Do You See What I See?

"Then they also will answer, 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, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'" - Matthew 25:44-45

I was scrolling through my Facebook, oh what is the word,  uh "wall" I think. I saw a post about a development in Florida in an area that was largely untouched by the recent hurricanes.  Life as "normal" for those folks. And yet, not far away from there, life is far from normal.  The world for many people has been turned upside down. Scraping by from check to check, month to month. Living in conditions that many would consider to be un-livable. Happy to have a roof over their heads, even if it leaks - willing to breathe in mold spores every night while they sleep in that house because homelessness is their only other choice. 

I find that most people prefer to be voyeurs. Not the perverted kind - but people who see or are, at least, aware of the trouble others face and yet they "walk on the other side of the road". They think it is a shame it happened, but it really is not their problem. But Jesus brings it into perspective for us. When we ignore those people or dismiss their trouble as of no business of ours, we dismiss Jesus. What! Oh we would never want to do that! So we compromise. Tell you what - I will pray for them. Or at least think about them - even though that thought doesn't last any longer than the next news story. 

We have been considering going to Florida to help there - actually the consideration is over. The decision is made. I have been painfully aware that while we deliberate over it - people are struggling every day. Martie and I are not super heroes - far from it. We know that if God calls us to some place on this planet - He is already there and He is the Provider. He doesn't need us, but He chooses to use us. He always calls you and me to do more than is humanly possible because He will do a work through us and in us. 

It was not that those people Jesus was talking to did not see the need in Matthew 25 - it is that they didn't care about other people - remember the second greatest commandment. Loving others is a result of our first loving God. And just like James said about faith, faith without works (the natural product of faith) is a dead faith. If we fail to love others then it reveals a lack of love for God - which is the first greatest commandment.

"If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen." - 1 John 4:20

Hmmmm! Not much wiggle room there. I guess the bottom line is this Christian. Don't do what I do. Do what God tells you to do - whatever that is. Don't harden your heart to others. Soften your heart toward God and then yield to His leading. Then you will here the Spirit say - 

"This is the way, walk in it" - Isaiah 30:21

Open you ears so you can hear and your eyes so you can see. 

"Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear." - Matthew 13:14-16

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

Cherry Picking God's Commands

"For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51:16-17

Are you familiar with the term "cherry picking"? If not, it means that someone picks what looks good to them and leaves what does not. So what does "cherry picking" and "a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart" have to do with each other? Glad you asked!

In Psalm 51, King David was referring to being submitted to God. A heart that is not broken before God is full of pride. Rather than submit to the will of God, the person resists - goes the way that seems right to them. 

Like in the Book of Judges, "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." They had no earthly king so them acted as they saw fit. And yet, they were still under God's authority. As Christians we must be on our guard against compromising our relationship with God who is the supreme authority and law giver. It is too easy to ignore or selectively disobey God. In fact it can seem very reasonable to us. We often minimize the significance of choosing to disobey what we know is right in favor of what God has clearly said is wrong.

"For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it." - James 2:10

This is not about living in fear of sinning. My point is that we must be careful that we don't willingly commit sins just because it convenient (the easy way) or conventional (everyone is doing it). Speeding comes to mind. Speed limits are in place for a purpose - safety. It is convenient and conventional to ignore the speed limits. Just drive in Houston and you will see. Sometimes when everyone is driving faster than the speed limit, not to drive with traffic at the higher speed with them can be hazardous.  But let someone see a police car and then watch the brake lights come on. The people know that it is unlawful to speed but they will so long as they think law enforcement is not watching. Same thing with God. If we think that God is not watching then we might choose to "speed". The problem is - Christian - that you are sealed with the Spirit of God. You are a temple of the Holy Spirit. There is not time when God is not with you. The thing is - you are not sensitive to His presence. But as soon as you are - the brake lights come on.

There is a saying, "You can make me do it, but you can't make me like it!" Speeders don't like it if they have to slow down so they don't get a ticket. They may be driving their car at the speed limit but their hearts are still speeding. And as soon as they think it is safe, Katie bar the door, they put the pedal to the metal. As a Christian, if you find obedience to the Word as troublesome or inconvenient, if you would prefer to speed, you have a love problem. 

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments." - John 14:15

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

No Time For God Then And Now

"She [Mary] wrapped him [Jesus] in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." Luke 2:7

I heard an interesting perspective on the account of why Jesus was born in a manger, no crib for his head. I am quite certain that you have either read or heard being read the verses associated with the birth of Jesus in Luke chapter 2. They are the "go-to" verses at Christmas. I heard them the last Sunday, but they settled in my heart in a different way this year. Think about it. But first read these verses.

"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." - John 3:14-21

So God, the Father, sent God the Son to Earth for the good of mankind. And what was the world's response? "No room for You God!" Things have not changed much have they? The world does not have time for God. It wants nothing to do with God. The world crucified God's greatest gift - Jesus. But as with Joseph and his brothers, "What men meant for evil, God meant for good!" Genesis 50:20; had Jesus not been crucified there would have been no perfect sacrifice. Without a perfect sacrifice there would be no salvation. Without salvation there would be no eternal life. We who have eternal hope would be without hope.

And still, today, perhaps more than ever, the world tells God that there is no room for Him or His Son. The world does not understand its folly as it persists in hating the light. But we do. Remember that it was not all that long ago that we were also in darkness. Standing with the crowd yelling "Crucify Him". We had no time for God and no place in our hearts for His Son.

The world celebrates Christmas but worships their god - which is money, not Jesus. It is Santa Clause not the Holy Spirit that brings peace and joy to men's hearts. Even if it is only for a moment until the credit card bills arrive. They buy what they can't afford to find happiness that they can't keep.  Those gifts will wilt on the vine before the week is out. I see commercials that glorify getting 10 more points on someone's credit score. Why? Because with a higher credit score, you can go deeper in debt. 

"You [Christian] are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." - Matthew 5:13-15

Be the Light! Point people to Jesus as they run straight toward the gates of hell.

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 Is The Boss Of Me?

"The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith." - Matthew 8:8-10

I have always loved this account of the centurion and Jesus. As a soldier, the centurion understood authority and recognized those who had legitimate authority.  Authority is the power to enforce laws, exact obedience, command, determine, or judge. In the military, we are taught that you can delegate authority but not responsibility. Jesus was given all authority by God the Father. The Father delegated the authority to the Son, but the Father retained His sovereignty - responsibility if you will. The centurion recognized that authority and submitted to it.

"I [Paul] pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." - Ephesians 1:18-23

Jesus has all authority over us. So like those under the authority of the centurion, when Jesus says "‘Go,’ ... we go; and, ‘Come,’ and we come. When God says to his servants, ‘Do this,’ and we do it.” Right. I mean isn't how that you respond to God? No question - no grumbling - just obedience - right? Or not. 

 “If you love me [Jesus], keep my commands." - John 14:15

Obedience is proof of our love for God. If we have an obedience problem, it is because we have a love problem. When I joined the Army, I took an oath of allegiance. To support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic and to obey the orders of the President and the officers appointed over me. I made a solid promise to submit to the lawful authority of my superiors. The Army held me to that oath - even to the point where my disobedience could result in a court martial.  

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Do you remember when you were saved? Do you know what it was that you committed to on that day when you swore your allegiance by faith to God? To submit to God as the supreme authority over your life.  Did you mean 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

You Are Done When God Says Your Done

“Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.” Isaiah 46:4

I think that most people look forward to the day when they don't have to work anymore. They can sit back and enjoy the fruit of their labor. So long as their tree still has fruit on it and their health has held up so they are not bound to a walker or a bed or worse. There is a point where those with "grey hair" are put out to pasture having outlived their "usefulness". Our culture has assigned an age limit on how useful a person is. They are labeled "seniors", which is a euphemism for no longer relevant. Even the churches herd the seniors into rooms and groups of like kind as if they have nothing to offer the younger people or the world, for that matter. Many of the younger persuasion believe that understanding the latest technology is indicative of a person's level of wisdom and relevance. If you are thinking "that is not a true measure of relevance" - Good! Because it is not.

Martie came across Isaiah 46:4 in her treasure trove of notes and musings the other day and shared it with me in the context of what you must know about by now - our pending trip to Florida - not to retire but to assist in the disaster response.  We both will be 73 in 2023. 73! Why would God want to call us out of the seniors class to go to Florida? Maybe because He has not called us off of the field to sit on the bench - just yet. You either!

Martie came across some other verses that a friend shared some years ago in the context of how that friend and her husband were serving others when they were about our current age. I pluralized the verse :)

"Whom have [we] in heaven but You?  And there is none upon earth that [we] desire besides You. [Our] flesh and [our] heart[s] fail; But God is the strength of [our] heart[s] and [our] portion forever. But it is good for [us] to draw near to God; [we] have put [our] trust in the Lord God, That [we] may declare all Your works.” Psalm 73:25,26,28

So what is my point? None of us are done serving until God says that we are done - not our culture. Don't be tempted to say no to God so you can say "yes" to an easier self-focused life. A friend commented about our serving. "Y’all’s life has been an example to us and many others of service to God whatever it takes." I told him that "Every Christian has a place and purpose in the Body of Christ.  Our job is to fulfill God’s purposes in that place.  Whatever that means, wherever that takes us, whenever it happens no matter where we are in life."

You may not have grey hair - but this applies to your life as well, both personally, and how you view other people - maybe your parents. (that was a shout out to our children) 

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 Is Your Brother's Keeper - Uh - You!

"Then He [Jesus] 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 25:41-46

Hurricane Ian struck Florida in September 2022. The historic storm caused over $50 billion in damage, more than any disaster in U.S. history other than Hurricane Katrina. The news coverage lasted about 2 months if that. The attention span of the American public not quite that long. Talking to someone the other day, when I mentioned that Martie and I were going to Florida to help, they asked if something was still going on there. The picture that came to my mind was an elderly widow sitting in a house filled with mold spores and no heating or air conditioning, alone, without hope. Then the question from the "goats" in Matthew, "Lord when did we see you." I have always marveled at how people can be oblivious to the struggles that others face. To my shame, sometimes that person is me. 

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

As Christians we should be sensitive to the needs of others, especially when we have the capacity to help in some way.  Sadly, we often go the way of Cain.

"Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” - Genesis 4:9

We like to distance ourselves from the problems of others - even knowing that ambivalence towards others is contrary to the Word of God and the commands we are to live by.  

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

You think you are religious? That is what the religious or righteous do.  They care about other people. That care is birthed out of our love and devotion toward God. If you have a problem with loving others then it is because you have a problem loving God. That was Jesus' point in Matthew. And it is His point to us.

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 Possessions Are Nine Tenths Of The Heart

"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 22:35-40

I am certain that you are familiar with the saying, "Possession is nine tenths of the law". As I was driving back home today, I was thinking about a conversation I had earlier where the other person was commenting on how much money they had wasted buying what they didn't need. It raised the question that I didn't ask, "What is your heart devoted to?" Buying things can be our attempt to fill what Blaise Pascal called the "God-shaped void or vacuum" that is in each of us.

Blaise Pascal, (born June 19, 1623, Clermont-Ferrand, France—died August 19, 1662, Paris), was a French mathematician, physicist, religious philosopher, and master of prose. He laid the foundation for the modern theory of probabilities, formulated what came to be known as Pascal’s principle of pressure, and propagated a religious doctrine that taught the experience of God through the heart rather than through reason. (Britannica)

Jesus did not leave any "wiggle" room when asked what the single greatest thing a person should do - which is to love God with your whole heart. Ten tenths of your heart not just part of it. Sharing your devotion between God and something else is sin. What???? The problem is not in having things it is when those things have you. That you choose the things of the world to make you feel safe or good or right.

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

Don't deceive yourself thinking that you can do both in an effort to rationalize why you are not fully devoted to Gd. So, how much of your heart's devotion  are you willing to give God? Not what you would like to give Him, but what you actually have surrendered to Him. 

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

The real test is when you are asked by God to give it up - the treasure of your heart that is. That is what happened to the young man who met Jesus.  He was a really good guy. He was certain he had a place in heaven because of all of the good things he had done. Eternal life on his terms. Well, not so fast!

"The young man said to Him [Jesus], “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect [to be right with the Father], go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." - Matthew 19:20-22

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

Born To Be Wild

"For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a [h]propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed" - Romans 3;22-25

Every man and woman is born into sin - born to be wild if you will. An enemy of God. A child of the god of this world - who is the Devil. Sound extreme to you? Hyper religious? It's neither - it is truth. We live in a time where people embrace sin as if it is not sin. They condemn those who refuse to agree as evil themselves. Do you remember the story about the Emperor's new clothes a story by Hans Christian Andersen? His tailor convinced him that he was wearing beautiful clothes. Everyone feared the Emperor so no one would tell him that he was parading about in his underwear. Go along to get along. Well, the Emperor was so impressed that he held a parade so all could see and marvel at his new threads.  As he passed by the crowds, his subjects cheered and raved over his clothes.  Then a little boy pointed his finger at the Emperor saying, "Look! He doesn't have any clothes on!" 

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

Just because you are told that sin is not sin does not make it true. What people do and believe must be measured against God's declared truth. You know how hard it is to not sin. It is impossible apart from the power of God. 

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

Rather than yield by faith to that truth and embrace Jesus, people would just as soon convince themselves that they are "wearing beautiful clothes". In other words, they seek to redefine Truth and condemn those who say otherwise. The little boy did not understand the pressures that others felt to go along with the lie. He just called it like he saw it. The bare truth if you will pardon the pun. 

My encouragement to you is to see things as they really are. To be willing to say something is sin, even when your culture is shouting that it is not. That does not mean you throw the baby out with the bathwater. Reject the sin and love the sinner. Why should you? God does that's why. You don't have to be hateful in rejecting sin - although you might be accused of being hateful. The reason is that what you are living out is spiritual and the natural - lost - person cannot understand spiritual things.

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

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

God With Us Is The God Who Saves Us

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." - Isaiah 7:14

As I listened to the sermon this past Sunday, it was if pieces to a puzzle were being fitted into place. It was not something that I did not know, but something that I did not see - until that moment. Of course, the verse in Isaiah is a prophecy about Jesus or should I say Immanuel - meaning God with us. Not God, the Father, that no man has seen. (John 1:18) It was His Son that the Father sent that the world has seen. (John 3:16) 

"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” - Luke 1:30-33

His name is Immanuel and His name is Jesus - Yeshua - God who is our salvation - Jesus - God with us Who is our salvation. The two names go together like a hand in a glove. Do you see the puzzle pieces fitting together? Perhaps that is old news to you. To me is was old - but newly refreshed news. But like the TV commercial says, "Wait - there's more!" 

Jesus returned to the Father after His resurrection.

"And I [Jesus] will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans." - John 14:16-18

Jesus told Nicodemus that he had to be born again of the Spirit. Something that could not and would not happen until Jesus had ascended and the Spirit had descended.  The Spirit is in every one who confesses the name of Jesus. The Spirit of God is the seal of God's promise of salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14)and the means by which we are connected to God the Father by faith in God the Son. 

“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 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 14:25-26

So we celebrate God the Father sending His Son (John 3:16) so that we might be saved from the penalty of sin and adopted as children of God. To be adopted means that Someone who is not your father has adopted you as His own. 

"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." - 1 John 3:1-3

Now that is something to celebrate!

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

God Knows - Is That Enough For You?

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11

There is a saying that I picked up while on staff with Promise Keepers in the mid 90's. "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." It's true and can be convicting. 

So - on to my point. If you have been reading these posts then you know that Martie and I have been teaching Experiencing God which is essentially spiritual awareness training. You know at the point of salvation that God sealed you with His Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14) and your body is now the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19). But did you know that God speaks to you by His Spirit through the Word (when you hear it or read it), Prayer (when you pray to God), circumstances (life as you live it) and other Christians (who also have the Spirit of God in them). That brings us to a Crisis of Belief - do we trust God and will we obey Him? It requires faith (Hebrews 11:1) and action (James 2:14-17)

In our experience God has always spoken to us about what it is that He wants us to join Him in doing in  more than one way. By way of example I want to share the most recent "conversation" that we had with God. This is not the first time we experienced this, by the way. But I will save that for another day.

I am certain you know about the hurricanes that recently paid a visit to Florida. And you probably know that Martie and I have been  involved in Disaster Relief work in 2005.  Well, a friend of ours, Sherry Buresh, posted that she was in Florida with the ministry she is connected to helping with the relief effort. I contacted her to check on her and to see how things were going.  Her response was that Martie and I needed to come to Florida to help.  I wasn't "feeling it" and so didn't think much about it. But I did tell her that our oldest daughter was available to help. Mandi has been in Florida since October.

Martie and I talked about Florida and still nothing.  Then, out of the blue, Martie talked to me about reconfiguring our RV so we could use it better. I asked her why, since it was in Louisiana being used by another ministry, and we would not be using it in Texas. But it got my attention. It told me that something was going on in her mind and heart. She expressed concern that we did not have the money to go to Florida. We know that where God guides, God provides.  We have a sedan that is 11 years old and is having some electrical issues.  We would need a truck, an F-250 equivalent to support pulling the trailer and supporting the work and maybe an SUV to replace the car. We know that God provides, but still!

So here is what happened next.

We received a letter from the Harris County Tax office. Martie told me that she had just paid our property taxes and figured it was a reminder that the taxes were due. A couple days later she was about to throw it in the trash and she thought she should open it before she did.  Inside was a check for $1000. We had overpaid our property taxes in 2019. 3 years ago. 

That same day, I picked up our mail for Pathfinder at our post office box.  There was a letter from the IRS/Treasury. I thought, "oh great!, now what!" I opened the envelope and in it was a check for $2700 for another over payment! Whaaaaatttttt!! Of course I called Martie. We have been on this path before. We know what is happening.

I am on the board of Stormwise - a disaster relief ministry that was helping 8 Days of Hope in Lake Charles. There are 1200 volunteers working on 100 homes.  I was talking with the Stormwise team and told them that we were considering going to Florida to help. They all said -"Go to Florida!" Do you see a pattern here?

I called friends of ours who live in Florida. They had served with us in Mississippi. Ray and Darla Shands. Ray told me that just the week before he was thinking about us and perhaps we might come to Florida to help. Ray said that he was no longer physically able to do recovery work, but he could connect me to some people that might help me understand the scope of the need. When I hung up, I checked our mailbox. There was a Christmas card in it. From Ray and Darla. Coincidence? I think not. It was what I call a God-insidence. 

So Martie and I yield to God's call to join Him in Florida. But to do what. Sherry had owed me a call back. When she did call she said, "Let me tell you why you are coming to Florida!" To which I said wait until we have shared what we want to tell you. "We are coming to Florida!" Then she said you are coming to Florida to build sheds like you did in Mississippi. We did not see that coming! Talk about a Crisis of Belief. Yes, we built sheds. Yes we can see where there would be a need in Florida. But we figured we would be doing rebuilds. And we probably will. There are some mountains that need moving.

This morning at church my heart was "pierced" by a song we sang called Do It Again.  I wanted to share some of the lyrics with you. I am certain you can make that connection. When I heard it, I leaned over to Martie and told her "This song is for us".  She nodded agreement. So - Here we go!

Do It Again by Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Matt Redman, Steven Furtick

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You've never failed me yet

I've seen You move, You move the mountains
And I believe, I'll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way

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 Spirit Of God Is In You

"Abide in Me…" —John 15:4

“In the matter of determination. The Spirit of Jesus is put into me by way of the atonement by the Cross of Christ. I then have to build my thinking patiently to bring it into perfect harmony with my Lord. God will not make me think like Jesus— I have to do it myself. I have to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). “Abide in Me”— in intellectual matters, in money matters, in every one of the matters that make human life what it is. .... You say, “Yes, Lord, just a minute— I still have this to do. Yes, I will abide as soon as this is finished, or as soon as this week is over. It will be all right, Lord. I will abide then.” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

“When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”  - Ephesians 1:13-14

The Holy Spirit enlivens your new self toward God.  You put your faith in Jesus and God puts His Spirit in you.  The very same Shekinah Glory that led the Children of Israel in the desert … the very same that resided in the Holy of Holies in the temple.  Now you are the temple … and that Spirit leads you, or will if you will follow.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” -  1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Think about how amazing that is.  Now think about the reverence that you show with respect to that amazing fact of your new life in Christ.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was some physical – visible change when you accepted Jesus .. .when you were born again by the Spirit?  

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” - John 3: 4-8

Nicodemus didn’t understand because even though he was a teacher of the precepts of God, he only had a natural understanding of the facts he was teaching.  Be careful that you don’t make the same mistake.  The Spirit of God will give you understanding but only if you seek it.  If you rely on yourself and your culture you will miss it and struggle in your Christian 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

Hold The Line

"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

A Brother preached from 1 Peter 5 this past Sunday. The one thing I took away was the phrase, "Hold the line!" He was referring to the fact that our faith, what we know to be true and right, is under attack like never before. That brought to mind soldiers in their positions facing an enemy force that outnumbered them.  Their leader was moving along the line of troops saying "Hold the line, hold the line." It was a battle that was crucial to winning the war. The troops needed courage. They needed to be reminded that the stakes were high. That success rested on their shoulders. Depended upon their determination to face the enemy and not yield, even to the point of death. Courage is action in spite of fear, not because you are not fearful.

My mind then went to a Lord of the Rings movie where King Aragorn was speaking to his army. He could see the fear on their faces. I took the liberty to clip it out and to make slight modifications to the references.

"Hold your ground, hold your ground! Sons of [the most high God], my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields, when the age of [the Church] comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you stand, Men of [God]!"

Hold the line! We are facing a strong enemy that would have us abandon everything that is sacred and declared as Truth by the Creator God in favor of being acceptable to those whose god is Satan and whose destiny is an eternity in hell, separated from God. Hold the line.

"And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." - 2 Kings 6:15-17

We are not alone. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world! Hold the line! Trust in the Lord and in His mighty hand. Do not feint in the face of the enemy. Do not compromise your faith for the sake of convenience or acceptance. Our God is greater.

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

Leaning Foreword In The Foxhole

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." - 1 Peter 5:8-10

Leaning forward in the Foxhole is a term used in the Army to describe being ready for an enemy attack. Most of you reading this have probably never dug a foxhole, let alone been in one with a weapon. As Christians we must be ready for the enemy's spiritual attack. It can be so subtle. You might not even see it as a threat because it appeals to your natural sensibilities. It can be an idea that seems reasonable, even though it is clearly contrary to the Word of God.

You might be surprised to learn that only abut 9 percent of Christians use the Bible as the measure for what is right and acceptable behavior in their culture. That is called having a Biblical World View. Seeing life through the prism of God's revelation to mankind. That means that 91 percent use some other measure to determine what is right and what is wrong. That thinking started in the Garden when the enemy, the devil posed the question, "Did God really say?". Planting a seed of doubt in the minds of men and women. Encouraging them to exact another measure of what is right and wrong - that being human reasoning and consensus of opinion. 

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

When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4), he used scripture either misstated or out of context to try to tempt Jesus to sin.  People, today, do the same thing. Satan is called the father of lies. People who are not born again are said to be the his children.

"Why do you not understand My [Jesus] speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me." - John 8:43-45

Does that thought make you uncomfortable? It should. We live in a spiritually dangerous culture and world. But so many live as if there is no danger and their faith is compromised and their witness neutralized.  

"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." - Ephesians 6:11-13

Be alert and ready to engage the enemy - lean foreword in the foxhole. 

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

Wherever God's Going, I Am Going His Way

"And [the man] said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and ... " Luke 9:59, 61

Martie was streaming some old Andy Williams songs the other day when I heard him singing "Moon River". There is a phrase in that song, "Wherever your going, I am going your way!" which reminded me of the attitude that we are to have about God's bidding. We are to have an unconditional response to God's call. In one case in Luke, the man wanted to say goodbye to his family first. Seems reasonable and responsible doesn't it? In another, the man wanted to bury his father. There is nothing to suggest that his father was dead - perhaps the man wanted to care for his father until his death and then the man would feel free to follow Jesus.

Thinking through their responses to Jesus, the issue was really about devotion of the heart. There are many natural - reasonable circumstances why we should delay following God when He makes plain His call for us to follow.  Reasons that few people would accuse us of being wrong in choosing. But God sees the heart - the motivations behind our reasoning that we should delay our following. 

Most of us are familiar with Matthew 22:37-39 about loving God and then loving others. But when it comes to immediately responding to God, in light of our stated devotion to Him, in spite of our circumstances - we stumble - hesitate. All of the "justifiable" reasons - specifically our earthly responsibilities, rise up to challenge our decision to follow God immediately as irresponsible - unreasonable - maybe even fanatical and misguided. God would not ask us to to that would He?

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

What I am writing about is denying your natural devotions in favor of your devotion to God. And what about the "What Abouts"? What if you actually deny yourself and your earthly devotions to follow God? Well, that is where faith comes in.  In Experiencing God it is called a Crisis of Belief which requires faith and action. More than simple acknowledgement that it is God calling, but acceptance, trust and obedience or action. Henry Blackaby said that our problem is not in knowing it is God speaking, it is in obeying what He said we are to do. So where is it that God wants to lead you? 

So be ready - arm yourself with the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Be alert - lean forward in the foxhole. 

"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." - Ephesians 6:11-13

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

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

Choosing Between Culture And Christianity

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

“Supernatural sense is the gift of His Son, and we should never put our common sense on the throne. The Son always recognizes and identifies with the Father, but common sense has never yet done so and never will. Our ordinary abilities will never worship God unless they are transformed by the indwelling Son of God. We must make sure that our human flesh is kept in perfect submission to Him, allowing Him to work through it moment by moment.” OSWALD CHAMBERS

The nature of people is to cling to our culture.  What he or she has been taught is right and wrong by man. When I was in grade school I can remember reading about the United States being a “melting pot”  where many nations came together to be one people.  Actually , it was man’s attempt to do what only God can do.  That attempt failed.  What I see today is one nation with many cultures trying to cling to what they were before they or their ancestors came to the United States.  People have set up enclaves centered on their ethnicity or nationality.  European, African, Hispanic, the list goes on.  It is the nature of man to associate with people who look and act like themselves.  Among Christians, it is the same.  Someone said that 11:00am Sunday is the most segregated hour of the week in the United States. For most people when they read this, their minds will think I am referring to black and white, but it is more pervasive than that.

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” - Galatians 3:26-29

2 Corinthians 5:17says - old things – including your primary devotion to your race or ancestors' nationality – are gone and all has become new.  That is a spiritual truth – a fact.  One which many Christians have a hard time living with and applying.  Why? Because devotion to the traditions of their natural fathers are very strong. I have said several times, if I was standing with a group of men and said something against their fathers or ancestors, they would become angry, but if I used God’s name in vain, few, if any, would care.  Why? Because they are more devoted to men than they are to God. When I would preach in a Haitian church for the first time, I would always begin with “Mwen pa blan, mwen fre nou” which is to say “I am not white, I am your Brother”  That was a hard truth to digest for a congregation of mountain people who rarely saw a white man.  My point was that I was not standing before them as a white American, but as an adopted son of God, saved by the blood of Jesus and His resurrection.

How do you want people to see you?  How do you see yourself? First as a Christian? If you believe Matthew 22:37, that you are to love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Where does that leave your natural heritage and the traditions of your father?  Listen, what I am telling you is truth, but it is a hard truth.  It is difficult to receive and overcome feelings - emotions.  We don’t all have to speak with the same accent or eat the same food or like the same clothing style, but we serve the same Lord and belong to the same family. What the founders of this country tried to set in place with written law, God has already put in place through His Son by His Spirit. So maybe we should act like 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

Finding The Strength To Do What God Calls You To Do

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  - Ephesians 2:8-10

I have a very clear understanding of what God wants me to do, and I am doing it.  But there is this issue of faith, or lack of it, that will raise its head every now and again.  Let me explain.  

It is clear that God has me, Martie and me to be correct, helping those who cannot help themselves.  In particular, He has made me very aware of the plight of widows.  James 1:27 says “religion is expressed in its purest sense when we help widows and orphans in their affliction” [paraphrased by me].  I have seen the mighty hand of God at work so many times.  Do you remember the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18? Right after that victory, Elijah was exhausted and even ran for his life in fear.  What changed?  In my experience, when you are anointed by the Spirit of God for a particular work and that work is accomplished to and for the glory of God, you will be physically, emotionally even spiritually exhausted at the end.  You will have a supernatural ability in the midst of the work, but after, you become acutely aware of your own personal weakness in light of Jesus’ strength. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

God does not ask us to do things for Him, but asks that we do things with Him. He does what He does through us. But the moment we take our eyes off of Him and look to ourselves doubt sets in and we become aware that what we are doing is impossible for us. 

"But when he [Peter] 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

Did you notice that Peter walked back to the boat in the midst of the raging sea with Jesus at his side? The wind stopped after they got into the boat. Doubt! Perhaps you have wondered, like I have, "Who do you think you are?"  Have you ever doubted about God’s call on your life? Wondered what you thought you were doing outside of the boat when everyone one else was in the boat hanging on for dear life? God never asks you to do anything that you can do on your own. And it always has risks from our mortal perspective. It will always require faith - trust - in defiance of what people say is reasonable.  

The temptation is to take your eyes off of Jesus and focus on other things, other people.  If you do, you will immediately start to sink.  That is what happens to me from time to time. On the face of it, it seems improbable or perhaps even impossible.  I mean how can you go from standing boldly for God at one minute and doubting that what you are doing is right the next. 

 “It’s not by strength or by power but by my Spirit says the Lord God of Hosts.”  - Zechariah 4:6

As Jesus followers we all live with this tension between the Spirit and the flesh. Once again, Proverbs 3:5-6 says trust God and not yourself.  If you are using the world and trust in yourself to do what God has clearly called you to do, you will fail.  You can’t do it.  Don’t compare yourself to others when considering your God-given purpose.  God will always ask you to do what is not humanly possible.  You will always need the power of the Spirit to do it.  And when the task is accomplished, you will feel just a little bit, or even a lot, of the weight of what you have just done. And it will exhaust you.  Maybe even make you fearful or doubtful.  When that happens … praise the Lord and be humbled that He would use a sinner like you for His eternal purposes.  Amazing!  

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

Peace - A Christmas Gift From God

"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…" —John 14:27

“God’s mark of approval, whenever you obey Him, is peace. He sends an immeasurable, deep peace; not a natural peace, “as the world gives,” but the peace of Jesus. If you are acting on your own impulse, or out of a sense of the heroic, to be seen by others, the peace of Jesus will not exhibit itself.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

What is your expectation of God with respect to your faith and everyday living?  Do you think that God is obligated to make certain that you do not have to endure hardship?  That nothing “bad” will happen to you or the ones you love?  No injury, no heartbreak, no death, no failure, no loss?  That is a problem because the Bible does not promise that … God’s theme song might be “I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden!” In fact Jesus said (John 16:33) “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Our peace is in Jesus – supernatural peace … peace in spite of the circumstances you find your self in this world you live in .. a world full of sinners.  Peace is a fruit of the Spirit .. a sense of quiet in your heart in spite of your circumstances … Because of your spiritual perspective and close relationship with the Lord, you see life, as it comes your way, differently. Oh, like everyone else, you want to avoid experiencing anything unpleasant and perhaps was hoping that your rebirth by faith in Christ would provide that for you.  Sorry!  But that does not mean that you can’t experience joy while your feet are still on terra firma.  Joy being another fruit of the Spirit.  Are you hoping the world will somehow get better over time?  Not going to happen.  Sin begets sin.  Hurt people hurt people.  The answer is Jesus.  He is the Hope of Heaven.  James said 

 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” - James 1:2-4

Look!  All of us have experienced and are experiencing difficulties in this life.  Every Christmas is a reminder that God showed His grace and mercy by sending a Redeemer – Jesus. And, like icing on the cake, He sent us a Spiritual Helper – the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus, He established the Church.  During this Christmas season, let your light shine in the midst of this unreasonable facsimile of the celebration of the incarnation of the Savior of the world.  The world wants to snuff out your candle.  To replace Jesus with its god – money. Let your light burn brightly.  

The truth that the world seeking peace needs to know is this. 

NO Jesus - NO Peace but KNOW Jesus and KNOW Peace.

Let people know that our Redeemer lives! He is Jesus the King.  He is the Christ.  The Son of God.  Who takes away the sins of the world.  Shout hallelujah! And thank God for His wonderful gift … (Ephesians 2:8-9) “…salvation by faith … A Christmas gift from God”

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

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

Patronized For Your Faith

"But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth." - Colossians 3:8

Has anyone ever patronized you because of your faith? You know, they act differently, speak differently, when you are around because they think you are religious? I was trying to think of an appropriate verse to launch this devotion and settled on Colossians 3:8. It is close, but not exactly what I was looking for. To my point. I was talking to someone yesterday and they asked me if I would read something and give them comment. But, they cautioned me saying there was some profanity in the writing.  I told them that it would not the first time that I would be exposed to profane words (filthy language). In fact, there was a time that I was a master of them. Profane words were an integral part of my vocabulary. 

Well, that conversation got me thinking about how people, who commonly use profanity, try not to use it in my presence. Trying to be respectful, I suppose, but missing the point. People I encounter everyday, family, friends, even acquaintances, who are not born again, and perhaps some that are, and who know me as being a Christian, make an  effort to not offend me with profanity in their conversations. I suppose they see me as "religious" and want to show their respect for religious people. At least I know that is what I would do before I met Jesus "on the road". 

"Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

What they don't understand is that I was once walking in their shoes. That if they see anything different in me that would cause them to show restraint, it is because of Christ in me. Not because I have chosen to be a "good" person. I think about how many years I was around people of faith, but my heart was not drawn to their faith. I thought I understood their being different from me was a life choice, not a result of spiritual transformation. The fact was I was incapable of understanding the real reason for their difference.

"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." - 1 Corinthians 2:14

Those people I mentioned don't understand because they have not been sealed by the Spirit of God by faith in Jesus. That conversation yesterday, reminded me that there is a much bigger issue than profanity at work. Their eternal destiny that is at stake. They can only see life through the natural. They are incapable of understanding why I am the way that I am. It is Christ in me. It makes me sad frankly. But I know there is hope. Hope because, like them, I was once lost but now, by the grace of God, I am found. Was blind but now I see. Amazing grace. If you are given the chance to be a stepping stone on the path to salvation for them, then be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you.

"... sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" - 1 Peter 3:15

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 Life is More Than

"But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?" - Acts 5:1-3

The question Peter asked Ananias was never answered explicitly in the Bible. All we know is that both Ananias and Sapphira died that day. 

".... it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment" - Hebrews 9:27

We don't know how, we don't know when, we don't know where. We just know that we will die one die, unless Jesus returns for His Bride before then.

So what was the lie? They said they were going to sell land and give all the proceeds to God for His purposes and the good of others. But then the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life raised their ugly heads and the couple rationalized why it was OK if they reneged - modified their promise - and kept some for themselves. BTW, rationalize can be spelled "Rational Lies". Thing we tell ourselves to convince ourselves that something is OK when it is not. I imagine they thought that they would use the money for their benefit - something more pressing than fulling a promise to God. It was theirs after all! That story reminded me of the man building bigger barns.

"Someone in the crowd said to him, 'Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.' But he said to him, 'Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?' And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.' And he told them a parable, saying, 'The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.'' But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.'" - Luke 12:13-21

I think that the man in the parable and Ananias and his wife had the same problem? They laid up treasure for themselves as if they had tomorrow to enjoy it, but they did not. They would never see tomorrow. The Lord required their souls that very day. I had always thought that Ananias and his wife were punished by God for saying one thing and doing another. That they died because they lied. But now I am thinking that it was a timing thing. A correlation of events, two unrelated events that happened to occur at the same time, and not a cause and effect.  No different than the decision of the man building bigger barns.

So what about us? In the United States, I think many might imagine that every country has a retirement plan for its citizens. Not so.  Our retirement goal is to not miss a beat in our budget. You see commercials about it all of the time. The idea that we can continue to live in the comfort that we have become accustomed to when we no longer work. Doesn't everyone have that opportunity? No! We can falsely believe that what the Lord has provided in terms of resources is for our consumption - alone. Nope! The truth is that we have been blessed to be a blessing. 

We have some friends who live by the credo, "We live simply so others can simply live." and they do, although they don't have to. It is a choice they have made in light of the revelation of God. They have chosen not to build bigger barns but to use what God has provided to bless others. What about 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

Running On Empty

"And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”  And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." - Matthew 19:16-22

I have written about this young man a number of times. Perhaps because I think his thinking and doing is representative of a lot of well-meaning religious people. He was apparently kind hearted. He did what was right in the eyes of men. Commendable things. Things that would make any parent proud! But then he met Jesus. Someone who knew that doing good things was not the same as being good. That God, the Father, is the true source of "good". Being in right relationship with the Creator God is the right place to be. From that place - good acts take on a different, eternal hew. The young man was working his way to heaven - or so he thought. He had it all figured out. If his life impressed other people, would it not impress God? The short answer - "No!"

Then Jesus told him that even after doing all of those "good" things, he had fallen short. I think the young man thought that if anyone deserved a place in heaven, it was him. But, his money - his position in the world was his god and the basis from which he lived. Jesus said, "Give up that god and follow Me, the Son of the one true God." But the young man could not - would not. The story in the Bible ends there.  We don't know what eventually became of that man. Was he convicted by Jesus words? Did he yield his heart by faith?  I would like to think that he considered Jesus' words and chose faith in God in stead of faith in himself. 

The apostle James wrote that faith without works is dead. The reciprocal of that truth is that works without faith is futile.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:8-10

Many people do good things in their life, but they are running on empty. No faith in their tank. Only lives fueled by a saving faith will have their proper result. We love others because we love God first. So how are you doing with that? What are you depending upon to make yourself right before a holy 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

Deciding And Choosing What Is Most Important

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” - Galatians 5:25

Charles Hummel wrote a book “Tyranny of the Urgent”  The idea behind the book is that we often let what seems urgent be the deciding factor with respect to what we do.  What is “important” is juxtaposed with what is “urgent”.  (OK hang with me here!) There are 4 possible combinations of life situations that we will encounter  – Urgent/Important – Urgent/Not Important – Not Urgent Important – Not Urgent/Not Important.  

So what does that have to do with our faith?  Emotions are tied to urgency.  Something happens and our emotions – "Spidey senses" – tell us that this must be acted upon immediately, it's urgent.  The key is knowing what is important and keeping life in perspective with respect to that knowing.  So, Christian, what is important to you?  The text-book (Bible) answer is God, others (world, culture, family), and lastly you. (Matthew 22: 37-39, Romans 12:1-2, Mark 9:35) There are many other references, but those are sufficient for my point.  In light of what the Bible says, what is important is determined first by our relationship with God and our willingness to trust and obey – and not by our feelings/emotions.  

The difficulty starts with the tension between the old life and the new life – that we live in a physical world but have a new spiritual reality that is supposed to be our primary perspective – the filter by which we determine what is important and what is urgent.  In the context of Hummel’s book – Our relationship with God is the determinant with respect to deciding what is important and what is urgent.  For some Christians – it’s OK to agree that we should not love the world or the things of this world (1 John 2:15) but what about retirement – the children’s college – my new car – my job.  Where do they fall into the mix?  

What my point is, friend, is that all of that falls into its proper place when God is in His proper place.  The question I posed yesterday is “Do you believe that what you believe is really real?”  If you do – God will always be first – and if you don’t – God will often be left in the dust in favor of what is urgent – what your flesh tells you is important.  We are faced with these decisions every day.  But – if we are not spiritually minded – we are bound to choose poorly.  If the Chief End Of Man is indeed to “Glorify God and Enjoy Him Forever” then God must be first and must be the One who determines what is important and what is urgent.  

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” - Galatians 5:16

You are going to be challenged today with this dilemma – what to respond to and how to respond.  If you are a Christian – the choice is clear but requires faith and obedience to respond correctly.  Keep the things of life in their proper place … don’t let your emotions rule .. that place belongs to 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