Buried Talents

“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. The one who had received the five talents immediately went and did business with them, and earned five more talents. In the same way the one who had received the two talents earned two more. But he who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money. [...When the Master returned ...] Now the one who had received the one talent also came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed. And I was afraid, so I went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you still have what is yours.’" - Matthew 25:14-18, 24-25 

You have probably heard a sermon, or two, about the Three T's; Time, Talents, and Treasure. Those things that all Christians have to offer in fulfilling the great commission and building up the Body of Christ.  The parable in Matthew 25 was not just about the T for Treasure - financial gain. It was a metaphor or analogy for all three T's. The idea is that with what God has given each us; time, talents and treasure, comes the responsibility to be faithful toward the Master's intent for the giving. In other words there is a heavenly expectation that we fulfill His intent in giving us what He gives us for spiritual purposes. 

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many." - 1 Corinthians 12:4-14

Do you see how interdependent the Body of Christ is? The Body of which you are a part! For the Body to function the way that God intended, we must all do our part. There are many Christians, I hesitate to say "most", that see their new life as their life - individually - being a Christian certainly but not responsible to God for doing anything more than managing their sins.  If they can just stop sinning so much they consider it a win. Living a sanctified life with a pure heart is certainly important - but as Pastor Rick Warren wrote in the Purpose Driven Life, "It's not about you!"

What have you hidden in the "ground" that God has given you charge of because your faith or your devotion to the One who saved you has been weakened by other worldly concerns?

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

Speak Lord, You Servant Is Listening

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters....Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” - Genesis:1:1-2, 26-28

Listening to the sermon this past Sunday - I am always saying like Samuel, in my mind and heart, "Speak Lord, your servant is listening". I am listening for spiritual truth that the Lord has for me as I listen to the pastor preach the Word. What did I hear? God created everything. It reminded me of John chapter 1.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." - John 1:1-5

Has anyone ever told you that you are very creative? Well, you are not creative - but you may be inventive. No human, in the history of mankind has ever created something from nothing. Oh - we have invented many wonderful and terrible things. But everything wonderful or terrible has its roots in God's creation. We may transform chemicals into wonder drugs, but we need the chemicals to do that. We may paint beautiful pictures, but the paint, the tools, even the thoughts are derived from what God has created before hand. Martie and I have been commended many times for the service we provide to others - but all we can credit for is saying "yes" to God. Everything else was made possible by Him. 

Did you notice that it was "through" Jesus that all things were made? God the Father through God the Son. And as the Creator - everything belongs to Him. We live on borrowed time with borrowed materials. The natural man strives to prove there is no God and therefore cannot be help accountable to a God that does not exist. He strives to come up with some other way that the universe came into being - that mankind is so distinctly different from every other creature. The lie he has invented takes more faith than the truth he denies. 

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth [m]in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them up to vile impurity in the lusts of their hearts, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." - Romans 1:18-25

And that is what I heard during Sunday's Sermon.

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

GOAT Does Not Mean Greatest Of All Time

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘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.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” - Matthew 25:31-46

The scripture reference was a bit long today, but I thought it important to get the context of God's expectation of His children - and Jesus' expectation of those who call Him Lord. The homeless in this country live lives closest to those in Haiti. We live in the "land of opportunity". For the people in a country like Haiti - life is as good as it gets, there is no opportunity for an easier life for the majority of the population. As many of you know, Martie and I have a disaster relief ministry which involves helping people restore their homes after a natural disaster. We tell the people our goal is that their home will be sanitary, safe, and secure when we are done. We have also built homes in Haiti. Not three bedroom two bath homes. They don't have a sanitation system in Haiti - no water treatment plants - no sewer systems.

We haven't lived in Haiti since 2015. Now I get up in the morning to use the bathroom and don't have to wonder if there is enough water in the water storage tank on the roof to flush the toilet. I turn on a light knowing there is electricity waiting to flow through the wires - I don't have to use a flashlight to see. I get a cup of coffee from a pot that I programmed to make the coffee half an hour before I get up with water I got from the faucet and not a 5 gallon jug of purified water. I turn on my computer connected to a router - and don't have to use my phone as a hotspot when I write a devotion, like this one, to post on the internet and Facebook. It has been all too easy for me to slip back into the "groove" and ease of life in this country. Life is not so easy for people in other countries. Lord don't let me become like Cain because I know that "I am my brother's keeper."

 

This is a family that we and our Haitian partners built a small home for a year or so ago. This shack is not atypical of what many families use as a shelter in the mountains. That is not to say that there aren't families living in better structures, there are, but if you were driving past this shack in your airconditioned vehicle with your stomach full and your body well hydrated what would be your thoughts? Perhaps, "There but for the grace of God go I." You take a picture like you are on safari and by the time you round the bend in the road you are looking for the next photo opp. You might be thinking - "No that is not what I would do!" Let's be real! What could you do for that family? Perhaps I should ask the question in another way. What could God do through you? When we ultimately stand before the Lord, what will He say when we ask Him, "Lord when did we see 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

When It's All Been Said and Done

"When it's all been said and done,  there is just one thing that matters. Did I do my best to live for truth? Did I live my life for You? When it's all been said and done, all my treasures will mean nothing. Only what I've done for love's reward, will stand the test of time." - Don Moen, When It's All Been Said And Done.

I decided to start this post with a quote from a Don Moen song. Martie and I are going through "The Boxes". You know the ones - yes those ones in the attic - out of site and out of mind - until you look at the contents and the memories and emotions rise up.

Martie and I have been on a number of unimaginable treks for the Kingdom sine 1992 really. What's that 30 years? All in response to the beckoning call of God, the Father.  Going through those boxes has stirred our hearts as we have relived the times and events reflected in the forgotten scraps of paper and photos in those boxes.

30 years, and yet, we are confident that God is not done with us - yet - that there are yet things to do for His glory and the good of others. That is the persistent calling of God. In those years, we have learned that God calls us to do what is beyond our grasp and abilities. Success is totally dependent upon Him and not us. 

Os Guinness in The Call wrote, "Calling is a matter of readiness. Readiness for followers of Christ is obedience honed to the highest level of responsiveness." We have found that over time our willingness to say "Yes, Lord" has become more immediate. Before our faith was stretched. We put out the fleeces - every which way but Sunday, as the saying goes. To test if it really was God. But now? We just pack our bags. We forsake what is in our hands to lay hold of what God has put in our hearts.

Os Guinness went on to write, "Calling is a matter of resolution. God calls men and women who will be committed to their life tasks with no reservations, no retreats [backing away from the calling], no regrets." God never promised that the road He sets our feet upon would be easy. In fact, it is impossible without Him. Examples of having no reservations - no retreats - no matter how difficult the circumstances come to mind. I am sure you remember the three men and the fiery furnace.  

"'[Nebuchadnezzar] 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.'” - Daniel 3:15-18

But you might also remember this woman.

"Remember Lot’s wife. "Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it." - Luke 17:32-33

She had regrets about what she had left behind in Sodom. God's calling requires unqualified obedience - having a whole heart for God. You might remember that a few years ago I  wrote a book  - "Where Faith Is Waiting". I was told by one person that it sounded like I was boasting - about myself. Actually I was boasting about what the Lord had done through me - through us actually, because I was not alone - my life partner - Martie was at my side all the way.

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." - Galatians 6:14

The number of years that we have walked this earth has just ticked over 72. The number of years since our new birth will tick over 46 in September. The number of years since God called us out of the Army and into His service - 30 years.

Os Guinness, The Call, wrote that "Calling is the spur that keeps us journeying purposefully - and thus growing and maturing - to the very end of our lives."

God's retirement plan is that we take a one way trip to heaven - until then - we press on.

Henri Nouwen wrote, "He who thinks that he has finished is finished. Those who think they have arrived have lost their way." 

Where are you in your walk with the Lord. What are you prepared to do in response to His calling - no matter where you are in this 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

Fools For Christ

"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. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” - 1 Corinthians 1:18-19

"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

Think about the implication of those verses. What you believe to be eternal Truth is considered foolishness to the rest of the world. So if I believe something that is actually foolishness then that would make me a fool. Have you known any fools in your lifetime? All of the television and internet political pundits that are watched and listened to by millions of people, rail against people aligned with particular political parties essentially calling them fools - not to be trusted. Fools are people that are to be disregarded - ignored - mocked - or worse - persecuted. To the lost - which is the majority of mankind, Christians are fools. That is because the only way that a human can understand spiritual Truth and not consider it foolishness is by their conversion and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Up to that point, if they are ever born again, it is all gibberish and those whose espouse it are fools. In their minds, Christians are people to be pitied. Paul wanted the church in Corinth to understand this - to not be surprised by it and to not expect it to be any different before Jesus returns for His Bride, the Church.  

"For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now." 1 Corinthians 4:9-13

The apostles were at the "top of the spiritual ladder". But they did not consider being in that position something to take pride in as the Pharisees did. Instead they understood the responsibility and so, were willing to become fools for Christ. What was Paul saying? In its essence, he was saying that the apostles were willfully going the way of Jesus. " ... we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now." Does that remind you of Jesus? It should.

The question in front of us is this. Are we willing to be outcasts to our culture, our families, the people we identify with by race or financial position or political persuasion in favor of being embraced by God that some might be saved?  Are we willing to give up what the world treasures for the sake of the Gospel? How important is acceptance to you? How important is financial security to you? Or, are you ready to quell your beliefs, to watch and listen in silence as the world drifts farther and farther from God, in favor of be acceptable to the people you work with or perhaps even your family? Or are you willing to be thought of as a fool because of your faith and life choices mandated by that faith?

"This world is not my home I'm just a passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heaven's open door. And I can't feel at home in this world anymore. Oh lord you know I have no friend like you. If heaven's not my home then lord what will I do. The angels beckon me from heaven's open door. And I can't feel at home in this world anymore." Albert E. Brumley, This World Is Not My Home 

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

Good Is Not Good Enough

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." - John 14:27

Christian workers fail because they place their desire for their own holiness above their desire to know God. “Don’t ask me to be confronted with the strong reality of redemption on behalf of the filth of human life surrounding me today; what I want is anything God can do for me to make me more desirable in my own eyes.” God cannot deliver me while my interest is merely in my own character. Paul was not conscious of himself. He was recklessly abandoned, totally surrendered, and separated by God for one purpose— to proclaim the gospel of God.  Our calling is not primarily to be holy men and women, but to be proclaimers of the gospel of God. ... Reality is not human goodness, or holiness, or heaven, or hell— it is redemption. The need to perceive this is the most vital need of the Christian worker today. As workers, we have to get used to the revelation that redemption is the only reality. Personal holiness is an effect of redemption, not the cause of it. If we place our faith in human goodness we will go under when testing comes. Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

There is a reality that we were not aware of until we become Christians.  Some people have taken that to an extreme where they deny that the natural life even exists .. It does but there is a greater reality … an eternal one that supersedes this one.  That is why Paul talked about the insignificance of the affairs of this world .. even his own life .. because of his understanding of the greater reality … How we live our lives … what we consider important would be radically changed if we could ever grasp the truth of the greater reality.  To understand it is one thing … to believe it and walk in it is something else again.  Someone once said, ‘The only part of the Gospel that you believe is the part you obey.’  What would your life look like if you walked in the reality of your new life .. understanding that your citizenship is in heaven … this world is not your home …

I don’t become more holy so I can know God .. I know God more and then I will become holy … It is His presence that makes me aware of my sinfulness … ‘Woe is me, I am a man undone!’   I am able to stand in His presence  because of what Jesus has done .. not because of my personal holiness …  The curtain has been torn down … I now have free access to the Father through the Son, living by the Spirit.

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

Love and Obedience - The Chicken and the Egg

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. ... He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” ... 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 14:15, 21, 23-24

My expression of my love for God is my obedience. We don't obey God so He will love us. We love Him and the proof is the way we live our lives. Walking in obedience to His Word. Sinless? Uh, no! Sadly. I am convinced that while we are living on this planet we will be plagued by temptation and will continue to sin. But, for we Christians - we have a spiritual insight into the nature of temptation and sin. We do not sin so grace may abound, but when we do sin - and we will sin - we rest in the truth that we are washed by the blood of Jesus.

Speaking of washing, there was a discussion about feet washing the other day. I was not a participant but I was in the room as it was openly discussed.  I am not speaking against the practice but am merely positing a different perspective on the scripture. You remember the story about Jesus and the disciples?

"Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.  After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, 'Lord, are You washing my feet?' Peter said to Him, 'You shall never wash my feet!' Jesus answered him, 'If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.' Simon Peter said to Him, 'Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!' Jesus said to him, 'He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.' For He knew who [Judas] would betray Him; therefore He said, 'You are not all clean.'" - John 13:3-11

Do you see the Jesus' point here? Jesus was symbolically cleansing the disciples of the sins they had picked up along the way - but they were "bathed" by faith and therefore only needed to wash their feet. (1 John 1:9) It was a spiritual point but Peter, like Peter, was looking at dirty feet thinking it was something else. Taking Jesus literally. Also notice that Jesus said Judas was "not clean". Judas was not washed. In the past there has been I have been involved in discussions about Judas and his spiritual condition. I think this answers it. He was not clean like the other disciples. At least at the time of his betrayal.  

"How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole  heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word." - Psalm 119:9-15

I normally quote just verse 11. Hiding the Word in my heart. Or perhaps Joshua 1:8-9. Meditating on the Word. Both help me to be successful as I follow Jesus and struggle with sin. If I try to manage my sin, I find myself practicing religion - but what God wants is a relationship with me - and you. I love my wife and what she wants more than anything is to spend time with me - and I her. She is the most important person on this planet to me. It is the same way with God. If I love God with all my heart, soul and strength (Matthew 22:37-39),  then I will spend time with Him - reading His Word - Him talking to me. Praying - me talking to him. Jesus opened the door (torn curtain at the Holy of Holies) through Calvary. The Spirit enables the relationship by His indwelling every Believer.  And as my love grows - my life is transformed. But I will still need to wash my feet!

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

Remembering My Past Brought Me To My Knees

"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.  And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.  However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." - 1 Timothy 1:12-17

That, of course, is the Apostle Paul. He was looking at his life through the lens of his salvation. His understanding of who he was from God's perspective - not from man's. Oh he had plenty to boast about from man's point of view. 

"Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now. And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said: I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished." - Acts 22:1-5

He was doing just fine as far as his culture was concerned. And then while on his way to come against Christians in Damascus, he met Jesus. And understanding his past in a new way brought him to his knees.

"And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do." - Acts 22:7-10

Do you remember the day that the Lord spoke to you? No one else heard Him - just you. When you understood your need for redemption, for repentance. That the life you were living was all wrong. And your past brought you to your knees. Do you remember? I do. I was busy living my life thinking that was life and I had to do my best to live it as I saw fit. I dabbled in religion, but it was not all that significant to me. I believed there was a God, but He was not personal and certainly not aware of me. But through a course of events .. not enough space for me to share here ... I met Jesus on my road to nowhere. And I suddenly became aware of my need for salvation .. a, I was (spiritually) blind but now I see moment that comes at the point of salvation. 

Does the thought of your old life cause you to thank God for your new life? It does me. We must be careful to not condemn those who walk in darkness - as we once did as well. There is a saying,  'There but for the grace of God go I'. If not for God's grace we would be stumbling in the dark still. Now, knowing such a great salvation, it is our responsibility to be the light in a dark world. 

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

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

Following God's Plan And Not My Own

 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.  “For as the  heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9

Martie and I have agreed to lead an Experiencing God study this fall at a small local church. It's not the first time. We have led this study on several occasions - in Alabama, Mississippi, Haiti and now in Texas. The reason we are so willing is that the principles taught in Experiencing God have been tested and proven in our own lives for the past 35 years or so. We have used the principles or "realities" as Dr. Blackaby has coined them as as guide to knowing and doing the will of God. In preparation, I am working through each of the videos which, in turn, are stirring my spirit and reminding me of why we have done what we have done as we stepped out for God.

There is a term that Dr. Blackaby uses, "Evangelical Christian Humanism". What it refers to is when well-meaning Christians try to use their minds (human wisdom) and not their hearts (spiritual understanding) to do something "good". Rather than listen to God, they look around and see what the need is then figure out how they can meet that need. After all - no need to wait on God to show them - God gave them a brain - they have experience - they have their spiritual driver's license if you will. They don't need "dad" to drive them around anymore. So off they go - forgetting or minimizing the fact that everything we do must be in the context of what God is doing. We should not start something without God and then expect Him to show up when He sees what a great idea we had.

They ask the wrong question "What can I do?" instead of the right question, "I wonder if there is anything that God wants me to do through me?" A god-centered perspective.  I listen closely to others who tell me about their plans or their work to see if there is any mention of God. When it is absent and I bring it up, they invariably back up and tell me "Of course God is in this!" And I think "Really?" 

"For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." - Matthew 12:34 

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

Walking On Dry Land

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." - Hebrews 11:1-3

I have referenced those verses - specifically verse one, with regularity in my writings and ramblings. Faith is a mystery in that its root is found in the heavenlies - through a connection with the Creator. It is faith that is the motivation for a simple man or woman to live an extra-ordinary life in the face of whatever adversity life on this planet may bring their way. Oswald Chambers wrote, "Every [person] is made [by God] beyond [their] grasp". 

For those of you who are a little rusty on annotations in writing, square brackets [ ] indicate that the text has been modified for clarity by me. In the case above I replaced "man" with "person", added "by God" and changed "his" to "their".  

We are called to do more than is humanly possible through the exercising of our faith. "Calling transforms life so that even the commonplace and menial are invested with the splendor of the ordinary." Os Guinness, The Call, p185 

Consider Brother Lawrence (born Nicolas Herman), a soldier, wounded veteran, turned 17th-century Carmelite friar, who sought only to practice the presence of God. As a friar or Brother, his one desire was not to serve in the kitchen, but was relegated to the kitchen for 15 years. During that time he had many visitors who traveled great distances to meet with him - a mere kitchen worker powerfully anointed by the Spirit of God. "The Practice of the Presence of God", a book of Brother Lawrence's teachings was compiled by Father Joseph de Beaufort, circa 1692.

"Calling transforms things, by reminding us, once again, of our audience [an audience of One]. He [God] requires our obedience in the routine, the unseen, and the thankless." - Os Guinness, The Call, p186, 190

We, who are in Christ, have been called by God to a new life - a transformed life - no exceptions. God does not have any favorites. Do you remember the Tommy Smothers quote, "Mom always liked you best." The fear of most siblings is that they are somehow loved less and spend their lives seeking evidence of what they believe to be true.

"Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality [not a respecter of persons]. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." - Acts 10-34

Perhaps you don't see your Christian walk as particularly special or significant. As proof, you compare yourself to those who have been called to lead, to preach to teach, to evangelize. Those you see as more spiritually significant. Did you know that God has equipped them for your benefit, to serve you, to equip you for the work of the ministry? Let me remind you.

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints [people just like you] for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ [of which you are a vital part]" - Ephesians 4:11-12

So what about "walking on dry land"? I will close with a Oswald Chambers quote. "Walking on water is easy to [marvel at], but walking on dry land as a disciple of Christ is a different thing. It is inbred in us that we have to do exceptional things for God, but we have not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things, to be holy in the mean streets, among mean people, and this is not learned in five minutes." 

And it is there while walking on dry land that most of us stumble and fall. God has not called us to be great but to be faithful to a great God - no matter where we fit in the Body of Christ and His eternal plan.

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

Has A Change Been Wrought?

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

Have you ever given that much thought? The fact that we are being conformed to be like Jesus? So what is it like to be like Jesus? I am reminded of an old time Gospel song - Since Jesus Cam Into My Heart. 

"What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought 
I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,
I have ceased from my wand’ring and going astray,
And my sins which were many are all washed away,
I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,
And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,
There’s a light in the valley of death now for me,
And the gates of the City beyond I can see,
I shall go there to dwell in that City I know,
And I’m happy, so happy as onward I go,
Since Jesus came into my heart." - Rufus H. McDaniel, 1914, Public Domain

That is Jesus' disposition. And what did Jesus do?

"Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." - John 5:19

It is like a chain - Jesus watched what God, the Father, was doing in the world and Jesus did the same thing. In the same way, we should see what Jesus did and do the same. Do you remember what Jesus said in John 17?

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me." - John 17:20-23

So when the world sees you and me, the world should see Jesus and the Father. Jesus lived in constant awareness of the Father. We should have that same awareness and not relegate our faith to certain times and places during our week. 

In Romans 12, Paul cautions us to not be conformed to the world. There are no idle words in the Bible.  What is written in the Bible is there for a reason. The reason? Because we are subjected to a persistent call by the world to be like the world. But God has a plan and purpose for each of us - given that we are like Jesus and not the world. God has called each of us and equipped or gifted us to fulfill that calling. His calling requires that we reject conventional wisdom and embrace the impossible made possible by God. Paul said that we are to "transformed by the renewing of our minds to prove the good and perfect will of God." And what is that? To be like Jesus.

Some believe that the time to think about such things is when you are young - not so. When we start "looking at the waves" after God has called us out of the boat, we can get very practical - knowing what God has called us to do, we think of reasons why obedience is not practical. Listen, chronology (consideration of your age) is something of this world - God is not bound by it and neither are we. "There is no god but God and no rest for who has any god but God. God is on the move!" - Os Guinness, p176.

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

Making The Right Choices

"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." 1 Corinthians 10:12-14

Since the turn of the 20th century, Technology has been growing like Kudzu. For our friends in the northern and western states I extracted this from the www.nature.org website. [Known as "mile-a-minute" and "the vine that ate the South," this creeping, climbing perennial vine terrorizes native plants all over the southeastern United States and is making its way into the Midwest, Northeast, and even Oregon. Kudzu is native to Japan and southeast China.  From the 1930s through the 1950s, the Soil Conservation Service promoted it as a great tool for soil erosion control and was planted in abundance throughout the south. Little did we know that kudzu is quite a killer, overtaking and growing over anything in its path. Kudzu grows out of control quickly.) Do you see the analogy clearer? What was intended to be a help, controlled by people, has taken on a life of its own. 

Technology, which is a good thing, has interwoven into the very fabric of our souls. Cell phones come to mind. With it, the opportunities to be tempted with what technology brings to the "front door" of our hearts are legion. Our senses - our weaknesses, are bombarded with opportunities to give in - to yield because we can. The temptations can be just too hard to resist. 

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." - 1 John 2:15-17

Lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are the three points in which Satan tempted Jesus in the desert. The problem is the question of "should we" not "can we" begins to grow quieter in our hearts as we yield to what is so easy to reach and embrace. Take material accumulation as an example. Instant gratification allows us to accumulate that which will be of no interest to us in a week or two or less. So we fill our attics - crowd out our cars from the garage - a room built specifically for our cars that has been banished to the driveway to bake in the sun and freeze in the cold wind. And when the garage is full to the brim, we rent storage space - another type of garage to store the overflow. Storing things that will probably never see the light of day until someone in our will sifts through it looking for something of value - in their eyes. And they will likely find very little - perhaps a 300 baud modem (think You've Got Mail) still in the original package.  

We hang on to things like Gollum clutching the ring - his precious. And like Gollum it is really the having and not the ring that proves to be important to us. 

"The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else,  Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." - Proverbs 4:18-27

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

Standing In The Gap

"The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. So I [God the Father] sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one." - Ezekiel 22:29-30

There are a few books that I have read more than once. The Call by Os Guinness is one. The Practice of the Presence of God, a compilation of writings by Brother Lawrence is another. Spiritual Leadership by J Oswald Sanders. Currently I am presently re-reading the Call. There are a couple of excerpts I want to share - with the intent of sparking thought on your part.

"Christian faith in the United States is socially irrelevant even if privately engaging." (p157)

"The problem with Western Christianity is not that they aren't WHERE (sic) they should be (that being integrated in all aspects of the culture - business, government) but they aren't WHAT (sic) they should be where they are." (p157)

Our challenge is, has been and will be - How do you demonstrate your faith in a secular society without being marginalized or minimized as a religious extremist or zealot? A society that is generally antagonistic toward the primacy of the Bible in human affairs. A Christian is someone to be tolerated, ignored or humored. A reality that is, I think, inevitable and unavoidable.

"... we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ" - Ephesians 4:14-15

There will always be a tension between what we believe to be true, according to the Word of God, and what the world says is true, according to man's thinking. That tension will manifest itself in politics, the media, entertainment industry, associations with people we know, and education. This list is not easily exhausted. The challenge for you and I is this - are we OK with the tension? Or do you feel a need to resolve the tension somehow? Unfortunately, the only way that you will succeed is by compromising your faith. The world is uncompromising. You will have to yield to the influence of the culture in order to relieve the tension. God's solution was to send Jesus as the great Reconciler. If you could resolve the conflict, Jesus didn't need to go to the cross. But you can't and He did!

"These things I [Jesus] have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you [a]will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

At the moment, I am struggling with the tension associated with political identity. I really don't want my identity to be defined by a political party affiliation. My struggle? - I can't just identify with the parts of a platform that I agree with. By affiliating with a party you wear the label. You are associated with the entire platform, even the parts you don't agree with. I prefer to be thought of as a Christian - not a Republican or Democrat or whatever. It is not an easy thing to resolve if you believe you should be involved as a voter, and I do. 

We are looking for someone who will "stand in the gap" for what is right before the Lord. I want to vote for someone like that. I would love to be a friend to someone like that. Someone who has not sold their soul for 30  pieces of silver. Someone who will stand for right, by God's standards, even if it means rejection by their culture, community or political party. 

"Jesus is not a religious leader, but Lord of all life." (p158) There is not one aspect of a Christian's life where Jesus' lordship is excluded - but that is not to say it cannot be ignored. I met Dr. Henry Blackaby in a hotel lobby once in Little Rock, AK. We were staying at the same hotel. He was a speaker at the Promise Keeper conference and I was on staff with Promise Keepers. I introduced myself and we chatted briefly. He told me that "once the living water was flowing in a person's life they would be changed forever." I said "yes, but Dr. Blackaby you know that some have turned off the tap." That pretty much ended our brief conversation.  My point was that Christians can and do yield the cultural pressure - essentially cutting off the influence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. 

"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it." - 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24

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

Floating On The Stream

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

Recently, Martie and I were talking about our walk with the Lord. Where we have been, where we are today, and where the Lord might lead us next. She said that now, it was like we were floating on our backs in a stream and the water was barely moving, if at all.  Our temptation is to kick our feet - to get some movement. But, if we were to do that, without the prompting of the Spirit, it might be self effort and God would have nothing to do with it. (Like the sin of King Saul) It's OK to rest - to be still.  Dr. Henry Blackaby (Experiencing God)  said, "You have heard the saying, 'Don't just stand there - do something' but sometimes God is telling you - 'Don't just do something, stand there.'" Or in our case - just relax and float in the calm water for a season.

"Be still, and know that I am God" - Psalm 46:10

Martie was looking through our papers and photos as we are deciding what to keep and what to throw away or give away in the case of the photos. She was reminded of the times when the stream was not so calm. Flowing steadily. And there are have been times when the stream has been raging and we struggled to keep our head above water. Tempted to look for a rock to cling to or a place along the shore that we might swim to in an effort to escape the torrent. But then the Spirit - the Helper that Jesus spoke about would calm our hearts and peace would reign in our hearts once again. We would ask each other if we were still confident that we were in the center of God's will - even in the raging rapids - and it was always - yes.

I previously told you that we have been studying the Book of Daniel. A subtle point as you read about the visions Daniel had. Not once did the angel tell Daniel that life would be good and bad things were not going to happen. It will not be until Jesus returns is the war over. Until then, we can expect battle after battle. Some we will win and some we will not win. As we live our lives the constant that we can count on is that the Spirit is with us. Our life preserver if you will. Jesus may not ask us to walk on the water, but He is not pulling us out of the stream either. Remember - after Jesus pulled Peter up from the sea, they both walked back to the boat - together.  

Where are you on your stream? Floating peacefully, moving slowly along watching life as it passes by, or are you in the rapids - heart pounding - trying not to go under, struggling with fear and anxiety. Perhaps worried about your very survival. God's got you!

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

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

Doing Battle With The Prince Of Persia

"In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. ..... Then he (Gabriel) said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia." - Daniel 10:2-3, 12-13

We were studying the Book of Daniel chapter 10.  Daniel prayed for 3 weeks and Gabriel contended with the Prince of Persia (satanic forces) during that time.  I was reminded that very often I treat prayer like I was at a drive-thru making a order. "Double cheeseburger, fries, and a diet-coke - oh, and supersize it!"  The diet coke because I am concerned about calories. As Christians the reality is that when we pray we are entering into spiritual warfare - something that we cannot see but is all around us. Unfortunately very often our thinking and understanding is limited to prayers about our personal welfare and not spiritual warfare.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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." - Ephesians 6:10-12

Why were the angels engaged in the struggle? Because of the prayers of Daniel. Is it possible that my prayers, your prayers, can be a catalyst for heavenly activity? I believe they can, but there is a catch. On a number of occasions, Daniel was referred to by the angel as "O Daniel, man greatly beloved" or "O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” A couple of verses that come to mind.

"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man are powerful and effective." - James 5:16

People just like Daniel. That catch is that like Daniel, we must be standing before God with a clean heart and clean hands. Eyes focused on God and not ourselves.

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

Just like Gabriel with Daniel, Paul with the Philippians we are not to fear and God will grant peace through the assurance of the Spirit and our faith. 

I want to encourage you to think about prayer differently and enter into it with a different attitude. Remember that you are a child of God - and so you have a spiritual nature. Put on the full - spiritual - armor of God and join the battle that rages all around you - just like Daniel.

"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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" - Ephesians 6:13-18

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 - Day By Day

"Then He [Jesus] said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross DAILY (sic) , and follow Me." -  Luke 9:23

Being a Christian is a daily thing. It is not like putting on a favorite shirt, but some days it is in the dirty clothes so you pick another one. It is more like putting on your glasses so you can see clearly. We have to be intentional about the way we live and who we live for. There is a song, chorus actually, that was popular in the '70s, called Day By Day.

"Day by day, oh, dear Lord, three things I pray. [1] To see thee more clearly. [2] Love thee more dearly. [3] Follow thee more nearly, day by day" - by Godspell, Song: Day By Day

To see (to understand the Truth), to love (embrace and commit to the truth) and to follow (to submit and obey the Truth in word and deed). Seems like not a bad prayer to start the day with. Living the Christian life must be intentional. There is no spiritual cruise control or automatic pilot. We must be alert and aware of who we are as Christians as we live out each day on this planet. When we think that we can neglect our faith and its disciplines (put it off until later) - the Word, Meditation, Praying, Witnessing and keeping Jesus in the center of all of it - well, we are in trouble.

"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;  but exhort one another DAILY (sic), while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end" - Hebrews 3:12-14

Reflecting on there verses in Hebrews I am reminded of why I write these devotions.

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

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

When The Glory Fades

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." - Galatians 6:7-10

Some of you reading these posts may be aware that I was once on the staff of Promise Keepers (PK), a national men's ministry in the mid '90s. I served as the State Manager for Alabama and Mississippi. The point of my bringing that up is this. While in that position, I had the opportunity to meet with and talk to many, many people. The "prime directive" of that ministry was to stir the hearts of all Christian men to fulfill their responsibilities as husbands, fathers, and Brothers in Christ. Essentially, to reflect Jesus and not their culture. You can probably detect that thread toward Christian men and women in my writings today.

A big part of the PK ministry was holding stadium events - where tens of thousands of men would gather to hear sermons - sing songs of praise - to render their hearts to God. Typically. hundreds of men would pray to receive Christ or rededicate themselves as Jesus followers.

When I would return to Alabama, I would speak at churches and men's groups. More than once, I would meet a wife of one of the men who attended a conference. The conversation would go something like this. (wife) "I just love Promise Keepers  and what you stand for. My husband went to the conference in Atlanta. When he returned he was like a new man. But then after about 2 or 3 weeks, he was the same as before he left." I didn't have much of a response to that. But I suspected that I knew what had happened. I was reminded of Moses.

"Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses talked with them." - Exodus 34:29-31

Because Moses was in the presence of God - his face glowed - but eventually the "glory faded". That was the case with those men. Their time at the conference had a spiritual element experience certainly - but for many it was more emotion than spirit. Like attending a sports event. The excitement of the crowd was almost intoxicating. The men could agree, in principle, with everything they heard and experienced. They knew it was right - but the spiritual truth did not take root. There was no heart change. Like the parable of the seed. 

"And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away." - Mark 4:4-6

So it was like for those husbands - the commitment had not reached the heart and it withered away. I called it the Promise Keeper pill. "Take one my friend and your spirituality will be good for another year!" Or not! The truth was that PK preached the message to them, but it was the responsibility  of the the local church and a sincere intent on the part of each man that would sustain that change. And the same goes for each of us.

"I 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

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

Speaking The Truth

"Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” - John 18:37-38

As I get older, I find changes at work in me. My eyesight is no longer 20-15 so I can't read signs from afar off.  And my physique? Well let's just say it is like the house that potential buyers visit and the best they can say is "It has good bones!" I can no longer hear a pin drop - unless it is the size of a railroad spike.

Have you noticed how hard it is to find a restaurant where you can have a conversation at a table and hear what is being said by the the people you are dining with? It is not just because of my hearing acuity, the ambient noise can be deafening - so many loud conversations combined with music, ugh! In much the same way, the "noise" of our culture has begun so loud as it drowns out the cry of the Saints. 

Tolerance is the word of the day. Tolerance defined as "you can believe what you want to believe -  your truth, just don't say that the truth that I believe, practice and promote is wrong." If you do you are in danger of being labeled a Hater. 

Pilate challenged Jesus with the word, Truth. For him, truth was relative not absolute. Jesus' truth, Pilate's truth, the Jewish leader's truth, it was all relative. Which truth prevailed depended upon whoever had the most power or influence. Apart from the sovereignty of God, what truth is depends upon who you are talking to and on what foundation you base Truth. 

Have you ever heard the term, "That is the God's honest truth"? You want to know the truth - God has revealed Truth in His written Word [the Bible] and the Living Word [Jesus]. Truth that is revealed by the Spirit of God and is rejected by those who have not been born again. Jesus had something to say about truth?

"I [Jesus] do not pray that You [Father God] should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." John 17:15-18

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

It takes the Spirit to understand and know Truth according to the Scriptures and since the world (meaning those who are not Christians) lacks the indwelling of the Spirit of God which happens at the point of salvation, they consider Truth according to the Bible foolishness. 

"But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:10-14

Now isn't that a dilemma? So what to do. Well, I think that since I am speaking a foreign language to the lost - my most effective testimony will be visual not spoken - walking my talk- the world watching how I live my 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

Unity and Diversity

 At the turn of the 20th century there were an estimated 1900 Christian (Evangelical) denominations in the world. Christians divided by culture, race, and doctrinal beliefs. By the end of the 20th century there were an estimated 22,000 Christian denominations in the world. (I assume that includes what I call "non-denominational" denominations.) page 97 - The Call - Os Guinness.

Reading that caused me to think about the root of the Christian faith. What is at the root of what it means to be a Christian? That took me to John chapter 3 and a conversation between Jesus and a Pharisee named Nicodemus.

"There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." - John 3:1-6

Given that scripture, how would you answer the question, "What must I do to be saved?" Of course - "You must be born again by the Spirit." Association with a denomination had nothing to do with my salvation. In fact, my new birth and Martie's happened after we listened to the preaching of a Presbyterian pastor. Some months later, we were baptized by a Nazarene Army Chaplain. It was by God's grace and mercy that we were saved. 

"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 2:8-9

But there is more, isn't there. Reading those verses in Ephesians, one should ask - "Faith in what or more correctly in Whom?"

"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

Faith in Jesus - acknowledgement and understanding of His place in the eternal plan of God the Father. Belief that God the Father, raised Him, Jesus, from the dead so we might have victory over sin and death - through Him. That has nothing to do directly with a denomination but everything to do with God expressing His love for mankind through His Son. The heart of Nicodemus was stirred and 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." - John 3:16-17

That is the root of who we are as Christians. I don't identify primarily as a Baptist but as a Christian - a Christ follower. The Baptist denomination or any denomination cannot save me - only faith in Jesus and the indwelling of the Spirit can do that. Being born again by the Spirit.

In John 17 Jesus prayed about unity in the body of Christ as a testimony to a lost world. An other-worldly unity among diverse people as evidence that the world might believe that the Father sent the Son. That is how important unity among Christians is. 

“I (Jesus) do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." - John 17:20-21

There is much diversity among Christians today  - you might say 22,000 divisions in the Body of Christ. Jesus spoke to the consequence of division. Actually He was referring to Satan, but the principle applies to everyone, including Christians.

"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end." - Mark 3:24-26

It is not wrong to be aligned with a denomination, but it is wrong to identify with a denomination first and then as a Christian. A word of caution, make certain that those you identify with are talking about the same Jesus you are.

"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

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

From Beginning To End

 "While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand.  At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision" - Daniel 9:21-23

We have been studying the Book of Daniel. In Chapters 8 and 9 the Angel Gabriel spoke to Daniel. The same Gabriel that spoke to Zacharias and Mary in Luke. In Daniel he spoke about what would happen in the distant future. In Luke he spoke of what would happen in the near future. In each case he spoke about what was unknown to the hearers but known to God. What we call prophecy is nothing more than God revealing what He sees in the expanse of time. He is not surprised by anyone or anything. 

If time, as we know it, could be laid out on your dining table, it would start on one end and end on the other.  God sees or knows from beginning to end - man can only see or know what is in front of and behind him and, without divine revelation, can only imagine what will be in the future. I was thinking about time in the context of faith. There is so much that has happened, is happening, and will happen between the beginning and the end. Some is good and some is bad. But this one thing we know - at the end - God wins! And, as His children, so do we!

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1

The fact that God wins is the substance of things hoped for. What will happen in this world from the point you are reading these words to the end of time is the evidence of things not seen. And this is the confidence that we have - that God is sovereign in all of it. 

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7

Do not let the uncertain of the days we live in or what the future might hold cause you to lose heart. Remember the words of Jesus.

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I."- John 14:27-28

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

An Audience Of One

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." - Colossians 3:23-24 

Most everything we do, we do primarily in an effort to please someone; ourselves, our spouses, our parents, our friends, people we want to be our friends, our bosses. But, if you are a Christian -  those are all the wrong reasons for doing what you do. In fact if any of those are your motivations, you may be tempted to do what you know is not right to do - compromising yourself just for the sake of pleasing someone and thereby finding acceptance and affirmation.

"When we discuss our plans and endeavors, we automatically think of notions like "aims", "ambition", achievements", "assessment" and so on. But we often overlook the vital part of audience. ..   A life lived listening to the decisive call of God is a life lived before one audience that trumps all others  - the Audience of One." - Os Guinness, The Call, page 70

If you want the adoration of the world, specifically of the culture in the United States, you must have notoriety. The number of followers on Tik Tok, Twitter, or some other form of social media is a measure of your "goodness". Os Guinness wrote the following in 1998- it might have been written yesterday.

"Today, however, the media offer a shortcut to fame - instantly fabricated famousness with no need for sweat, cost, and dedication of true greatness. The result is not the hero but the celebrity, the person famously described as "well-known for being well-known." A big name rather than a big person, the celebrity is someone who character is nothing, coverage is all." - The Call, p 78

I am thinking about Daniel and the lions' den and his three friends in the furnace. They faced a choice. Choose the culture they were living in and get along or reject the culture - honor God and be prepared to face the consequences. They chose the latter. They were saved by God and through that saving - God was glorified. But what if they had perished? I submit that God would still be glorified through their faithfulness. 

Our callings demand that we rise above our culture - that we resist our flesh by submitting to the Spirit. That we see God's calling as preeminent and the praise of men to be of no value to us. That we remember our priorities in this new life we now live.

"Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘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 22:36-40

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

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

Be The Light

"Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it." - Psalm 34:13-14

Do you have a difficult time with controlling your words - speaking negatively about someone - maybe even using profanity in the course of your conversations? There was a day when profanity was a part of my vocabulary. It flowed naturally out of my mouth. Then I met Jesus. On numerous occasions, someone will use profanity when talking to me and then apologize. As if it is OK to speak it if they are not speaking to someone like me (whatever that means). I am thinking, don't be concerned about me - I am just a man. Instead Christian, be more concerned about the One who knows the heart of man. The words we speak, my Christian friend, are to be edifying and glorifying.

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

The admonition I opened this devotion with is from Psalm 34. It is a spiritual admonition not to try harder but to trust harder, that is to be manifested in day to day living. The Bible does not have one command in it that does not require spiritual power to obey - our surrender and the power of the Spirit at work in us. That is why the rich young ruler was not nearly good enough - even though he seemed to be a marvel of doing good. It was all him. 

We have a plaque in our living room next to the TV that says "Guard your heart" - from Proverbs 4:23. The television is thew world's portal into our home through which both good and evil can and does pass. We have to be alert - always. There are so many programs offered that seem interesting but then within the first 5 to 10 minutes very often the actors start shouting out expletives. That is when we change programs. 

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." - Philippians 4:6-9

Why would we want to think about whatever is not true, not noble, not just, not pure, not lovely, not of good report, not virtuous, not praise worthy? Isn't that the life that we have been saved from? Ah, but our flesh is drawn to those things still. Be careful to resist the thinking that what you see and hear in the movies or on television - or on social media is not a spiritual danger for you. Certainly it is scripted - contrived - but, at the same time, it is representative of life on this planet. You deceive yourself if you think that you are not going to be affected by the influence of the visual media you are exposed to.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." - 1 Peter 5:8

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