How To Save Somebody

 "A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” - Matthew 13:3-9 

I was just talking to a friend about his concern for people he knows and cares about that are far from God and apparently not interested in knowing any more about God, heaven or hell. He was distressed because he wanted to know what to say to them that might spark a spiritual interest in them.  I reminded him of the parable of the seed. The disciples needed Jesus to explain the parable to them, which he did.

"When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.  As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” - Matthew 13:19-23

The last one - the good soils - is the one who is saved. If you were a numbers guy - that would mean that, given that there are 4 types of people, there is 25% chance that the person you are speaking to will respond to the Gospel by placing their faith in Jesus. But that is probably a liberal estimate. And of course we want it to be much greater chance than that. Worse, we might feel responsible if they continue to reject Jesus - as if their salvation was somehow up to mere mortals.

" But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." - Romans 10:8-17

We are responsible for telling others but salvation is between each person and God.  They must choose to confess and believe, but most will not - to God's and our dismay. What was it that Paul said?

"What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." - 1 Corinthians 3:5-7

We have a role - we are part of the process. We are casting the seed, but we are not the ones who bring the increase. That would be God. And don't think that because you share the Gospel and someone doesn't fall to their knees saying, "I believe" means that they will not be saved.  I first heard the Gospel in 1969 from my parents. It was not until 1976 did Martie and I yield our hearts in faith to Jesus. Don't give up on them - let them see Jesus in you. Then you be you and let God be 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

Doubting God When Your Plans Fall Apart

"Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters…, so our eyes look to the Lord our God…" —Psalm 123:2

“This verse is a description of total reliance on God. Just as the eyes of a servant are riveted on his master, our eyes should be directed to and focused on God. This is how knowledge of His countenance is gained and how God reveals Himself to us (see Isaiah 53:1). Our spiritual strength begins to be drained when we stop lifting our eyes to Him. Our stamina is sapped, not so much through external troubles surrounding us but through problems in our thinking. […] For example, you came to a crisis in your life, took a stand for God, and even had the witness of the Spirit as a confirmation that what you did was right. But now, maybe weeks or years have gone by, and you are slowly coming to the conclusion— “Well, maybe what I did showed too much pride or was superficial. Was I taking a stand a bit too high for me?” Your “rational” friends come and say, “Don’t be silly. We knew when you first talked about this spiritual awakening that it was a passing impulse, that you couldn’t hold up under the strain. And anyway, God doesn’t expect you to endure.” You respond by saying, “Well, I suppose I was expecting too much.” That sounds humble to say, but it means that your reliance on God is gone, and you are now relying on worldly opinion. The danger comes when, no longer relying on God, you neglect to focus your eyes on Him. […] Whenever there is a spiritual drain in your life, correct it immediately. Realize that something has been coming between you and God, and change or remove it at once.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

The seed for doubtful thinking was first planted in the Garden when Satan asked Eve, “Did God really say …. ?”  When we came to Texas, we thought that it would be an instant replay of Mississippi – NOT!  So then you ask yourself .. are we in the right place? Did God really say …. ? Dr. Henry Blackaby, in Experiencing God, wrote that knowing it’s God’s voice is not the problem .. obeying His voice is the problem. (paraphrased).  Like Peter, once you are out of the boat and on the water .. the temptation is to look around you, placing trust in your own abilities and take your eyes off of the One who called you out of the boat!  

What is the circumstance that is testing your faith?  Before you come to any conclusions, you should first test your spiritual condition.  If you don’t have a clean heart … are right before God .. how can you expect to be in step with God?  Second .. you must be connected to God through His Word, prayer and submission to the Spirit.  It is an easy pit to find yourself in when you come to expect God to do what you imagine will be done and not seek His will and His alone.  God asks you to join Him - you don't ask for Him to join you. He is God - you are not! If you get a sense of satisfaction from what you are doing more than from knowing you are living in the will of God, you are on the wrong path.  Paul said that his “job” was to plant, Apollos watered .. but God brought the increase.  If God’s in it, He always brings the increase … whatever that looks like.  It’s all too easy to use man’s measures of effectiveness in making a determination as to whether the work is worthy of your effort. 

Are you willing to serve with no evidence of fruit for your entire lifetime?  We do not get to dictate what the increase will look like or when it will occur.  Our obligation is go where He says go and to do what He says to do.  To live faithfully.  To focus on His will not our own. To trust Him and not ourselves.  

"Men make plans in their hearts, but God orders their steps" - Proverbs 16:9

Do we know Texas is where God wants us? Yes, for now.  Do we know what is going to happen tomorrow? No.  Men Bondye Konnen!  [Haitian Creole] But God knows! That should be good enough for us if we have indeed laid our lives down at the foot of the Cross.  The question is ... Is it? And have we. The same can be asked of you my friend. 

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

Troubled With A Divided Heart And A Double Mind

"Just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned…" - Romans 5:12

“The Bible does not say that God punished the human race for one man’s sin, but that the nature of sin, namely, my claim to my right to myself, entered into the human race through one man. But it also says that another Man took upon Himself the sin of the human race and put it away— an infinitely more profound revelation (see Hebrews 9:26). The nature of sin is not immorality and wrongdoing, but the nature of self-realization which leads us to say, “I am my own god.” This nature may exhibit itself in proper morality or in improper immorality, but it always has a common basis— my claim to my right to myself. When our Lord faced either people with all the forces of evil in them, or people who were clean-living, moral, and upright, He paid no attention to the moral degradation of one, nor any attention to the moral attainment of the other. He looked at something we do not see, namely, the nature of man (see John 2:25).

Sin is something I am born with and cannot touch— only God touches sin through redemption. It is through the Cross of Christ that God redeemed the entire human race from the possibility of damnation through the heredity of sin. God nowhere holds a person responsible for having the heredity of sin, and does not condemn anyone because of it. Condemnation comes when I realize that Jesus Christ came to deliver me from this heredity of sin, and yet I refuse to let Him do so." - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest 

“This is the condemnation [and the critical moment], that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light…” - John 3:19

 Normally I try to find a few nuggets of spiritual truth in the Chamber’s devotion as a segue into an elaboration on those spiritual truths.  And then there are times when the devotion is so rich with truth, I quote the entire devotion.  Today is such a day. The essence is this.  Man chose to go his own way in the Garden in response to Satan’s question “Did God really say you will surely die?”  In other words, “What does God know?”  After all, you know what is best for you, you don’t need God telling you what to do. “You can be your own god.”  Adam and Eve chose to believe Satan and sin entered in.  The eating the fruit was not the evil thing, it was disobedience that was evil.  Humans are capable of doing much good and much evil.  Many would like to think that the good people have a shot of getting into heaven. But ... the only way to Heaven is to be born again (John 3) by faith in Jesus (John 14) and not by trying harder (Ephesians 2).  Your desire to be your own god will haunt you until the day you see Jesus face to face. (Romans 7) You can only be successful in this new life by trusting in Jesus and keeping yours eyes on Him and your heart devoted to God.  That, my friend, doesn’t just happen, it requires a determined effort on your part.  It is important to understand your old nature and understand your new nature.  They are incompatible.  Your can’t do both.  

“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” - James 1:8

It’s up to you what you do with it. In your new life, you are called to be single minded and to love God with your whole heart.

 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 Voices

"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 shrewd in their own sight!" - Isaiah 5:20-21

It is so difficult to discern what is true and what is not. Martie and I have nearly given up watching the news. Fair and balanced is nowhere to be found. It seems everything is polarized based upon political preferences. One side is good and the other is evil, or is that the side that is good and the other side is evil? Is it possible that both sides are good? Or perhaps both are evil. It is a conundrum. (I love to use seldom used words - A conundrum, for those who are not certain, is a confusing and difficult problem or question.)

So how do we know what the truth is? With respect to life, facts fall into three categories. First are those where God has said "do these things". Second where God said, "Don't do these things." Third, God has remained silent. To not do what God says do - is sin. To do what God says not to do - is also sin. To do or not do what God has remained silent on - is not sin. Does that seem to simplistic? (Simplistic means - excessively simple or simplified : treating a problem or subject with false simplicity by omitting or ignoring complicating factors or details)

I don't think so. Now the world will disagree. Or it might say that we have misunderstood what God has said is right and wrong or upon which He has remained silent. You know that thinking and where it comes from.

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” - Genesis 3:1

We live in a secular society which is not bound by God's laws but by man's. The vast majority of the population is not motivated by the leading of the Spirit of God, but by the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, and the pride of life. Not everything done by people whose hearts do not belong to God is evil. They are capable of doing "good" things. Do you remember Jesus and the rich young man?

"And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, 'Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' And Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.'" - Mark 10:17-18

Jesus was speaking from a spiritual - eternal view of what it meant to be good. The young man was speaking from a natural - worldly view of what it meant to be good. The young man thought he was deserving of eternal life because of what he had done. Jesus told him essentially that his heart was not right. That he has busy trying to fulfill the "second greatest commandment" through self effort when he was ignoring the first, upon which the second is dependent, which is to Love God. The young man loved money more than God.

So how do we Christians live successfully and unstained in a culture that is far from God. We must exercise spiritual discernment. We only have that when our hearts are right - fully devoted to God and His precepts. We must embrace God's Word as the source of eternal truth. Truth that spans across the generations. Truth that was truth before Adam drew his first breath and will remain the Truth when the last breath is breathed.  When this planet is no more. We must embrace that truth without apology and without compromise. And trust me, we all will be challenged to apologize for our faith and compromise our beliefs for the sake of inclusion in the culture we live in. Don't do 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

Following Jesus

"And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." - Luke 9:23-24

As I have prepared to lead the Experiencing God lessons, I have been reminded of what it means to follow Jesus. Salvation is the beginning. It is a spiritual awakening. Certainly eternal life and escaping eternal damnation is significant, but there is that "taking up the cross daily". What exactly is that all about?

A Hellfire missile is what is known as "fire and forget". Once the missile is launched from the aircraft, it tracks to the target using laser energy not a pilot looking through optics until impact.  Once fired, the pilot can focus on another target or task. We can be tempted to live out our Christian lives in the same same. We get "saved" and then we can move on to something else. But that is not exactly correct - not if your intent is to follow Jesus. 

God, the Father, gave Jesus a mission. Go to earth and save the people from their sins and sin's eternal consequences. He did not say, "Let me know when you get it done." I am not being flippant here. My point is that at no point was Jesus ever acting independently from the Father. 

"Abide in me [Jesus], and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." - John 15:4-11

As Jesus looks to the Father, we look to Jesus who is a reflection of the Father.

"Philip said to him, 'Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.' Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.'" - John 14:8-10

In the process of our sanctification, we are being conformed into the image of the Son (Romans 8:29) who is the image of the Father. But sanctification is not like getting a haircut. You make an appointment, sit in the chair, the barber or hair stylist does their thing, and your "do" is done. Instead we are transformed by the renewing of our minds, daily - even moment by moment. We are to be a reflection of the Father through the Son to the glory of the Father and the good of mankind. It requires our daily attention, intention and devotion. Unlike "fire and forget" we must keep our eyes on the target all the way to Heaven.

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

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

One Way - Really?

"Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' John 14:5-6

There is a phenomenon in Houston, Texas that I have found to be amazing actually. There are frequent vehicle accidents, deadly ones, where someone was driving on the wrong side of the expressway - a divided highway - limited access - in the wrong direction when they were involved in a head-on collision.  My thought is, how did they mistake an exit ramp for an on ramp? Intoxicated - under the influence? Perhaps. Confused? Obviously. Convinced they were going in the right direction? Most likely. A fatal decision? Absolutely.

One estimate says that there are over 4200 religions in the world that are practiced by well-intentioned people. The exact number is not that important. The point is that there are millions of people "driving on the wrong side of the road in one-way traffic - headed to their doom - thinking that they are doing and believing rightly. So off they go. It proves to be a fatal decision.

If you are reading this, I would imagine that you are familiar with John 14:6 and the fact that Jesus is the only way to the Father and the only source of salvation.

"For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, 'The man who does those things shall live by them.' But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, 'Do not say in your heart, Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 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. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” - Romans 10:5-11

I most often quote just verse 8 and 9, but thought I would add some context this time. In the United States, as in many other countries, people are free to believe in and practice any of those 4200 religions. In some countries, people are not. Christians who are part of the "Way", Jesus followers, are a minority in the world. Always have been and always will be. That includes you and me. It is we Christians driving against the flow of traffic. The people practicing other religions believe there is some sort of life after death but don't believe that Jesus is the only Way to eternal life with God. 

To believe that requires a spiritual revelation. Without that revelation John14:6 is foolishness to people.

"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." - 1 Corinthians 1:18

We are to be living testimonies of the truth of the Way - that Jesus is the only way. Salt and light in a world that is speeding toward its eternal destruction. The temptation is to go with the flow of traffic. resist 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

Who Do You Pray To And Why?

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Matthew 6:5-10 

When I was a young boy, my uncle would tease me because I was always asking "why". I wanted to understand. After reading scripture about praying, one that I have read many times in the past - the question of "why" raised its head once again. So please indulge me.

I am certain that you are familiar with the Lord's prayer. I am certain that you have noticed that the exact words are not the same in Matthew and Luke. In Luke 11 the disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John [the Baptist] taught his disciples." Jesus did not say, "Ok when you pray to Me", so you would think that would be a clear indication that we should pray to the Father. 

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'" - Luke 11:2-4

But, have you ever heard someone pray to Jesus? Did you think that odd? So why did Jesus say, in John 14, that if we "ask Him anything in His name, He will do it?"

"And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask Me for anything in my name, and I will do it." - John 14:13-14 

Think about this. In it's essence praying is merely asking - having a spiritual conversation, isn't it? Have you ever heard or read the phrase, "Pray, tell me."? In other words, I am asking you to tell me. So the question, who are we to pray to, the Father, the Son, or both? As you just read, Jesus seems to tell the disciples, which includes us, to do both. Do you find that a little confusing? Frankly, I have never heard this addressed from the pulpit - have you? I would be interested to hear your thoughts. For many years, I thought that I was to pray to the Father and finish the prayer "In Jesus Name" as a way to establish my right to address God the Father - because the "blood of Jesus" and my adoption. I have been trying to sort it out. 

"In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], 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." - John 1:1-4

Jesus is part of the God-head. We tend to think of Him in terms of His earthly ministry and not the fact that before that He was in heaven with the Father and was sent to save us, then returned to sit at the right hand of the Father and making eternal intercession for us as our high priest. (Hebrews 4:14-15)

And what about the Spirit? How does the Spirit fit in all of this?

Well, we know that the Spirit was sent to be a Helper by the Father when Jesus ascended. We know that the Spirit plays a vital role in our new nature when we are born again.

"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." - John 14:26

We also know that the Spirit helps us pray those things that are too hard for us to pray.

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." - Romans 8:26-27

So the Father, Son and Spirit are involved in the act of praying. I had to walk this out in my mind - I think I have and have concluded that we should do both pray to the Father and pray to Jesus. After all prayer is simply spiritual communication with the Father and Jesus. To say that we are not to pray to Jesus is to say that we can have no communication with Him. Let me hear from 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

Expatriates In This World A Moral Minority

 "Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." - Ephesians 2:11-13

An expatriate (often shortened to expat) is a person who resides outside their native country. Martie and I lived in Haiti for four years and were considered "expats" in Haiti.  I am speaking in the natural sense. We retained our U.S. citizenship but lived temporarily in another country.  We were bound to obey the laws of the country we were living in, even though we were citizen's of another country. In a similar fashion, Christians are expatriates in the world. It does not matter what country they live in. But there is a major exception that comes to mind. We are to obey man's laws, irrespective of the country we are in, so long as they do not violate God's laws.

"Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. 'Teacher,' they said, 'we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?' But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, 'You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.' They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, 'Whose image is this? And whose inscription?' 'Caesar’s,' they replied. Then he said to them, 'So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.' When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away." - Matthew 22:15-22

In truth. there is much in the laws of the land that we live in that are not contrary to what God says is right in His sight. But there are also significant points in man's law that reflect a sinful heart and that are contrary to God's revealed will. With respect to those laws, Christians must take a stand. Should our culture make laws that are in direct contravention to God's Word, we cannot comply with those particular laws without sinning against God. 

In those cases we must exercise what is known as civil disobedience.  We must not comply with those particular laws because we are morally and spiritually opposed to what the law mandates. Like the conscientious objector refusing to bear arms in the military, we must stand our ground - even in the face of suffering punishment for our disobedience. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego come to mind. Facing the furnace and the lion's den, they stood their ground, embraced their God over the country they had been exiled to. God saw them through their punishment, but that is not to say that is always the case. 

Does this seem strange to you? Over the top - extreme? It all boils down to what you embrace to be truth. 

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

A culture that has lost its focus on God drifts away from the precepts of God and embraces the the norms of the culture.  To refuse the culture's "drink the Kool-aide", if you will, means that you will be regarded as a hater and religious fanatic. If people do things are are legal from man's perspective but are sinful from God's, you cannot keep those people from doing those things, but you also don't have to agree with them or participate in the sin. If you do stake a stand, you will find that your world shrinks and you will become aware that you are in a moral minority.

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 That You Lord? - Part 2

Part 2 of 2 Parts

Well yesterday was the backdrop. Circling back to the 3:30 that morning. I woke up to scripture - the Word of God. I will share it and then I will talk about it in the context of receiving God's invitation to join Him, a crisis of belief, faith, action and a major adjustment.

"Then Jesus answered and said: 'A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?' And he said, 'He who showed mercy on him.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise.'" - Luke 10:30-37

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." - James 1:27

"Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2

“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 they [the goats, those on His left] 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 25:37-40, 44-46

A lot to take in - but there is a thread that runs through these verses - it has to do with compassion which has to do with the two greatest commandments - the summation of all God's commandments - love God and love others.

So - what is it that God wants me - actually Martie and me - to join Him in doing? As I said, we have just started leading an Experiencing God study. I received an email through our web site from a man in Austin, Texas. His aunt, who lives in Houston lost her house through a fire. She owned her house so she received a settlement from her insurance company. That is when she "fell among thieves". An unscrupulous contractor took all of her money and only partially rebuilt her home. She lost everything in the fire and only has a shell of a house which is unlivable. 

The nephew has contacted other non-profits but they were unwilling to help.  They walked on the other side of the road. Most, if not all, of the funding for rebuilds is designated for Hurricane Harvey or Winter Storm Uri damaged and cannot be used for other purposes. The loss of a home due to fire is not covered. The organizations the nephew contacted, apparently, were unwilling to "get out of the boat."

This week, I told the people in the study that "You can't lead where you won't go", "You can't teach what you don't know." and "You can only recreate what you are". It was what we called "Eating your own dog food" when I worked in IT at Gunter Annex for the Air Force. With respect to disaster relief, Martie and I were thinking that we had run the course. We figured that we had fought the good fight. We had kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7). We are confident, convinced even, that God is not done with us serving, but we thought we were done with home rebuilding.   But then like the TV commercial selling something for 2 easy payments of $19.95 plus shipping an handling, God said, "But wait, there's more." 

So we find ourselves, once again, at a crisis of belief. We know it is God speaking, the question is, "Are we willing to exercise faith and take action which will require an adjustment in our live and ministry focus?" A song just came to mind that describes our response.

"Yes Lord Yes, to Your will and to Your way. Yes, Lord, Yes I will trust you and obey. When Your Spirit speaks to me with my whole heart I'll agree and I will answer, Yes, Lord, Yes."

What can we do but say "yes"? 

Now what to do. Well - first of all we must validate what we have been told as true. Given that her circumstances are validated, then we must meet with the Aunt and assess her home. Determine must be done to restore her home to a livable condition. What we call sanitary, safe, and secure - no extreme make overs. Then we can determine the cost of the work to be done. Then we will make the need known to the Saints. Where God guides - God provides. We are hesitant to make a commitment to her until we know that God will provide the resources to complete the work. But we also know that we cannot experience God until we step out of the boat by faith in obedience to His calling. Such are the uncertainties when you cross the road to help someone in the ditch. 

"So He [Jesus] said, 'Come.' And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!' And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased." - Matthew 14:30-32

 If we know it's God, why do we doubt God? Oh, you know the answer!

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 That You Lord? - Part 1

(Part 1 of 2 Parts)

"Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel answered, 'Speak, for Your servant hears.' Then the Lord said to Samuel: 'Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.'" - 1 Samuel 3:10-11

It is 3:30 in the morning. Like Samuel, the Lord woke me up. What I "heard" in my mind was scripture, which I will share in a bit. I think I will have to break this up into two parts - there is much to share with you.

Martie and I have been on a journey of faith since 1992 I suppose when the Lord called us away from the military. It was not until some years later did we have perspective or understanding of the life that God was actually calling us to. We are but two small fish in the sea of time - we know that. But still - God uses small things to accomplish spiritually big things for His purpose and glory.

We have just started teaching Experiencing God for the third time. The principles or spiritual realities that are the pillars of that study are not merely conceptual for us, but are a very real part of our lives. Like the laws of nature - there are observable spiritual laws or principles at work in the lives of those who have been born again by the Spirit and are adopted into the family of God.

To reduce the "study" to its essence, God speaks - but we are not always certain that it is God. When we finally understand that it is God speaking to us, like with Samuel - and Paul on the road to Damascus - and so many others in the Bible, God's invitation to join Him brings us to a Crisis of Belief that requires faith and action. In other words we have to trust God by faith. Based upon that trust, we must take some action to join God in what He is calling us to.

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

The idea of faith has been rightfully used and has been abused. Used as a reason to act in ways that defy natural wisdom and logic. Abused to justify acts that are based solely on natural or carnal motivations. The litmus test to determine which motivation is at the root of an action is the fruit - is God glorified and the good of others promoted - or is it all about my glory and my good. A lot of people have used the name of God to justify their actions over the years, when God was not part of it at all.

The actions that we must take to do what God has said do will always require major adjustments in our lives. The question is - will we trust God and step out of the boat.

"And Peter answered Him and said, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.' So He said, 'Come.' And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!'" - Matthew 14:28-30

Just to make it clear - people cannot, naturally, walk on water. But you know that by experience don't you? Peter's actions were conditional - "Lord, if it is You." God never asks us to do anything that we can do on our own - it always requires His intervention. I just had a conversation about not being told how to do something but just tell me what you want done and I will get it done. That may work in the natural world, but not in the spiritual realm. We are totally dependent upon the power of God at work in and through us. We don't experience God until we obey God.

Peter was walking on the water by faith and by the power of the One who had command over the water molecules that formed a liquid but behaved under Peter's feet as if they were a solid. 

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

Sin's Collateral Damage

"You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments." - Deuteronomy 5:8-10

Sometimes the Lord lays words on my heart that are a little too close to home.  Today is one of those days.  In the song “Even If” by Mercy Me, a verse goes “night after night, reminding the broken it'll be alright But right now, oh right now I just can't” It’s one thing to tell someone else to have faith – to walk by that faith – to abandon the old nature and embrace the new.  The teller must also be the doer.  Everything that I write, first applies to me then to others.

Some years ago, I was visiting my mom, a godly woman, wonderful Christian, and  I mentioned the idea of generational sin.  Not the idea that the following generations would be punished for their father’s sins, but that the consequences of those sins could and would reverberate through the generations.  The Bible says that we are each responsible for our own sins.  Apparently, she thought I was being accusatorial and was trying to make her feel guilty because of the life choices she had made, marrying and then divorcing my biological father. She totally missed my point and the conversation did not go well, to say the least. As a parent, you don’t want to think that what you do or don’t do might impact your children in a negative way.  That your sins are not self-contained. But, once the "sin-bomb" is dropped there is going to be collateral damage. The reality is …. not only are our sins not hidden from God, the consequences of those sins are not limited to the one who commits them.

It’s one thing to be forgiven for my sins – it’s entirely a different thing to be relieved of the consequences of those sins.  The Bible does not promise that, although I think most people prefer the latter over the former.  Sin forgiveness – yes – consequence avoidance – no!  The truth is that you will most likely be required to live with the consequences and so might those whom your sins affected. Like your family.

That is what my mom did not want to receive and neither do any of us for that matter. She loved her children and would not want any harm to come to them. Realizing the far reaching effects of my sin brings on guilt feelings and nobody likes that.  It was hard for her and for us to accept that choices – actions – sins – could have a negative consequence in the lives of those we loved.  Before I continue, let me make it clear, I believe that each of us are responsible for our own sins – each of us is born with a sin nature.  We don’t need anyone to teach us to sin. – it comes naturally.  But – we don’t live in a glass bubble.  The consequences of what we do, both good and bad, ripple out from our lives.  If you toss a pebble into a pond – notice that the ripples are bigger the closer they are to where the pebble stuck the water.  Same goes for the effects of sin and those who are closest to you.

Martie and I lived on a lake for a few years, think cabin.  If I was fishing and a boat passed by  - the wake from that boat caused waves and they rocked my boat.  On weekends – there were so many boats on the water and so much wake was produced that the water became choppy making it impossible to fish.  That is what it is like when an entire culture is given over to sin – that is what it is like in our culture today.  So many ripples – so many waves – so much turbulence – so many consequences felt through the generations.  

So ….. back to the point – which is not to make you feel guilty – but to give you insight into just how far reaching our personal sin can be.  How significant it is that we have a Savior who is our Hope – and how our trying to avoid the consequences of our sins is hopeless.  

We all have regrets.  We all wish that some things about our lives and our relationships were different.  Our lives are proof that the world without Jesus is broken.  Accepting the truth that you cannot sin in isolation should help you want to draw closer to the Lord – perhaps see the world differently.  Maybe have the same compassion for people that the Lord has.  What I have written may not convince you.  Maybe it will remind you that sin is a big deal and has consequences – unintended consequences.  It may not convict you – but perhaps it will make you think – remember – and repent. It did for me! 

And one more thing. You can't blame your sin on your parents or any one else - just you. The answer is simple - His name is 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

Cannot Light a Fire With Wet Wood

"work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life" - Philippians 2:12-16

There was a slogan that I learned while on staff with Promise Keepers, "You can't TEACH what you don't know. You can't LEAD where you won't go. And you can only RECREATE what you are." That has to do with the context of our new life in Christ and the demonstration of our faith in the way we live and do to our family and the world around us.

Many of my devotions of late have been warnings about the negative influence of the world on our lives as Christians - lights in the world. Many Christians have lanterns ( they are saved) but their lanterns are not lit by the Spirit of God through faith and obedience. As a pastor friend used to say, "Their wood is wet!" Have you ever tried to start a fire with wet wood?

We are living in the midst of "a crooked and perverse generation". Not much has changed since Paul's time has it? And my friend, the world is watching us. Perhaps not for the reason you might think. It is waiting for us to prove that you and I are really no different from them - that our faith has no value. Someone once posed the question, "If you were charged with being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" That evidence is the light Paul wrote to the Philippians about. Listen ...

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." - Matthew 5:13-14

And how do we get the fire going? It starts loving God and ends with loving others.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:34-35

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

Spirit Of The Age

"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others." - Ephesians 2:1-3

Looking for discussions of the Spirit of the Age, a topic raised during the sermon last Sunday, I "stumbled" across this quote from a book, Slaying Dragons, by a South African evangelist, Daniel Kolenda. 

"Zeitgeist [zite-guyst] is a German word that literally means time-spirit. It refers to the spirit of the times, or the spirit of the age. In other words, it is the attitude or mood of a culture during a particular time period that gives rise to its unique values and beliefs. When cultural eras shift in the world, it can feel as if an invisible hand is pushing things along. This is both figuratively and literally the spirit of the age.

The zeitgeist in one era and in one place might be better or worse than that of another time or location. Yet there is an interesting way in which the zeitgeist of each era most often seems to find itself in opposition to the Christian worldview. There is a consistent theme of antipathy for Christ and all that He stands for. This hatred is both implicit and explicit." - Daniel Kolenda, "Slaying Dragons"

In the Old Testament there was a cycle for Israel in which there was a generation that knew God, a generation that knew about God and a generation that did not know God. The lesson, people are "prone to wander" away from God. I have used the analogy of the "frog in the pot" to describe the insidious nature of the "zeitgeist's" influence on what is truth and what is acceptable in the world. Martie and I love murder mysteries. Particularly those on British television.  Something we have noticed in virtually all of the programs is the gradual introduction of zeitgeist in the programming. It might be profanity. One season will have none. The next will have occasional mild profanity. But by then, you are hooked on the characters and the context of the mysteries and are tempted to make excuses for the profanity. In another program, that characters started with one gay male character. Then the parson "came out of the closet". Next the congregation accepted the parson's sexual orientation and he married another man. The program never missed a beat with respect to the "Who Dunnit" portion of the program. So the temptation is to ignore the zeitgeist and keep watching.

We have a plaque next to our television with a quote from Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, Guard your heart." As a constant reminder that the television, and our computers and phones are portals through which Satan can get a foothold. (Ephesians 4:27)

We tried to watch the latest Jurassic Park movie with our family - including three of our great grand children. Profanity right out of the shoot! So goodbye to Jurassic Park. Funny thing is, the profanity did not add to the story line. But something I learned in the Army - If I ignore a violation of a standard (in this case the Bible and the Spirit of God) then, in doing so, I establish a new standard.  People are watching - children are watching. Had we not taken a stand on what is appropriate language then we would have told our family - the children, those words are acceptable. There is a command and a promise in Philippians 4:8-9.

"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 4:8-9

And there is an admonition and provision given to us Ephesians 6 as well. 

"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. 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 6:10-18

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

Looking Back At Sodom

"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. ....  So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.'" - Luke 14:25-27, 33 

"And another also said, 'Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.' But Jesus said to him, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.'” - Luke 9:61-62

So what do those verses have to do with Sodom and Lot's wife? At the root it is about devotion of the heart. When people are trying to change their lives - perhaps after incarceration or struggling with some addiction, they are told they need to change the people, places, and things that facilitated the problems in their lives. So they might change the places but gravitate to the same type of people that enabled whatever it was that led to their troubles. "Bad company corrupts good character." (1 Corinthians 15:33) They understood that they need to change all three but something was drawing them back - that something is the devotion of their hearts. To be successful they need a heart change. The change must start from the inside out and not the other way around.

As Christians, our new life requires that we abandon all that stands between us and God. We can't do that on our own and yet God does do it on His own. Many Christians try to live with a divided heart. Wanting to embrace both God and the world. The Bible is clear about the truth concerning the outcome.

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth" - Matthew 6:24

The principle here is about a divided heart. Money or wealth, some translations use the word "mammon", is not the only thing that can divide a Christian's heart. I often quote Matthew 22:37-39. I think that we tend trivialize what "all" means with respect to our devotion to God. We ask the question that the serpent asked in the Garden, "Did God really say?". Take Luke 14 as an example.  Did God really say that we had to hate our family? No, what He said was that you must love God more and, yes, choose Him over your family, if it comes to that. 

Dr. Henry Blackaby, in Experiencing God, wrote about hearing God's voice; "When God spoke they knew it. They knew what God was saying. They knew what they were to do in response." The question is always - "Would they be obedient?" It is the same question for us. We are not obedient because our hearts are divided. Part of us is remains devoted to "Sodom". What is your Sodom? We all struggle with something - or more than one something. [In ancient Greek and Roman literature, the Sirens were creatures who were half-woman and half-bird. Their enchanting song was said to lure sailors to their deaths in dangerous waters.] Like the song of the Sirens, our worldly devotions will lead us away from God, while we have convinced ourselves that "It's really OK and not a spiritual danger." Be alert for the temptation to look back at Sodom.

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 Key To Prosperity and Success

"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." - Joshua 1:7-8

Everyone wants to be successful in life, to live without worry about their future, don't you think? How do you measure success in your life? In your new life. The one you have been living since you were born again by faith. The one based upon what God - the One who created you from dust has deemed to be important. Do you think it strange that Jesus didn't say that there were three great commandments upon which the whole law was hanging? (Matthew 22) Love God, Love Others, and accumulate possessions and money.  

I remember an illustrative story about a man who wrote in his will that all of his wealth would be converted to gold bars and put in his coffin. He died and his final wishes were fulfilled. As he approached St. Peter at the gates of heaven, he was dragging his coffin behind him. St. Peter asked, "So what is in the box?" To which the man replied, "Everything that I treasured while I was on earth." St. Peter looked in the casket then looked at the man - confused and said, "Pavement?" What the world considers prosperity and success, what is right and responsible, is not how God sees it.

"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." - 1 John 2:15-16

My point is not whether you have money or possessions - but does the money and possessions have you? What is your happiness, your feeling of well-being contingent upon? 

When 2 Corinthians 5:17 speaks of old things passing away - that includes allowing the things of this world to captivate your heart. To become your god - your source of provision - what you put your faith in. My encouragement to you.

"Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4

In the context of the previous verse references, I believe that if you turn your focus God-ward then, in the process, God will change you heart so that you desire what He desires. Your joy and fulfillment will be independent of your social and financial standing and dependent upon your relationship with the Lord.

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

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

What Are You Talking About And With Whom?

 "As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." - Proverbs 27:17

I first became aware of that verse in 1993 at a Promise Keeper's conference in Boulder, CO.  It was in the context of the importance of having meaningful relationships with other Christians. So many Christians live like spiritual monks or hermits. They are isolated from other Christians Monday through Saturday and then spend one or two hours on Sunday morning - breathing the same air with other Christians but not getting much past the "Hi how are you" "I'm fine!" grip and grin. 

For men and women to be spiritually healthy there must be more to our relationships with other Christians than that. But - at the same time - many of us don't give God much more time than that do we? That is not a criticism - though it may feel like it - if so, sorry. What I am attempting to do is to raise an awareness that if you have isolated yourself - it is a spiritually dangerous place to be. I recall a story about Chuck Colson, the founder of Prison Fellowship International. He was President Richard M. Nixon's White House counsel and hatchet man, and served time in a federal prison camp for a Watergate-related crime. As a new Christian, Chuck Colson voluntarily pled guilty to obstruction of justice in 1974 and served seven months in Alabama’s Maxwell Prison for his part in the Watergate scandal. He said, “I found myself increasingly drawn to the idea that God had put me in prison for a purpose and that I should do something for those I had left behind.” But I digress. 

As the story goes, Chuck was talking to a man who said he didn't need other Christians - he just needed Jesus. Chuck walked over to his fireplace and pulled on ember out the blazing fire. He just stared at the single ember until the ember went dark. He looked at his friend and said, "and that is what happens to Christians who convince themselves that they don't need other Christians in their lives." It is all about the One-Anothers!

"Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." - Colossians 3:16

"Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

"exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." - Hebrews 3:13

"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24-25

"pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." - James 5:16

"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous" - 1 Peter 3:8

"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." - 1 Peter 4:10

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

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

Staying In Tune So The World Can Hear God's Song

They said to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die." —Exodus 20:19

“We don’t consciously and deliberately disobey God— we simply don’t listen to Him. God has given His commands to us, but we pay no attention to them— not because of willful disobedience, but because we do not truly love and respect Him. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).  We show how little love we have for God by preferring to listen to His servants rather than to Him. We like to listen to personal testimonies, but we don’t want God Himself to speak to us. Why are we so terrified for God to speak to us? It is because we know that when God speaks we must either do what He asks or tell Him we will not obey. But if it is simply one of God’s servants speaking to us, we feel obedience is optional, not imperative. We respond by saying, “Well, that’s only your own idea, even though I don’t deny that what you said is probably God’s truth.”” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

I am certain that you know already how it is that God speaks to us.  By His Spirit, through prayer, the Word, circumstances, and other believers (the Church).  With all four ways, the enabler, the conduit, is the Spirit.  Our relationship with the Father is a spiritual one not a physical one.  I know, I know, tell you something that you don’t already know.  The problem is not in the knowing .. it’s in the remembering and after the remembering in the obeying.  To receive what the Spirit says to you, you must be in tune with the Spirit.  In other words, your heart must be right.  You must be ready and willing to hear.  Some years ago, a friend of mine and I were preaching at a revival at a small church in Mississippi. He was also responsible for leading the singing.  He had brought his guitar and his two sons with him.  Unbeknownst to him, while he was speaking, his sons detuned his guitar .. not maliciously, but out of curiosity and innocence.  All was well until he played the first chord.  A strange noise came from the guitar that did not sound at all like a “C” chord. There were 6 strings on the guitar.  His fingers were in the right place on the fret board.  But the guitar was mis-tuned.  Being fast on his feet, he announced that we would sing acapella that night.

In the same way, you can be in the right place … in church, Bible study, quiet time, prayer closet .. where ever, but if your heart is not in tune with God … because of unconfessed sin perhaps… or you are self-focused and not God-focused, when the Spirit speaks … you won’t hear a “C” chord.  Your heart will resonate something else.  

 “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” - Galatians 5:24-25

Before a performance musicians check the tuning of their instruments.  It sounds like a jumble of sounds if there is more than one instrument as each musician prepares for the performance.  But then, the conductor gets their attention by tapping on the podium with his baton, the orchestra becomes silent in submission to the conductor and everyone plays together in harmony - in tune.  What was noise, a cacophony,  becomes a thing of beauty.  When we obey the Spirit .. when we are in tune with God, our lives become a thing a beauty and shine like the morning sun in a dark and desperate world.  So tune up my friend … this world needs to hear your song.

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

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

Jumping In The Deep End With Your Eyes Open

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…. likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. —Luke 14:26-27, 33

“If the closest relationships of a disciple’s life conflict with the claims of Jesus Christ, then our Lord requires instant obedience to Himself. Discipleship means personal, passionate devotion to a Person— our Lord Jesus Christ. … To be a disciple is to be a devoted bondservant motivated by love for the Lord Jesus. Many of us who call ourselves Christians are not truly devoted to Jesus Christ.” OSWALD CHAMBERS

What are you willing to give up for your faith .. to follow Jesus in obedience to what He has called you to do?  Do you remember the first time you did something even though you were afraid to do it?  Maybe jumping into a swimming pool at the deep end.  With your eyes open! I was talking with one of my great-grandsons this past weekend.  He told me that he had been swimming in a pool at the deep end - 8 feet. Next he was going to swim in 10 feet of water. I thought about explaining that being in 5 feet of water was the same as ten feet when you are on 4 feet tall. But I didn't. I didn't want to rob him of his moment of accomplishment. He had overcome his fear of the water.  

That may seem a trivial example, but doing that required him to go against what his mind was telling him not to do.  In a similar way, we face that battle when the Lord calls us to do something that our mind is telling us not to do.  Jesus did not say you must hate your family and friends.  But, He did say your love for them when compared to your love for Him should look like hate because there is such a huge difference between them. God will always ask you to jump into the deep end of the pool … trusting Him alone.  He will and does ask you to abandon your earthly affections in favor of your heavenly ones.  Each of us knows exactly what those affections or fears are in our lives.  Maybe it means to leave your nets and the family business like Peter and John.  Maybe to stop associating with some people or stop doing some things.  It’s different for each of us but requires the same faith by all of us.

Remember, you can’t do what God asks of you on your own.  God never asks you to do anything for Him on your own, in your own strength.  He says follow My Son.  When you jump into the pool you are holding Jesus’ hand.  Oh, that just reminded me of a song … please indulge me for a moment ..   

“As I travel through this pilgrim land .. There is a friend who walks with me

Leads me safely through the sinking sand … It is the Christ at Calvary

This would be my prayer, dear Lord, each day .. You help me do the best I can

For I need Thy light to guide me day and night … Blessed Jesus, hold my hand

Jesus, hold my hand … For I need Thee every hour

Through this pilgrim land … Protect me by Thy power

Hear my feeble plea O Lord, look down on me

When I kneel in prayer I hope to meet You there

Blessed Jesus, hold my hand” Albert E. Brumley, Jr.

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 Temptation To Jump Off A Bridge

"I am already being poured out as a drink offering…" —2 Timothy 4:6

“Are you ready to be poured out as an offering? It is an act of your will, not your emotions. Tell God you are ready to be offered as a sacrifice for Him. Then accept the consequences as they come, without any complaints, in spite of what God may send your way. God sends you through a crisis in private, where no other person can help you. From the outside your life may appear to be the same, but the difference is taking place in your will. Once you have experienced the crisis in your will, you will take no thought of the cost when it begins to affect you externally. If you don’t deal with God on the level of your will first, the result will be only to arouse sympathy for yourself. You must be willing to be placed on the altar and go through the fire; willing to experience what the altar represents— burning, purification, and separation for only one purpose— the elimination of every desire and affection not grounded in or directed toward God. But you don’t eliminate it, God does.  After you have gone through the fire, there will be nothing that will be able to trouble or depress you. When another crisis arises, you will realize that things cannot touch you as they used to do. What fire lies ahead in your life?” - Oswald Chambers, My  Utmost For His Highest

Has your new life in Christ made a difference in the way you live .. in what you value .. in what you do?   Making the transition from the old nature to the new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17)  is troublesome for most Christians.  Embracing the idea of being forgiven and going to heaven is easy compared to submitting your will everyday .. every moment.  It is easy compared to turning away from your culture, your natural preferences.  The thing is .. many Christians don’t even realize they are struggling with following the crowd.  The reason is that so many “are” doing that.  Did your mom ever ask you in response to your saying “all my friends are doing it”, “If your friends jumped off of a bridge would you too?” We have been called to follow after God, but we most often choose to follow people instead.  The Bible says not to give Satan a foothold in your life.  

"Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesian 4: 27-32

But what if the other Christians you hang out with are doing some of those things?  Are they really that bad?  Watching the wrong things, saying the wrong things … doing the wrong things … Good question.  In fact that question has been asked many times over the centuries.  The first time was in the Garden.  “Did God really say you will surely die?”  When you ask the question you are suggesting that God is wrong in telling you no.  Listen .. It is easier to give in to sin than it is to the Holy Spirit.  You don’t have to fight your natural will when you do.  I am not trying to send you on a guilt-trip, but want to challenge you to consider where you are in your spiritual walk.  What needs to change?  You don’t know?  Read the word and pray about it.  The Spirit of God will reveal it to you.  Will you lay your life down on the altar. 

 “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” - Matthew 16:25

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 - God's Artistic Expression

"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 22:35-39

I was wondering what I would write about for tomorrow's devotion. Today I took Martie to the Van Gogh : Immersive Experience, downtown. She is reading a book about Van Gough's life. I knew about his ear being cut off, but that was about it. So what did I learn? His dad was a Dutch Reformed Church Pastor (think John Calvin). He grew up in the Netherlands he developed a fervent faith, and a passion for ministry. He wanted to study theology, but failing the seminary entrance exam, he instead became a missionary to coal miners in Belgium. Vincent wrote to a friend: 'Christ alone, of all the philosophers, magicians, etc., has affirmed eternal life as the most important certainty, the infinity of time, the futility of death, the necessity and purpose of serenity and devotion. He [Jesus] lived serenely, as an artist greater than all other artists, scorning marble and clay and paint, working in the living flesh.' Vincent had escalating mental problems that plagued him throughout his adult life and may have eventually led to his untimely death. So I ask you, is it possible for a "true" Christian to follow such an unstable path? - Think about that! You can add a comment with your opinion if you like - preferring scriptural support.

I saw a number of quotes by Van Gogh displayed at the showing. A couple in particular caught my eye, but one, specifically, will help me get to the point of this devotion. (and I hear everyone sigh a sigh of relief!) 

“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” ― Vincent Van Gogh

Just think about that in the context of the two greatest commandments in Matthew 22. The love we have for God is of a Spiritual nature and out of that love relationship flowers love for others. God is so creative - artistic, if you will.  His creativity, fully expressed, is Agape love. 9We tend to give God credit for the beauty in nature - but frankly, that pales in comparison to love.) And so the supreme artistic expression for Christians is loving other people. Which we can only do when we fully embrace God with all of our being - with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

"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. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away." - 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

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

Does God Hear Me When I Pray?

"In that day you will ask in My name…" —John 16:26

“Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). Then why should we ask? The point of prayer is not to get answers from God, but to have perfect and complete oneness with Him. If we pray only because we want answers, we will become irritated and angry with God. We receive an answer every time we pray, but it does not always come in the way we expect, and our spiritual irritation shows our refusal to identify ourselves truly with our Lord in prayer. We are not here to prove that God answers prayer, but to be living trophies of God’s grace.” OSWALD CHAMBERS

There is a very subtle implication in what Chambers said.  If my grandson was to go to someone who lives on our block and ask for $20 so he can take his girlfriend to the movies, he would most likely be turned away.  The reason? That person has no connection with my grandson and no obligation to give him anything. He might even be told, “Go ask someone in your own family.”  Jesus said “your Father”.  Jesus was saying for those whose Father is the Creator God, He knows what His children need, before they ask. Well, what about those who are not His children? I refer you back to my grandson.

We don’t like to think about God turning people away, us in particular.  Especially when people, we, are in trouble. Martie and I were called to Illinois recently.  Some years back, my oldest sister was in the hospital.  She was in trouble, medically speaking.  Things did not look good.  The doctors did not have much hope.  The family was frantic.  Her husband was desperate for answers.  They were reluctantly coming to grips with the fact that end of my sister’s life here on earth was coming to an end.  My sister is a Believer and she has hope beyond this life. She couldn’t talk because of the tube in her lungs, so she wrote a note on her tablet to me, “I may be going to heaven today.”  Her husband and daughter asked me to pray for her … every day I was there, several times a day.  I rallied the Saints that we know across the U.S. to pray for her. My two brothers headed to Peoria to be with the family in anticipation of her passing.  There was a lot of weeping.

And then something happened.  God showed up!  The nurse put a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) wristband on her.  When the doctor removed the tube, to their surprise, Sherry started breathing on her own.  She needed supplemental oxygen, but she needed that before this hospital visit.  The first time they tried to remove the tube she had a minor heart attack and could not breath so they had put the tube back in.  God heard the prayers of the Saints.  I believe that He restored my sister, not only for her good, but for His glory. 

She has since passed. Just as we all will one day. The Bible says "It is given unto [everyone] once to die and then the judgement." Hebrews 9:27. We know that one day, we will all pass from this life. God doesn't tell us when, where, or how - just that it is inevitable. The only question will be - what eternal thing will happen after that. Is our final destination Heaven or Hell?

Sherrie passed away from her physical maladies not so long ago. Her healing in the hospital allowed her to live for several more years. Not without many more emergencies. But her faith was clarified and God was glorified. 

For Christians, Paul said “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8)  During the course of this time with my sister, someone said, half joking, “I hope my faith is real.” Dr. Del Tackett, from Focus on the Family, asked the question “Do you believe that what you believe is really real” Do 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