The Spiritual Value Of Temptation

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Right after my rebirth, I recall the man that I will call my spiritual dad saying to me, “Your struggle has only just begun.” He was referring to the fact that the day before I surrendered my life by faith I there was no conflict between right and wrong – I only had one nature -  a sinful nature. But, the day that I was born again I had a second, spiritual nature, that would be at odds with my old nature for the rest of the time I lived on this earth. The struggle is not merely one of self will or moral discipline, but is spiritual.

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

Before there was nothing contending for my soul – the devotion of my heart. After my rebirth – the old refused to give up its hold on me. The temptation to choose my sinful nature over obedience to God’s declared truth is always there.  Some days the beat of its drum is almost deafening – other days it is but a faint noise in the distance – but it is ever present, and I must always be on my guard.

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” – Romans 7:18-25

Paul described his struggle with sin – wouldn’t you think that meeting Jesus on the road – called to such a great mission – taking the Gospel to the Gentile world would mean that he would no longer struggle with worldly temptation? None of us are exempt from temptation.  None of us.  And if any of us should forget that – we will fall into the snare – again – just like Paul.  Paul was telling us that the solution is spiritual through faith in Jesus – he tried to do right yet the temptation to do the wrong thing was stronger than Paul – stronger then you – stronger than me.  It is spiritual. Do you remember when Jesus was tempted in the desert?

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, (1)‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’ But He answered and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’’ Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, (2) ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’’ Jesus said to him, ‘It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’’ Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, (3)‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’’  Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” – Matthew 4:1-11

In each case Jesus’ human nature was tempted – God cannot be tempted (James 1:13) – there is no sinful nature to be tempted. It is our flesh that is tempted in three ways – lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life. (1 John 2:16) If you notice those are the three ways Jesus – the man – was tempted in the desert. Notice also how Jesus responded – not with His self will or determination but with the sword of the Spirit – the Word of God. Unfortunately, many Christians venture out each day spiritually unarmed. We don’t see resistance to temptation as a spiritual issue – but merely the need to try harder not to do whatever we are being tempted to do.

I am not aware of any Christian who has lived a sinless life after their conversion. Any Christian who has gotten a pass on being tempted.  If there is one thing that comes from my struggle and perhaps yours is that my daily struggle is a reminder that I need a savior – that I cannot be right before God standing on my own merit and by my own effort. That it is ….

“…. 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. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them..” – Ephesians 2:8-10

We are His workmanship – our new life is by faith and the power of 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

Believing A Lie To Be Truth

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,  who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.’” – Romans 1:18-25

God has revealed Himself in and through His creation sufficiently for all to know that He exists and desires relationship with us. In fact He has provided additional revelation over the centuries. Why? We do not know – but only that He chose to. Today He continues to send those who might speak for Him. Not just pastors, preachers, or missionaries, but those who are not schooled in seminaries and colleges, but in the schoolhouse of life, faith and obedience. Christians just like you and me.

God speaks through the Bible. Truths like those in Romans 1 are not meant to be critical but descriptive. Knowing that people who are seeking fulfillment in life through a way other than Jesus and faith in God are going to behave in a certain way should be enlightening.  We should not be surprised by the decadence, immorality, prejudices, inequality, and violence that is creeping around the world – devouring nation after nation.  I read a headline that said, “Christianity in the United States is Dying”. I don’t think it is dying – I do think that the heart of man is being revealed and many who called themselves Christians were merely religious. They too quickly abandoned the faith, as they understood it, and “exchanged the truth of God for a lie.”

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Has God indeed said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’” – Genesis 3:1-5

The great deception. It started in the Garden. Satan’s suggestion that God would deceive us and tell us that something was true when it was not. That God was merely trying to keep us from being fulfilled.  And if God would lie about one thing – well then you could not really trust anything He said.  Do you see what Satan was doing – what he is doing?

Look around you Christian – the world believes the lie – that people can do what they want – that they will not surely die. But apart from Jesus – they will indeed surely die. Their ability to continue in their sin is not proof that they are independent – free from judgement. Just because man declares something to be true – that is contrary to the expressed revelation of God – does not make it so. What God has declared as truth cannot be made a lie – it can be ignored. “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,  who exchanged the truth of God for the lie” Don’t think for a minute that you are immune to the temptation to do the same. We are bombarded with temptations every day. But there is good news.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13

How exactly – more on that tomorrow.

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

Thoughts About Our Rebirth

“Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” – John 3:5-7

As we were flying back from Illinois, I closed my eyes and thoughts about Rebirth literally scrolled through my mind. It was rather strange to be honest, almost like a vision. I hesitate to use that phrase for fear that you might think me being dramatic. Having said that, I do think it is important for Christians to understand and be ready to articulate what the Bible says about spiritual rebirth. Knowing that most who read anything on Facebook or on a BLOG prefer short writings, I caution you that this is lengthy. I am not writing “ex cathedra” (a Latin phrase which means “from the chair.” It refers to binding and infallible papal teachings which are promulgated by the pope when he officially teaches in his capacity of the universal shepherd of the Church a doctrine on a matter of faith or morals and addresses it to the entire world.) but sharing a synthesis of scripture that we should be familiar with, in a progressive order. 

1. There is a difference between being religious and being a Christian.

“There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…  Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?’” John 3:1-3,10

The purpose of this story about Nicodemus was to tell us that it does not matter how much religious education you have – how often you go to church – what religious holidays you celebrate – to have eternal life requires spiritual birth. Nicodemus thought that he was doing what was necessary – but Jesus said he was lacking something. Spiritual rebirth. Whenever I hear someone say I am a “fill in the denomination” and not a Christian, I think of Nicodemus. 

2. There is a difference between doing good things and being a Christian.

“Now behold, one came and said to Him, ‘Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’ –  But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments. -   The young man said to Him, ‘All these things I have kept from my youth. Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” – Matthew 19:16-17,20 -22

The young man believed that if he did good things that would be sufficient for God to let him into heaven.  But Jesus said “No”, it is not enough.  There can be no room in your heart for anything but love and devotion to God for you to have eternal life – to be born again.  Everything else– how you live and love and treat others – flows out of that love. What you possess is inconsequential – spiritually speaking. The fact was – the young man loved money more than God.  Jesus saw his heart.  When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was (read Matthew 22:37-39) he said – love God above all and then love people more than you love yourself.  I suspect that the young man was more than willing to give out of his excess but not out of what he thought he needed for himself.  The problem, the young man trusted in himself, and the world more than he trusted God.

3. Spiritual truth cannot be understood apart from personal spiritual revelation.

“These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” – 1 Corinthians 2:13-14

Both Nicodemus and the young man understood that what they believed to be the way to heaven was not, according to Jesus.  But they could not understand the truth of what Jesus said and what they needed to do in response without the conviction of the Spirit of God. You cannot argue someone into heaven.  They must come under the conviction of the Spirit of God and yield their hearts to that conviction.  Very often, a struggle ensues.  That struggle is between our old nature – sinful – rebellious – self dependent – independent of God and the spiritual revelation that comes from the Spirit of God. 

4. We can share the Good News with people, but we can’t save them – they must come under the conviction of their sin which only the Holy Spirit can do.

“And when He [the Holy Spirit] has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” – John 16:8

5. Once we surrender to that conviction by faith – God, the Father – seals us with the Holy Spirit who then dwells in each Believer. 

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” –  Ephesians 1:13

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” – 1 Corinthians 6:19

6. The only way to be born again is by confession in Jesus by faith – having a change of heart.

“if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” –  Romans 8:9-10

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 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. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”  – Ephesians 2:4-10

And that is the vision I had – that I was writing these verses and thoughts down to make it plain to Christians and perhaps to be used by the Spirit of God to those who do not believe.  While on the plane, I noticed the lead stewardess wore a cross on her necklace.  When I had the opportunity, I asked he if she was a Believer. She looked surprised at first then looked down at her necklace, touched it with her hand nervously, looked at me and said, “Yes, I am.” I told her that her necklace was a silent witness to her faith. 

Now for the “rest of the story”. In my vision, I saw only the order of the verses and then that I was sharing this with many people – groups of people who do not believe.  I don’t know what that means –  yet. Perhaps it is simply my sharing it with you and you sharing it with others, as opportunity presents itself. 

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’s Not The Hair It’s The Heart

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” — 1 Samuel 16:7

I stopped in a barber shop the other day – my hair was touching my ears – some part of the military me seems to still be with me.  As I was waiting for my turn, I noticed a young man getting his hair “coiffed” in the current style of the day for young men.  He paid his bill with a smile and gratitude - $97.  It was then that 1 Samuel 16:7 came to my mind.  Do people really notice a hair cut? The shape of your haircut – its presence or absence even – a haircut should not be the foundation for a relationship with others and never will be with God. A certain style might help you identify with a particular group of people – but that is all superficial to what really matters in life. 

We worry about what people see on the outside because we think it is a visual clue on what is on the outside. It might be clothes, hair, or maybe skin color – but, although it may give you some idea of what the person is like on the inside – it is not reliable.  That is what the Lord said to Samuel when he was going to anoint King Saul’s replacement.  It turned out to be David – the runt – the least likely. The one that did not have the faintest resemblance to Saul. Thinking about it, the only person that has ever commented on my haircut is my wife. I have never had someone say – “Great haircut!”, now it could be that I never have had a great haircut – but I don’t think people really notice – not really. The Barber asked if I wanted the back of my hair blocked or tapered. I told it didn’t matter, I can’t see it and no one has ever commented on it when it was one or the other. So it was the Barber’s choice. (I still have not looked)

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” – Jeremiah 7:9-10

People don’t really know what anyone is really like until they express what is in their heart through what they do and say. That was the Lord’s point.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” – Luke 6:45

Watching and listening brings discernment.  If you watch and listen – everyone will eventually express their heart.  Everyone can portray a good heart for a season – but it is so hard for those who do not have a good heart to pretend for long.  Eventually the heart will reveal itself. It is not judgement I am suggesting, but looking for the fruit that comes from the person’s heart. We can love others the way God loves us because He first loved us and we first love God. And what does a loving heart look like you might ask?

“Love is patient and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”– 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

So I said to the Barber, when she asked me how I wanted my hair cut, “You know, it is not about the hair, it is about the heart.” And then I said – “I don’t want the hair to touch my ears and my wife said to not let you trim my eyebrows.” I think she thought I was a just a little strange, but she obliged 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

Knowing It Is God But Your Flesh Is Saying No It Is Not

“When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.’ But He answered and said to them, ‘You give them something to eat.’ And they said to Him, ‘Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?’ But He said to them, ‘How many loaves do you have? Go and see.’ And when they found out they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’.” — Mark 6:35-38

There are times in our lives when we come face to face with human need. The challenge for us is in knowing if we should respond to that need. It may not be that we lack compassion – but that we lack faith – spiritual perspective.  Very often we are willing to give out of our excess but balk at the thought of giving something up that we need or might need to help someone who has a greater need.  We might even begin to think that we are the provider and not God – who is Jehovah Jireh.  The disciples saw the need – they had compassion – and turned to Jesus for the solution. Then Jesus told them to do it themselves.  God never asks us to do something that we can do on our own. He asks us to do the extraordinary – what is beyond us. 

The disciples found what seemed a drop in the bucket compared to the need of the people, but Jesus saw it as enough.  So often, I think, we trust more in ourselves than in God. We withhold the help needed because we focus on ourselves and our limits and say, “I can’t” or worse “I won’t”.  You may have heard the phrase “faith overcoming fear” that has taken prominence during the pandemic.  Actually, it has been with us from the beginning.  But all too often, our fear overcomes our faith.  We say “NO”, not because of a word from the Lord, but because we have focused on our frailty and limited resources.  We can talk a good game about God’s power and abundance, but when we only have 5 fish and 2 loaves, we back away. We justify are choice by saying we are being good stewards – when in fact we are protecting what we have – “it’s mine and I won’t share it”

We need spiritual wisdom and discernment to know when we should say “yes”. It not every time, but I fear that we miss seeing the hand of God too often because we lack faith. 

“Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” – Proverbs 3:3-8

What has God challenged you to do that caused you to feint and perhaps to say “no”, when you knew it was God?

“ … to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” – James 4:17

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

When It’s All Been Said And Done – Who Have I lived My Life For?

“So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” — 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Some of you may know that my oldest sister is near to entering the gates of heaven. Hospice has given her days before she passes. She has been born again – Martie and I were honored to share the Gospel with her and to see her yield her heart to the Spirit of God in faith and then to see the change that rebirth always brings. Facing times like this brings many thoughts and questions to mind. As well as introspection – reflecting on my own life.  Have I lived my life for Him.  As often happens to me, songs “bubble up” in my mind that are in context to the thoughts I am having as I press these keys on my laptop. Don Moen wrote a song – “When It’s All Been Said And Done” 

“When it's all been said and done. There is just one thing that matters. Did I do my best to live for truth? Did I live my life for you?

When it's all been said and done. All my treasures will mean nothing. Only what I have done. For love's rewards. Will stand the test of time

Lord, your mercy is so great. That you look beyond our weakness. And find purest gold in miry clay. Turning sinners into saints

I will always sing your praise. Here on earth and heaven after. For you've joined me at my true home. When it's all been said and done. You're my life when life is gone...” Don Moen

That is what I want to be able to say when I am next in line to be present with the Lord. Then will be too late to decide that is how I should have lived. Same goes for you my friend.  Don’t be satisfied with what might have been.  Seize the day – walk – live by faith – be a light in this messed up world.

There are people in my sister’s life that do not have a heart for God – they are lost in their sin. It is not that they have not heard the truth – but that they will not receive truth as TRUTH.  My sister, even in her last days – under the influence of strong medication, what seemed at the time to be a random comment, said – “Salvation requires the Spirit of God and faith.” On reflection, I realized that she knows that – why? Because the Spirit of God, unaffected by the medication, is in her. Where the things of this world are escaping her thinking – the things of heaven are clear.  She is certain of this … [ I have personalized the verse with changes in brackets]

“ … for [she] know whom [she has] believed and [is] persuaded that He is able to keep what [she has] committed to Him until that Day. [She will] Hold fast the pattern of sound words which [she] has heard from [the Apostle Pau], in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to [her], [she will]keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in her.” – 2 Timothy 1:12-14

What a promise! What a testimony! What an encouragement from my sister to me! Dr. Dale Tackett, with Focus on The Family – Truth Project, asked this piercing question, “Do you believe that what you believe is really real.” You will live by what you believe is real – what is truth.  If you live like the world, then although you may like the idea of faith in Jesus, but you don’t really think it is real and relevant of life on this planet. What will people say of you when It’s All Been Said and Done?

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

Redeeming The Time You Have Left

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” —James 4:13-15

I have a theory .. well several actually .. but this one in particular has to do with our perception of the time we walk this earth.  Let’s call it the rule of proportionality.  When you are young, time seems to drag by – especially when you are sitting in a classroom wanting to be in another place. I think that is because the proportion of years remaining in your life is greater than the number of years that you have lived. But there is a tipping point in our lives when the number of years we have remaining on this planet are less than the number of years we have lived.  Time seems to fly by – I know Martie and I ask more frequently, “Where did the time go?” Actually time doesn’t change – it moves on nanosecond by nanosecond – minute by minute – hour by hour – well you get the idea!

The question is not how much time do I have left, but “How am I using the time that I have left?”

“ … it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment ..” – Hebrews 9:27

God has not told us “how” nor “when” nor “where”, just that everyone will die – life is like a vapor – have you ever seen steam rising from a pot on the stove? Of course you have. It rises and then vanishes. That would be us.

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” – Ephesians 5:16-17

Redeem the time that you have left in this life. Don’t left any “I love you’s” be left unsaid.  Don’t be content with regrets. Live your life with the perspective that you Are a child of God living with a divine purpose. I am fully aware that the proportion of life left to life lived is smaller than it has ever been.  I cannot waste the life I have left on wood, hay and stubble that will be burned in the refiners fire. (1 Corinthians 3:12-16)  I want to make the years I have remaining eternally consequential. That is what walking circumspectly means.  That means that I must be intentional about I live every day – ever nano-second. 

I am writing this to challenge you to consider how you are living your life and, as a child of God, what your priorities are as compared to what they should be.  What adjustments do you need to make? That is the question that all of us must answer. The answer is found as we seek God and choose Him over the world.  I was listening to someone share a pray request that was essentially wrapped around financial security in his retirement.  Not would he have food and shelter, but would he have the financial security to enjoy the things of this world.  I was reminded of the Janice Joplin song that includes the verse – “Oh, Lord won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz. Oh Lord won’t you buy me a color (today read 72 inch flat screen) TV.” What do you want from God and what do you want from life. What do you think that God wants for you for the rest of your days? It’s this –

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

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

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

Being Kind To Someone Who Isn’t

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect..” —Matthew 5:43-48

Is there someone that has treated you badly – without provocation – perhaps because of a misunderstanding – or they might just be mean spirited?  If you are old enough to read this, then I am certain it has happened to you, more than once. It might even be someone close to you, like a friend or relative.  We want to vindicate ourselves – at least that is the feeling that often wells up in me. Hurtful comments or actions that are unfounded but pierce your heart. So what to do about it.

You have two options or maybe three.  You can retaliate – which never resolves the problem – but deepens the schism. You can “stuff” it – like water off a ducks back – you can deny the hurt and move on. And whenever you are around that person, there is a tension – unspoken – but a relational glass wall is there keeping you separated. Or you can do what Jesus said to do.  “What is that?” you ask. Love them, bless them, do good to them, pray for them. And be silent before men about it.  (I added that one.)  The reason is that if you do what Jesus said to do – you will not speak against the offender to other people – to win people to your side, if you will.

Some years ago, I learned this great lesson the hard way.  I was falsely accused by someone who was recognized as a spiritual leader. People came to me and said they knew what was being said was untrue – they were witnesses.  I was dumbfounded by the accusations.  I spoke to someone who was a familiar with what had happened and had great spiritual wisdom.  His advice to me – don’t defend yourself – God would vindicate me.  That was not what I was feeling at the time. But, when he said it, my spirit resonated with the truth of what he said. So that is what I did. You see, Jesus was not saying to do those things so that primarily the offender might be changed, but that we would have the heart of God. It was not about their heart, it was about my heart. “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect”

We are called out to be salt and light, a peculiar people.  No longer living and doing like we once did, but having been born again by faith, we live and love by a new standard. Being willing to lay our lives down for others. Just like Jesus …

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.” – Isaiah 53:7

It is easy – natural – to get along with people that treat us nicely – but we struggle when they don’t.  I know that this issue is much deeper than what I have written today. The take away is this.  In order to fulfill the second greatest commandment – love your neighbor as yourself – you must first fulfill the first commandment – Love God with all of your heart – mind – soul and strength.  (Matthew 22:37-39) God is shaping us in the image of His Son. To live like Jesus – we must love like Jesus. How we treat people – no matter what is a reflection of our hearts and our devotion.

“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. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” – Romans 8:28-29

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

Resting In Your Faith

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

I recently heard rest described as “What God wants to do in you.” I was thinking about floating on my back. Have you ever done that? In a swimming pool or lake? It takes some practice.  If you don’t relax – you won’t float. Floating in the water is like laying on your bed. Your body is surrendered. You are still – not thrashing around – not tensed up for fear of going under.  There is a calm and a peace that comes over you.  In life, that calm and peace can be ours but it is only by faith and surrendering to God.

“the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:26-27

Jesus said that the peace or rest, that is ours by faith, is spiritual and not dependent upon life’s events.  All of us face troubles – disappointments – but if we are born again and therefore have the Spirit of God in us, and we do, then we can relax – rest in God’s sovereignty by faith. When you are learning to float, it takes practice. In the meantime – you will sink. It is difficult to relax – to trust that you will float – that you can float when the water closes over your face. It’s frightening actually.  The same goes for resting in God – trusting that you will be able to endure whatever trouble has come upon you. It takes practice – you won’t always be successful – you might even sink from time to time. But by exercising your faith, your faith gets stronger. In John 14, Jesus is suggesting that we have an option to being troubled and afraid – that option is to trust God by faith – to rest in our relationship with the Creator God. But that relationship must be a priority in our lives and not just a fact. What I mean is that the fact is that if you are born again – you have the spirit in you – you are a child of God. The reality may be that being a Christian is not any more than a label and there is little evidence that you are living a life of faith. I realize that if you are reading this, you are probably not just wearing the label, but you are pursuing God by faith. But perhaps you can encourage those who are not – who are saved but are still trying to not sink below – become engulfed by – their troubles.

One thing that makes my heart sink is when I am talking to someone who is not born again. Encouraging them to do what I have just described is like trying to tell a man with no legs to run or a blind man to look at an amazing sunset. Impossible. That is through their own effort – try as they might.  You can’t buy peace – perhaps temporary substitutes – did you hear that Bill Gates is getting a divorce? The only answer is Jesus. And the truth is that they might not want to hear that – what they want is relief and only the Spirit of God by faith in Jesus can bring it.  Just as Jesus wept over Jerusalem – we should weep over those who reject the Way and Truth and Life. Do you know people like that? The best thing you can do is show them what resting looks like – be a witness by who you live and not just by what you say – but when the Spirit prompts – speak. In the mean time …

“Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” – Proverbs 3:3-8

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

How To Avoid Trouble

“count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” —James 1:2-7

I could make this a really short devotion this morning by just saying, “You can’t avoid it.” But I won’t.  The fact is that everyone must deal with troubles in their lives. It is part and parcel to living in a sinful – sin filled world.  I am certain that you remember the story of Job. His friends were convinced that Job had done something to deserve what happened to him. There must have been sin in his life that was the seed for the trouble he was enduring.  There are certainly consequences for what we and others do and don’t do, but troubles may come your way and you have had nothing to do with why they have come.   

Someone once said “There is no TESTimony (my emphasis) without a test.” Generations have marveled at Job’s faith and resulting endurance.  The source of our ability to endure during the trials in this life spiritual not natural. It is a product of exercised faith – not individual determination, resolve and wit.  Wisdom is understanding and that is from God not from the exercising of the synapse in our brains. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God” I suspect that many of you who are reading this have experienced trials – perhaps like Job – loss of livelihood, homes, family members – it is a long list of possibilities.  When trouble comes – don’t look around – look up.

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

You can find peace through faith in the midst of the trouble. It does not mean that there will not be sorrow or disappointment, but there can also be strength to endure and peace that overcomes the pain. Perhaps this should be our prayer when we feel the breath of the lion on our necks - the weight of the world on our shoulders.

“Vindicate me, O God, And plead my cause against an ungodly nation; Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! For You are the God of my strength; Why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.” – Psalm 43

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

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

Living With The Sin Of -- It's Not So Bad

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.” —John 6:66

“When God, by His Spirit through His Word, gives you a clear vision of His will, you must “walk in the light” of that vision (1 John 1:7). Don’t look at someone else and say, ‘Well, if he can have those views and prosper, why can’t I?’ You have to “walk in the light” of the vision that has been given to you. If we don’t see and understand this, it is because we are ignoring the underlying principles of our Lord’s teaching. But if a New Testament standard is revealed to us by the light of God, and we don’t try to measure up, or even feel inclined to do so, then we begin to backslide. It means your conscience does not respond to the truth. That moment marks you as one who either continues on with even more devotion as a disciple of Jesus Christ, or as one who turns to go back as a deserter.” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

There spiritual danger with the sin of not so bad. (James 2:10) “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”  Have you ever heard someone say .. well that is not “so” bad, it’s only ________. You can fill in the blank.  What came to my mind was movies .. there only a little profanity… there is only brief nudity.  Why do we say that. “there is only”? We say it or think it because we want to justify what we are about to do or did.  Actually what is happening is that, we are debating with the Spirit.  Trying to convince Him that we are not engaging in sin.  Unfortunately, that practice and acceptance has become so common in the American Christian culture that accepting sinful acts in the television and movies we watch is common place.  Families struggle with the effects of premarital sex … drugs .. alcohol … yet they pay money to watch it played out on the screen or television and justify it by calling it entertainment.  They argue that it’s just a movie.  Think about this.  Companies spend billions of dollars on advertising every year.  The reason is that they want to influence your thinking.  Do you really believe that they would spend all that money if it didn’t work?  Our culture “advertises” its values in the same way.  Behavior that you personally detest, that you would not personally be involved in, you submit to in your mind by being a willing voyeur. And worse, you allow, even encourage your children to do the same.

When you compare the natural life with the Word of God, the differences are obvious – glaring even.  It’s just that we refuse to look.  And if we do, even though the Spirit in us says “No”, our flesh says “yes”, and our mind says “It’s not so bad!”  There are many other examples, other than the visual media.  All of it is temptation. 

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 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. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” – 1 John 2:15- 17

Some of the most popular television shows are about crime and crime fighters.  Good overcoming evil.  That is not so bad is it?  But with the good we must accommodate sex, violence, profanity, illicit relationships …. Many things that are contrary to who we are as Christians and we would, hopefully, not participate in…. Well .. I think I will let you debate whether this applies to you with the Holy Spirit.  The bottom line .. we need to apply the same rigor in what we do and watch  as we do in our judging what other people do and don’t do.

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:3-5

It's a lot easier to see these issues in other peoples' lives.  But, are you guilty of compromise?  Have your taught your children to do the same? Those who have ears let them hear .. those who have eyes, let them see!

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

Weighing The Cost Of Being Jesus' Disciple

“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. – Proverbs 14:12

“The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, and nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way. The things that happen either make us evil, or they make us more saintly, depending entirely on our relationship with God and its level of intimacy. If we will pray, regarding our own lives, “Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42), then we will be encouraged and comforted by John 17, knowing that our Father is working according to His own wisdom, accomplishing what is best.” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Do you think of yourself as a disciple or are you “merely” a Christian.  In my mind, there is a difference.  I will explain.  If you read the Gospels you see that there was a large crowd that follow Jesus, initially.  But, as He got nearer to the cross ..  fewer followed.  The life that Jesus represented was appealing to the crowds so long as there was something in it for them.  Food .. healing … being known as a Jesus follower.  But when the cross was on the horizon, even those closest to Jesus were tested in their commitment to following Him .. to being identified with Him.  I don’t presume to understand everything .. many things are a mystery to me.  For example … at what point did the disciples find salvation in Jesus?  Was it by faith before the cross?  Or, was it after the cross?  The Bible doesn’t tell us.  I am thinking the former … I do know that Jesus told them to wait for the Holy Spirit .. which means that with Jesus ascended, they needed supernatural power to live and do.  Before they had it in Jesus.  After the cross, they needed it from the Spirit.  And so, by the way, do we. 

So back to the question.  Are you a disciple or “just” a Christian.  We must all answer it.  In fact we all have.  Our level of dedication to Jesus is displayed every day by the way we live and love.  Like the parable of the talents .. have you buried the reality of your faith in the ground intending to dig it up when Jesus returns or you join Him in heaven?  Or are you multiplying your faith by loving God more than you love the world … showing Jesus to the people you meet?  It is important that we reflect on our life in Christ.  The cares of this world are like barnacles on the hull of a ship.  If you don’t deal with them early and often, they will multiple and soon obscure who you are in Christ.  Your God-purposed life will be made impotent.  You will be lulled into a sense of satisfaction that you are living the Christian-life as it was intended.  That is until you come face to face with Jesus.

I have wondered, often, about why I write the things I do in this BLOG.  I sense that, in some ways, I am like a lighthouse warning the sailors that there are dangers to avoid.  I certainly am not judging anyone … but I am, instead, encouraging you to be on your guard .. to consider who you are in Christ and where you are in your faith walk.  To be alert to the dangers of embracing this world and your culture.  (Proverbs 14:12) “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” My role is to raise an awareness, frankly, what you do about it is between you and the Holy Spirit.  God Bless You!.

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

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

You Won’t Know Where Until You Go There

"…Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing’….. So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran..” —Genesis 12:1-2,4

In my book, Where Faith Is Waiting, I identified nine spiritual principles that I have found to be at work as I pursued my new life in Christ. The second principle is this – Until We Obey His Leading By Faith, God Will Never Act On Our Behalf. In other words, God’s blessings are waiting on the other side of the door called obedience.  Abram – or later Abraham – had to exercise faith when God gave him direction. He could have stayed in Haran – where he was comfortable – where things were familiar – he was 75 years old!

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” – Hebrews 11:8-10

So you know that already – nothing new to you? I would hope so. But the question you should be asking is this. Of all the words and stories and admonitions that God could have chosen to have recorded in His revelation to the mankind through scripture – why tell us about Abraham? 

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

That’s why! Because God wants us to learn from Abraham. God asked Abraham to leave his life – of 75 years behind – to journey to a place that God would show him without having the details on the path or the destination. To do that required great faith. To live the life that God has called us to live in the place where He will show us and at the cost of leaving our old life behind also requires great faith. It requires that our hearts be fully devoted to God. That is why God told us about Abraham. Because what God asked him to do – He asks us to do also.  The thing is that, if you are anything like me, you struggle with stepping out and going and doing where the Lord tells us to go and what the Lord tells us to do. Instead we want to trust in and turn to our old way of living.  Do you remember Peter getting out of the boat?

“And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ So He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.” – Matthew 14:28-32

“But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid” Peter started out well, but when he was faced with the physical reality of his obedient act – the natural impossibility of it – he put his faith back in his old nature and was in trouble. That is why Jesus chastised him. We do the same thing. We want to follow God but are unwilling to trust Him completely. We try to be obedient in some things and expect God to be pleased and bless us. We confuse success and accumulation in this world with God’s blessing us.  Worldly wealth and health is not a spiritual barometer. It is very possible that you can be destitute and ill and be a spiritual giant.  I will leave you with these verses to contemplate.

 “I [urge] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2

Just like Abraham ….

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