The WHO In Your Testimony Is Not YOU

 "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." —John 12:32

“A Christian must be so closely identified with his Lord and the reality of His redemption that Christ can continually bring His creating life through him. I am not referring to the strength of one individual’s personality being superimposed on another, but the real presence of Christ coming through every aspect of the [Christian's] life. If we simply preach the effects of redemption in the human life instead of the revealed, divine truth regarding Jesus Himself, the result is not new birth in those who listen. The result is [merely] a refined religious lifestyle, and the Spirit of God cannot witness to it because such preaching is in a realm other than His. When we say, “What a wonderful personality, what a fascinating person, and what wonderful insight!” then what opportunity does the gospel of God have through all of that? It cannot get through, because the attraction is to the messenger and not the message. If a person attracts through his personality, that becomes his appeal. If, however, he is identified with the Lord Himself, then the appeal becomes what Jesus Christ can do. The danger is to glory in men, yet Jesus says we are to lift up only Him (see John 12:32).” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

I was talking with a painter and his son in a house Pathfinder was rebuilding some time back.  The conversation drifted from what had to be done in the house, to more personal matters … who we are and why we are what we are.  I felt strongly that God had these men helping for His purpose.  As I shared a little about my past and why I was in Texas, the young man smiled and said that what I was doing was a great thing.  And so back to Mr. Chambers.  If all I did was impress those men with my service and fail to communicate whom it is that I serve and why, then I had failed in my mission.  Testimonies are good, but are hollow and vain without the Gospel at their center.  You can impress people with the “whats” and glory stories in your life but fail in your mission if you do not tell people “why” you did what you did. Paul said ..... 

“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

You may or may not know that I wrote a book - Where Faith Is Waiting.  Think of it as a testimony in book form.  I had it narrated by a professional.  When he had finished I asked him what he thought about the content.  He said that it seemed I talked about myself a lot. I took that to mean that I may have missed it - that I was not the central character but merely a common man that God did uncommon things through. My goal was to show God's faithfulness and our need to walk by faith in obedience to His call.

If people are not drawn to Jesus, but instead to you, then you have missed the point of your encounter with them.  Be careful that you don’t neglect the Gospel, your primary mission in your new life, and instead, bask in the favor of people being impressed with who you are or what you have done.  Every bit of that is for the glory of God, not your personal glory.  Don’t be like the some of the Pharisees.  

“Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God." - John 12:42-43

Don't steal God's glory, taking credit for what He has done through 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

 

Choosing Something Bad And Expecting Something Good

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: 'Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'” - Ephesians 5:8-14

I have known a good number of Christians who have made tremendous errors in spiritual judgement.  Those errors have derailed their lives and brought grief and heartache … sometimes that lasts a lifetime.  And yet, they persist in making the same poor choices based upon their emotions … perhaps their desire to “fix the problem themselves" or merely yield to the need that seems to dominate their lives.  Although they may sing “Jesus loves me this I know” … time and again they choose their own path and solutions over the path that God has laid out for them. 

 "A man makes plans in his heart, but God orders his steps" - Proverbs 16:9

They quench the Spirit and listen to their flesh instead.  They ignore the Biblical counsel of their friends and family … and repeat the same mistakes that they have made in the past with, predictably, the same result.  When I see this happening, my heart breaks because I know the joy they have rejected for the trouble that they will inevitably embrace as they are victimized by the consequences of their choices.  Does that sound dismal? That’s because it is.  God has called us out of that life.  But to live our new life successfully, our faith must be more than a philosophy … or the “get out of hell free” card we hold in our hearts.  The great gift we have came with a price .. Jesus on the cross .. yet even that is a distant thought.  Sadly, very often, that truth is not enough to motivate us to choose God .. to follow the Spirit .. to sacrifice the flesh.

So why does that happen? One reason, I think, is that most of us do not really want to completely separate ourselves from our old life.  It’s one thing to be in the world as a Christian.  It’s quite another to participate with the world - even though you are a Christian.  Embracing what we know to be sin in an effort to secure the world’s substitute for God’s will and way.  As I write this, I know that the interesting thing is that although you or I might speak to the wayward Christian to encourage them to draw close to Jesus, only the Spirit of God can bring conviction to their hearts and only the wanderer can yield to that conviction and turn to God in repentance.  So what to do.  Well....   we might start by being an example.  Love them .. not their sin … like Jesus.  Pray for them.  And bear the hurt in your heart as you watch them struggle with the impossibility of the life they have chosen.  Jesus spoke to the problem … the Apostles wrote about the problem to the churches .. so it is obviously not a new problem in our generation.  It is the age-old struggle between the carnal and the Spiritual nature.  The nature that you feed is the one that will dominate your choices. 

I find that I have struggled with some particular issue in my life and then, by the grace and power of God, I have overcome it. But then, over time, I let my guard down and I found myself right back in the same place. Why? because I lacked discipline and awareness.  Ever have that happen to you? Of course you have - it is part of the human condition that can only be overcome with a spiritual solution. 

As I was writing this, the Spirit reminds me that the person I am referring to is Me, not you.  I can write no words of encouragement or caution without seeing the reflection of my face in the mirror. "All have sinned" This may be trivial in light of some of the challenges others face, but some years back I had gained a good bit of weight. It was not a healthy place to be. I came under conviction that it was going to inhibit my ability to go and do as the Lord directed. So I made a concerted effort to lose weight - a good bit of weight in fact. I achieved my goal, but then I thought that I could just get back to the way I was living and eating before the weight loss. Any guesses what happened? Right! I started gaining weight again. I had already proven that I must watch what I eat - but then I allowed my habits - my lust for the wrong food to take me back near to the place I thought I had escaped.  Now, once again, the Spirit has brought the issue to my conscious mind.  What is the definition of insanity?

As Christians, when the Spirit brings a holy dissatisfaction about some aspect of our lives, we must be willing to repent.  We must choose Jesus.  He is the Way and the Life and the Truth. (John 14:6) We know the Truth.  To stop doing what you know is wrong for you does not require self-will but the surrendering of our will. "not my will but Thy will be done"  The only way you can do that is by the Spirit. “It’s not by might or by power but by the Spirit”(Zechariah 4:6) You say being over weight is not a spiritual thing? I think it is if it is excessive, and more if the Spirit convicts you of it, whatever "It" is. Our goal should be to embrace the reality that you if you are born again, you have a spiritual nature that supersedes the natural one. “It’s not by MY might or by MY power but by HIS Spirit”.  What ever that "thing" is that hounds you, you can overcome it!  You CAN overcome it! But not without His help.  

"And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure." - 2 Corinthians 12:7

(There is so much more to write, but I fear that I have already surpassed the point of many people's willingness to read on) I save this for last.  It is possible that like Paul, there is something that you ask God to remove and yet it persists. A thorn in your life that persists - as a reminder that we do have feet of clay and we are totally dependent on the One who sent His Son and His Spirit and gave us His Word looking forward to that Day. 

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

Hiding Behind The Veil Of Feigned Holiness

He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" —Ezekiel 37:3

“Can a sinner be turned into a saint? Can a twisted life be made right? There is only one appropriate answer— 'O Lord God, You know' (Ezekiel 37:3). Do I really believe that God will do in me what I cannot do? Has any spiritual work been accomplished in me at all? The degree of panic activity in my life is equal to the degree of my lack of personal spiritual experience. When God wants to show you what human nature is like separated from Himself, He shows it to you in yourself. If the Spirit of God has ever given you a vision of what you are apart from the grace of God (and He will only do this when His Spirit is at work in you), then you know that in reality there is no criminal half as bad as you yourself could be without His grace. 'I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells' (Romans 7:18). God’s Spirit continually reveals to His children what human nature is like apart from His grace.” - Oswald Chambers

No one, except God, knows you like you do.  I am referring to the things that remain unrevealed to others.  I think most if not all of us prefer that people believe we are more spiritual than we really are.  We can behave really well on Sunday mornings .. for an hour or so anyway.  Most of us struggle to be more righteous in our thinking and doing.  The danger is that we can learn to be content with our current level of sanctification.  I mean, it’s the best we can do!  That is our old nature at work in us.  A constant struggle of self versus Spiritual dependence.  

During the great revivals it was not uncommon for people to publicly confess their sins having come under great conviction by the Holy Spirit.  (John 16:8-9) “When he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me (Jesus);”  For that to have happened publicly there must first come conviction and brokenness privately.  

When we hide behind a veil of feigned holiness, fearful that people will reject us if they really knew what we are made of, we cripple the new man.  I am not suggesting that we stand on a street corner and shout out every sin … but I am encouraging you to not let the fear of what men may think of keeping you from submitting to the conviction of the Spirit and confessing your sins to the Father.  Don’t show more respect or fear for men than you do for the Father.  

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”  - Matthew 10:28

“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”  - Psalm 118:6

To do that requires faith … faith that comes from your pursuit after 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

Our New Life In Christ Is Not A Spectator Sport

Arise, let us go from here. —John 14:31

“When our purpose is to seek God and to discover His will for us, daydreaming is right and acceptable. But when our inclination is to spend time daydreaming over what we have already been told to do […] His instructions to us will be along the lines of this: “Don’t sit or stand there, just go!” If we are quietly waiting before God after He has said to us, “Come aside by yourselves…” then that is meditation before Him to seek His will (Mark 6:31). […] Daydreaming after God has spoken is an indication that we do not trust Him.” - Oswald Chambers

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”  - James 4:17

Think about that verse.  You agree that God’s Word is Truth, right?  Then that verse is truth, but probably a truth that we would prefer to not think about.  We have all kinds of reasons – good reasons – why we don’t do something.  Perhaps it’s just not the right time.  More than likely that means that it would not be convenient .. it would disrupt our plans or preferences.  (Romans 12:1-2) I often quote these verses .. “offer yourself as a sacrifice … don’t be conformed to this world [and its ways] but be transformed … thereby proving God’s good and perfect will”  It’s not enough to sit in the pew .. listen to Christian radio … watch preachers on TV … or even read the Bible … God expects you to bear fruit

I just had a conversation with a friend who is working through God's call in his life.  I told him that he was threshing wheat in a wine press - a reference to Gideon. And when the angle said "Hail oh mighty man of valor, my friend was looking around to see who the angle was speaking to.

Do you remember Jesus encountering the barren fig tree (Matthew 21:18-22)? That was not a good day for the fig tree.  Simply agreeing with the “rightness” of what you hear or read is not good enough .. not nearly good enough.  

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”  - James 1:22

Being satisfied with being a spectator - sitting in the stands ... is a common problem among the Called .. that is why the Word admonishes us to take action.  So what has God been telling 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

Saving Our Faith For Sunday

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." - Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Those verses are known as The Shema (pronounced She· ma) are the central affirmation of faith for the Jewish people - the people of Israel.  Often, they are the first verses taught to their children. Many families recite the Shema twice a day - once in the morning and once in the evening, sometimes more. I was texting with a Christian friend and missionary, recently, who told me that he and his wife have embraced this practice as a reminder of the greatest commandment - the starting place for how we relate to the world we live in. His comments reminded me of scripture in Romans.

"For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children (of God) because they are the seed of Abraham; but, 'In Isaac your seed shall be called.'  That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed." Romans 9:6-8

It is so easy for us "earthlings" to focus on our flesh and natural heritage and find comfort and assurance there. Ancestry.com's great success is based on that very hunger to know.  People want to know - to find personal value and pride in their natural lineage.  For the Jews and Muslims they look to Father Abraham - Isaac and Ismael. Their ethnic pride is firmly grounded on their relationship with Abraham.  

But there is not just a natural aspect to a relationship with Abraham. God's promise to Abraham was not natural but spiritual. A promise made through Isaac and fulfilled in Jesus. So my friend has committed to remind himself of his spiritual relationship through that very promise with the Father - The One God - everyday, by reciting the Shema - or put another way - Scripture.  That doesn't sound quite so mystical does it?  It reminds me of Psalm 119:11

"Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You." 

And Joshua 1:8-9

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

It is somewhat like most Christians knowing John 3:16 - it is not some repetitious chant or ritual that loses its original meaning - but it is a Biblical mandate expressing devotion to our Creator and Sustainer. You may not follow the lead of my friend, although that isn't a bad idea, but make it a point to start and end the day with a spiritual focus - don't save it all for Sunday.

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

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

Who Do You Say That I Am

 "When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, 'Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?' 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 16:13-17

I was reading an article about the struggle the Taliban government in Afghanistan is having in finding a place among the other Arab nations. It seems that many Arab nations are moving toward the center with respect to international relations - becoming more accepting of "infidels" and their cultural norms. The article went on to say that "Among Arab youth, for example, only 34% saw religion as central to their identity last year, according to a PSB Insights poll. That is down from 40% compared with the previous year. In addition, more than two-thirds of those between ages 18 and 24 want reform of religious institutions." That means that the majority 76% do not have their faith as their central identity.  What that means is that 76% of the young Arabs embrace the culture over their religion. 

So what does this have to do with Matthew 16? I am getting to that. 😊When Jesus asked the Disciples who the people thought Jesus was, they said a prophet. Well that is who the Muslims and many other religions say Jesus is. Even in our culture - I would hazard a guess that most people would acknowledge Jesus as being a significant person in the history of civilization. 

In the United States a recent survey said that 70% of the population identifies as Christian - Protestant or Catholic. That is about 247,500,000 people. The majority of the population in this country.  Does is feel like that is true? 

To that majority of the population of this country, I would ask, "Who do your say Jesus is?" If He is no more than a prophet or a teacher - then He may have an opinion - but so does everyone else. But if He is "the Christ, the son of the Living God", well that changes things. Let's say that what is happening in the Arab countries with respect to religious conviction is also representative of that is happening in the United States. That would mean that only 34% of the people (84,150,000) who identify as Christians see religion as central to their identity. In other words - identify with Jesus as Lord. That affects how they live and what they believe as right and wrong. If you think that this is a Christian nation because of religious words in our founding documents - perhaps not. If those numbers are even close then they represent 25% of the population of the United States, minority of the population, who identify their Christian faith as central to their identity - not their culture.  

So what is the "so what"? People who believe that the Bible is the Word of God - by "believe" I mean embrace it and live by it actually represent a minority in this country, almost a silent minority. That being said why would you be surprised when cultural norms that are clearly contrary to the Bible are embraced as normal by the majority? Getting the picture?

"Jesus answered and said to him, 'If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.'" - John 14:23-24

You are familiar with the phrase "Words are cheap." We can identify as Christians, but the proof is revealed in how we live, how we love, and what Truth we embrace. What about the remaining 66% of the people who identify as Christians? Let the Bible answer that.

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [riches or money]." - Matthew 6:24

It is a big assumption that all of the 163,350,000 people are born again.  As you know, just because you identify as something other than you are does not make it so.  Being religious or thinking about God occasionally does not cut it. We are saved by faith - not by filling out a form.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself (identify with Jesus and not the culture), and take up his cross, and follow Me.'" - Matthew 16:24

Our responsibility is to be light and salt - I hope you can see important that is in these spiritually perilous times.

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

Do You Love God Or Do You Merely Like God

 "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord…" —Isaiah 6:1

“What I need is God’s surgical procedure— His use of external circumstances to bring about internal purification. Your priorities must be God first, God second, and God third, until your life is continually face to face with God and no one else is taken into account whatsoever.” OSWALD CHAMBERS 

If I were to tell you that You must love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, you would most certainly nod your head in agreement or maybe even shout amen.  Actually Jesus said that.  Read Matthew 22:37-39.  He said that all the law .. the essence of the direction that God has given us .. the foundation of our life with respect to God and man is summed up in two commands … Love God, first and love others next.  

As you well know, that level of relationship is not automatic .. you can’t just flip a switch.  It requires that each of us lay our own life down - daily.  There is an old hymn that goes “All to Jesus I surrender.  All to Him I freely give.  I will ever love and trust Him.  In His presence daily live.”  In John 21 Jesus asked Peter, three times, “Do you love me?”  Recall Peter denied Jesus three times before Jesus’ crucifixion.  We need to be careful about our attitude toward Peter – wondering “How could Peter deny his relationship with Jesus so easily?”  We should be careful lest we go the “way  of Peter”.  When Peter denied Jesus he feared men more than God.  Remember, Peter was on his own at that point.  After Pentecost, Peter was filled with the Spirit of God.  The same Spirit that inhabits every Believer.  What God asks you to do, you cannot do on your own … it is spiritual that manifests itself in the natural.  We look at the natural … everyday living … as if it is separate from the spiritual .. it is not.

" .... the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." - John 12:42-43

Have you ever been in a group that was saying things or doing things that made you uncomfortable, but you went along so as not to be different?  People can act like a pack of ravenous animals when they have singled out someone as being different or not willing to agree with what they say is right. Be careful that you don't compromise your faith for the sake of the "comfort" found in acceptance by the world.  Everything we do, think, speak, and desire must be in the context of who God is, our love for Him and who we are in Christ.  God’s expectation for that level of devotion is not reserved for the super-saints or the zealots …. It’s for me and for you.  You want to know what’s missing in your new life?  At the root, it’s the level of your love for 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

Seeing Is Not Believing

"The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you." - Genesis 12:1

Abram or, later, Abraham or the father of many, was told by God to abandon everything he knew to be right and good and go to another land.  The thing was, God didn't tell him where he was going, only that he was going to a land that God would show him.

There is an old saying that "seeing is believing" but with God, believing is seeing. Not with your eyes, but with your heart by faith.

"Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 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" - Ephesians 1:15-20

God asks us to trust Him and not make fore knowledge, understanding or visible proof the condition obedience. It is faith. It is faith that saves us.  

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

Has your faith ever been tested? I know mine has.  This new life we all have in Christ is a life of faith. There is plenty of uncertainty for sure. We would like to know what lies ahead, but we don't. 

"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 3:5-8

I am reminded of the admonition Joshua received in Joshua chapter 1 - "Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."  That my friend, is like money in the bank as they say.

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

Resisting The Spirit Of God Is More Common Than You Think

"If you…remember that your brother has something against you first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift…" —Matthew 5:23-24 

Has the Spirit of God ever spoken something to you that was contrary to what you wanted to do?  If you are born again and therefore have been sealed by the Spirit, He has.  Why? Because we tend to follow the ways of the flesh.  The Spirit convicts of sin, which is to say we are living or doing in a way that is contrary to the nature of God and our new nature.  The question is, “How do you respond when He speaks?”  Do you say “yes Lord”? Or do you “turn the music up to drown out His voice” because you don’t want to do the very thing He is saying – do? The Bible calls that quenching the Spirit or putting the fire out.  Oh Saint, this life we live in the flesh we live by faith.  

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." - Galatians 2:20

God will always prompt you to obedience.  To deal with those things that hinder your unfettered relationship with Him.  You cannot offer anything acceptable to God if you do not have “clean hands and a clean heart”.  If you choose to ignore the prompting of the Spirit you are doing nothing more than practicing vain religion.  Praising God with your lips while your heart is far from Him. (Matthew 15:8) You might as well be watching TV for all of the spiritual good that is being derived!  We are a stubborn lot.  Holding on to attitudes and habits that are clearly contrary to who we are in Christ. You are not alone in this struggle.  

"For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 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." - Romans 7:15-19

But God has given you the power to overcome, and the means to live in victory.  You must pick up your cross daily and yield your life to the leading of the Spirit.  That requires faith and that comes from God.

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

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

Living The Christian Life

"And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, 'Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.' Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." - Luke 22:41-44

Making choices.  That pretty much describes our life of faith. What choices? My will or the will of the Father. Choosing poorly, well that is called sin - missing the mark - being outside the will of God. Jesus faced temptation. In the desert and then again in the Garden before His crucifixion. The very reason that He was incarnated. Like Jesus, we also are tempted and like Jesus are in need of spiritual strength to run the race - to bring glory to God as we live out our new life.

We make choices every day - every hour.  Some may seem inconsequential, but every decision is important. When I was a young lieutenant I was discipled by a Captain who was with the Navigator ministry. We would met for lunch and he would share Christian principles with me. One of those was called the Navigator's Wheel.  Living the Christ-centered life. Imagine a wheel. The Hub - the center is Jesus. There are 4 spokes, 2 horizontal and 2 vertical. The horizontal spokes are Fellowship and Witnessing. The vertical spokes are Prayer and the Word. The wheel is the Obedient Christian life. Making the right choices as a Christian is all about being centered and doing what we are shaped to do by our Father. Like Joshua - meditate on the word - not letting the "book of the law" depart from our heart. Not being anxious but praying. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together - staying connected to other Believers. Always being ready to give a defense for the Hope that is in us. 

It is good that we remind ourselves from time to time of who we are and whose we are.  That we have been given a high calling. That we are being conformed to the image of Jesus by the Father through the work of the Spirit and the power of the Word of God. It is so easy to lose perspective. I think it curious that I still remember that Wheel example.  It speaks to the power of discipleship. Do or have you had the opportunity to speak spiritual truth into someone's life? Maybe you think not - but maybe you just don't see it. Maybe you are not an evangelist - but that does not relieve you of your role as a witness.  If not to the lost, perhaps to other Believers who need to be encouraged in their faith. Like Jesus, you may see opportunity as an impossibility - way beyond your capacity to endure.

"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

God is able to more than we can ask or think - so why not let Him be the power by which you live out your life?  

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

Honoring God

"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." - Exodus 20:7

Factoid: The Hebrew manuscripts have the Hebrew word הוהי which is transliterated YHWH and pronounced Yahweh. Most English Bibles do not translate the Hebrew word “Yahweh” correctly. The translators decided to follow the Jewish tradition and not use God’s proper name. They replaced it with the word “LORD.” Jehovah is a "Latinized" version of Yahweh. Jews are careful not to pronounce G‑d’s names except when reading the Torah or prayers. (In other words in daily conversation) Their caution is founded on an understanding of the third of the Ten Commandments, “You shall not take His name in vain.” Although this verse is classically interpreted as referring to a senseless oath using G‑d’s name, the avoidance of saying G‑d’s name extends to all expressions, except prayer and Torah study. (They don't even write the full name but abbreviate it.) That is not legalism - it is reverence and respect.) To do otherwise would be sort of like addressing Queen Elizabeth as Lizzy.

So - back to the basics. To use God's name in vain means to belittle Him. Taking is name in vain is  referring to God in a flippant way. The God who saved us and gave us eternal life. The God who reigns over the universe. The God that we are to love with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. That God.  God said don't do it. It shows disrespect to the One who has authority over everything - acting as though He is nothing.  Have you ever heard someone call Him the "man upstairs"? That is not said with respect - most often given the people who have said it - it was said in ignorance. I doubt that they know him as Abba - Father.

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." - Matthew 10:28

Have you seen the Ron Regan (President Regan's son) commercial promoting the Freedom from Religion Foundation? He is a self-professed atheist. He is putting a call out to atheists and agnostics in this country to separate church and State. (that is another story). At the end of the commercial he says that he is "not afraid of going to hell".  That is on national television.  He mocks God, the Bible, and Christians.

Do you understand? The people who show disrespect toward God don't have a clue or worse yet, they are fools.  There will come a day when we all stand before God - the One who is able to destroy both the soul and and in hell! 

You cannot watch television or movies or read anything where with God the Father or Jesus the Son are used as expletives - as profanity.  If you don't see it or hear it, it is because you have become blind and your heart has been hardened by the world.  I remember when our children had a friend come to the house.  They were watching a video - I don't remember what it was. Suddenly the little girl visiting gasped. It stopped me in my tracks. She was part of Christian family. I stopped the tape, backed it up and listened to it.  They had used the Lord's name in vain - causing that little innocent to gasp in disbelief.  I had failed to protect her from the world, even though she was in a Christian home. The only reason her parents allowed her to come to our house. 

I was in the military and heard profanity used constantly. Although the Lord had deleted from my vocabulary, I had become hardened to it so I didn't hear it anymore.  That moment in our home made an indelible impression on me.  I could not undo what happened.

So what is my point. We must be careful that we don't accommodate our culture. Pretending that it isn't all that bad - or even pretend like we didn't hear it. It is that bad and we do hear it.  Recognize it for what it is. The unsaved can't help themselves - it is in their DNA to sin - to dishonor God. Not so with us, my Brothers and Sisters. Not so with us. 

"Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth." - Psalm 37:5-9

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

So, You Can’t Get Along With Someone

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” - Hebrews 12:14

Is there someone who just does not like you? There can be a number of reasons for the conflict.  May be something you did or didn’t do. May be personality, or something more nefarious like race or geographic origin – are you’re a Yankee or not from Texas? So what are you supposed to do Christian?  

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”  - Romans 12:18

Have you ever said “that is their problem”?  Just distanced yourself from the issue.  Like an ostrich with its head in the sand.  Pretending there is no "elephant in the room". The problem does not go away, you just don’t have to look at it.  You must make the effort to be reconciled.   Seek to be at peace with them.  And if you are rebuffed in your attempt?  You move on with your life.  Don't chase it as if you feel like you will have failed if you don't. Sometimes people use love and acceptance as a carrot with no intention of actually giving it.  Broken relationships are not like broken bones. They may not mend, ever.  You might wish they would, but the fact is that a restored relationship is dependent upon both parties.  We are to strive for peace - as far as it depends upon us - not the other person. But more, we are to strive for holiness - in spite of those "someones".

Unforgiveness always leads to bitterness. Don’t allow bitterness to take root, but let forgiveness abound instead.  Peter asked Jesus 

“Then Peter came up and said to him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.'” - Matthew 18:21-22

Jesus proceeded to tell the parable about the unforgiving servant.  He had been forgiven much but refused to forgive others in the same way.  Forgive because you have been forgiven through Jesus and by faith. This isn’t about a restored relationship with a person but having a right heart attitude.  Restoration may happen, but it is not a pre-requisite for forgiveness.  Repentance is a necessary for restoration.  Without repentance, the relationship will remain broken, but don't let it be on your account.  And be careful .... receiving someone when they have not repented is a sure-fire recipe for more brokenness.  Like the Father of the prodigal son – you may be waiting – watching – hoping that the relationship will be restored on day.  Your heart may hurt – especially if it involves a family member.  Turn to the Father – the God of all comfort. And let the love of God, the fruit of the Spirit rule in your heart.

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”  - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

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

Justifiable Sin

"If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.  For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." - James 2:8-10

Some people - Christians - are of the mind that a little bit of sin is - well - ok.  It is justifiable. You know that the Spirit convicts us of our sin - unless we quench the Spirit and then we are on the same footing as the unsaved - living out of the power of our natural self.  No longer walking and living after the Spirit.

If we can get a consensus that some sins are tolerable - they don't really impact on my spiritual relationship with the Father, then so much the better.  James uses the example of using "partiality" meaning that we are partial to some people over other people - more specifically - some Christians over other Christians. An example is racism.  How can anyone who has been born again believe that it is OK in God's sight? What does the Word say? 

"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." - Galatians 3:26-29

There is no "spiritual" difference between Christians - skin color, economics, geography, language, customs may be different, and they are - but in Christ we are equal. And when we show partiality towards some which means to reject others - we sin. According to James to break one sin is to break the whole law. Why? Because God will have no part of sin - you can't come to the table with dirty hands - dirt behind your ears or dirty feet. No matter how much you imagine you can.

"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer," - 1 John 3:14-15

"If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also." - 1 John 4:20-21

Hatred is running rampant - race - politics - it is a mess.  This is the time that the Church should be rising up and showing the world what love looks like.  But we continue to huddle - nod our heads when we hear the Truth and then continue to take sides - hating those who disagree with us.  God is not the author of confusion - so I would say that if it confusing, and it is, then God is not in it.

Ok, so those are big things. And, yes, many Christians are guilty and still attend church piously every Sunday or in front of a computer monitor. So don't you think God would cut us some slack for misdemeanors? Minor Infractions. Well, according to James that would be a no. God will have no part of sin. David had Uriah, the Hittite, killed so David could have Uriah's wife, Bathsheba. He had already had sex with her. So that is not minor - but in God's economy - sin is sin. David was confronted by the Prophet Nathan, (like the Spirit does us). David came under conviction of his sin and  repented. That is what Psalm 51 is all about.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You." - Psalm 51:10-13

No matter what the sin is, we should not act like it doesn't matter - it does. Oh and don't confuse church goers with Christians. Many people are religious but fall short in that like Nicodemus, they must be born again.  My point - don't use another church goer's sin as an excuse for you to continue in it. Like my mom - probably yours too, used to say - "If you friends jumped off a bridge would you do it too?" For many the answer might be - well maybe!

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 Someone Needs To See Jesus In You

"Then He [Jesus] will also say to those on the left hand [ the goats], ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’” - Matthew 25:41-45

I met a man Some time back.  He was bound to a wheelchair.  Unable to walk or use his arms, he cold move his head and his thumb.  He used his thumb to control the wheelchair.  He had a portable speaker that he used to amplify his voice so he could be heard when he talked.  He was the kind of guy that you might see and then try to avoid because being around him made you feel a bit awkward.  In Matthew 25, Jesus told the parable of the Sheep and the Goats in which the sheep and the goats asked the same question of the Lord – “When did we see you?”  

With my friend in the wheelchair, I had to step into his “space” to talk with him.  After talking with, let’s call him Bob, I discovered that inside that crippled body was a very intelligent – caring person.  We happened to be at a gathering of a noisy group of people.  You know how it is.  So many people having separate conversations – the “din” from the conversations intensifies until you can hardly hear anything distinctly.  In order to talk to Bob, I had to move further inside of his space. 

Now the others in the group were cordial enough, but no one was attempting to talk to Bob any longer than to say a polite “hello”.  I wondered how often this happens to Bob. My guess – this was a typical experience for him.  After a while, Bob told me he was hungry.  Bob was there on his own. He asked me if I could get him something to eat.  There were snack foods on a table.  I told him that I would point at the food and he could nod his head if he wanted some of it.  Bob proved to be hungry!  The next thing he asked me to do was to feed him.  “Lord when did we see you?”  “When you gave me something to eat, to drink, when you talked to me – when you did it to the least of these, you did it to Me.”  

I am sharing this with you, not because I want to impress you with my spirituality, but to encourage you to be ready.  My point is that you never know when the Lord is going to show up.  When you will be given the opportunity to show the love of God through an act of kindness and compassion.  Listen. It would have been easy enough to ignore Bob.  All I had to do was turn my back after I said “Hello – nice to meet you.”  To find someone less “needy” to talk to.  But I knew that I was supposed to talk with him and to help him.  Call it the unction of the Spirit. I am certain it has happened to you.  You know when the Spirit speaks. But not just talk, but even to hand feed him.  That was very humbling.

The person that God puts in front of you may not be physically handicapped like Bob.  Most people are not.  But many people you meet are struggling in life – crippled by sin – by life’s circumstances – poor decisions – consequences of living under the influence of their old nature.  Not able to walk in the Spirit – emotionally – spiritually crippled. You need spiritual discernment to see them, an obedient heart to minister to them and they need faith to be healed.  They may need to be fed by hand.  

Ministry to others is often in the form of a very simple thing – but at the same time, can be a very powerful thing.  We all have spiritual opportunities – every day. As Jesus said “Those who have eyes (spiritual eyes) let them see.” Jesus didn’t heal everyone, He did minister to many.  So be ready my friend – your opportunity to show someone Jesus is just around the corner. Your heart will tell you it is right when the time comes – so don’t look around to see if anyone is watching, don’t look at your watch to see if you have the time, look up and give thanks to the Lord for the opportunity to be Jesus to someone. 

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

Faith and Politics

And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were [d]sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. .... Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him." - 1 Corinthians 6:11, 15-17

It was not so many years ago when being a Christian was an attribute - it seems with respect to the affairs today's culture in this country it has become an impediment.  Our culture has redefined what is right and what is wrong.  It is no longer "thus saith the Lord" but "thus saith the consensus". Or at least what we are told is the consensus. Paul was writing to the church in Corinth about essentially the same problem. So what does this have to do with politics.

Politics is, at its root, about compromise. You must accept the bad with the good to get a little bit of good. Politics is about the designs of "men" while our faith is about God's design. Politics is compromising - God's design is uncompromising. Politics is about relative truth - or consensus - while Faith is about absolute, unchanging Truth.

Politicians represent their constituency (the natural) - people of faith represent the Creator God (the Spiritual). Our country is a Democracy - or more correctly a Republic. Our political systemic meant to bring order to a very complex society. That is good. But - what to do when the the representation of the constituency means that you must compromise your faith.  What are you first - a Christian or a Democrat or Republican? What political party do you identify with? How does that shape what you believe - hold as truth?

We are to be salt and light in a dark world. Don't let your politics become dominant over who you are in Christ. Both parties are comprised of mean and women who identify with the consensus of men. I suspect and hope that some of what "your" party declares to be right and true, rubs you the wrong way. But you have chosen the lesser of two evils. As Christians, we should be involved in the political process, however, not to the point where our faith is compromised.

Be careful that you don't spend more time watching the "talking heads" on TV sharing facts that have been bent to support their political positions that you do seeking the God who has given you eternal life. I remember my step-dad, when asked about a particular issue would say, "Lets look at the Bible and see what God says about it". The greatest commandment is to "Love God First". Everything else is put in the context of His Truth.

“But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." - Galatians 2:17-20

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

Refusing The Consequence Of Grace

"... I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:13-14

Do you know someone who has refused the consequence of Grace - meaning forgiveness and restoration - because of guilt from their past? That someone might even be you! I am certain that you are familiar with the explanation of the difference between Grace and Mercy. Grace is getting what we don't deserve, while Mercy is not getting what we do deserve.

So many of us have lived lives that are riddled with regret, brokenness, even guilt. Perhaps relationships that cannot be mended, words that cannot be taken back, actions that were hurtful and harmful - even toward those that we loved.  But God, in His Mercy and Grace has forgiven us - even if the world does not - and restored us to Himself.

I recall a conversation that I had with my mom - before either of us were born again.  My folks were divorced when I was 2 years old. I, along with my three older sisters, lived with wounded hearts, many unanswered questions, and a fear that perhaps, somehow, we were part of the reason that our parents were not married to each other any more. So, one day, I told my mom that I would like to talk to her about how I felt about the divorce.  She became visibly angry - she did that a lot before she met Jesus along the way - and told me that I should not try to make her feel guilty. Now that confused me at the time, but it was revealing later when I better understood the nature of divorce and that children are merely collateral damage - innocent casualties. 

I didn't have a clue that my mom struggled with guilt and perhaps shame, knowing the pain she had caused because of choices she had made. But, thank You Jesus, she learned that there was forgiveness at the foot of the Cross. - Just like I did. That she could put the guilt she carried from her old life behind her. That she was forgiven. The same goes for me and every other one of us that has been born again by faith. It does not mean that we don't have regrets - sadness - but it does mean that we have a new life. I think Galatians best describes the difference - 

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."  - Galatians 5:19-25

Sometimes - even though we have a new life in Christ - we can struggle with believing that we have been forgiven by grace and so continue to live under the burden of guilt. Living under Grace is not denial that we were that person and did those things that Paul described in Galatians. But it is acceptance of the Truth that Jesus bore the guilt and consequence for our sin on the Cross. That, by faith, we are free - reconciled - restored to the Creator God.

"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, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." - 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

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

One Key To Building A Strong Faith

"Enter by the narrow gate….Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life…." —Matthew 7:13-14

“If we are going to live as disciples of Jesus, we have to remember that all efforts of worth and excellence are difficult.  The Christian life is gloriously difficult, but its difficulty does not make us faint and cave in— it stirs us up to overcome.  .... a crisis will reveal whether or not we have been putting our faith into practice. If we will obey the Spirit of God and practice in our physical life what God has placed within us by His Spirit, then when a crisis does come we will find that our own nature, as well as the grace of God, will stand by us. […] God’s grace produces men and women with a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ, not pampered, spoiled weaklings. It takes a tremendous amount of discipline to live the worthy and excellent life of a disciple of Jesus in the realities of life.” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Our new life in Christ requires that we put God first and that we pursue the disciplines of the faith to mature in our faith.  It doesn’t just happen.  It requires work .. determination … consistency … accountability.  You will not be successful on your own.  Dr. Howard Hendricks, a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, said every Christian needs a Paul, a Barnabus, and a Timothy in their lives.  A Paul to teach us, to build to our lives, a Barnabus to encourage us and hold us accountable, and a Timothy into whose life we can build.  You don’t need a seminary degree to do those things … but you do need to be spiritually disciplined.  You will face difficult times … but you can endure them … you will face temptations to yield to your flesh … but you can resist them … God has given you everything you need.  You only have to put it into practice.  

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” - 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

In Philippians the apostle Paul put it this way “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” - Philippians 4:8-9

That doesn’t happen without determined effort, but when it does your light will shine before all men. A country western song comes to mind - where God might be saying to me - "I beg your pardon!  I don't remember promising you a rose garden or a cake walk." This climb of life is steep. The path is full of hazards. Your journey cannot be accomplished without the power of God. And even stumbling along the way.

Just yesterday I spoke with a friend who is looking at the mountain he must climb.  It is daunting. Full of uncertainties and "what ifs". I reminded him that where God guides, God provides. We walk by faith and not by sight. Let me stop before I write a book!  But remember.

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." - Ephesians 3:14-19

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 Live By Faith Not Feelings

"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

"Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance (1 Samuel 3:9). Every time circumstances press in on you, say, “Speak, Lord,” and make time to listen.” Oswald Chambers - My Utmost For His Highest 

Do you think that the idea of hearing God speak is a little too mystical for you?  Hearing God speak is not hearing an audible voice .. something that can be recorded.  God speaks to the heart which is realized in the mind and always challenges the will.  It may be an impression … it may be  a crisis in your life … it will always be consistent with the nature and character and purposes of God.  

Don’t ever become content with where you are in your spiritual growth.  Don’t ever say to God, I have come this far but I will go no farther.  I don’t want to change any more than I have.  I don’t want to give up any more of the world than I have.  I am fine right where I am.  

I was talking with a young man the other day who told me that he just didn’t feel like praying.  We don’t do the right thing because we feel like it .. we do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.  If your faith and practice is based on feelings, you are in trouble form the start.  Listen. If  I did or did not do things because of how I felt at the time, my life would very likely be very different.  If you say, I don’t feel like going to work .. and then don’t … well, it’s a free country.  You can make that choice.  And your employer can make the choice of firing you.  My point … there are consequences to not doing what you should.  If and when God speaks to you .. you have a choice … but think about this.  The God of the universe has spoken … why on earth or in heaven would you ignore Him? That was a rhetorical question, actually.  You ignore Him because your flesh .. your old nature .. your carnal mind is ruling the day.  You are living in submission to the flesh and not by the Spirit. 

Here are a few verses to consider this morning

“for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light” - Ephesians 5:8

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” - Galatians 5:25

“so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;” - Colossians 1:10-11

“the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” - 1 John 2:6

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.  For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you." - Romans 8:5-9

We live by Faith - we walk by Faith - we obey by Faith - NOT by feelings.

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 Is Not A Requirement For Going

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

There are a couple of considerations in “going”.  The first is the “knowing”.  Not knowing where you are going, but knowing that it is God and not your own idea of what you should do or want to do.  Abraham knew it was Jehovah who sent him. The thing is, when God sends you, He goes with you.  It’s not like leaving your parents’ home.  You leave and they stay. 

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

The second is “leaving”.  Paul wrote …. (Philippians 3:-13-14) “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.”  If you are going to follow God then you must be prepared to abandon your earthly affections and trust God. 

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. … All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. …. By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, 'It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.' Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.” - Hebrews 11:8-10, 13, 17-19

Both of these men were willing to put their lives, their affections, their cultural preferences behind them in favor of following God.  Jesus said if you are going to follow Him … be His disciple … your love for even your own family must be subordinate to obedience to God’s voice and His will.  I have heard many men say that their priorities are God, family, then ministry.  If I understand the Bible correctly .. ministry is doing God’s will .. it’s not a vocation … God may ask you to do something that requires not only your sacrifice, but your family’s as well.  That is a true test of higher devotion.  I do know people who think that doing comes before being.  If I immerse myself in the work of the ministry then I will be in the will of God.  That is a “works” mentality. Being in and doing the will of God starts in the heart not in the hands.  Following God for Martie and me has meant that we have not been with our family for years at a time.  Do we trust God enough to believe that He is in control?  Even in the lives of those on this earth that we love the most?  If not, when He says go – you will likely say no … or perhaps later at a more convenient time.

So what is it that God has been saying to you?  Nothing?  Maybe you have not been listening .. or maybe you put your fingers in your ears because you don’t want to hear.  

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

Chasing The Blessing

"When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me—me also, O my father!” But he said, “Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing.” And Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright, and now look, he has taken away my blessing!” And he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” - Genesis 27:34-36

Jacob deceived his father Isaac to receive Esau's blessing which was given to the first born son - but Esau had already sold his birthright to Jacob - so technically the blessing should have gone to Jacob - IMO.  There was nothing left for Isaac to give Esau. Esau should have connected the dots - the only reason he would get the blessing to begin with was because of his right to it as the first born - which he gave away so he could fill his belly.  The drive for immediate gratification was a problem then and still is a problem today.  It drives us to minimize the chance of negative consequences to satisfy some immediate desire or lust. People are hoping that nothing bad will happen.  For whatever reason, Esau thought that selling his birthright would have no consequences.  That he would still get Isaac's possessions so what did selling his birthright matter. After all, he was still born first.  But he was not thinking that he had also given away the rights that came with his birth - the blessing.

It is an innate desire in everyone born to seek the blessing from their parents. Not as the first born so much as being their child. Having significance in their eyes, appreciated, validated, loved, and affirmed. By its nature and God's design, that can only come from the parents. Is it not surprising that with divorce and single parenting that there is so much dysfunction in families?  If people don't receive "the blessing" from their parents they will spend a lifetime chasing after it. Failing to receive it from the intended source, they will turn to other sources that will not satisfy the longing but will be salve for the wound for a season. Very often accompanied by negative consequences.  So what is the solution? It's Jesus. 

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 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, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." - Ephesians 1:3-14

We don't have to chase acceptance anymore. We have been blessed with a superior blessing. Infinitely better than the natural blessing. The natural blessing is merely a shadow of the blessing of God, our Creator. - We have received an inheritance through Christ.  We are born again. A birth that is superior to our natural birth.  Through Christ we have a birth right to God's blessing.  Oh what a Saviour!

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

Unforgiven By Another Name

 "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" - Ephesians 1:7

Are you thankful that God has forgiven your sins - cleansed you - and restored you to His bosom as his child adopted by grace and mercy? (That was rhetorical) I was thinking about that as I considered the start of a new year.  A lot of talk about New Year's resolutions.  What I am going to do right that I have been doing wrong.  The Jews celebrated the Day of Atonement - the day when their sins  are eradicated and they were freed from the righteous judgement of God - His wrath. They had a clean slate. They were forgiven - progressive forgiveness. (just made that up so don't GOOGLE it!) But that was the Old Covenant. We are under the New Covenant. 

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin" - Hebrews 10:16-18

Jesus is the sacrifice that made all of that possible.  You know that, of course. So what are we to do when someone sins against us. Do we forgive them like God forgave us? Keep reading.

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." - Colossians 3:12-13

So how exactly are we supposed to do that? First all commands in the Bible requires submission to the Spirit in us. Forgiveness is a spiritual act. Part and parcel to forgiveness is repentance. It is a "horse and cart" thing. Repentance being the horse - forgiveness the cart.

So let's say someone that you care about sins against you - it doesn't have to be a big sin - though it might be. They repent - meaning they confess - acknowledging their sin - are indeed sorry and ask for forgiveness. You forgive them.  Or at least you think you do. They may never do it again or they might. Do you have a problem with repeated sins - Read Romans 7:14-25 to understand the root of that problem. 

So, at some point in the future, you are in a conversation with someone and the forgiven sin of another is brought up somehow - maybe in their company. At the mere mention of it, you can feel an emotion rise up in you - anger - resentment - hurt - betrayal of a promise. That ever happen to? You really thought that it was over, but your response says otherwise.  

An Elgin axiom: "You know when you have truly forgiven someone when you don't get angry at the mention of their forgiven sin." 

You don't forget about it - but like our sins with God, it is behind you and has been replaced with love. When we deal with spiritual issues with our natural ability, we are bound to fail.  I am an observer of people. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen the countenance of the one who has been offended change at the mention of the past sin against them. Is it because the offender was not repentant or because they had not been truly forgiven.  Only God knows the heart of man - but out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. I can't see the heart, but I can hear that heart.  It makes me sad, frankly. Sad that the person who has been offended has carried that unforgiveness around with them. Unforgiveness is the seed from which bitterness springs.  Sad that the relationship between the two people have lived with a fractured relationship for so long. Pretending that there is not an "elephant in the room".  

Lord help us 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