All You Have To Do

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And he [Jesus] said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." —Matthew 22:36-39

Seems simple enough. It would be so simple if our old nature was not constantly getting in the way. 

"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." - 1 John 2:15

When John wrote that he was addressing Believers, people who were born again by the Spirit. Why? because we are "prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love". Our new life is not "one and done". We decide to follow Jesus and then we never have to worry about temptation to sin, to follow after our old nature and tendencies. Like Satan, they are crouching at the door waiting for us to let our spiritual guard down.

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13

That was also written to Christians. What does God expect from us? What He has always expected from us.

 “What does the Lord require of you, oh man?  But to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8

That means to not go your own way, not do what you think is best or reasonable, but to obey the Father.  Just like Jesus! Go figure!  So what does this mean for you?  You meaning Christians who are pursuing their new life in Christ.  The bottom line … every day your life should be encompassed by who you are in Christ and the fact that the world needs to hear the Gospel and to see Jesus through the lives of the Saints.  To see Jesus in you. A transformed life does not happen because you do good things.  It happens because of Christ in you.

The greatest commandments are impossible to fulfill on our own. We need the power of God in us. We need redemption. We need a Savior. And then we need to yield our hearts to God - every day - every moment. When we fulfill the first commandment - it enables us, compels us, to obey the second way.

"We love because he first loved us. 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 4:19-20

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

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

Til The River Runs Dry

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way" - Philippians 3:7-15

I was only going to include verses 13-15, but as I reread the verses that preceded them, I realized that they give context to the last three verses. I have made it a habit to listen for the Spirit to speak through the everyday. As the days of my life pass by and I know that there are so many more behind me than are ahead of me in this natural life, I am constantly aware that I must make the most from every day - hour - minute - second of life that God grants me.

There is a temptation, particularly in this culture, to want to get out of the harness of doing, and find a green pasture to rest - relax - enjoy not straining against that harness. Not just in the work we do to earn a living - but in life in general.  I heard the Spirit just yesterday as I listened to a song by Garth Brooks - Sail My Vessel. One phrase in particular, "I'm  gonna sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry", reminded me of Philippians 3:13-14.  

It was an answer, I think, to a question that Martie and I have been grappling with. What question? "How long Lord?" How long will He ask us to drop everything and go. Not that we are weary of well doing or that we regret saying "yes" when He says "Go". We live an amazing life - not because of us, but because of Him and what He leads us to.

I tell people that I would rather burn out than rust out. Our RV is in a field next to a pond where I have set up a storage container production line. We are also in the traffic pattern for a public airport. I listen to small airplanes flying the pattern, over and over again. They takeoff, climb to 1500 feet or so and then reduce power to fly downwind. My fellow aviators are all too familiar with that drill. It is the reducing power that I am focusing on. Following God requires that you are always on the climb. There is not a time to cruise.

Each step of faith requires more faith, not less. We are tempted to reduce power - to set it to cruise - to relax and enjoy the view. But God has not called us to that life - not any of us. You may not be asked to do what we do. You don't have to leave your home or your family and friends to continue the climb. But this I encourage you to do - whatever God calls you to - sail you vessel 'til the river runs dry and the Lord calls you home.

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

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

No Greater Love

 "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." - John15:13

That verse speaks of Jesus' sacrifice motivated by the great love the Father and the Son share for mankind.  Jesus was willing to go to the cross for us. In a similar way - people serving in the military are willing to lay their lives down for their countrymen and in the greater scheme for the freedom and benefit of others who are oppressed. Not everyone who joins the military is exposed to hostile fire, but everyone takes the same oath and is prepared to do what is necessary to defend the people of this country and beyond.

This picture is a rubbing from the Vietnam war memorial. Donald "Don" Lukens was my best friend from first grade until our junior year in high school. His dad worked for Cummins Diesel and his work moved him further upstate. 

Don and I spent a lot of time together as young boys. We had a special call to let one another know that we were near. We explored the woods that surrounded the area where we lived. We climbed cliffs - well cliffs to us, but probably not more than 15 or 20 feet high. We did what boys do. We were fearless. We were best friends.

After graduation we both joined the Army. I was an enlisted soldier and Don went to Warrant Officer Candidate school to become a helicopter pilot. Something we called High School to Flight School. Then we both went to Vietnam at the same time. I didn't know that while I was there.

On May 25, 1970 Don was killed in action. My parents did not tell me about his death until I returned home later that November.  The record says he died when his Huey helicopter crash landed. Another record written by the Pilot in Command (PIC) said Don was shot and killed while flying, actually before the aircraft landed. The PIC added that Don's nickname was "Goose" which predates the Goose on Top Gun. Either way, the point is that Don gave his life on that day, for you and for me.

It is a good thing that we remember the fallen. And it is a good thing that we remember Jesus - the one who set the standard for how we should live our lives. Ready to give of ourselves, to sacrifice, for the benefit of others. 

I am reminded of the Paul's admonition to husbands with respect to their wives in Ephesians

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" - Ephesians 5:25

It is the same principle - just more specific. I don't know if Don was a Christian when he died. I know that I was not until 1976. I went on to become a pilot in the Army myself. Reflecting on the "why" I think I was motivated to continue where my friend left off. To continue the legacy if you will.  And in a way that is what we are to do as Christians -  to continue the legacy of sacrifice for the benefit of others - just like Jesus did.

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

Stepping Into A Spiritual Opportunity

"Preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching." -  2 Timothy 4:2

You never know when God is going to give you the opportunity.  Be ready.  As it happened I was reading Ecclesiastes chapter 3 this morning.  There is a time or season for everything.

I took Martie's car in for a service some time back.  It was going to be a wait so they offered to drop me off at a store or restaurant and then they would pick me up.  The young man who drove was talking with me - idle banter - when he asked me what I did.  I told him and he said that he was from Salt Lake City and new a number of missionaries.  Although I did not ask, I assumed he was Mormon.  We chatted a bit about the life God has called Martie and me to.  That conversation ended when he dropped me off. 

As it happened, he also picked me up.  Our conversation picked back up and led to discussing how to love your wife and how to deal with conflicts - differences of opinion.  I pointed him to scripture.  Before I got out of the car, he asked me if I was doing OK, if I was having trouble.  I told him that when you are in the center of God's will, you are always doing OK.  God provides. I gave him my card and encouraged him to look us up on the Web.  Planting seeds.

It doesn't end there.  It took a while longer on the car service so they asked if they could take me home and they will come back to get me when the car is done.  New driver.  We talked about our being from Alabama and why.  About how hot it was and I added that we were used to it having lived in Haiti for 4 years.  He asked if the Haitians were open to the Gospel.  That surprised me.  So I talked to him about Christians in Haiti and the openness to the Gospel there.  That morphed into a conversation about the small church he attends and the fact that they don't do much with missions.  I talked to him about Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts.  I encouraged him that his little church should be faithful in Jerusalem and trust that God will bring the increase and ministry direction.

All of this just because Martie's car needed a service.  My point to you is be ready .. but more be willing.  You never know when and where God will give you opportunity to speak life into someone.  Maybe today!

"in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect 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

Leaving Your Comfort Zone

"And He [Jesus} said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." - Luke 9:23

Everyone likes to be comfortable.  I can remember an occasions when Martie and I got to sit on a soft sofa after months of sitting on hard chairs in Haiti or living in an RV for multiple years.  Seems like a small thing, but the feeling was exquisite. All of us like routine.  Mainly because we know what to expect.  There is no uncertainty in routine.  Each day is like every other day.  Each day, week, month and year like the other. Routine.  People find comfort in that.  Being around people who look like you, believe like you, talk like you, do what you do, get along with you  … it is a comfortable place to be.  Watching a news report about a war in a different land or the ravages of a natural disaster allows you to remain comfortable in your routine.  You may not be able to empathize – because you have never left your comfort zone – but you can sympathize – at least until the commercial, supper or the start of your favorite TV program.  We like to be comfortable and we don’t like giving that comfort up.  

If you are a Christian – born again by faith in Jesus – even then you are most likely looking for the comfort found in a routine existence.  Going to church – sitting in the same seat or pew – talking to the same people – listening to the same sermons – routine.  We love it – crave it even.  But, like Pastor Rick Warren said “God is more interested in your character, than in your comfort.”   And how does God develop godly character in you?  Not through routine.  God calls us out of the routine for this world into the uncertain world of faith.  Not knowing what will happen tomorrow – next week, month or year.  But we live in confidence, by faith, knowing that God does.  

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" - Hebrews 11:1

I have quoted this before but it bears repeating. It is from the C.S. Lewis book “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” Aslan is a type of Jesus. 

“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr. Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.” 

God is not “safe” but He is good.  He has our best in mind.  He will disrupt your routine, if you allow it. That is correct – He won’t make you abandon what is comfortable – but He will invite you to leave it behind for something much better.  What you see as “dangerous” depends upon the maturity of your walk of faith.  For a child, putting their toes in the water may seem like a great accomplishment.  For an adult, jumping off of the high-dive is a challenge.  Both require stepping into the unknown – the uncertain – the “anything but routine”  Are you a Jesus follower or Jesus watcher?  It is one thing to marvel at the person jump off of the high-dive and quite another to grip the end of the board with your toes right before you take that leap of faith. 

As a first step, the Bible tells us to abandon our affection for the things of this world and the comfort we find in them.  To turn to God, the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) He may tell you to leave your “nets” and follow Him.  There is a song that comes to mind. Knowing You Jesus – Graham Kendrick 

"All I once held dear, Built my life upon.  All the world reveres and wars to own.  All I once thought gain, I have counted loss.  Spent and worthless now, compared to this.

Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You. There is no greater thing. You're my all, You're the best. You're my joy, my righteousness. And I love You, Lord

Now my heart's desire is to know You more. To be found in You and known as Yours. To possess by faith what I could not earn. All-surpassing gift of righteousness

Oh to know the power of Your risen life. And to know You in Your sufferings. To become like You in Your death, my Lord. So with You to live and never die”

As a Christian God calls you to leave what is comfortable – what is routine for something greater – something eternal.  So come on – go ahead and put your toes in the water.

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

How To Prove You Are A Christian

"And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." 2 Corinthians 3:3

When Paul was Saul and was persecuting Christians, he carried papers from the Jewish religious leaders to prove he had the authority to arrest people who claimed to be followers of Christ. (Acts 9) But now, Paul, having met Jesus on the road was a follower himself. Not only a follower but an Apostle. 

What was external before Jesus is now internal because of Jesus. The proof of who we are is presented to the world by the way we live and love one another. I was talking to a friend about two groups of Christians that were discussing the possibility of working in collaboration with one another. The thing is - there are barriers between the two groups that have nothing to do with Jesus. Should they find a way to set their differences aside - a way they both claim to embrace - it would be a letter that could be read by the world.

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

What has been written on our hearts is expressed by how we live and love one another - not merely by what we say or who we gather with on Sunday morning.

"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

That begs the question of "Who is my Brother or neighbor?" by those seeking an excuse for harboring the wrong attitudes.  Jesus answered that with the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 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

Finding Rest

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." - Matthew 11:28-29

"God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect." - 2 Samuel 22:33  

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

I was working with some volunteers the other day. I had nicked my hand and there was a small trickle of blood. One volunteer noticed it and said something to me about it.  I told her I would take care of it later.  She said it was nice to know that I was "real" to which I replied - I am not a robot - really! Another volunteer told me that I should get some rest to which I replied - there will be plenty of time to rest - later.

False bravado? Nope. Like John Wayne would say - "It's not brag, just fact." I am very aware of my fallibilities and weaknesses. That is why I opened with the verses that I did. 

God did not promise that the life we are called to would be easy - but He did promise that we would not be alone. The life that we live is not easy but it is full of joy and satisfaction knowing it is where the Lord wants us to be.

So if I boast, I will boast in the Lord. as you should. There is not "easy button" in the Christian life. God asks us to do the impossible - not naturally - but supernaturally.  What has He asked you to do.?

"For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.  So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." - Galatians 6:8-10

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

Walking Like An Egyptian

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." Philippians 3:13-21

I saw a post on Facebook the other day. The words, "It's all Egypt" reminded me of Philippians 3. As born-again, children of God we have been given a new birth certificate and country of origin. But, like the people of Israel living in a foreign land, we too are living in Egypt. 

For some reason, we wrongly think that the country we live in should have a passion for aligning itself with our faith and the kingdom of God. But it does not. It represents a different culture -  a different way of thinking and doing. For the most part the culture's beliefs and practices are contrary to God's tenants and decrees. Whatever country a Christian lives in on this planet is, for all intents and purposes, Egypt.

Living in a land that is not our own, we see that there is some overlap. Some things that are consistent with what we know to be right and true. But there is much that is contrary to what we know to be right and true. Our challenge is in knowing the difference and not embracing those things.

What I am writing about is spiritual awareness and sole, undivided devotion to the One who sent His Son to redeem us. Don't accept a life that is comfortable as a substitute for one that is faithful. Don't confuse money in the bank with spiritual blessing. Don't compromise your faith and convince yourself that you must go along to get along. This world is not your home - you are just passing through.

"He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you." Romans 8:3-9

There was a song "Walk like an Egyptian" by the Bangles in 1986. My encouragement to you is that although that fact that we may live in "Egypt" is unavoidable until we join Jesus in Heaven, we don't have to walk like the people of Egypt do.

[We] are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in [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

Called Not To Isolate But Insulate Ourselves From The World

"no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water." - James 3:8-12

Martie and my calling is to help people in the time of their need after a natural disaster. The qualification is that they are in need, and not their spiritual condition. I remember meeting a man in Mississippi who represented a particular Christian denomination. He had been sent down to assess the need. He told me that they were only going to help people in their denomination. I told him it was good that they were going to help. I didn't judge him - at least they were doing something. 

 "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." - Luke 5:31

The people that we have met this past week have run the gambit with respect to spiritual condition. Only one has been overtly a person of faith.  I reminded myself that we have been sent as light into the darkness. That we should not expect those who are blind to see. Those who are not indwelt by the Spirit of God to behave as if they were. We have entered their world.

Sounds good - but the test is how will you respond when you find yourself in the middle of it. We were delivering sheds to an area that was ravaged by Ian. As we unloaded a shed, on of the skids came off. That is the first time that has happened. I have been very careful to ensure that volunteers fasten the skids properly. But this one was not. We had to roll the shed on its side to refasten the skid. A man who lived next door came over and offered to help. I think he might have been a sailor - based upon his very rough language. One expletive after another rolled off of his tongue. I was reminded of the verse ....

"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil." - Matthew 12:33-35

He was merely expressing what was in him. I told one of the volunteers that we are in his world - this is normal for him. We can and should insulate ourselves from that world but we have been called to be light in it - not isolated from it. Listen - that man used to be me at one point in my life before I met Jesus on the road. He was a great help in fixing the shed. At one point he mentioned Jesus to Martie and she showed him the back of her Pathfinder t-shirt which says "Jesus Strong". An opportunity to bear witness to our Lord. When it was over, he offered us each a cold beer. His world. And no, I did not accept it. Insulated. That also used to be a big part of my old life. 

Profane words are just that - words. Hare to listen to, yes, but they reflect the heart of the one speaking. Don't get wrapped up in the fact that you are hearing them, but see the heart of the one speaking them. It will change the way you respond to the speaker. 

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

Saying Yes No Matter What

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

Knowing and doing the will of God for your life can be complicated but then not. It can seem to be just out of reach or it may be of no interest to you at all. Being saved is good enough. You are on the "team" and it does not matter one way or the other if the "Coach" ever sends you in.  

I was talking to a young man the other morning who is just beginning his journey with God. God has called him out of the pack - so to speak. The Coach has called him to the sideline and is sending him in. What I mean by that is that he has been anointed to go and do more than most Christians do. In fact most Christians would shrink at the thought of  going and doing what the Lord is telling him to do. God will always as you to do more than you are capable of on your own. You will always need Him to do it. The young man is trying to sort out what specifically where the Lord is leading him. Some have told him that it does not matter what he chooses between two good things, but he is not satisfied with "it doesn't matter." He is convinced, and I agree, that God has a specific plan and purpose for his life.

There are many books written about the will of God. There is  the idea that there is a permissive will. Room to wander, if you will. It doesn't matter what you do so long as it is good and within the bounds of God's general intent for His children. I don't think that is God's first choice for us. God sent Jesus for a specific purpose. He didn't say - "Go live among men and see what you can work out." 

We talked about hearing God's voice and understanding His will - specific will - for our lives. I think the reason most of us hesitate in saying "yes" is because we want to know everything before we take the first step. I have never found that God lays His entire plan out plainly so I can decide if I like what is going or not going to happen. He just says "Go" and I have heard Him say it. Obeying God's voice requires me exercising faith. Exercised faith is all about obedience in spite of the uncertainty.

There is a term, "progressive revelation", that suggest that God reveals truth progressively. That has been our experience. He casts just enough light on the path for the next step. I told my friend that I could not tell him what choice to make. But told him that he needed to factor in the counsel of other Christians, circumstances that present themselves, and the  time he spends in conversation with God - through prayer and the Word of God. That is where the Spirit of God comes in - synthesizing those four sources into an understanding of the next step.

"And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” - Mark 9:21-24

Have you failed spiritually if you don't sell all you have and go live in a hut in some strange land? Probably not - unless it is God who has sent you there and you refused to go. People have kind words for the work Martie and I do - marvel at some of the things we have done - but the truth is - all we can take credit for is saying "yes" to God and then walking in obedience to His leading. Everything else is Him. Feigned humility? No! It is an understanding and acceptance that He is the potter and we are the clay.

Listen, your missionary journey may not go any further than the end of your driveway. That does not make you less than someone who hacks their way through the bush to share Jesus with someone who lives there and has never heard the name of Jesus. So long as you are doing what God has said do - there is no spiritual difference. This new life is all about faith and obedience - no matter where that leads.

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 Think You Are?

"So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him." - Acts 10:34-35

What is it that defines you. Since my writings are about God, Salvation and Faith, you might want to fall back on that without thinking about it. "Oh - I am a Christian." And well you might be. But what is it that determines how you see the world - how you see other people - what you embrace? That makes you - you.

For some it is where they live. For others, it is what they possess. For some, it is their ethnic heritage. Most of us need to identify with other people. "Birds of a feather flock together." We are living in an RV while we serve in Florida. The RV is parked in a field that is part of a church property. We are next to a pond - the home of a young alligator. Lots of birds and other critters. There is a hawk that has this area staked out as its hunting grounds. The thing is, there are other birds - with families I suppose - that don't like the hawk hanging out near their nests. So they swoop and peck at the hawk who seems undisturbed by their persistence. My point - they don't get along - they are not birds of a common feather.

People are like that. They have an identity and prefer to be around others that have the same identity. Social class, ethnic heritage, regional affiliation. Identity is important. It makes us feel safe and comfortable.  But as Christians there is something else that defines us. Those things which were so important before are no longer - or should not be. Something new defines us.

"From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation" - 2 Corinthians 5:16-18

That means that all of those other characteristics about our natural lives have lost their significance - have been set aside. We no longer regard others based upon natural distinctions - but one supernatural distinction - that we have been born again - by faith. 

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:28

In your mind - you might agree - but does that agreement translate into how you actually relate to other people - let's narrow it down - how you relate to other Christians.  Do you still identify with people the same way as before you yielded your life to Jesus? Being a Christian is not just how you relate to God - but how you relate to man. Do you remember what Jesus said are the 2 greatest commandments - in which the entire law is summed? Matthew 22:37-39 - Love God and Love others.

"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

There is much more that I could write about this - but I will leave it with this verse.

"By this all people will know that you are my [Jesus'] disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:35

When I spoke at churches in Haiti, the first time I would begin by saying, “mwen pa blan, mwen fre nou” – “I am not white – I am your brother” I was hoping that they could or would see that. To get past the color of my skin. What is it that keeps you from embracing other Christians?

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

Stepping Stones

"My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom…" —1 Corinthians 2:4

“Belief in Jesus is a miracle produced only by the effectiveness of redemption, not by impressive speech, nor by wooing and persuading, but only by the sheer unaided power of God. The creative power of redemption comes through the preaching of the gospel, but never because of the personality of the preacher. … If it is only because of my preaching that people desire to be better, they will never get close to Jesus Christ. “And I, if I am lifted up…, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32).” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

I have often marveled at how God uses mere men and women in the proclamation of the Gospel to the world. But it is never the messenger but the message that brings salvation.  And not just any message.  I think we often get the “cart before the horse”.  I never precede God … The Spirit of God has always preceded me.  We are privileged to be a part of the salvation process but are not the means to salvation.  Paul said “Some plant and some water, but God brings the increase.”  (1 Corinthians 3:6) A seed was planted in my step-dad’s heart in 1951 on a hill in Korea.  A Chaplain gave him a bible with a reference to John 1:12 written on the inside cover. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—”  (Picture) It was not until 1969 did he pray to receive Jesus as his savior and Lord.  Don’t think more of your role in sharing the Gospel, but then, don’t think less of it either.  In His wisdom, God has chosen to use us for the hearing of the Gospel and seeing it lived out. 

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” - Romans 10:14-15 

Don’t believe for a minute that you have the power to save. At the same time, don’t think that you telling someone about Jesus when the Spirit prompts you is not necessary.  You don’t know which stepping stone you are on the path someone takes to salvation.  But God does!  

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 A New Creation

 

"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 5:17

I saw this picture on a Facebook post the other day.  It reminded me of several things. The first was the scripture in 2nd Corinthians. The second was a quote from John Newton (the Amazing Grace guy) The third was a conversation I had recently about who I am now and who I was. Let's start with John Newton.

"I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am." Let's break that down.

John Newton, a former slave ship captain was saved by grace through faith and became an Anglican minister. He mentored William Wilberforce who championed the abolition of slavery in England. But still Newton knew that he still fell short of his full transformation - that being conformed to the image of Christ. 

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

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God [the Father]" - Romans 12:2

Given who he had become, he was still not who he wanted to be.  He was not content.

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

Newton realized that he was changed within and no longer what he once was and understood it was by God's grace.

So know back to 2nd Corinthians. If you are born again then you are a new creation. Like the butterfly. What happens to the caterpillar or the lost person is called  "metamorphosis". It is a radical change. For us that change begins to take place at the moment we yield our lives by faith to Jesus. The way I see it is that our time on earth after salvation is like being in the "chrysalis" where the caterpillar becomes a butterfly. "Not who I want to be but not who I used to be" When we get to heaven - we will complete our metamorphosis. "Who I am going to be" Fully conformed to the image of Jesus. 

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "The Change".

"Well I got myself a T-shirt that says what I believe. I got letters on my bracelet to serve as my ID. I got the necklace and the key chain and almost everything a good Christian needs ... I got the little Bible magnets on my refrigerator door and a welcome mat to bless you before you walk across my floor. I got a Jesus bumper sticker and the outline of a fish stuck on my car. And even though this stuff's all well and good, I cannot help but ask myself--

What about the change. What about the difference. What about the grace. What about forgiveness. What about a life that's showing. I'm undergoing the change."

You cannot see inside a cocoon as the caterpillar goes under the transformation. But you can see that change in a person. You also know that the caterpillar can never go back to what it once was. The change is irreversible. I can never be a caterpillar again.  I cannot lose my salvation.

Third.  When I try to tell my kids or other people what I used to be like, they don't believe me.  They never knew THAT me, only THIS me. And it is by the grace of God, that I am what I am. 

So what about you? Look at the picture again.  What side of the table are you sitting on?

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

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

Walking On The Right Side Of The Road

"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." - Luke 10:30-33

I was just talking to a friend this evening. He asked that we pray for a certain man who is having trouble upon trouble. At first blush I was thinking, the man had put himself in that position and probably would not get out of it - doomed to a life of failure upon failure. Then I was reminded of the parable in Luke 10. The religious men were judgmental and avoided the man in the ditch. They passed by on the other side of the road. The safe side of the road. The self-centered side of the road.

Galatians 6:2 has become the By-Line for Pathfinder Mission.

"Bear one another's burdens and thus fill the law of Christ"

Which is to say - Love God and Love Others. Because God loves us and we love God, we love others - sacrificially. It is part of our new nature. 

You should be careful that you don't respond to the emotion of the circumstance but have spiritual perspective on it. There is a space in between the priest and Levite and the man from Samaria. Not caring and doing nothing and putting your life on pause to help someone in distress. 

You cannot solve everyone's problem. But that does not mean that you should ignore people - walking on the other side of the road - keeping your distance. When my friend told me about the man's plight, I felt the weight of his predicament - so heavy and hopeless.  So what could I do? Sometimes it is praying - which is what I was asked to do. Sometimes it is doing. Doing what? What the Spirit prompts you to do. Maybe it is money - maybe it is walking along side the person. 

Jesus did not heal everyone - but that did not mean He did not care about everyone. Often times you will have a battle within. What your flesh tells you to do and what the Spirit prompts you to do. You have to know the difference and always yield to the Spirit - which is to say - fulfill the law of Christ. 

"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." - Matthew 25:31-46

Both the sheep and the goats asked Jesus the same question, "When did we see you?" His answer - "When you did or didn't do it to me." We have opportunities every day to demonstrate our love of God and others in some form or fashion. Resist the temptation to walk on the other side of the road.

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

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

Living By Faith and Not Feelings

Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision. —1 Samuel 3:15

 Do you think that the idea of hearing God speak is a little too mystical for you?  Hearing God speak is not hearing an audible voice .. something that can be recorded.  God speaks to the heart which is realized in the mind and always challenges the will.  It may be an impression … it may be  a crisis in your life … it will always be consistent with the nature and character and purposes of God.  Don’t ever become content with where you are in your spiritual growth.  Don’t ever say to God, I have come this far but I will go no farther.  I don’t want to change any more than I have.  I don’t want to give up any more of the world than I have.  I am fine right where I am.  

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

Here are a few verses to consider this morning

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

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

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

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

 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.  For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.  But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8:5-11

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 Is Good Not Good Enough

"Now behold, one came and said to Him, Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? So He [Jesus] said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into [eternal] life, keep the commandments." - Matthew 19:16-17

I am certain that you know the story of the "rich young ruler" that follows that discourse. Jesus went on to enumerate the commandments He was alluding to. The young man said he did all of those things. Suggesting that if he did, wouldn't that make him good and deserving of eternal life? But then Jesus said - he must also sell all he had and follow Jesus. 

As sons and daughters of Adam, there is always something in us that keeps us from deserving our place in heaven. Jesus point was there is not one person who can enter heaven on their own merit. 

"... 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" - Romans 3:23-24 

To be right with God, we must all be redeemed by faith in Jesus. The young man was convinced that he deserved to go to heaven because of the good things he had done - or perhaps more correctly,  the bad things he had not done.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:8-10

What the young man did not understand and what we must understand is that we can never be good enough. We always need Jesus which is why God, the Father, sent Jesus, the Son, to do what we could not do. 

"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 

What thing is it that you are trusting in more than God? Are you resting in your goodness which, by another name, is called self-righteousness?  Is what you are willing to do at God's bidding limited.  Are there are lines that you will not cross? Things that you will not give up? Perhaps attitudes that you harbor that you are unwilling to change. There is always something. But there is only one way to find eternal life - salvation.

That is the thing the young man did not get - do you? Don't use the good things you do as an excuse for accommodating the not-so-good things you do. That is you flesh at work. 

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

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

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

Worshipping The Right Thing

 

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

This is a picture of a cross made by a good friend and partner in the Gospel, John Turnbull. John is with the Lord now. John lived in Northern California among the Redwoods.  He made crosses from Redwood for Pathfinder Mission that we gave to each family in Mississippi after we finished restoring their homes. John gave Martie and me this cross for our home - whether it be a conventional home, and RV or a rental in Jacmel or Jeremie Haiti.

On one occasion, while we were in Haiti, I was asked by a Haitian woman why Americans worshipped the cross. Initially I was surprised by the question, but then after thinking about realized that from an outsider's perspective we seem to have an infatuation with crosses which might be construed as idol worship. Something that Haitian Christians have rejected when they embraced salvation by grace through faith. Just like you and me.

The most significant thing that has happened to me had eternal consequences. All of my accomplishments in this life pale in significance to the day that I laid my life down in faith in the One who was crucified for my sin - paid the eternal penalty for me falling short of the glory of God. What we do while we breathe the air on this planet will fade with our passing from our natural life. Like the hand in the bucket of water. Once you remove your hand, the water will settle and there will be no evidence that you hand was in it at all. 

The cross is not something to be revered and worshipped. That reverence and worship is reserved for the One who was crucified on that cross. It is a reminder that - 

"It’s about the cross. It’s about my sin. It’s about how Jesus came to be born once. So that we could be born again. It’s about the stone. That was rolled away. So that you and I could have real life someday  It’s about the cross" - It’s About The Cross, Words and music by Jamison J. Statema, © 2006 Found Free Music (ASCAP)

But it is not really about the cross, it's all about Jesus and all about grace!

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 Most Important Thing

"Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." - John 6:26-27

The people followed after Jesus because He had fed them and they wanted more food. That thought challenged me. What is the most important thing about my relationship with Jesus? All too often my desire to be close to God is focused on satisfying my natural - earthly needs. Physical health - paying my bills - avoiding personal hardship.

The thing is, those things are not nearly so important to God as they are to me?  I might be tempted to accuse God of not caring about my circumstances? Is it OK that things don't go my way. Is material benefit the reason I seek God? A Janis Joplin song just flashed through my mind - 

"Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz? My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends So, oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV? Dialing For Dollars [ today it would be the lottery] is trying to find me I wait for delivery each day until three  So, oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV?"

Jesus said that I should be more concerned with eternal food or nourishment. Being saved is not something that happens and then we move on with our natural life. It is what defines us. Or should define us. Having an eternal perspective will cause the natural to fade in significance. 

"In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work." - John 4:31-34

There is nothing wrong with satisfying your hunger. What is wrong is that we lack spiritual perspective. The disciples did not get it. And I am afraid most Christians don't either.

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

Taking Your New Life To A New Level

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

Think about that verse.  You agree that God’s Word is Truth, right?  Then that verse is truth, but probably a truth that we would prefer to not think about.  We have all kinds of reasons – good reasons – why we don’t do something.  Perhaps it’s just not the right time.  More than likely "not the right time" means that it would not be convenient .. it would disrupt our plans or preferences.  Like the woman I mentioned the other day who looked at us with indignation when we suggested she give a Bible we offered to her to one of her neighbors.  

Consider Romans 12:1-2.  I often quote those verses .. “offer yourself as a sacrifice … don’t be conformed to this world [and its ways] but be transformed … thereby proving God’s good and perfect will”  

It’s not enough to sit in the pew .. listen to Christian radio … watch preachers on TV … or even read the Bible … God expects you and me to bear fruit … Do you remember Jesus encountering the barren fig tree (Matthew 21:18-22)? That was not a good day for the fig tree.  Simply agreeing with the “rightness” of what you hear or read is not good enough .. not nearly good enough.  

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

Being satisfied with being a spectator - sitting in the stands ... is a common problem among the Called .. our old nature at work. That is why the Word admonishes us to take action.  I have always been amazed at how engaged people who attend or watch sporting events can become. They become very passionate, displaying a wide range of emotions from euphoria to disbelief and even anger. All that emotion spent over a game that they paid handsomely to attend sitting in uncomfortable seats, eating a 50 cent hot dog that may have cost them $10. They are playing the game - Football - Baseball - Basketball - Hockey vicariously through the players on the field, court or ice. They would never, ever consider putting on a uniform and joining in the game. They are out of shape, lack the skill, determination, and commitment. Sadly, that can be said of many of us Christians. We are content to sit in the stands and cheer or complain, all the while, God is saying - suit up - I want you on the field not in the stands. But how could you possibly be ready to join the team?  Here is a thought.

"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

That's how. 

"I (you) can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13

So what position has God called you to play? And be assured it is not to sit on the bench.

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

Serving When It's Not Convenient

Arise, shine… —Isaiah 60:1

"Drudgery is one of the finest tests to determine the genuineness of our character. It is the utterly hard, menial, tiresome, and dirty work. And when we experience it, our spirituality is instantly tested and we will know whether or not we are spiritually genuine. Read John 13. In this chapter, we see the Incarnate God performing the greatest example of drudgery— washing fishermen’s feet. He then says to them, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).”- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest 

God will not make us obey and step out .. we must choose to obey Him .. What God asks you to do will be contrary to the desires of your old nature.  It may not be glorious … it most likely will be mundane … You may never stand before thousands like a Billy Graham … you more than likely be called to kneel before one, like Jesus.  I shared the other day that the Lord had given me Galatians 6:2 as a command to focus on for this year … more correctly, from this year on …. 

“Bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ.”  

Refer to Matthew 22:37-39 to read about the “law of Christ”.  Martie and I sat with a woman while we were serving in Houston and listened to her as she poured her heart out for over 3 hours.  The whole while, I was reminding myself of Galatians 6:2.  I mean most of us are willing to give someone a few minutes .. but three hours?  When I was talking with the same woman about repairs to her home a few days later she commented on her visit to our office.  She told me that she was talking to her friend about it.  She told her friend “These people listened to me talk about things I have not ever shared with anyone for over three hours!  Where did these people come from?  Why are they here?”  I told her that we are here because God sent us here.  I told her that we are here not to merely help restore the houses but primarily to help the people who live in those houses.  That help is more than sheetrock and paint … nails and lumber … it is meant to bring comfort from the God of all comfort … Laying our lives and livelihood down and coming to disaster area does not mean we are heroes … it simply means we are obedient.  We have some dear friends who told us that they “live simply so others can simply live”.  A wonderful model for us.

I was speaking to a home owner the other day. We had to return to her home to reposition the shed we had placed there.  She apologized for being such an inconvenience.  I told her that she was worth the inconvenience. She looked at me surprised and then her eyes welled up with tears. That opened up a conversation about her telling me about her faith struggle. I was able to encourage her to not lose hope and be confident that God is faithful. so it really wasn't about the shed at all.

God has a purpose for each of us .. has equipped us each for that purpose.  Our responsibility is to walk in obedience by faith and fulfill whatever it is the He has planned for us. No matter how inconvenient.  

"What does the Lord require of you, O’ man.  But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8 

God does not actually say “Go” by yourself .. He says “Come to where I am” So …. what are you waiting for? Arise and Shine!

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 Am I Praying To When I Pray?

"In that day you will ask in My name…for the Father Himself loves you…" —John 16:26-27

You know about the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. You know they are referred to as the Trinity or Godhead. Three in one. But maybe it is a bit of a mystery to you.  Because you don't fully understand it does not make it any less true. We visited one of our granddaughters this past weekend. I installed a light fixture for her. She pointed at the Service Panel where all of the circuit breakers are and asked if she needed to turn the breaker off. I then explained how electricity flows through the black wire to where the light fixture was going through the light switch and what the purpose of the switch is. Which is to interrupt the flow of electricity from the circuit breaker to the fixture. I could see that I was telling her how to build a watch and not merely what time it was. A simple "No" would have been sufficient for her. She doesn't fully understand how electrical circuits work, but she does know it turns lights on. Do you remember the verse about the man and woman becoming "one flesh"?

 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." - Mark 10:7-9

You know that, and yet do you understand its deep spiritual significance? You do know that the marriage of a man and woman is sacred before God. Martie and I are one and yet we are unique human beings.  

Ok that is the context - not fully understanding what is true? Last Sunday there was a significant storm early that morning so we hunkered down and streamed the church service into our RV. As I listened to the preacher praying - he addressed Jesus as if he was praying to Jesus. I do not believe that the Bible tells us to pray to anyone but the Father.  When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, He did not say, "Pray to me."  

"Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” So He said to them, When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one." - Luke 11:1-4

He did say that we should ask in His name. Jesus is not the Father, He is the Son and He has a specific place and purpose in the Godhead. By His authority we are able to approach the Father to ask for anything. Through the shed blood of Jesus, His sacrifice for our sins. We pray to the Father. Jesus is our high priest making intercession for us - meaning that His sacrifice offered, once for all, is sufficient for eternity. He is our propitiation - the One who satisfied God's wrath toward our sin. 

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." - Romans 8:1

For that reason we should always claim the name of Jesus when we pray. It is only because of Jesus that the Father will hear our prayers. And what about the Spirit?

"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

I think it is pretty simple. Each member of the Godhead has a role in our prayers and petitions. 

But wait there's more!!!!  We must be careful that we ask consistent with the Father’s will. That we don't we ask for things and then “tack” – in Jesus name – on the end as if somehow that makes our request irresistible to the Father.  I’m concerned that we don’t give enough consideration to our personal  spiritual condition when we approach God the Father.  As if it does not matter – hey! I said PLEASE!  When we say “in Jesus name” it should be a reminder to us that the only reason the Father hears us is because of Jesus.  So it is more of an acknowledgement than a guarantee of a positive answer to our prayer.  James wrote (James 4:3) that “we have not because we ask not and that for which we do ask, we ask amiss.”  Much of our time in prayer has to do with physical and relational issues, not spiritual.  What do you imagine that Jesus prayed about?  I think it was about His relationship with His Father.  Intimate conversations. In Philippians 4, Paul makes it clear that we are to “be anxious for nothing but in everything let our requests be made known to God”. Peter wrote that we are to “cast all our cares on Him” (1 Peter 5:7).  But the assumption is that the context is our desire to be one with Jesus even as He is one with the Father.  How about it?

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

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

What Does Your Yes Mean?

"Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made. But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.  All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." - Matthew 5:33-37

I work with a lot of different people - well meaning people. People who tell you they are going to do something, but then some of them don't. I call it the 50 percent rule.  Half of the people who tell you they are going to do something, actually do it. Guys are especially bad about it. If they tell you they are going to help what that often really means is that so long as something more interesting doesn't come along they will be there ... maybe. And most often, they don't tell you they have changed their plans - they just don't show up.

Jesus said that we should let our yes be yes and our no - no. If we are not sure then make it clear that we are not giving a firm yes. There should only be one kind of yes - a committed one. It's like we say "yes" so people will think well of us. Then when we don't live up to the "yes", we think nothing of it - but the one to whom the promise was made does - disappointed. 

"But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ." - 2 Corinthians 1:18-20

Like God, we should and must be true to our commitments. To say yes and mean it, even if it costs us personally to fulfill the promise. Even if we miss out on something that we really would like to have done instead. It gets down to the fact that fact that we have a heart problem. If our heart is not sincere, neither will our words be. That not applies to our dealings with other people, but with our faith and commitment to God. Let your "Yes" be yes to both God and men.

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

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

Knowing and Doing - There Is a Difference

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do." - James 1:22-25

Do you know someone who went to college, graduated with a degree in some particular discipline and then did something else, totally unrelated? They never applied the discipline they went to school for and paid for with the intent of using the skill to earn a living. That is a similar issue to what James is addressing with respect to reading and or listening to the Word of God. God gave us the Word for a reason. His intent was that we use it to live this new life of ours.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, SO that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Did you catch that word "SO"? The expectation of our hearing or reading the Word of God is SO we would apply the Word of God in our lives - all the time - in all circumstances. It is all too easy to be like the "man in the mirror". The purpose of God giving us the Word is to teach us, rebuke us, correct us and train us SO we are able to fulfill our purpose while we walk this earth - to be a faithful, God honoring witnesses to a world that is running full steam toward the gates of hell.  

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, SO that you may be careful to do everything written in it. THEN you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:8-9

There is that word "SO" again. Be careful you don't treat the Word like it is a Facebook post from God. Just click LIKE and keep scrolling. SO!!!

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