The Reciprocal Nature Of Biblical Love

"Jesus said to him [a lawyer], ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” - Matthew 22:37-40

I am certain that you are familiar with these verses. Do you understand that what God commands cannot be accomplished in the power of your flesh. Jesus was speaking spiritual truth and I am certain that the lawyer was thinking that he had to do that on his own with no help from anyone. The truth was that he could never obey a spiritual command on his own - in his flesh. BTW did you know that the 10 commandments (Exodus 20) encapsulate how we are are relate to God and man? The first 4 toward God and the last six toward others. But let's move on.

With respect to love towards others. Jesus said this.

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." - John 15:12-13

Jesus did not have a natural love for us - but a spiritual one - agape - sacrificial. That kind of love is when you place the welfare of others before your own welfare. Love God first - others next - ourselves last. Easy to say - hard to do if you are trying to do that on your own. Or maybe you stopped trying because you are like that lawyer.

So let's go deeper.

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything." - Ephesians 5:22-24

Remember this is spiritual. Women are not being told to sin because their husbands want them to. This is spiritual. Women are to place their husbands before themselves - without resentment without an expectation of reciprocity from their husband, but always with God first. Remember that you cannot do this trusting in your own might. It's spiritual. That is why the Lord says. 

"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?" - 2 Corinthians 6:14

If you are married to an unbelieving husband or wife - it is impossible for them to reciprocate spiritual, sacrificial love. There is more to be said about a relationship like that - but that will be for another time. But do you see the impossibility of fulfilling God's intent for the marriage relationship? 

Ok - let's go a little deeper.

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church" - Ephesians 5:25-29

Our culture pushes back against the idea of mutual submission. But our culture is full of unbelievers struggling to live life in a way that they find satisfying and to make sense of it as far as their flesh will allow. So how can the man be the head and yet be a servant to his wife. He is supposed to be just like Jesus - (that is what Jesus did and is doing) but can't be apart the power of the Spirit in him and a heart submitted first to God by faith. And so must we all who call upon the name of Jesus.

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:35

How we love - sacrificially - reciprocally - is light and a testimony to the world. When we fail to love like that we fail in our God-given purpose. 

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

Open My Eyes That I May See

"And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, 'Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day'" - Luke 24:45-46

Why did Jesus have to do that? Because the Spirit had not been sent yet and it was not possible for the disciples to comprehend spiritual truth without some help. Specifically that Jesus would die and then be raised on the 3rd day.  One of the most significant spiritual truths in eternity.

"But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus 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 10:8-10

The only way that a person can confess and believe is if the truth is revealed by the Spirit in faith. 

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.... but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness " 1 Corinthians 1:18,24

Without the Spirit, the message - any statement of spiritual truth is foolishness. Rejected by the world. - even the Jews.

"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 2:14

Spiritual truth cannot be understood by the "natural man" - people who are not born again by faith. Like Nicodemus - a man educated in the Word of God but he could not understand the single most important, life changing truth - without spiritual revelation. Jesus told him, "You must be born again" and Nicodemus tried to reason it out and could not.

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

As a Christian you have a unique ability to know and understand deep truths. You can understand the spiritual truth found in the Bible. To the natural man the words in the Bible are just that - words. But for the Christian - they are the source of life.

"How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way." Psalm 119:103-104

Do not forsake the reading and hearing of the Word of God.  Treasure it for what it is. Do not let your hunger for the Word to be dulled by the things of the world. 

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." - Romans 10:17

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

In What Do You Trust

Do you identify as a Democrat, Republican, or Independent? Perhaps a liberal, conservative, or an extremist on either side. Maybe none of the above. In this country and beyond, people are defined, labeled and grouped by what political party they are affiliated or identify with. In fact, for many Christians, what they believe about the Bible is filtered through what they identify with in their culture - or said in another way, the traditions of their fathers. When they should instead be filtering their worldly relationships through the Bible. 

"Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." - 1 Peter 1:17-19

Regrettably, that worldly deviation from the Way has led to social injustice, among other things, being accommodated by Christian churches/denominations. (I have written about cooking the frog in the past). It seems that the Lord will not release me from writing about the apostacy in the Body of Christ. I am reminded of a story about a new pastor who preached the very same sermon for 4 Sunday's in a row. After the 4th Sunday of hearing the very same sermon, one of the church lay leaders asked the Pastor why he didn't preach a different sermon. The pastor answered, "When the people embrace and act on what I am preaching about in this sermon, then I will preach a different one.

Yesterday I wrote about Galatians chapter 5 and how that behavior is reflected in the news headlines every day. People want the government to be the change agent that makes our problems go away. If only we had more laws! Or maybe if the other political party was the ruling party - then things would surely be different! Perhaps we need more mental health support to change the minds of those who are killing others with guns - since it is not possible to change their hearts. Do you remember what Paul said about the Law?

"For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 5:19-21

"Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter." - Romans 7:4-6

My understanding of scripture is that laws do not change hearts. The intent of man's laws is to control behavior by the threat of punishment. Man's laws are arbitrary and can/will change from generation to generation. Often times what is illegal today is changed to be legal tomorrow, especially if enforcing a particular law proves to be too expensive or difficult. What is moral is defined by the dominant influence in a culture or country and can be changed on a whim. The idea of absolute truth that we find in the Bible, is dismissed as being embraced only by the naïve, uniformed or misguided.  By definition that includes the Christian faith and its doctrines.

If I had a bell I would ring it. If I had a fog horn, I would sound it. If I had a warning flag, I would wave it. Don't compromise your faith in God and His truth for the world's offerings as a substitute. Let this be the cry of your heart.

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we trust in the name of the Lord our God." - Psalm 20:7 

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 The World Today Clearly

"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." - Galatians 5:19-21

Most every weekday morning, I begin my day by writing a devotion, like this one. After some spiritual contemplation, I read the local, national and world news.  I have found that there is really no "new" news, just a variation or elaboration of the news from the previous day. And what is the news about - reread the verses from Galatians 5. If you just read the headlines, you will quickly see that the news is a reflection of the works of the flesh at work in the world.

People don't like the consequences of the "works of the flesh" but can't seem to avoid them. One solution is redefining what is considered a negative consequence - or what is bad. The world follows the path of that which seems reasonable to man - the cultural consensus. So what is good and what is bad, what is right and what is wrong is determined by man and not Jehovah God. 

"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 1:22-25

King Solomon wrote that there is "nothing new under the sun". News reported today is nothing more than a variation of what happened the day before and the the day before that and ..... you get the idea.

Do you recall the definition of insanity? "Do the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome." What is the solution to this madness. How can the tide be turned. The short answer is, it won't be until Jesus returns. So what are we Christians supposed to do in the meantime? Another short answer - "Be the Light".  Refuse to "drink the culture's kool-aide". Don't buy-in to the lie that people know better than God. That lie was first told in the Garden. Christian, don't lay your spirit down, your new life in Christ, on the altar of the god of this world for the sake of getting along. People don't get better on their own. That is why the Father sent the Son and the Spirit. 

"Therefore, 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

A Thorn In My Flesh

" For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 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. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 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. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:6-10

Have you ever wondered what that was? "Paul says that the affliction came from or by a “messenger of Satan.” Just as God allowed Satan to torment Job (Job 1:1-12), God allowed Satan to torment Paul for God’s own good purpose. The exact nature of Paul’s thorn in the flesh is uncertain. There is probably a good reason that we don’t know. God likely wanted Paul’s difficulty to be described in general enough terms to apply to any difficulty we may face now. Whether the “thorn” we struggle with today is physical, emotional, or spiritual, we can know that God has a purpose and that His grace is all-sufficient." - www.Gotquestions

I think that is a reasonable explanation. We are often tempted to add words to the Bible in an effort to "fill in the gaps". That is a slippery slope!  What the Bible is silent on - is silent on, no matter who much we want to know.  Of course there is context and there are corroborating verses that help us understand. But the danger is that we can take it too far and either speak or write "Ex-cathedra" Ex cathedra is a Latin phrase, meaning not "from the cathedral," but "from the chair." The phrase has religious origins. It was originally applied to decisions made by Popes from their thrones. According to Roman Catholic doctrine, a Pope speaking ex cathedra on issues of faith or morals is infallible. 

That is where we can get into trouble - our filling in the gaps is not infallible - without error or question. So be careful what you promote as Gospel truth when it is merely conjecture.

So, back to the point.  Is there a physical, emotional, or spiritual issue - a failing - that persists in your life? You just can't seem to shake it? It is a thorn in your flesh. We all of at least one - maybe more. I know I do. It is a reminder, like with Paul, God's grace is sufficient for you, for His strength is made perfect in my weakness(es). In my struggle I am reminded that all that I am that brings glory to God is from God and not me.

Some of you know that I wrote a book a couple of years ago - Where Faith Is Waiting. At the suggestion of my nephew, I had it narrated. I asked the guy that narrated the book for his honest - professional opinion of the book. He said, "it seemed that I was boasting about myself." Ugh! the point of the book was that I would boast in the Lord and His grace and mercy. To describe what the Lord had done in my life - a chief of sinners for His glory and others' good.  Although I did not agree with that guy, others did not either BTW - people who are spiritual mature and greatly used by God. But it did remind me of how easy it is to "steal" God's glory and take the credit for yourself. God works through us, but it is very easy to lose sight of that and think that it is us and not God at work.  

So to my point. We all struggle with persistent issues that would frustrate us and our walk in the Way. We cannot and should not ignore them, but we, instead, use them, like Paul, to remember; "Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

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

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

The Essence Of A Sacrifice

 "I beseech ( urgently and fervently implore) 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

What does it mean to offer ourselves as living sacrifices?  Well, I think that if you take the second verse into account, it means that we are to abandon the world's values and be spiritually transformed - thereby proving God's intent for our new life in Christ. But that will cost us something - quite a lot actually.  I am reminded of King David. 

"Then Araunah said, 'Why has my lord the king come to his servant?' And David said, 'To buy the threshing floor from you, to build an altar to the Lord, that the plague may be withdrawn from the people.' Now Araunah said to David, 'Let my lord the king take and offer up whatever seems good to him. Look, here are oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing implements and the yokes of the oxen for wood. All these, O king, Araunah has given to the king.' And Araunah said to the king, 'May the Lord your God accept you.' Then the king said to Araunah, “'No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver." - 2 Samuel 24:21-24

The man wanted to do a good thing for the King - just give the King the threshing floor. Certainly the man would be praised for his generosity. But David refused the offer.  He was making a sacrifice to the Lord. He said, essentially, that a sacrifice is not a sacrifice if it does not cost you something. So - when the Apostle Paul said we are to offer our very lives as living sacrifices - laying our lives down on the altar, if you will. Sacrificing what? Our love and devotion to the culture we were born in to. The practices of our families that are not consistent with the Word of God. The things in the world that have become gods in our hearts, competing for the place the Jehovah God holds.

I left the military just short of retirement for the good of my family. I loved the military - but God told me, in no uncertain terms that I needed to lay my military career and the success I enjoyed down on the altar. Some time later Martie asked me if I regretted leaving the military, knowing how much I loved it. I told her "no", I didn't regret it although I did miss it. That sacrifice cost me something and I was happy to make it, in light of the good it brought to my family and the satisfaction that comes from obeying God's leading. The purpose of my sharing that is to give you perspective. We don't boast about what we have "given up" as Christians.  Instead we praise God for the privilege of making those sacrifices.

What have you surrendered to the Lord? Are there things that you can't quite let go of. It is not a matter of will, but of faith and obedience. 

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

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

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

Your Past Does Not Define You -Your Faith Does

"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 [d]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." 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

“We get ourselves into circumstances that were not chosen by God, and suddenly we realize that we have been making our plans without Him— that we have not even considered Him to be a vital, living factor in the planning of our lives. And yet the only thing that will keep us from even the possibility of worrying is to bring God in as the greatest factor in all of our planning. In spiritual issues it is customary for us to put God first, but we tend to think that it is inappropriate and unnecessary to put Him first in the practical, everyday issues of our lives.”  OSWALD CHAMBERS

Something that I noticed as I was driving along the interstate … there are a lot of people around me that I don’t know and will never know.  (Brilliant deduction you are thinking!) Each one has a personal life with personal relationships.  Some have money troubles and some do not.  Some have broken hearts and some do not.  Some without hope and some full of hope.  Each has a unique set of circumstances shaped by seemingly random events …  some of those events out of their control and some not.  But is that really the case?  I can say with confidence .. yes and no.  Yes, if you are lost and bound for hell … But it is not the case if you have been born again by the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus.  You are not just one of the "rats" … you, Christian, have a unique distinction … in this rat race that we call life on earth.

Our struggles come when we live like we are just like those on this planet who are not born again. Responding to our daily choices and manner of living and relating in the flesh and not the spirit.  Listen, you are always a Christian no matter what is going on around you.  God is always your Father .,. Jesus is always your Savior … The Spirit is always in you … the Word is always true and applies to every life situation .. every second of your life on this planet and every moment into eternity. You must embrace that to live with hope and not despair.  Jesus said “I came that you might have life” (John 10:10)  Living above your circumstances .. enduring in the face of trouble .. having hope when the situation seems hopeless … it’s all yours … it’s within your grasp .. but not if you disregard the One who is the source of hope.  If you choose to live like all of the other rats around you.  

Perhaps you are thinking - "That may be true for others, but I have done things in my life that I cannot forgive myself for. I am no better than the other rats." It is true that we are no better than anyone else, but we are saved by faith from the fate of those without faith in Jesus. 

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 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, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you." Romans 8:1-9

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

Saved So What Do We Have To worry About?

"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

Did you know that the spiritual you cannot be tempted? It is your old nature that is tempted. But, like Jesus in the wilderness - our response to that temptation must be spiritual - why? Because temptation to sin is a spiritual attack that manifests itself in the physical. 

"Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone." - James 1:13 

Temptation is spiritual that attacks the weakness of the physical - our old nature. We are not wrestling with the flesh when we are tempted. Think about it.  Our "go-to" when we are tempted is to trust in our "won't" power. But the Word tells us that ... 

"... the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" - 2 Corinthians 10:4

The full armor of God in Ephesians 6 is a representation of Jesus. The Ephesians 6 reference to the armor of God was an elaboration of Romans 13 - Jesus Christ.

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." - Romans 13:14

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

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

Having A Predisposition To Obedience

"Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, 'Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?' Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.'  Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego." - Daniel 3:14-19

Being predisposed to obedience means that you have already decided what you will do when confronted with the opportunity to disobey what God has made plain and what you have resolved is the right thing to do in light of that Divine revelation. That is what those three men had done. They loved God more than their own lives. When confronted with a choice - it was - what is the today term? Easy-peazy! So they were able to respond with a "No" with confidence. Not concerned about the king's response. 

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

In the case of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego what Nebuchadnezzar was asking them to do belonged to God not to him.  They would not render to him what was God's. There are times - many times sad to say - that we are asked to render to Caesar - our government or our culture that is not in their domain. You must not wait until it happens - when you are being confronted that you think about what you are going to say or how you will respond. That decision must be made - resolved in your mind and heart long before then. Like Daniel.

"Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." Daniel 1:8

In this case he found favor with his boss. But I have no doubt that he had already decided Who he would honor with his life and it was not Nebuchadnezzar. Remember the lion's den!

So what about you my friends? Are you predisposed to obedience to God? We all want to say "yes, of course!" but you won't really know until you are faced with the choice. So many verses scrolling across my mind's eye. I with this one. 

"And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." - Joshua 24:15

The attitude of every Christians must be more than words on a bumper sticker on your car or a plaque on the wall in your living room. It must be a life choice that you resolve to never abandon - no matter how hot the furnace might be. Something you decide on before you face the furnace not when or if. Listen, we will all feel the heat of the furnace in one way or another, at one time or many times while we walk this planet.

"I have decided to follow Jesus - no turning back - no turning back. The World behind me, the Cross before me - no turning back"

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

Acknowledgement Versus Trust

"But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!" - James 2:18-19

You may be most familiar with verse 18 with the respect to the truth that faith produces works and  works do not producing faith, or save us for that matter.  But my focus is more on verse 19. Merely believing that there is a Jehovah God or that there is a Jesus, the Son is not enough. Even the demons believe that. 

There is a term, Syncretism, which means "the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought". For our purposes it is the attempted amalgamation or adding of different beliefs.  What got me thinking about this was reading in Daniel chapter 3. the fiery furnace.  King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledge Jehovah God, commanded that the Jew's God be respected, but did not reject his belief in other gods.

"You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them." - Exodus 20:4-5

That is pretty much what we face today. Our culture demands that we accept what it worships and so long as we don't try to impose our beliefs on it - worship their gods, if you will, we will get along. But if you speak against their way of doing things - what they belief as true - then you will be condemned.

People are willing to acknowledge Jesus and "add Jesus to their stack of gods" but are not willing to reject their gods and put their faith and trust in Jesus only.

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

I want to encourage you to be like the sons of Issachar. Understand the times you are living in.

"... the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do" - 1 Chronicles 12:32

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

Hearing His Voice

"But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." - John 10:26-28

Watching the dogs. I was sitting on the back patio this morning - thinking - drinking a cup of Joe. I heard a neighborhood dog barking and before long our daughter's dog, Honey, chimed in. How do dogs know that sound they are hearing is another dog barking? Honey doesn't bark when birds sing or other animals make noises.  It must be that there is something wired in their canine brains that causes them to recognize the sound. And then my synapses started sparking and I remember what Jesus said in John 10.  

There are basically four types of people in this world; intellectuals, not-so intellectuals, religious, and Christians. Intellectuals live by reason. If they can't prove it, then they cannot - will not believe it. They are atheists (there is no God) or agnostics (does not believe or disbelieve). In their superior world, they mock anyone who would claim to live by faith. Consider them weak and gullible. They cannot hear Jesus' voice and don't want to convinced that there Jesus does not exist. Their god is their intellect. They are lost and bound for hell. 

"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" - Romans 1:20-23

There is, for lack of a better term,  the not-so intellectuals. People who are just living life and don't have time for religion or "deep thought". They may tolerate religious people, but are not all that interested in associating with them. There might be a God but wouldn't give Him the time of day. Their god is their appetite for the things of this world. They cannot hear Jesus' voice, are lost and bound for hell. 

There are religious people. They believe that there is something beyond them. Something other worldly. They may even acknowledge Jehovah God, but reject the idea of Jesus, the Son of God. There are a multitude of religions that seek to answer the questions about the distinction of humans over other animals, the sense that there is something above and beyond this life. They cannot hear Jesus' voice, are lost and bound for hell. 

"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" - Romans 1:18-20

And then there are Christians. They are people that used to be in one of those other three groups. 

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

But we have been washed, sanctified, and justified by faith. So if we could not hear Jesus' voice before - what happened? In a manner of speaking, like Paul on the road to Damascus, we met Jesus along the way. The Spirit of God stirred within our hearts and we suddenly knew. We can hear His voice, are saved and bound for heaven.

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

It is not possible for the lost to understand spiritual truth - the Spirit must reveal it to them and they must be willing to yield to that truth by faith. There are so many verses rolling across my mind's eye right now, but I will refrain from sharing them here.  God's hope would be that none would be lost but He, in His wisdom, has given us a free will to choose. Most will choose poorly. It breaks His heart and should break yours. Like watching your own child going their own way to their harm - unwilling to hear your voice and heed your call to go another way. I am so thankful that I can hear His voice.

"I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses, And the voice I hear falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses... And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other, has ever, known!" - In The Garden,  Austin Miles  

All of this just because  a dog barked.

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

Prayer A Catalyst For Spiritual Change In Me

"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." - James 5:16

Henry and Richard Blackaby’s devotional guide, Experiencing God Day by Day:  “Prayer is not designed to change God, it is designed to change us.  Prayer is not calling God in to bless our activities.  Rather, prayer takes us into God’s presence, shows us His will, and prepares us to obey Him.”  (p. 280). 

A friend included that quote in an email recently.  He was asking for prayer as he prepared to go back to Haiti to teach pastors from rural mountain churches in Western Haiti for 2 days.  That is the same area where Martie and I served for the last year we were in Haiti.  I met my friend several years before and encouraged him to go there.  But I was not the real reason he went – he went because God sent him there.  God uses the saints to encourage each other through His Spirit.  But it is God who makes eternal differences in the lives of people.  I planted, my friend continues to water, but God is bringing the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:6) 

Prayer helps us to focus on the eternal and on God’s will. Unfortunately many Christians don’t see prayer as vital to their spiritual health.  Maybe before they eat, but often that is more ritual than reverent. Prayer is about alignment – aligning our will with God’s will. When our children were small I can remember holding their face in my hands and looking into their eyes to make certain I had their attention.  Our heavenly Father does something similar .. but just because we are looking does not mean we are listening. In Experiencing God, Dr. Henry Blackaby wrote that  “Some people say ‘Don’t just stand there – do something’.  But God is saying ‘Don’t just do something – stand there’” 

Spend time with your Father today.  Listen to Him – wait for Him – trust Him and then obey Him.  The prophet Samuel said “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” 

“Has the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices. As in obedience to the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.” - 1 Samuel 15:22-24  

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 My Faith Is Not Enough

"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 2:8-10

My faith is enough for my salvation - but not for anyone else. Salvation is an individual experience. The rending of a heart before God - yielding to the Spirit of God believing that Jesus is the Christ.

"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

Spiritual realization - out of all of the disciples in the hearing of Jesus question - only one had the right answer. The others referred to great men - Peter to a great God. And Jesus said that Peter knew that because of a spiritual revelation from God. As much as I would want it to be different. What if we could speak - share the Gospel and because of what we said - people's hearts would be changed.  Well, it would be great - but that is not how it is. As much as I would want that to be true for my family down through the generations - it is not possible. I have a part to play but I can't save anyone - as much as I would like to.

So what CAN I do? I can teach about the new life. I can model the new life.  But I can't give life.

"And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." - 1 John 5:11-12

Our children can grow up in a Christian home. Go to Church every day the doors are open. But that does not make them a Christian.  They can ride the wave of their parents' faith when they are young - but eventually they will be "surfing" on their own.  If they have not placed their faith in Jesus, but only in their parents then they are going to be in trouble. The wave of the world will over take them - wipe them out. Memorizing scripture can be a mere academic exercise - like memorizing the Pythagorean Theorem  - you know A (squared) times B (squared) = C (squared) without the Spirit of God in the equation.  

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" - Matthew 28:19

I might not be able to change hearts, but I know the One who can! So do you. If there is any one group of people we want to see in Heaven the most it is our family. Our job is to plant the seeds of faith by sharing the Gospel - not in just words but in how we live and love. To be the light. To pray and then, to trust God. It can break your heart to watch people you love struggle with life when you know the answer and they won't embrace it. We live in a dark time - I heard a quote from a Tale of Two Cities - 

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way–in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." - Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

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

Is All You Need Is Love True?

I saw a picture posted by a friend of mine a few days ago. It showed a multi-colored lamb next to Jesus with a white lamb asking "But what about the verses?" With Jesus saying "Love is more important than the verses." The timing is clear that the post was precipitated by the fact that this is Gay Pride month. I have seen similar posts since. Was my friend suggesting that what the Bible is clear about with regard to sin, any sin, should be ignored and we should just love people? I don't think so. I think it is more of not hating the sinner, any sinner, while at the same time, calling sin - sin.  Which is why we need a Savior. It gave me pause to think about what is true about AGAPE - the love that God shows to the world and we, as Christians are to show to others. 

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long 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 13:1-8

We get confused, I think, with the ideas of sin, forgiveness, judgement and how love fits into all of it. If my children are doing something wrong, to correct them is not proof that I don't love them. Quite the contrary.  It is proof that I do.  If I say that someone is sinning because the Bible calls that behavior out as sin, in itself, does not mean that I do not love them - quite the contrary. I do not prove I love someone by embracing their sin and saying it is OK - acceptable but by embracing them and pointing them to a forgiving God. But, unfortunately the world demands that we embrace the sin - that we embrace the sin and call it good. And if we don't, we are accused of being hateful.

"When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, 'Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?' She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, 'Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.'” - John 8:10-11

Jesus did not ignore the sin - He called the woman to repentance from that sin. The same call to every other sinner - that would be all of us. It is easy to throw the baby out with the bath water. John 3:16 speaks to God the Father willing to offer God the Son to pay the penalty for the sins of the world. 

In order to appropriate forgiveness and redemption, there must by godly sorrow and repentance.  The idea that it is OK for me to continue in my sin because God loves me is heresy.  Or that I must agree that sin is OK to prove that I love someone. Not happening. God demonstrated His love for me so I did not have to continue in my sin. Embracing my sin in defiance and then demanding that God must accept me even though I am not sorry that I am a sinner is also heresy. To wear my sin proudly - shaking my fist defiantly in the face of God reveals a depraved and desperate heart.

"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." Romans 1:28-32

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

Finding Glory In Family Heritage

"And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God." - 1 Peter 1:17-21

About 40 or 50 years ago, my dad began a search to document the Elgin line in the United States.  He coordinated with Elgin families scattered all over the country in an effort to track our family line to its beginnings on this continent and beyond.  His initial work was hand written and eventually transcribed with a manual typewriter.  After his death - the documents found their way to me, his first born son.  Last month, at the prompting of my oldest living sister, I dusted them off - scanned them into my computer - converted the scan to text and then reformatted the document in MS Word.  Ah - technology!

I know, today, there is great interest in genealogy in this country - and big money in it I suspect.  Personally, I found my genealogy interesting but not captivating. But if I have aroused your curiosity - The Elgins arrived from Scotland in the commonwealth of Virginia in the 1670's or slightly earlier, what is now Loundes County, VA.  The Elgins as a family were established in Scotland in the 1100's. Eventually the family found it's way across the US to settle in most of the States. I represent the 10th generation of Elgins. So there it is in a nutshell. 

People are anxious to discover who preceded them in their blood line. As if they can find some significance in those facts.  Feel good about who they are - significance by association if you will. We want to "cherry pick" what is known about our ancestors.  Emphasize the good - successful - notable ones and gloss over not so good ones.  The thing is -  as Christians, we should not be so enamored with our "natural blood relatives".  As Christians - we have a new ethnicity - a new blood line. Children of the Promise. Now that is something to get excited about!

"But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children 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. For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.” -  Romans 9:6-9

It's natural for us to be drawn to the flesh - it is what our old nature craves. Our significance in this world might be the color of our skin - the geographic regions where we were born and raised - our denomination - perhaps the university we attended.  Or it could be our specific family line - our DNA. We so easily are drawn to what we can see -  but that is not what is the most important Christian! To put it in perspective this is what Jesus said about natural blood relatives.

"Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 'If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.'" - Luke 14:25-27

We must love God more with - all our hearts - minds - souls - and strength. We should hate our very lives - meaning that who we are naturally cannot have precedence over who we are in Christ. Our love for other people and our devotion, or lack of devotion, to things of this world will flow out of that. 

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

Grace That Is Greater Than All Our Sin

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

I was reminded of something from my past the other day. Not sure what sparked the thought - maybe thinking that I was happy that I am no longer in Egypt. But it was a specific thought. It was in a time before I was born again - a couple of years before. My friend and I used to go my apartment for lunch and together would drink a six pack of Old Milwaukee. Then we would go back to classes at the university we attended.  We thought nothing of it. But the truth was both of us were Vietnam vets - and were using alcohol to deal with whatever it was that was troubling us.  We had another friend who was a professed Christian - holier than thou as we saw him.  We were convinced that he could not be as perfect as he "pretended" to be. He held a high opinion of the two of us and wanted to be "one of us". So one day, we decided to prove that he was not any different than we were.  We got him drunk - even though he was not a drinker.  People often do extreme things to be accepted. He drank so much that he passed out. There was our proof - in our minds - that he was not any better than we were, and yet, he was still not one of us. That is not one of the prouder moments in my life.

Of course I was oblivious to the truth of what a Christian was. I didn't understand that it was his faith - the presence of the Spirit of God, that was making us uncomfortable when we were around him. We were trying to remove the source of our discomfort by sabotaging his testimony. It was not until I yielded my heart to Jesus did I understand my friend. Then I became like him and not the other way around. As I said, it was not until a few days ago that I remembered that low point in my life. Then I remembered Paul's words, And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Neither my friends today nor my children have any idea about what I was like before I met Jesus on the road. But I do. I am reminded of a quote from John Newton (author of Amazing Grace and reformed slave ship captain)

"I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am"

Can I get a Thank You Jesus!

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

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

Happy I Am Not In Egypt Anymore

"O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.... There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." - Romans 7:24-25, 8:1-2

I wrote about living without regrets the other day and a good friend commented that he was happy that he is not in Egypt anymore. Mike and Patty Hampton have been friends and a source of spiritual encouragement since 1976. We met them when I was going through the Army Lieutenant's Armor School  fresh out of college. Martie and I were "baby" Christians. Mike and Patty, along with two other Christian couples "bottle fed" us while I was learning what a tank was. as a point of interest - Eventually, all four couples found our way into full time ministry - Martie and I were the last ones to yield to the Call. 

Mike's comments reminded me of the significance of where I am today and where I was before I left "Egypt". Egypt being a euphemism for my life before I placed my faith in Jesus.  Mike's comment reminded me that I need to have an "Attitude of Gratitude", every day, and not just take my new life for granted. So easy to do.  I am reminded that I am Free! No longer in bondage. 

"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. Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." - Ephesians 2:4-13

Doesn't that make you glad that you are not in Egypt anymore?  Don't lose your awareness of the fact that are are no longer bound and are free by the Grace 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

Frog in the Pot

"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 3:4-5

I am certain you have heard the story of the Frog in the Pot. If not I will share it now. If you bring a pot of water to a boil and toss a frog in the pot it will hop right back out. But, if you put a frog in a pot of water at room temperature and the slowly turn the heat up until the water is boiling, the frog will stay in the pot until it is cooked - time for frog's legs! You get the idea. 

My point - that is the same way that someone or something can change people's thinking and doing.  You don't hit them with the full lie all at once. But start with a mere suggestion. How do you eat an elephant? Yep - one bite at a time. I have watched the culture in the United States drift farther and farther away from what was once called moral. That is not to say that we, as Christians, have not been guilt of hating both the sin and the sinner - and feeling justified. That to our shame.

Let me use foul language as an example. There was a time when it could not be used in movies and would never be used by men in the company of women and children. Then an exception was made in the movies where "light" swear words could be used. But not on television. Then over time - more and more words were added to the list of acceptability. And television was opened up. Now today - words that would never have been imagined to be in movies and television and not in the printed media are uncensored. "How did we get there?"  asked the frog.

"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." - Romans 5:7-9

So day be day - like water wearing away at a stone in the river - change happens. And then one day - you ask - how did we get to this place where what is clearly contrary to God's expressed will for mankind has been perverted - up ended. A Haitian saying - Ti Pa Ti Pa - little step by little step - that's how.

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!" - Isaiah 5:20-21

Let me close with this scripture and then I want you to meditate on it in light of where our country and culture  is today. Just so you know that I am not making it up. The trouble we face today is not new - it has been with us since the fall in the Garden.

"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. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." - Romans 1: 18-32

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

Erasing The Consequence Of Sin

"If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, By hiding my iniquity in my bosom, Because I feared the great multitude, And dreaded the contempt of families, So that I kept silence" - Job 31:33-34

I shared the idea that the other day that God forgives us of our sins by faith in Jesus, the eternal consequence of our sin, but does not promise to protect us from the temporary - natural consequences of our sins. The consequences of sin - saved or unsaved - are shame - loss of some sort whether it be relationships, financial, reputation, or perhaps incarceration or even death in extreme cases - at minimum inconvenience.

So what to do. How to escape the consequence. The world's solution - Adam's solution - King David's solution - is to hide the sin. Or even try to cover it up with another sin. You can deny you did it. The idea is that everyone in prison is innocent. Even in the face of incontrovertible (I love that word!) evidence. That is not to say that some are not falsely accused - guilty until proven innocent by the court of public opinion. 

God sees the heart of man - people must rely on what they see for themselves,  posts on social media and sensationalism espoused by the news media. Or our culture can redefine what sin is and everyone can close their eyes to the truth and pretend the the "emperor really does have clothes on". For someone not from my generation please Google - The Emperor's New Clothes - a folktale by Hans Christian Andersen to understand the reference.

That is what abortion is. Really. It is an effort to cover up sin with another sin - one that has been declared by our culture to not be sin. (I know there are times when it might be necessary - but those are a small percentage of the reasons for abortion.) Birth control is avoidance of the consequence of sex. Abortion is the extreme method of birth control. My point is that we must see things for what they are and not what our culture want us to see and believe to be true. 

Consensus does not necessarily make something right or true. It depends what the consensus is based upon. Most of the world believes that there is no need for a Savior. They can agree with one another all the way to the gates of hell.  A rose is still a rose - you can call it what you like - paint it any color you  like. It does not change its nature. Christian, our understanding of what is right and what is wrong is the Word of God and the revelation of the Spirit of God - consistent with the Word of God. 

To quote my step-dad and spiritual father when faced with a question, "let's look at the Word and see what God has to say about it."

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 Our New Life Without Regrets

“In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife.  Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it." - Luke 17:31-33

Do you remember Lot's wife? She escaped with Lot but looked back at Sodom with, what I think was regret. Driving from Texas to Alabama yesterday, Martie and I got into a conversation about "what ifs" What if we had made other choices - what if we decided to hold on to those things that had captured our hearts and said "no" to God when He called us to go? What if? What would our life be like today? What would our children's lives and their children's lives would be like? Oh that thinking puts you on a slippery slope.

The question we had to go back to was and is - "Do we believe that God called us to this life and to embrace the sacrifices that this life has required?" It was a resounding "yes" from both of us. And yet -there is that voice that whispers - "Was it?" Or did we choose poorly? We were tempted to yearn for our own version of Sodom - that which we were called from by God and that which we left in obedience to His call - to perhaps wish that we had not left at all.

The Christian life is costly in terms of what the world thinks is right and good. Jesus said

"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." - Luke 14:26

What earthly sacrifices has God required of you? Resist the temptation to look back with regret. Instead - rejoice that you were found worthy of such a great calling - an opportunity to be light and a witness to spiritual truth for the glory of God and the good of others. What has God asked you to hate that you once loved? Friends, habits, livelihood? What?

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

Getting and Giving

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

Any idea about what that looks like in daily living? Laying your life down for the benefit of others with no expectation of receiving any personal benefit or expressed appreciation by those helped from your sacrifice? Well that is what a sacrifice that Jesus was referring to is, isn't it. Denying yourself for someone else's benefit with no benefit for you. As a spiritual act, rejecting personal glory and giving all the glory to God.  

"I [Paul] beseech 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

What does that look like? Say you have two weeks' vacation - you work hard for your money - you need - no you deserve some "me time". Then you are told about an opportunity to help people who are down and out - struggling because of some reason.  Your church is going to take two weeks to go and "be Jesus" to them.  All you have to do is give up your only time off. Scratch the vacation in Florida - taking the kids to Disney World - visiting family that you haven't seen for years. 

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

You want to be like Jesus? Or do you just want to be around Jesus?  There is a difference.  Self-denial is part and parcel to living the Christian life. 

"Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face" - Matthew 6:16-17

Fasting is denying yourself of food -  Jesus has called us to deny ourselves in many other ways for the good of others and the Glory of God. But be careful that you are not like the hypocrites.  Don't seek the praise of men for the things that you do out of obedience to God. Many people will want to praise you and not God for the things you do.  Something I tell people is that "the only thing I can take credit for is saying 'yes" to God - He has prepared me - empowered me - and resourced me to do what He has called me to do.  Listen - it can sound like false humility - and it can be - be careful that the praise of men does not become the reason why you do what you do in the name of Jesus. The pride of life is just around the corner - waiting to steal your joy. 

"So now, brethren, I [Paul] commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” - Acts 20:32-35

Oh and I might add that the fact that your sacrifice is not appreciated by others - matters not - you did it out of obedience to God and His glory - and if you didn't - repent.

Get it? Got it? Good!

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