "Caesar made you do it."

“Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord!  And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” - Joshua 24:14-15

We are faced with choices every day. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord

How about you?

So who is the Boss of you and me? God is!

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 Not The Boss Of Me - Part 1

 And when he [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” - Matthew 21:23

Another title might be - Recognizing Spiritual Authority.

My slightly older sister, Cindy, who is now with the Lord, used to say on occasion - "Hey! You are not the boss of me!" when I would tell her she needed to do something. It became a standing joke between us. That aside - the point is not so different from what the chief priests and elders were making to Jesus. "Who do you think you are?".  

Reading those verses in Matthew got me thinking about authority - both spiritual and natural. Clearly the source of all spiritual authority is God, the Father. The source of natural authority is man.  

Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?  Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” - Matthew 22:15-21

Authority can be delegated - passed down. Jehovah God is the source of all Spiritual authority. Even Jesus's authority came from the Father.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit - Matthew 28:18-19

God has also delegated spiritual authority by His Spirit to certain Believers. 

"God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers" - 1 Corinthians 12:28

But, like the Jewish leaders in Jesus' day - it is possible that people can assume the role of leader without the authority granted by God. I have known some people who wanted a certain position in the local church because of the status it would give them. Not because God called them to it, but because they had a lust for recognition by people. They were like the Pharisees that Jesus called - whitewashed tombs filled with dead men's bones (being spiritually dead). When Jesus was speaking about James and John's mother's request in Matthew 20 Jesus told James and John he spoke of those with authority being servants not rulers.

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant." - Matthew 20:25-26

Someone who has been given spiritual authority is marked by humility. 

So how do you recognize spiritual authority?  Well, it is by the Spirit in you discerning that the presence of Spiritual authority is in a person. You know that you know.

Paul prayed for the Church in Ephesus that the eyes of their hearts would be opened (having spiritual insight and understanding) Ephesians 1:18. 

The Roman Centurion in Matthew 8 is an example of spiritual discernment. 

The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! - Matthew 8:8-10

The centurion recognized Jesus' authority which required faith on the part of the centurion. Spiritual eyes if you will. Spiritual insight that comes through faith. Do you remember the conversation Jesus had with the disciples about who the people thought He was?

"So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 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 16:14-17

Jesus said that the spiritual truth was revealed by God. So the point being that to recognize spiritual authority - you must be spiritual sensitive to what is happening around you. To be spiritually sensitive you must be spiritually alive. To be spiritually alive, you must be born again - hello Nicodemus!

OK so what about submission to authority?  - I will save that for tomorrow.

For now .... 

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

Staying In Tune So The World Can Hear Your Song

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, why don't I 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 responsible for leading the singing.  He had brought his guitar and his two sons with him.  Unbeknownst to him, while he was speaking, one of 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 were 6 strings on the 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 in the right place … in church, Bible study, quiet time, prayer closet .. where ever, but if your heart is not tuned … you have unconfessed sin … or 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 as each musician gets ready.  But then, the leader gets their attention and everyone plays together in harmony.  What was noise becomes a thing of beauty.  When we obey the Spirit .. when we are 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

Your Ministry May Not Be What You Think It Is.

Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel… —1 Corinthians 1:17

“Paul states here that the call of God is to preach the gospel. But remember what Paul means by “the gospel,” namely, the reality of redemption in our Lord Jesus Christ. We are inclined to make sanctification the goal of our preaching. Paul refers to personal experiences only by way of illustration, never as the end of the matter. We are not commissioned to preach salvation or sanctification— we are commissioned to lift up Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ labored in redemption to redeem the whole world and to place it perfectly whole and restored before the throne of God. The one passion of Paul’s life was to proclaim the gospel of God. He welcomed heartbreak, disillusionment, and tribulation for only one reason— these things kept him unmovable in his devotion to the gospel of God.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Have you ever thought of yourself as a preacher?  Probably not.  In our present day economy, preacher has a connotation of someone who is vocationally devoted to ministry, standing behind a pulpit on Sunday morning.  While I was in Haiti … my moniker was “Pastor Charley”.  I did not pastor a church, although I did "preach" on Haitian churches once or twice a month and so the Haitians recognized me as a preacher. Although I am ordained as a minister of the Gospel in Baptist circles, I have never pastored a church and never will, most probably.  My point, I am called to ministry and so are you, each in our own way according to God’s shaping.  We are all called to “preach the Gospel”.  

“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

You don’t have to stand behind a pulpit to lift Jesus up.  To tell people what happened in your life.  Telling people about your life before Jesus, how you met Jesus, and your life now that you follow Jesus.  I think we make it difficult with “methods” when it should be as natural as talking about your family or why you do what you do for a living.  

 “I [Paul] charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:  preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.  For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” - 2 Timothy 4:1-5

I am certain there are some people that you have known that you wanted to avoid when you saw them coming.  They “attacked” you with the Gospel.  Dr. John Maxwell said “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”  It’s true. Another thing that is true is that you cannot save anyone.  Paul said that he, Paul, planted - Apollos watered - but it was God who brought the increase. (1Corinthians 3:6) God is the source of all things spiritual. 

Our part is to tell about what happened to us.  But it is not just by what we say but how we live and love. Our part is to go and tell. God's part is to send His Spirit to do a work in the person’s heart.  Their part is to believe the truth and by faith in Jesus be saved … or not.  Pretty simple, huh?

So what are you waiting for?

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

Are You Comfortable With Your Calling

And you shall stand the Levites before Aaron and his sons, and then offer them like a wave offering to the Lord. Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine. - Number 8:13-14

First - let me explain a "wave offering". A "wave offering" is a sacrificial offering that is ceremonially lifted or "waved" before God, symbolizing acknowledgment of His sovereignty and ownership over all things.

Are you comfortable with that? You are God's possession.

You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. - 1 Peter 2:9

As such - we are gifted for His purposes and the good of the Body of Christ. For some we are called like the Levites and Priests for a special purpose.

He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,  for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, - Ephesians 4:11-12

Paul again referenced these specific roles in 1 Corinthians explaining that we are all part of the Body and each has a role in the Body.

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church - 1 Corinthians 12:27-28

So do you see your role as active or passive. Do you limit your involvement in the ministry of the Body to being spiritually fed on Sunday mornings - passive participation - or are you seeking to understand how God has gifted you and your place in the ministry of the Body of Christ?

Does thinking that God has a purpose for you that is greater than where you are in your new life in Christ make you uncomfortable.  Are you satisfied with a life that you have decided is "good enough"? 

Pastor Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, said God is more interested in your Character than your Comfort. If you are thinking that you can't do any more - you are right. God does not call the qualified - He qualifies the called. He will never ask you to do anything that you can do on your own - you will always need Him to do it.

Maybe He has not called you to be an apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor or teachers. But you do have a place in the Body. You need to see it as an issue of spiritual obedience and not merely an option. Fulfill it!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

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

We Change From The Inside-Out

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

Change in a person who is born again begins in the heart - not in their behavior. 

Have you ever noticed that some people change the way they talk or act when they are around you?  This has happened to me on a number of occasions. And if I am honest – I have done it myself on more than one occasion.  There is one person I know that struggles with profanity.  He is a Christian – but that is one of those things that has not been “sanctified” out of him yet.  When we talk, he will catch the word coming out of his mouth and quickly change it.  It is obvious what happened and since I was a very profane person at one time, it is not difficult for me to “fill in the blanks”. Many Christians seem to think that the use of profanity is not a big deal, but there are actually Biblical principles behind it.  

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  - Psalm 19:14

What we say - the words we use - should be consistent with who God is and not with who we were in our natural, sinful state.

“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.” - Ephesians 4:29

So in his heart he knows it is wrong but it is out of his heart that the words come.  

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”  - Luke 6:45

But the wrong words we use are only one thing that we prefer other Christians not know about us.  We may think we have people fooled, but it is God and not people that we should be concerned about. And guess what – He already knows – nothing is hidden from Him.  Confession means “to agree with” not to “reveal”. When you confess your sins to God (1 John 1:9) it’s not like you are going to surprise Him.  Look – whether it is the words you use or the things you do toward others that is part of your old – sinful nature, rather than hide it, you need to surrender it.  

One thing you must not do is accept it as an unchangeable part of your life.  Or do you suppose that God is not able to change you? The truth of the matter is that, very likely, you are not really willing to let go of it.  You kind of like it if the truth be told. It’s time to get real my friend and choose God.

By the way – I don’t judge my friend. I encourage him in the faith. I can’t change his heart – only God can do that – but what I can do is show him God’s grace and mercy and love.  And let him see Jesus in 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

Pressing On - Living One Day At A Time

I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are (spiritually) mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. - Philippians 3:13-15

When I was 42, I left the Army for a new life. That was in 1992 - 34 years ago. As with most people I know, when I was young I did not think much about getting older - just lived for the day confident that there would be a tomorrow. And now, here I am staring down my 76th birthday - looking in the mirror - wondering where the time has gone. And who is that guy looking back at me??? I am mindful that a good number of my friends and acquaintances have already passed. And I know what God has said about this life.

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment -  Hebrews 9:27

God did not say - how - where - or when these mortal bodies of ours would die - only that we all will die if Jesus does not return while we are still living. 

When God created the first Adam - Adam was created as an outer (natural) man and an inner (spiritual) man. 

God created man in His own image (and likeness v26); in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. - Genesis 1:27

All was well and then something happened in the Garden and man's relationship with the Father was broken. Later Jesus, the last or second Adam was born into the world as a way to restore that relationship. 

And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. -1 Corinthians 15:45

The Father's intended creation could be restored - Jesus was both God and man.

Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. - Philippians 2:6-7

As you know, for each of us to be restored spiritually we must be born again by faith. Just as Jesus told Nicodemus in John chapter 3. And on that day - the day we are reborn - we made spiritually alive and given eternal life.  Eternal life does not start when these mortal bodies die and return to dust. Eternal life for each of us began the moment we were born again by the Spirit.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. - 2 Corinthians 4:16

Every time I look in the mirror I am reminded that the outward man is perishing - I just don't when - where - or how. But the inward man is being renewed day by day for eternity.

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. - 1 John 5:11-12

So, I am not to worry about how many days I have left on this planet. God knows and that is enough for me. What I must do is live every day like it will be my last.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. - Ephesians 5:15-17

So what about 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

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

If I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. —Philippians 2:17

“Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for the work of another believer—to pour out your life sacrificially for the ministry and faith of others? Or do you say, “I am not willing to be poured out right now, and I don’t want God to tell me how to serve Him. I want to choose the place of my own sacrifice. And I want to have certain people watching me and saying, ‘Well done.’ ” It is one thing to follow God’s way of service if you are regarded as a hero, but quite another thing if the road marked out for you by God requires becoming a “doormat” under other people’s feet. God’s purpose may be to teach you to say, “I know how to be abased…” (Philippians 4:12). Are you ready to be sacrificed like that? Are you ready to be less than a mere drop in the bucket— to be so totally insignificant that no one remembers you even if they think of those you served? Are you willing to give and be poured out until you are used up and exhausted— not seeking to be ministered to, but to minister? Some saints cannot do menial work while maintaining a saintly attitude, because they feel such service is beneath their dignity.” -  Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Strange as this may sound, but I believe that I am being most effective in serving God and others when I am not recognized for the work I do.  If I need to be recognized, crave the praise of others, then I have a pride problem.  I often say “If you want to give me credit for anything ..then give me credit for saying yes to God.”  When Paul was responding about the people who were saying “I am of Paul or I am of Apollos” (or it might be I am a Baptist or I am a Methodist or I am a “fill in the blank”) Paul said 

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”  - 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

If we are serving God, when He has called us to the work, then how can we take credit for what is accomplished.  God is the Source … it’s God who calls .. it’s God who equips … it’s God who sends …. it’s God who brings the eternal benefit.  We are merely the messengers …. Field hands. God never calls us to do what we can do on our own.  It is a spiritual work.

On the other hand, don’t let that truth become a reason for you to NOT serve.  Looking at your life in comparison to others, you may ask, “What can I bring to the table? What can I do?” The answer is, trust God, submit to His Spirit, go where He says go and do what He says do, knowing that God brings the increase not you.  

I was just talking to my brother about his speaking a a downtown mission. He was wondering if what he said made a difference in anyone's life that heard him speak. I told him that he was tending the garden - he was not the one who brings in the increase.  His place is to go and tell. 

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” - Romans 10:14-15

It’s obedience that God prefers over sacrifice. 

“But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” - 1 Samuel 15:22

“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” - Hosea 6:6

As I am typing this, Martie, my wife, reminded me of a quote from the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles after winning the Super Bowl, “I give all the glory to Jesus Christ.”  It does not matter if you are a missionary or a football coach or ride on the back of a garbage truck.  As Christians we know that it is God who deserves the credit for any good that comes from or through our lives. Don't let your ego tell you otherwise.

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 For The Wrong Reasons

Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You." —Mark 10:28

 “Our Lord replies to this statement of Peter by saying that this surrender is “for My sake and the gospel’s” (Mark 10:29). It was not for the purpose of what the disciples themselves would get out of it. Beware of surrender that is motivated by personal benefits that may result. Our motive for surrender should not be for any personal gain at all. We have become so self-centered that we go to God only for something from Him, and not for God Himself. It is like saying, “No, Lord, I don’t want you; I want myself.” Genuine total surrender is a personal sovereign preference for Jesus Christ Himself. Where does Jesus Christ figure in when we have a concern about our natural relationships? Most of us will desert Him with this excuse— “Yes, Lord, I heard you call me, but my family needs me and I have my own interests. I just can’t go any further” (see Luke 9:57-62). “Then,” Jesus says, “you ‘cannot be My disciple’ ” (see Luke 14:26-33). True surrender will always go beyond natural devotion.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Have you really considered what following Jesus means with respect to your natural life and affections?  I am certain you are familiar with the “Health and Wealth Gospel”. The idea that if you are spiritually right then God will give you worldly prosperity.  Friend, that is not Biblical.  Explain to the millions of poor Christians that their problem is that they are not spiritually right with God.  The prosperity gospel is a result of the culture we live in.  

The Bible says (Matthew 6:24) “You cannot love God and money.  You will love one and hate the other.” The prosperity gospel says “That is not true”.  It says if you give God a dime, you will get a dollar. The danger is that we  interpret the scripture in the context of the lust of our eyes, the lust of your flesh and the pride of life.  

 “For everything in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-comes not from the Father but from the world.”  - 1 John 2:16

Are you willing to let God decide the context of your living?  It may not be a big house, nice car, plenty of money, secure retirement.  Are you more concerned about protecting your standard of living or the standards by which you live?  The first has to do with faith in the things of the world and the second with faith in God.  

 “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” - 1 John 2:15

Reject the temptation to use God as a means to worldly comfort and peace. Instead be filled with the Spirit so that you can experience “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” in spite of the turmoil of the world that swirls around you.  

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding.  In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths”  -  Proverbs 3:5-6 

And that IS the Truth!

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

It Is God And Not Our Culture Who Defines Sin

If we walk in the light as He is in the light…the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. —1 John 1:7

“To mistake freedom from sin only on the conscious level of our lives for complete deliverance from sin by the atonement through the Cross of Christ is a great error. The evidence that I have been delivered from sin is that I know the real nature of sin in me. And it is not until we truly perceive the unrivaled power of the Spirit in us that we understand the meaning of 1 John 1:7 , which says, “…the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” This verse does not refer only to conscious sin, but also to the tremendously profound understanding of sin which only the Holy Spirit in me can accomplish. I must “walk in the light as He is in the light…”— not in the light of my own conscience, but in God’s light. On the conscious level it produces a keen, sorrowful knowledge of what sin really is. The love of God working in me causes me to hate, with the Holy Spirit’s hatred for sin, anything that is not in keeping with God’s holiness. To “walk in the light” means that everything that is of the darkness actually drives me closer to the center of the light.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Does the fact that you continue to sin concern you?  Even a little bit?  Or are you content with being a marginal Christian. Like the Princess Bride where Miracle Max describes Wesley as being "mostly dead" we can mistakenly think of ourselves as "mostly Good" which is good enough! Are you accommodating sin in your life because, well frankly, you like it.  If you love your culture.  If you embrace what it offers or promotes as truth and right, even though the Word of God says it is a lie and wrong, then that is exactly where you are.  

It is not a function of what you have but what has you.  Listen, freedom from sin is not freedom to sin.  It is really not OK.  The problem is, because so many “Christians” are in love with the world and the things of the world, that when they look at other Christians and not Jesus, they can find justification for what they do and don’t do very easily.  We are not to love our neighbor and then love for God will result. It is the other way around.  Love God and then you will love others because of our love for God and His love for us.  (1 John 4:19 and Matthew 22:37-39) The Christmas celebration is not too far behind us.  Some churches try to accommodate people by not have a service on Christmas morning. Why? So people can be at home and focus on gift giving.  Don’t ask them to come to church instead … the preacher may be preaching to empty pews. Even though we may say “Jesus is the reason for the season” we don’t want Him to get in the way of our revelry.

No - I am not descended from Scrooge!  I want you to think about where your heart is and where your priorities are. Loving God and not loving the world is not an option, it’s a command.  Your devotion to your family is a good thing but not when it trumps your devotion to God. Would you consider going into debt to give to God?  Would you think about how your tax return will pay for the tithe you put on your credit card? No? Yet you will do that for your family.  Often buying them gifts they don’t need … why?  God sent His Son as a gift to save us from the world and our sin.  Think about it. We over indulge ourselves in the things of the world and then give God an hour to sing Christmas carols.

I type what the Lord puts on my heart at the moment. You might be thinking “he is not talking about me!”  If not .. praise the Lord, but be watchful … the temptation is all around you.  The bottom line …… Each of us should examine our hearts.  Child of God …. I am encouraging you to let the light of Christ shine  (Matthew 5:16) .. first in your home, in your culture and then the world.

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

Our Desire To Straddle The Spiritual Fence

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. —2 Timothy 3:1-5

 “The proof that I have experienced crucifixion with Jesus is that I have a definite likeness to Him. The Spirit of Jesus entering me rearranges my personal life before God. The resurrection of Jesus has given Him the authority to give the life of God to me, and the experiences of my life must now be built on the foundation of His life. I can have the resurrection life of Jesus here and now, and it will exhibit itself through holiness.  It takes the omnipotence of God— His complete and effective divinity— to live the life of the Son of God in human flesh. My part is to walk in the light and to obey all that He [the Holy Spirit] reveals to me. Once I have made that important decision about sin, it is easy to “reckon” that I am actually “dead indeed to sin,” because I find the life of Jesus in me all the time (Romans 6:11). God puts the holiness of His Son into me, and I belong to a new spiritual order.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

I think it’s odd that there is a movement, at least in the Church in the United States, perhaps especially in the U.S., to de-emphasize the reality of sin and focus on the earthly benefits of being a Christian …   But if you read the Bible carefully, with an open heart, you will be reminded that Jesus came to defeat Sin and death .. to restore mankind to a right relationship with the Father … to make it possible for sinners to become holy and live lives that bring glory to the Father.  

Pastor Rick Warren said “God is more concerned with our character than our comfort”, yet many Christians that I know are more concerned with their comfort than their character.  So often, in order to enjoy the comforts of this world, we must compromise godly character.

 “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 desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”  -  1 John 2:15-17

How do you know if you love the world?  Oh, you know because the Spirit of God convicts us of sin and sin is all about the world and our old nature, that craves the things of this world. 

 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”  - Matthew 6:24

Those are Jesus’ words.  You can’t straddle the fence.  You might want to. You might have convinced yourself that you can. But the reality is that you are either standing on one side or the other.  It’s self-deception to believe you can do both.  Jesus said you can’t and I would believe Him if I were you.  How does He feel about Christians who live that life?  This is what He said to the Church of Laodicea 

 “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” -  Revelation 3:16 

You can’t have it both ways … Do you need to make some adjustments in your life?  All of us do, I think.  We are all "prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Take my heart Lord take and seal it. Seal it for Thy courts above." - Come Thou Fount OF Every Blessing,  Robert Robinson, 1758

Have you strayed off of the Path? Perhaps you should talk to God about it and then repent.

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 God Speaks Are You Ready And Willing To Listen

Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” - 1 Samuel 3:8-10

“Sometimes God puts us through the experience and discipline of darkness to teach us to hear and obey Him. Are you in the dark right now in your circumstances, or in your life with God? If so, then remain quiet. If you open your mouth in the dark, you will speak while in the wrong mood— darkness is the time to listen. Don’t talk to other people about it; don’t read books to find out the reason for the darkness; just listen and obey. If you talk to other people, you cannot hear what God is saying. Once you hear Him, He gives you the gift of humiliation, which brings a softness of heart— a gift that will always cause you to listen to God now.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

It is a difficult thing at times .. hearing God speak.  As I get older, I have noticed that I don’t hear as well when there are competing noises around me.  I used to be able to single out a voice or sound amidst the din with no problem, not so much anymore.  That is the way it is with hearing God.  A lot of competing sounds and life events demanding our attention.  

You can read about Jesus getting away to spend time, alone, with His Father.  I don’t know if I will ever appreciate that privilege to the depth it deserves while I walk this earth.  Just imagine being able to communicate with the creator of the universe.  Can you imagine having the private cell phone number of the president or some other significant world figure?  Why would they give you the time of day.  Why would they care to talk with you at all?  What could you have to say that would matter to them? And yet, Jesus has torn the veil and given us access to our Father in heaven. God, the Father, loves us.  Loves us enough to send Jesus for us. And we can talk to Him anytime, anywhere.  

 “Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for us.” - 1 Peter 5:7

The really cool thing is that God does not just want to listen, He wants to, and does, speak to us. The question is, are you ready and willing to hear Him? Sometimes He whispers and sometimes He shouts. But on every occasion, He loves and wants the eternal best for your life. 

As I type, a song came to mind … “In The Garden” “ I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses, And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses. … He speaks, and the sound of His voice, Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, And the melody that He gave to me, Within my heart is ringing. And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.”  

I wonder what was going on in Charles Miles’ life when he penned the words to this song. He said, "It is as a writer of gospel songs I am proud to be known, for in that way I may be of the most use to my Master, whom I serve willingly although not as efficiently as is my desire". He wrote at least 398 songs, and the music to at least 8 more.

Jesus asked the question (Luke 6:46) “Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, but don’t do what I say?”  Maybe because we were not listening when He spoke. Take time to listen to God and then … obey what He tells you.  And in that way, you will discover the way you can be of the most use to the Master.

We should all be like Samuel.

Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy.  Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” - 1 Samuel 3:8-10

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 Do You Hold Dear - What Have You Built Your Life Upon?

Christian - our high calling is to be a 

…fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ… —1 Thessalonians 3:2

“As long as you maintain your own personal interests and ambitions, you cannot be completely aligned or identified with God’s interests. This can only be accomplished by giving up all of your personal plans once and for all, and by allowing God to take you directly into His purpose for the world. Your understanding of your ways must also be surrendered, because they [your ways in your new life in Christ] are now the ways of the Lord. I must learn that the purpose of my life belongs to God, not me. God is using me from His great personal perspective, and all He asks of me is that I trust Him. When I stop telling God what I want, He can freely work His will in me without any hindrance. He can crush me, exalt me, or do anything else He chooses. He simply asks me to have absolute faith in Him and His goodness.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest 

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”  - Psalm 37:4

God wants to make His ways - your ways, His desires - your desires, His purposes - your purposes.  He wants to conform you into the image of His Son. 

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. - Romans 8:29

But that shaping process requires your surrender .. of everything … not just some things.  One of my favorite praise songs is “Knowing You”

"All I once held dear, built my life upon, All this world reveres and wars to own, All I once thought gain I have counted loss, Spent and worthless now compared to this, Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You, There is no greater thing

Now my heart's desire is to know You more, To be found in You and known as Yours, To possess by faith what I could not earn, All surpassing gift of righteousness, Oh to know the power of Your risen life, And to know You in Your sufferings, To become like You in Your death, my Lord, So with You to live and never die, Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You, There is no greater thing" - Maranatha Music

Is there something in your life that you still cling to, still trust in - something you treat like a greater thing than your devotion to God? Perhaps you want to preserve your life style.  Perhaps you want to keep your circle of friends who cause you to compromise your faith for them.  Or maybe something else, but it is something.  We all struggle with it.  

Listen, the ways of the world will remain embedded in your heart if you don’t surrender all to God by faith.  It’s time to be honest with yourself.  God already knows the truth.  He examines the heart.  You can’t hide anything from Him.  You may fool the people at church when you put on your happy – I love Jesus yes I do – face on Sunday.  But even then, your heart is hardened toward God, resisting what He wants to do in your life, because you love your old life and don’t want to give it up.  Am I being more blunt that you would prefer?  My job is to speak – or write – the Truth in love. My purpose is not to condemn you, but to encourage you to choose 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

Living Life With A Spiritual Perspective

“Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.” – Luke 24:30-31

We live our lives, most often I think, only vaguely aware of the Spiritual reality that surrounds us.  As I listened to Luke 24 being read during an Easter sermon, I was reminded of that. Two men, keenly aware of what happened to Jesus were unaware of His presence as they walked the road to Emmaus.  But, when Jesus broke the bread – they were suddenly aware that they were with Jesus. Can you imagine walking through your day – maybe even talking about Jesus – but then, suddenly – in the blink of an eye – you are aware that you are walking with Jesus.  Would that change your conversation, your thoughts, your attitude, even your actions, knowing that the resurrected Lord – the Son of God was with you. 

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” – Matthew 28:18-20

Most often we focus on the “Go” part of those verses. But, don’t you find it interesting that Jesus said He will be with us – always. Does that strike your heart like it does mine? As a born-again Believer, there is not a deed – a thought – that I do or think where Jesus is not present – walking beside me. I suppose that the more important question is – do you care? I mean so what if He is. If we are not devoted to God – loving Him with our whole hearts, then – even though we know it to be true – it will have little to no effect on how we live our lives.  It is like me and carbohydrates. I know that if I eat carbs then I will blow up like a puffer fish. My metabolism is just not what it used to be. Sadly, the “furnace” is not burning as hot as it once was. There was a day when everything that went in was consumed by the fire in the furnace. Not so much anymore. Knowing that and wanting to be healthy, I should stay away from carbs in my diet. I know that, but if I don’t do it – then I know what the consequences will be. In the same way – I know what my life is like if I ignore the Lord’s presence. If I don’t take care to focus on who I am spiritually and how I should consequently live my life.

The New Testament is replete with admonitions to the churches to do just that. People have not changed. The challenges for Christians living in a sin-sick world have not changed. People do not change even though the way they live and the technology they use to live does. The heart of man is still prone to wander and seek its own way.

My point is that every life experience will fall into its proper place when God is in His proper place.  When we live as if we believe that the Lord is with us. A troubling question is “Do you believe that what you believe is really real?”  If you do – God will always be first – and if you don’t – God will often be left in the dust in favor of what is urgent – what your flesh tells you is important.  We are faced with these decisions every day.  But – if we are not spiritually minded – we are bound to choose poorly.  If the Chief End Of Man is indeed to “Glorify God and Enjoy Him Forever” then God must be first and must be the One who determines how we respond to life.   

“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 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. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” – Ephesians 1:15-23

Jesus is the eternal head over all things. If you are a Christian, and I so hope that you are, then He is your Lord. I once read that “If Jesus is not Lord OF all then Jesus is not Lord AT all.” “All” does not leave much room for anything else.  Does your heart buck-up against that thought? If so, that is not a good thing.  Be ready, you are going to be challenged every day with this dilemma – the question is how will you respond?  Not eating the carbs that are calling your name – that look so delicious – that promise life and joy but will never deliver on their promises. If you are a Christian – the choice is clear but the choosing requires faith and obedience if you are to respond correctly.  Keep the things of life in their proper place … don’t let your emotions rule .. that place belongs to the Lord of All.

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

Our Struggle With Trusting God

When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him. —Genesis 15:12

“A saint’s duty is to be still and listen. The story of Abram and Hagar in Genesis 16 is an excellent example of listening to so-called good advice during a time of darkness, rather than waiting for God to send the light. Never try to help God fulfill His word. Abram went through thirteen years of silence, but in those years all of his self-sufficiency was destroyed. He grew past the point of relying on his own common sense. Those years of silence were a time of discipline, not a period of God’s displeasure.  Do I trust at all in the flesh? Do I trust in books and prayers or other joys in my life? Or have I placed my confidence in God Himself, not in His blessings?  As soon as God becomes real to us, people pale by comparison, becoming shadows of reality. Nothing that other saints do or say can ever upset the one who is built on God.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest


Trusting in the Lord and not your own wisdom or plans (Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 16:9) is perhaps our biggest challenge.  We know what “the Lord saith”, but lack the faith to wait and trust.  We can’t see God’s hand moving so we worry and try to “help” God.  I can remember one of my granddaughters, when she was 3 or 4. I would try to help her do something that was ay beyond her ability  and she would say “Let me – I can do it myself!”  Out of the mouths of babes.  That was Abraham and Sarah’s problem. Yes Sarah was complicit in Abraham’s sin.  Sarah laughed at the thought of her having a baby. (Genesis 18:12) They knew what the Lord had said but lacked faith.  

Have you ever struggled with that problem? When God says something .. you know that it is true .. but you have a hard time trusting in the truth.  It is endemic to your old nature.  (Mark 9:21-26) “ Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.”


Faith is the “substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not see”.  (Hebrews 11:1) It’s the “evidence of things not seen” part that that that father and all of us struggle with.  What is it in your life that you need faith for?  A strong faith is a result of our nearness to God.  (Romans 1:17) “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Strong faith is a result of exercising your faith, just like your muscles.  

Faith requires trust.  Trust requires submission.  Submission requires humility.  You do not know better than God. (Proverbs 16:18) “Pride goes before destruction,  and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Haughty means – Proud and disdainful; having a high opinion of one's self, with some contempt for others; lofty and arrogant; supercilious. Supercilious means – behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others.  If you think you know better than the Creator God then you have a haughty and supercilious attitude!  Just like the Pharisees. We all struggle with it.  It is the nature of our flesh .. in fact, it was at the root of Adam’s sin.

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 The Lord Stirs Your Heart

God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

"Then Moses called Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred, to come and do the work."- Exodus 36:2

As Christians, God does not equip us merely for our earthly benefit. Our tendency is think of the spiritual in the context of the natural - our day to day living. When in fact, we have been born again and should be living our natural lives in the context of our spiritual lives. God gave Moses some very specific details on the building of the tabernacle and the making of everything that went inside of it. The the Lord gave some of the men the ability and desire to do the work.

He does the same for every Christian.  I am going to share several verses that reinforce that idea.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

We are all called according to God's purpose. Just like Moses, Aaron, Bezalel and Aholiab. 

Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began - 2 Timothy 1:9

The question is not what we can do for God, but what God can do through us.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11

We are not saved and then God leaves us to figure out how we fit in the body of Christ. God has a plan for each one of us. The question is - does that matter to you?

Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. - Ephesians 3:7

In order to accomplish what God has planned for us, we must yield to the power of God.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.  To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. -1 Corinthians 12

We each are gifted with spiritual gifts for the common good - not just our benefit.

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered 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

If you want to know God's intent you must seek Him through prayer - His Word - and obedience to His leading.

 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.  And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”  - 1 Samuel 3:8-10

Are you listening for God's voice?  He speaks to us by His Spirit through His Word, Prayer, Circumstances, and other Christians.  Be like Samuel. Speak 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

We Don't Go To Church - We Are The Church

…the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. —Galatians 2:20

 “…. Think what faith in Jesus Christ claims and provides— He can present us faultless before the throne of God, inexpressibly pure, absolutely righteous, and profoundly justified. Stand in absolute adoring faith “in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God— and righteousness and sanctification and redemption…” (1 Corinthians 1:30). How dare we talk of making a sacrifice for the Son of God! We are saved from hell and total destruction, and then we talk about making sacrifices! We must continually focus and firmly place our faith in Jesus Christ— not a “prayer meeting” Jesus Christ, or a “book” Jesus Christ, but the New Testament Jesus Christ, who is God Incarnate, and who ought to strike us dead at His feet. Our faith must be in the One from whom our salvation springs. Jesus Christ wants our absolute, unrestrained devotion to Himself. We can never experience Jesus Christ, or selfishly bind Him in the confines of our own hearts. Our faith must be built on strong determined confidence in Him.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Martie and I heard a great sermon some years ago.  The preacher was from Indonesia.  He said that Christians in the United States define Church in one of three ways.  1. As a Gas station.  That is where we go each Sunday to “fill up” spiritually so we can get through another week. 2. As a Cinema.  We go each Sunday to watch a show, maybe have an emotional response to what we see or hear, but take away nothing that might influence how we live. Or 3. As a super-market.  A one stop shop.  We have a need that must be met … we go have that need met. The bottom line in all three, it is all about us and what we get out of it .. for us. And we are never satisfied. Not understanding that attending the church service is actually a celebration, not the be all end all.  It is a gathering of His Church.

Why? Because we lack understanding what the Church, that has Christ as the cornerstone, is all about.  The main purpose of the Church is to expand the Kingdom and to bring glory to God.  Not make me comfortable and feel good. The reason Jesus wants you to be a disciple is so you can be a fisher of men (people) like Jesus, not merely to make you a better person, or be better than your neighbor.  

Jesus said “Go!”  Jesus said “Pick up your cross and follow Me.”  Do what Jesus did.  Jesus said “Lay down your life for others.”  Jesus said “Love God with everything you have.”  Jesus said “If you love Me, then do what I say.”  When you reflect on what God told Joshua, to obey His Word, and then Joshua  would be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8-9), does your mind go to material wealth? Or not having any problems? That is your flesh speaking.  The word says do not love the world or the things of this world.  Love God.  So how does that fit your idea of Christianity and the Church?  The proof of your belief is not in what you say you believe, but in how you live that belief out day by day.  

We don't go to church - we are the Church. The building we go to on Sunday is the place where the Church assembles to jointly worship 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

Living Every Day By The Spirit

Death no longer has dominion over Him.…the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God… —Romans 6:9-11

“Eternal life is not a gift from God; eternal life is the gift of God. The energy and the power which was so very evident in Jesus will be exhibited in us by an act of the absolute sovereign grace of God, once we have made that complete and effective decision about sin. “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (Acts 1:8)— not power as a gift from the Holy Spirit; the power is the Holy Spirit, not something that He gives us. The life that was in Jesus becomes ours because of His Cross, once we make the decision to be identified with Him. If it is difficult to get right with God, it is because we refuse to make this moral decision about sin. Even the weakest saint can experience the power of the deity of the Son of God, when he is willing to “let go.” Then Jesus will have complete and effective dominion in us, and people will take notice that we have been with Him.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest 

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. - Acts 4:13

The difference in Peter and John was that they had the Spirit of God in them.  Peter had just been with Jesus when Peter denied Jesus.  Peter was operating out of his flesh – his old nature when that happened. But in Acts, they were speaking with power and wisdom that could not be explained except that these men had been with Jesus.  They reflected Jesus in their words and with the authority by which they spoke.  It is the same with us.  The power of our new life is totally, 100%, dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit in us.  Imagine that you are driving down the road and someone reached over and turned the ignition key to the off position.  The engine stops .. the power steering is gone .. the car is unresponsive – dead if you will.  Well, that is how it is when we attempt to live the Christian life on our terms … without the Holy Spirit. 

Do not quench the Spirit - 1 Thessalonians 5:19

Like turning the key to off, we can disregard the Holy Spirit … trust in ourselves … and fail.  Are you having trouble being the Christian you know you should be?  Most probably it is because you are not walking in the power of your new nature. 

So I [Paul] say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. - Galatians 5:16-18 

And that, my friend, is the Gospel truth!

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

God Wants To Use You As A Stepping Stone

My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom… —1 Corinthians 2:4

“Belief in Jesus is a miracle produced only by the effectiveness of redemption, not by impressive speech, nor by wooing and persuading, but only by the sheer unaided power of God. The creative power of redemption comes through the preaching of the gospel, but never because of the personality of the preacher. … If it is only because of my preaching that people desire to be better, they will never get close to Jesus Christ. “And I, if I am lifted up…, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32).” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

I have often marveled at how God uses mere men and women to proclaim the Gospel to the world. But it is not the messenger but the message that brings salvation.  And not just any message.  I think we often get the “cart before the horse”.  I never precede God … The Spirit of God has preceded me.  I am but a part of the salvation process.  Paul said “Some plant and some water, but God brings the increase.”  (1 Corinthians 3:6) 

A seed was planted in my dad’s heart in 1951 on a hill in Korea. A Chaplain gave him a pocket bible with a reference to John 1:12 written on the inside cover. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—”  It was not until 1969 did he pray to receive Jesus as his savior and Lord.  Don’t think more of your role in sharing the Gospel than it is, but then, don’t think less of it either.  In His wisdom, God has chosen to use us for the hearing of the Gospel. 

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” - Romans 10:14-15

Don’t believe for a minute that you have the power to save anyone. At the same moment, don’t think that your telling someone about Jesus when the Spirit prompts you is not necessary.  You don’t know which stepping stone you are on the path someone takes to salvation.  But God does! 

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 Problem With Going To Church

To answer the question “Is there a problem with going to church?”.  It depends.  I have had two recent conversations, one on social media and the other in person. They both were alarming to me and reminded me of a spiritual truth.  

The first.  The person was talking to me about their spiritual angst and the feeling that they needed to draw closer to God.  When I asked to tell me about their conversion, when they became a Christian, they shared all of the churches they have attended and the many things they did while they were attending.  Good things. 

The second.  The guy was clearly on the edge of things.  He had been in prison, on drugs, divorced, homeless.  But with all of that, I sensed he had a good heart .. seeking God.  He attended church, but in the course of our conversation it was clear that he knew little about the Faith. He told me that a priest had prayed for him and told him that he “was good to go”.  He did not have to worry about his salvation.  I told him that salvation is personal, between the person and God.  No one can do it for another person.

Perhaps you know people like this.  People with good hearts.  People who do good things or, at least, want to do good things.  When Jesus met Nicodemus that night, Jesus told him “you must be born again”  

“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.”  - John 3:3-9

Nicodemus didn’t understand. He thought he was doing all of the right things.  But something was not right.  Just like for the two people that I talked with.  

“Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” -  1 Corinthians 1:22-24

The Jews thought they had it all figured out, but Jesus turned that upside down.  Gentiles - non-Jews -  watch Christians and mimic what they do, but they don’t have the Spirit in them.  They have not been born again.  They have a form of godliness but lack the spiritual power to understand the Truth and live the life.  They lack the capacity to understand spiritual truth without the Spirit of God sealed in their hearts.  I suspect there are thousands of people like that who attend church every Sunday. Maybe even in leadership roles.  Teaching, but are blind guides.  Struggling in their battle with sin.  Wondering why life is not different than it is.  

So what to do when you discern the person you are talking to thinks they are saved by their works and are actually lost and bound for hell.  Point them to Jesus and the truth.  Speak the truth in love.  Even that burly guy that I was talking to yesterday has a fragile heart.  God has given you an opportunity to fulfill your purpose which is to proclaim the Gospel.  Not with a punch in the nose, but with a gentle touch.  Trusting that the Spirit of God is at work in their lives. You do your part and let God do His. And remember your part is not the saving, it is the telling and the loving. God does the rest.

Sitting in church every Sunday will not save you, me or anyone else.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

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

Our Struggle Is To Live Our New Lives Like Jesus

Take up the whole armor of God…praying always… —Ephesians 6:13,18

“You must learn to wrestle against the things that hinder your communication with God, and wrestle in prayer for other people; but to wrestle with God in prayer is unscriptural. If you ever do wrestle with God, you will be crippled for the rest of your life. If you grab hold of God and wrestle with Him, as Jacob did, simply because He is working in a way that doesn’t meet with your approval, you force Him to put you out of joint (see Genesis 32:24-25). Don’t become a cripple by wrestling with the ways of God, but be someone who wrestles before God with the things of this world, because “we are more than conquerors through Him…” (Romans 8:37). Wrestling before God makes an impact in His kingdom. If you ask me to pray for you, and I am not complete in Christ, my prayer accomplishes nothing. But if I am complete in Christ, my prayer brings victory all the time. Prayer is effective only when there is completeness— “take up the whole armor of God….”” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Do you brush your teeth in the morning?  Does that seem like an odd way to start a devotion?  Brushing your teeth is a discipline.  So is getting up to go to work.  If you don’t do either one, there are negative consequences. You value your teeth … and you value your source of income .. so you make yourself do those things.  After a while, they become more routine, but still …. You must choose to do them.  That is the same with prayer and obedience.  We must discipline ourselves to do them.  Our natural selves pushes back – or wrestles with our spiritual selves. The message from our natural self is – you are too busy to brush (pray) this morning … you can do that later … or I will just call in sick today … I don’t feel like going to work (doing the will of God) today.  

Something I have noticed as I grow older … the speed at which my body atrophies …. Loses strength .. stamina … tone … is accelerating.  And the difficulty I have getting back to where I was is also increasing.  If I slack off in any way, BOOM!  I am sliding down the steep slope of atrophy. 

It’s the same with our spiritual life. A life without spiritual discipline is a life of spiritual weakness.  The danger is .. you can become used to that condition and start to think that it is normal.  Well, it may be common, but it is far from “normal” if you are a Christian. I want to encourage you to get serious about your spiritual condition … Many Christians are more concerned about the natural aspects of their life than they are about the spiritual aspects. 

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. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation - 2 Corinthians 5:16-18

God has called you to so much more than mediocrity in your faith walk.  I can encourage you but the Spirit must convict your heart, if you need it. Think about your new life in Christ.  Like Jesus, you have two natures.  You spiritual nature should be dominant.  And like Jesus, seek to do the Father’s will.  And like Jesus, stand against temptation with the Word of God.  And like Jesus, be disciplined to talk to the Father and look to Him. And like Jesus bring Glory to God , the Father, through obedience and devotion.  And like Jesus …. Fulfill the purpose the Father 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

Something to Shout About?

“You shall not go out with haste, . . . for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard” —Isaiah 52:12

“God requires an account of what is past” (Ecclesiastes 3:15). At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise when we remember our yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God’s grace tends to be lessened by the memory of yesterday’s sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future. God reminds us of the past to protect us from a very shallow security in the present. Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ. Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

We must be careful that we don’t let our past sins become the reason we say “no” to God today.  The Bible is full of examples of people that God used in a mighty way who had done terrible things .. committed great sins … and yet, they found forgiveness and were given a new start as they walked with God.  There were some things that they could not do because sins do have consequences.  To imagine that we can do anything and it not affect others is an attempt to justify our sins .. to make an excuse for what we have done.

Confession – means to agree with God.  We must lay all of our excuses aside and understand that we are no different from anyone else.  All have sinned .. there are none righteous .. only Jesus … and in Him we can be assured of forgiveness.  Forgiveness means that we are no longer facing the penalty for those sins.

"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts" - Psalm 103:8-18  
 
We don’t have to be enslaved by what sins we have committed in the past, but can be free to live for God by His grace and mercy for eternity.  Now that is something to shout about!
 
Here is a verse for 2026 and the rest of your life …
 
 “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