Jesus Did It First - Day 3

 Making Intercession To The Father

"In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek." - Hebrews 5:7-10

"he [Jesus] holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." - Hebrews 7:24-25

After His ascension, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father. As our high priest, He makes intercession for us. In a similar way we should be making intercession for others.

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess." - Hebrews 4:14 

In a similar way, the husband is to be the "spiritual priest" for the family. Making intercession for them.

"For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church. ... Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" - Ephesians 5:23,25

This speaks to spiritual responsibility. Making intercession for the family. I have often heard of women being faithful to prayer - but seldom about men being the same. Responsibility cannot be delegated. That is not to say the wives should not be praying for their families. 

"With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints." - Ephesians 6:18 

"... pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." - James 5:16 

Jesus did it first. Now it's our turn.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." - 1 John 5:14 

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 

Jesus Did It First - Day 2

Obeying The Will Of The Father

"I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me." - John 5:30

Jesus was committed to obedience to the Father's will. It was the will of the Father that His Son be born as a man. To die on the cross for sinful man and to be raised again by the power of the Father.

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:18

The very same power that resurrected Jesus is the same power that gives us new life in Christ. Do you pray like Jesus told the disciples to pray?

"Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." - Matthew 6:9-10

Do you think about the will of God as you live your life day to day? Does the Father's will shine as a guide for you. Are you willing to defer to "thus saith the Lord" or have you chosen to follow something less - some watered-down way that pleases you or the way of the world that pleases the lost? Do you believe that "by yourself you can do nothing that is consistent with the will of God"

"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

Only my will submitted to the Father. That is what is acceptable to God. Nothing more - nothing less. That is what you did on the day you were born again. Like Nicodemus, seeking God in a way that was consistent with his natural understanding but finding a truth that was revealed supernaturally. Salvation begins with submission to the will of God. Jesus is the expressed will of God. The Way and Truth and Life. 

We can live a life submitted to the will of God because Jesus did it first. If He had not, we could not.

"There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No not one. No not one. Jesus knows all about our sorrows. Jesus knows all about our struggles; He will guide 'til the day is done: There's not a Friend like the lowly Jesus: No, not one! no, not one!" No Not One, Johnson Oatman (1895)

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  

Jesus Did It First

"My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working. Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does." - John 5:17,19-20

We are not asked to do anything that Jesus has not already done. But we are not asked to do anything that we can do on our own. If we could, we would not need the Spirit of God. The Bible tells us how to live our lives. The Spirit empowers us to live according to the Word of God. Jesus shows us how to do it.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:6-8

We were powerless - headed for the gates of hell - and Jesus died for us. The Son of God who knew no sin, became sin for us. Willingly laid his life down for you and me. And what are we asked to do?

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:1-2

In the same way that Jesus laid His life down - we are to lay ours down. What life - our old nature and our personal desires in favor of the Way that Jesus has shown us.

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?" - Luke 9:23-25

What is "our cross"? Personal sacrifice by faith and submission to the power and presence of the Spirit. Choosing to pick up our cross is not a "one and done". Yes, we are saved once for eternity, but the life we live, day to day, requires reminding ourselves our new life is a life we are now living we life by faith - intentionally following Jesus' example of obedience, love for the Father and other people.

"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

Jesus did it first! Now it's our turn.

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  

Faith - Believing Without Seeing

Do you believe this? —John 11:26

“Martha believed in the power available to Jesus Christ; she believed that if He had been there He could have healed her brother; she also believed that Jesus had a special intimacy with God, and that whatever He asked of God, God would do. It then slowly emerged into a personal inheritance— “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ…” (John 11:27). Allow Him [Jesus] to drive His question home to you— “Do you believe this?” Are you facing an area of doubt in your life? Have you come, like Martha, to a crossroads of overwhelming circumstances where your theology is about to become a very personal belief?” - My Utmost For His Highest

In this natural life, you only truly know what you have experienced.  Martha knew what she had seen Jesus do, but what He was about to do was beyond her imagination. The truth is that God can do more … much more.  In this case, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead by the power of God the Father.  

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”  -  Ephesians 3:20-21

What is it in your life that you have accounted as hopeless and even beyond God to resolve?  Martha told Jesus what He should have done to prevent Lazarus from dying.  She was clueless.  She did not realize that Jesus had waited, intentionally.  Are you willing to let God do that in your life?  To allow a hope, a dream, a circumstance to “die” and trust that God will be glorified through it?  I quote songs a lot, but they are often a reflection of a life event.  Don Moen wrote a song “God will make a way” “God will make a way Where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me. He will be my guide, Hold me closely to His side. With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way.”

It may not be the road you would have chosen to travel or the solution you would have picked. 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  - Isaiah 55:8-9

That is what living by faith is all about.  “The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Can you trust God in and for everything?  Even when things don’t go as you had hoped or planned or imagined? It’s a daily endeavor.  We must keep our focus on Jesus and not our circumstances.  So to be like Paul, we must be convinced that nothing can separate us from Him. 

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:35-39

Jesus is asking us, today “Do you believe this?” We should because it is true!

"Then Jesus told him, Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." - John 20:29

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  

Mastering The Human Heart, Jesus is the Way

[I have written over 3100 devotions since 2011. Now and again, I will revive one of them - changing the format or some of the words. I first wrote what follows in July 2016 - 8 years ago - As I refreshed it, I realized that I could have written it this morning remembering what King Solomon wrote - "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." - Ecclesiastes 1:9]

He said, "Who are You, Lord?" —Acts 9:5

“Through the miracle of redemption, Saul of Tarsus was instantly changed from a strong-willed and forceful Pharisee into a humble and devoted bondservant of the Lord Jesus. People begin coming to God once they stop being religious, because there is only one master of the human heart— Jesus Christ, not religion. But “Woe is me” if after seeing Him I still will not obey (Isaiah 6:5, also see Isaiah 6:1). Jesus will never insist that I obey. But when I [obey], I am backing away from the recreating power of His redemption. It makes no difference to God’s grace what an abomination I am, if I will only come to the light. But “Woe is me” if I refuse the light (see John 3:19-21). My Utmost For His Highest

Saul or Paul was really no different than the fanatic Muslims of today.  Jewish Christians were an abomination to God, as far as Paul understood it.  And so, he helped in their killing and imprisonment. Thinking he was pleasing God in doing so. He would go from city to city to seek them out.  But then, one day, he met Someone on the road to Damascus Who radically changed the course of his life forever.  

There is so much trouble in this world today.  People expect mere mortals to do what only Jesus, the master of the human heart, can do.  People expect other people to do what does not come naturally to the lost … to show grace, mercy, acceptance, justice, and love toward others.  But “Jesus is the answer for the world today.  Besides Him there is no other.  Jesus is the way.”  Whether it is social injustice or racial discord on the world stage, the root cause is the same.  It is a problem of the heart.  Don’t expect good water to come from a bad spring. (James 3:11) Don’t let the events in the world today surprise you.  What you see at work is the sinfulness of man.  Why do we need a police force? It is certainly not because everyone loves God and each other.  No, it is because there is evil in the world, and that evil is pervasive. And sometimes evil even shows itself in those who have sworn to protect us from evil.

There is much said in the Bible about the importance of obedience.  Obedience is a reflection of a heart submitted to God and a life empowered by God.  The problems you see in this world are not going away until there is a heart change.  But there will never be a heart change in everyone.  So, the unavoidable conclusion is, that until Jesus returns, this turmoil that we see will continue.  

Does that mean we give up? No. It means that we continue preach the Truth, we live in a way that proclaims there is a better Way.  We fulfill our purpose.  This world will not be saved, but some in the world will be.  I had lunch with a friend the other day and he mentioned the story about the boy who was tossing starfish back in the ocean, one at a time.  If you have met Jesus along the way, like Paul, you must go and tell others, one at a time.  And in the telling, Christ is being lifted up, and somehow, the Spirit uses that, as part of the salvation of some.  There is an old spiritual that goes; “If we ever needed the Lord we sure do need Him now.  We sure do need Him now.  Oh Lord, we sure do need Him now. If we ever needed the Lord before, we sure do need Him now, we need Him every day and every hour.” Show the world what Jesus looks like, be a light in this dark place, to the glory of God.  

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." - Psalm 42:5

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  

Trading What Is Best To Merely Get What Is Good!

"I have finished the work which You have given Me to do." —John 17:4

“True surrender is not simply surrender of our external life but surrender of our will— and once that is done, surrender is complete. The greatest crisis we ever face is the surrender of our will. Yet God never forces a person’s will into surrender, and He never begs. He patiently waits until that person willingly yields to Him.” - My Utmost For His Highest

One of the dangers that we face as we travel through this life, after our new birth, is the danger of wanting what is good and being willing to “trade” what is best to get it.  Where has God placed you to fulfill the purpose, He has ordained for you?  

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  - Ephesians 2:10

Surrender means that you stop resisting.  Your hands are held high, your heart is yielded.  Your cry is “Have your own way Lord.  Have your own way.  You are the potter and I am the clay.  Mold me and make me after your will.  While I am waiting, yielded and still.”  But ... all too often we want to be the captain of our destiny.  The good ... the reasonable … rises up in our hearts ... the question is raised ... "Why can’t I just be like everyone else?" ... "Why won’t He just let me be like everyone else?"  There is the possibility of a mutiny in your heart.  Oh friend, don’t you see that what you are experiencing is natural, predictable.  It’s the battle between the flesh and the Spirit.  In Psalm 51, David wrote … “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” 

Don’t expect the world to praise you for choosing God over everything else.  In fact, they may find opportunity to condemn you for it.  Certainly, there are those who say that “God told them”, when in fact, they are at the helm of their lives.  They use God as a banner, but they are not devoted to Him, only themselves.  Time will tell.   Like the wheat and the tares, it is often hard to distinguish, until it is time to bear fruit.  I often used the analogy of a mango tree when I preached in Haiti.  You may call yourself a mango tree, but if your branches do not bear mangos but oranges instead, you are not a mango tree.  In the same way, if you say you are called by God but there is no Spiritual fruit on your branches, then you are not called by God.  I am not speaking about counting the number of souls saved through your work as proof, although that may certainly be some of the fruit.  Do people see Jesus in you?  Do you bear witness to God and give Him glory or do you seek affirmation from men.  (John 12:43) “they loved human praise more than praise from God”

So, all that said, what is the point.  As Christians, the life we are to live is described best in Galatians 2:20.  

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  

Living by faith … going when He says go .. doing when He says do. In this life of faith the way is steep and rocky.  It will exhaust you if you try to go it alone, in your own strength, under your own will - your own power.  Your new life requires total dependence upon the One who called you to it.  The minute you try to do it yourself, try to make a course change, you will feel the weight that only God can lift.  That should be a reminder that you do all things through and only through Christ Who gives you supernatural strength, born out of your faith in Him and surrender to Him.  Believe me, I know.

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 

Boundaries

"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers." - Psalm 1:1-3

Do you have boundaries in your life. I am certain you do. Things that you will not participate in, indulge in, paths that you fear to tread because you know where the path leads which is to regret and sorrow. I wrote the other day about Jesus - friend of sinners. Being insulated but not isolated from the affairs of this world. 

Notice that the reason the person in Psalm 1 did not sit, walk or stand in the way of sinners - which was our way at one time in our lives - is that he or she meditated on the word of God. Reading the signs of you will. "This is the Way! Walk in it!"

You may be familiar with a book by Watchman Nee entitled "Sit, Walk Stand" He did not write about Psalm 1 but about the Book of Ephesians - and yet he did. The following is an excerpt from a review I came across in the internet.

"Using the book of Ephesians, Watchman Nee—a revered and fascinating Chinese pastor from the mid-twentieth century (who died in prison for his religious beliefs)—breaks down the oft-confusing idea of both being saved by grace and being asked to lead a righteous life. In concise and straight-forward language punctuated very occasionally by a story, Nee says we are first to rest (sit) in our position in Christ, then as a natural outflowing, walk the kingdom life, and then lastly, to stand in Christ’s name against evil. Walking and standing can only flow out of sitting. One will flow into the other. All of them are powered by God and have their end in His glory." - Devon Trevarrow Flaherty / September 9, 2020

"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 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 1:7-9

The Bible establishes spiritual boundaries that we should not cross. If we do it is sin. You can try to rationalize it, minimize it, ignore it, or try to redefine the boundaries.  But no matter how we reshape it, it is still sin. 

"If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them." - James 4:17

I am not making this up. Staying on God's side of the boundaries requires spiritual strength not human determination to be good. I am not trying to shame you or discourage you but to encourage you to look to the hills.

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord.  The Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand" - Psalm 121:1-5

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 

Jesus Knows All About Our Struggles

"The only way to find yourself is in the fires of sorrow. Why it should be this way is immaterial. The fact is that it is true in the Scriptures and in human experience. You can always recognize who has been through the fires of sorrow and received himself, and you know that you can go to him in your moment of trouble and find that he has plenty of time for you. But if a person has not been through the fires of sorrow, he is apt to be contemptuous, having no respect or time for you, only turning you away. If you will receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for other people." - My Utmost For His Highest

 You don’t have to look far to find someone who has dealt with sorrow in their life.  Perhaps they are still struggling with it and “it”, the source of the sorrow, has shaped their view of life.  Perhaps they have lost hope .. they cannot see the promises of the Lord because of the burden they carry …. They may have forgotten that … 

“He [Jesus, the Messiah] was despised, and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we esteemed him not.” - Isaiah 53:3 

People don’t need your words, they need your love.  Remember, “we love because He first loved us”.  1 John 4:19 We give comfort to others because He first comforted us.  God uses us … jars of clay who have met sorrow ourselves … to minister to others … 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”  - 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 

Our job is not to fix them, but to understand the burden of sorrow and to love them in the midst of it.  Usually when people greet you and ask how you are doing, they really don’t want to know the details … a simple “I’m fine” is what they are looking for.  You must willing to go beyond that … Ask them how you can pray for them … don’t try to identify with the particular source of their sorrow … The balm of Gilead referred to in Jeremiah 8:22 was used to heal wounds.  Jesus is the Balm for our sorrows, for our wounds.  

“There is not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no not one. Jesus knows all about our struggles, He will guide till the day is done.”  Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless 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 

Carrying Your Own Cross

…who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree… —1 Peter 2:24

“The Cross of Christ is the revealed truth of God’s judgment on sin. Never associate the idea of martyrdom with the Cross of Christ. It was the supreme triumph, and it shook the very foundations of hell. There is nothing in time or eternity more absolutely certain and irrefutable than what Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross— He made it possible for the entire human race to be brought back into a right-standing relationship with God. He made redemption the foundation of human life; that is, He made a way for every person to have fellowship with God. The heart of salvation is the Cross of Christ.” - My Utmost For His Highest 

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”  Matthew 16:24-26

My cross is not the same as Jesus’ cross.  My cross represents a daily sacrifice of my flesh, my carnal nature.  Not wanting to cling to the old but embracing the new. (2 Corinthians 5:17-19) How I live my life should shout that reconciliation with God is possible.  But if I insist that I live with one foot planted firmly in the world and in the other heaven, that won’t happen.  Each day I must resolve to follow Jesus, in everything.  What is it that I can possibly give in return for the eternal salvation of my soul? 

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  - Romans 12:1-2

What can I give - I can give Him my heart.

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

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

Using The Difficulty

"... 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. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." -  James 1:2-8

I recently read an article about Michael Caine, the actor. It seems that as a young stage actor on que he was to open a door and enter on stage. A chair had been moved in front of the door and he couldn't get it open all of the way. He wasn't sure what to do. Afterward, the director told him next time to "use the difficulty" - some unexpected challenge. If it was a drama, pick up the chair and throw it aside. If it was a comedy. trip on it and do a summersault. Use the difficulty - push through it - don't let it stop you.

That reminded me of James chapter 1. We all face difficulties in this life. The question is, "Will the difficulty use me, or will I use the difficulty?" If I ask you if you believe the Word of God is Truth - I am certain you would say "yes". If I also said that the only part of the Bible someone believes is the part they obey - would you be so quick to answer? Or would you say, "Yes - but!".  Jesus said - 

"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.” - John 16:33

That is not to say that we will always avoid the negative consequences birthed by those difficulties. We won't. But as Jesus promised - we can still have peace even in the midst of the consequences. Tribulation can strengthen our faith - if we put our trust in God and not ourselves. "the testing of your faith produces patience". Patience is a fruit of the spirit - which is to say James' and Jesus' entreaties are speaking to the born-again you - not the natural you.

"a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" - that is trusting in ourselves and not in God in every situation. We are double minded - do I trust God or trust myself - which leads to mental instability.  

"Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones." - Proverbs 3:3-8

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

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

Jesus Friend of Sinners - Insulated But Not Isolated

"For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and an excessive drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!" - Luke 7:33-34

There are two points to be taken from Luke. The first is that it does not matter what you do as a Christian - in John's case - total abstinence or in Jesus' case, associating with sinners - the world will find fault and thereby an excuse to reject the message that we all are sinners and Jesus Saves.

The second is that Jesus was sent by the Father to save sinners and so He "mixed it up" with sinners. Not participating in their sin but meeting them where they were. Showing them the love of God. The righteous had no need of a physician or Savior - only the sin sick did and do. 

"And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” - Mark 2:16-17

That reminds me of the fact that "there are none righteous - no, not one." (Romans 3:10) and "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). That leaves no "wiggle room" for the self-righteous - those who resent the Gospel - who are legion.

So, what are we to do with regards to our mingling with sinners. We are to be like the fish in the sea. The fish live their lives in salt water but are not salty. Those fish are insulated from the salt. In a similar way, we live in a sinful world - in which we are to be insulated but not isolated. We are not to participate in the sinful life, from which, as Christians, we were all saved. But we are to engage those who are sinners by showing them the love of God. Abstaining from the evil they do but not avoiding them because of it. Instead leading them to repentance.

I once heard someone say, "You can't lead where you won't go. You can't teach what you don't know. And you can only recreate what you are." To be an effective witness and to be like Jesus was with sinners, you must be spiritually prepared and protected. 

"He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed." - Prov 13:20

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house." - Matthew 5:13-15

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 

The Christian Life Is Not A Solo Flight

He who believes in Me…out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. —John 7:38

"A river reaches places which its source never knows. And Jesus said that, if we have received His fullness, “rivers of living water” will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8) regardless of how small the visible effects of our lives may appear to be. We have nothing to do with the outflow— “This is the work of God, that you believe…” (John 6:29). God rarely allows a person to see how great a blessing he is to others. A river is victoriously persistent, overcoming all barriers. For a while it goes steadily on its course, but then comes to an obstacle. And for a while it is blocked, yet it soon makes a pathway around the obstacle. Or a river will drop out of sight for miles, only later to emerge again even broader and greater than ever. The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never focus your eyes on the obstacle or the difficulty. The obstacle will be a matter of total indifference to the river that will flow steadily through you if you simply remember to stay focused on the Source. Never allow anything to come between you and Jesus Christ— not emotion nor experience— nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has developed and nourished in you mighty, rushing rivers of blessing for others." - My Utmost For His Highest

God will never call you to anything where there are not obstacles that are too high for you to overcome on your own.  Our purpose is to bring glory to God not to ourselves.  I was talking to the teller at the bank some years back.  I was drawing out money from our savings account to take with us on our trip to Houston, TX where we believed God was calling us to help - and He was.  I told her I wanted $20’s so they would be easier to change out and if someone needed money, I would prefer to give them a $20 and not a $100.  (Although if the Spirit prompted me to give them more, I would.)  In Haiti I always carried Haitian money in my shirt pocket for just such an encounter. Anyway, she thanked me for Martie and I going to Texas, but I asked her to give thanks to God for calling His people to go instead.  

Martie and I were facing a number of obstacles to our going.  God knew that.  He was not surprised.  We were trusting Him to overcome ... to make the way.  Where God guides, God provides.  Listen there is a BIG difference between walking by faith knowing God has called you and going and doing based upon the emotion of the moment. You cannot do anything for God without God.  If we did not sense that God was with us, we would not have left the house.  And neither should you.  But, if it is God then don’t worry about the obstacles, but trust in God’s sovereignty and power.  Like Jesus said to the disciples in the boat after they roused Him from his sleep, and He calmed the storm … “Where is your faith?”  Are you trembling at the sight of the obstacles before you?  Do you fear what might happen if you cross the “river” like He said to do in the face of the obstacles that loom large before you?  God never blesses you without first seeing your obedience to His revealed will for your life.  The river Jordan did not back up until they stepped into the water.  So come on in .. the water’s fine and God is faithful! (Bondye fidel)

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 

Being A Christian In Deed Not Just In Fact

"For many walk, of whom I [Paul] 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" - Philippians 3:18-20

I am certain that if you have been reading or listening to the news - you know that there is a presidential election looming. And no ... this is not a political post. Rather it is an observation. Whether you identify as a Democrat or Republican or some other option is your choice. What I want to do is stir your brain cells and your spiritual understanding and awareness.

So, to the observation. There are a number of social, political, candidate character and financial issues that are being bantered between the parties. I will not address them specifically - only to say that some infringe on what God has made plain and some do not. I am addressing both. Really not the issues themselves so much has the emotions and subsequent responses that are provoked by those issues.

As Christians - and my assumption is that you are one and if not - we face a constant struggle - that being how to respond to world events given that our primary citizenship is in heaven and therefore, our primary allegiance is to Jehovah God. All that said - as we live this life - no matter what side of the "political" aisle we find ourselves on - those issues can often prompt anger, contempt and bitterness in us. 

There is no place for anger, contempt or bitterness in the heart of one surrendered by faith to the God of heaven. I will not re-share the verses from Galatians chapter 5, but a quick read will remind you of where anger, contempt, and bitterness find their source. So, to the point of this observation. First - do not try to justify embracing that which is contrary to the nature of God as ok and "just part of politics". You must take a stand against it. As Christians living in a fallen world, we are by our rebirth unevenly yoked. The natural side of our uneven yoke always demands that we compromise our faith to be satisfied. Second, I wish I knew the answer to the dilemma we face. But this I do know - God is sovereign no matter who wins the election - in any country, not just the U.S. As such, we are called to be witnesses to everyone who does not know Jesus, irrespective of party affiliation and be an encouragement to those are Christians to be faithful to the One who saved them.

Every day - not just in an election year, we have an opportunity to be a Christian in deed and not just in fact.

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

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

Sin's Call Can Seem Simply Irresistible

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

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

 Our new life is spiritual.  Our old life was natural.  We are drawn to the natural.  We must intentionally seek out the spiritual.  The spiritual does not happen naturally.  If you live your life with little thought to the spiritual disciplines, you are in trouble ... spiritually speaking.  Galatians 2:20 says that you are crucified with Christ, nevertheless you live, but it’s not you but Christ in you.  You are sealed with the Spirit.  Jesus is not in your heart, He is at the right hand of the Father as our intercessor and high priest, the Spirit is in you.  The Spirit is what makes the spiritual part of you possible.  Don’t neglect spiritual things ... the Word, prayer, fellowship with other believers … if you do you will find it impossible to live the new life.  Trying to be “good” has its source in the original sin … believing the lie “I can do it; I don’t need God.”  

That sin you try so hard to resist, is irresistible.  Why do I know that? Because God had to send His Son to overcome it.  At the root of our sins is our sin nature.  At the root of our sin nature is our desire to be the “ruler of our world”.  (Genesis 3:4-5) “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  The original sin was our desire to be like God … not in His image and likeness, we were created by Him to be like that, but to take His place.  To be in charge, so to speak.  But God wants us to be like the Son (Romans 8:29) who reflects the Father. (John 14:9) It seems so simple when you read it but can be so difficult to live.  We can only live our new life successfully if we live it in the awareness of the spiritual power by which we must live 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 Will It Take To Make You Happy?

“I no longer care what anyone thinks of me or the judgment what anyone has of me! I’m going to be happy no matter what.”  Have you ever had that thought? Being happy … that is everyone’s goal in life, right? There is nothing wrong with wanting to be happy.  Well, what is that exactly?  Not having any financial worries, illnesses, relational problems? Maybe, feeling like you have value.  Not being depressed or sad.  Or maybe it’s fear.  Some people are fearful.  Any and all of those things makes you weary.  I think the person that said “I no longer care” had been trying to make other people happy by being what they wanted them to be.  The problem is that doesn’t work.

In 1670, Blaise Pascal published Pensées, which was a defense of the Christian religion. In it he wrote of a God-shaped void or vacuum that is cannot only be filled by God. But mankind tries to fill it with what the world has to offer in the quest of being happy - satisfied - content.

This does have a spiritual point. We have a choice in this life.  We can choose to find fulfillment in the world, or we can find it in the Lord. But we cannot do both.  Telling people to trust in God can be like telling them to jump across the Grand Canyon.  Asking them to do what they see as the impossible. Instead, they prefer to define what will make them happy and pursue it.  Even if it is contrary to the counsel of God’s Word and harmful to them.  Peace is what they are seeking.  The absence of stress and worry and hurt.  When that happens – which it never does – they are “happy”.  

 “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:25-27

The peace – the happiness that people seek can be found in Jesus.  It is fully dependent upon the presence of the Spirit and your will being submitted to Him. Can you be happy without God? Yes. But that is not the point.  Finding satisfaction – happiness in this world is totally dependent on the circumstances of life.  It is fleeting and fickle. Finding satisfaction – happiness – peace in Jesus is independent of the circumstances of this natural life you are living.  But that is a big jump – a leap of faith – a leap that many are unwilling to take. And so, they live with an underlying fear that their happiness might end one day – but it doesn’t have to.  So, what makes you happy? Think 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 

Insulated But Not Isolated

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us…sanctification… —1 Corinthians 1:30

“The most wonderful secret of living a holy life does not lie in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfect qualities of Jesus exhibit themselves in my human flesh. Sanctification is “Christ in you…” (Colossians 1:27). It is His wonderful life that is imparted to me in sanctification— imparted by faith as a sovereign gift of God’s grace. Am I willing for God to make sanctification as real in me as it is in His Word? The perfection of everything is in Jesus Christ, and the mystery of sanctification is that all the perfect qualities of Jesus are at my disposal.” Mt Utmost For His Highest

Most Christians would agree with the idea that they have been “set apart” by God.  But the same “most” would have a difficult time explaining what that means in a practical, day-to-day, application to their lives. Jesus was castigated for “carousing” with sinners by the religious elite.  

“On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” - Matthew 9:12

So being sanctified must not mean that you isolate yourself from people who are sinners. No, what it means is that you must insulate yourself from their sin.  And how do you do that?  You see, the root of the problem is a matter of your heart’s devotion.  Jesus was fully devoted to the will of God.  

Jesus said, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.”  - John 6:38 

As we live our lives each day, we must keep our focus on the Father’s will and be faithful to it.  When Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love God with all of our being, that does not leave room for anything else. No desire or earthly affection should be allowed to "nudge" God out of the way. Just as you could not avoid sin before you were a Christian through your determination, you cannot avoid sin – remain insulated – through your determination now that you are a Christian. If the Word of God is not part of your daily life.  If prayer is not part of your daily life. If you fail to associate with Christians who are insulated, themselves, you are in spiritual trouble.  Sanctification is a state of spiritual being that starts in the heart and is evidenced in the way you live and what you love.   

Remember that you are in the world but not of the world. Many think that is a verse from the Bible but is actually a paraphrase taken from Jesus' prayer in John 17.

I [Jesus] do not pray that You [Jehovah God - the Father] should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." - John 17:15-16

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 

Living For Jesus

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me… —Galatians 2:20

 “No one can do this for me, I must do it myself. God may bring me up to this point three hundred and sixty-five times a year, but He cannot push me through it. The one point to decide is— will I give up? Will I surrender to Jesus Christ, placing no conditions whatsoever as to how the brokenness will come? I must be broken from my own understanding of myself. When I reach that point, immediately the reality of the supernatural identification with Jesus Christ takes place. And the witness of the Spirit of God is unmistakable— “I have been crucified with Christ….”  The passion of Christianity comes from deliberately signing away my own rights and becoming a bondservant of Jesus Christ. Until I do that, I will not begin to be a saint. Will we allow Him to help Himself to us, or are we more concerned with our own ideas of what we are going to be?” - My Utmost For His Highest

In Galatians 2:20, Paul is referring to his “new” life.  His new, supernatural existence.  Everything that I am is totally dependent upon Jesus and the Spirit. Jesus saved me, the Spirit sanctifies me.  Pretty simple.  But why is it so hard to live?  Instead, we look at our own cross, sing about it, listen to sermons about it, make references to it, but will not bend over and pick it up.  Instead, we are content with things the way they are.  It’s a silent struggle – hidden from the view of other Christians – at least we think it is.  

We are content with thinking that we are only human, flawed, but forgiven.  Well, we are human, we are flawed, and we are forgiven.  But we are also children of Jehovah God.  Adopted through the blood of Jesus and His resurrection.  Sealed with the Spirit.  Given access to the very presence of God the Father through Jesus.  Christian! don’t be content with mediocrity.  

Am I trying to make you feel guilty? No … all of us are guilty … that is a fact.  I want to remind you of your new life in Christ and your calling from God to abandon the desires of the flesh and pursue the way of the Cross. Joining Jesus in saying, "Not my will but Your will be done."  God has intended much more in your new life than you are experiencing, but you must be willing to put the world and what it has to offer (wood, hay and stubble) behind you and follow Jesus.

Listen, all of us struggle with this. But we all need to be reminded of who we are in Christ and our high calling to be like Him, through Him, often.  

"I, [Your Name], have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I, [Your Name], who lives, but Christ lives in me…" —Galatians 2:20

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 

Do You Remind People Of Your Dad?

"Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works." - John 14:8-10

“Individuality is the hard outer layer surrounding the inner spiritual life. God wants to bring you into union with Himself, but unless you are willing to give up your right to yourself, He cannot. “…let him deny himself…”— deny his independent right to himself. Then the real life-the spiritual life-is allowed the opportunity to grow.” - My Utmost For His Highest

There are two sides to this coin.  The natural and the supernatural.  I am sure you have heard the saying “The apple does not fall too far from the tree.”  Or how about “He is just like his dad.” I remember that one. Before I type what I am going to type, let me preface it by saying my mom was a godly woman who led many to Jesus.  Before her rebirth ... well she was just like every other person who needs Jesus.  My parents were divorced when I was 2 years old.  I was one of four, the youngest, from my biological parents' marriage.  The four of us lived with my mom.  Years later, my mom admitted she got married for the wrong reason ... one of 15 children she wanted out of the house.  Many people make choices like that.  The consequences of those “flesh” choices reverberate through their lives and the lives of their children and maybe even their children.  OK, so one day I did something she didn’t like, and she said to me “Stop doing that you remind me of your father!” I can remember thinking, “Don’t be like your father or you will lose the love of your mother.”  It proved to be a deterrent from my wanting to be like him in any way.  It’s not an issue of who you are reflecting but “what” you are reflecting in who you are reflecting.  There is a significant interest in finding your genetic roots.  Ancestry.com is advertised a lot on television.  People want to know.  Ancestry.com is connected to – sponsored by the Mormons.  Know where they came from is an important part of their belief system.  Well, on the natural side the Bible tells us  ... we came from Adam.  We are a reflection of Adam.  (Romans 3:23) “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.  In other words .. we are not like our heavenly father.  People think they can find meaning and perhaps comfort in knowing their ancestry.  

So on to the supernatural. Being a reflection of our Father in heaven is always a good thing. But to do that you must be born again and walking after the Spirit and not the flesh. Jesus said (John 14:9) “If you have seen Me you have seen the Father.” Jesus was and is a reflection of the Father.  They are indistinguishable.  Jesus prayed (John 17:21) “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” Paul wrote (Romans 8:29-30) “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”  Jesus said (John 5:30) “because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.”  When we reflect Jesus, we reflect the Father. There is no room for our old nature or its individuality.  Our identity is in Christ.  (2 Corinthians 5:17) “..old things are passed away .. everything is becoming new”.  But be on your guard because your flesh will surely rise up and demand its place in your life.  All I can say is you must take it to the altar (Romans 12:1-2)

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

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

Flying Through Life With The SCAS Turned Off

 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me… —Galatians 2:20

 “These words mean the breaking and collapse of my independence brought about by my own hands, and the surrendering of my life to the supremacy of the Lord Jesus. No one can do this for me, I must do it myself. Has that breaking of my independence come? All the rest is religious fraud. The one point to decide is— will I give up? Will I surrender to Jesus Christ, placing no conditions whatsoever as to how the brokenness will come? When I reach that point, immediately the reality of the supernatural identification with Jesus Christ takes place. And the witness of the Spirit of God is unmistakable— “I have been crucified with Christ….” The passion of Christianity comes from deliberately signing away my own rights and becoming a bondservant of Jesus Christ.”  My Utmost For His Highest

The Cobra Helicopter was designed with something called a Stability Control Augmentation System (SCAS).  As a Cobra Pilot don’t have an appreciation for what it does for you until it is turned off.  Without SCAS, the helicopter is difficult to control, impossible for some.  If you fly without it for any time, you will wear yourself out trying to keep the helicopter stable. But when it is engaged, controlling the helicopter is a breeze in comparison.  

So, what does that have to do with this devotion?  As Christians, we often try to live our lives with our “SCAS” turned off.  The Spiritual Control Augmentation System, if you will. We try to live a stabilized life in our own strength. But “this life that we now live in the flesh we live by faith" … faith in the Son of God who gave Himself up for us by the power of the Spirit of God.  As a Christian, this life is difficult, but it is so much more difficult when we try to live it in our own strength. If you choose to try, you are going to wear yourself out … but then you already know that don’t 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 

Living A Little South Of Perfection

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfect… —Philippians 3:12

"God’s purpose is to make us one with Himself. The emphasis of holiness movements tends to be that God is producing specimens of holiness to put in His museum. If you accept this concept of personal holiness, your life’s determined purpose will not be for God, but for what you call the evidence of God in your life. How can we say, “It could never be God’s will for me to be sick”? If it was God’s will to bruise His own Son (Isaiah 53:10), why shouldn’t He bruise you? Christian perfection is not, and never can be, human perfection. Christian perfection is the perfection of a relationship with God that shows itself to be true even amid the seemingly unimportant aspects of human life. I am called to live in such a perfect relationship with God that my life produces a yearning for God in the lives of others, not admiration for myself. Thoughts about myself hinder my usefulness to God. God’s purpose is not to perfect me to make me a trophy in His showcase; He is getting me to the place where He can use me.” - My Utmost For His Highest

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.” - 2 Corinthians 4:8-11

Does that sound like living the Christian life is trouble free?  How about this?

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” - James 1:2-4

Both of these scripture references address the issue of spiritual perspective.  Seeing life through the lenses of spiritual understanding.  Paul said that he prayed that the eyes of our hearts would be opened. (Ephesians 1:18) The “natural” thing to do is to expect that our new life in Christ, which is supernatural, will result in a better natural life … maybe free of sickness, heartache and want.  If that is what you expected, how is that working for you? 

When Jesus healed, there was a spiritual purpose … like the blind man … the disciples asked who sinned ... the answer was no one, but the man was blind so God might be glorified.  He was blind so that Jesus could make a spiritual point in his healing, fulfilling prophecy.  What!  You mean to tell me that the man had lived for, let’s say, 30 years blind and deprived of a “normal” life just for Jesus’ healing? He lived, day after day, wanting to see … would God do that to someone? Remember, He sent His Son to die on the cross.  There is a greater, eternal story going on here.  We look at everything from the “natural”, even God.  If you don’t gain spiritual understanding, then you will live a conflicted life.  The chief end of man is to glorify God.  You do that by doing His will and offering yourself as a living sacrifice.  What do you think being a sacrifice means?  Having a new car and a 70” TV on your wall? Probably not!  More likely it means trusting God in the midst of the storms of life.  Seeing life from God’s perspective and responding to life with that perspective.  Living a life of faith in Jesus, who has overcome the world. (John 16:33). Trusting God, no matter what may come your way.

We all are living lies a little South of perfection. Some of us are farther away than others.

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 

Made For The Valleys

While you have the light, believe in the light… —John 12:36

“We all have moments when we feel better than ever before, and we say, “I feel fit for anything; if only I could always be like this!” We are not meant to be. We must bring our everyday life up to the standard revealed to us on the mountaintop when we were there. If, during a prayer meeting, God shows you something to do, don’t say, “I’ll do it”— just do it! We must learn to live in the ordinary “gray” day according to what we saw on the mountain. Burn your bridges behind you, and stand committed to God by an act of your own will.” - My Utmost For His Highest

A question is posed in the Focus On The Family seminar – The Truth Project.  “Do you believe that what you believe is really – real?”  A piercing question, no?  It gets to the core of the problem with most of us.  We like the idea of living a sanctified life ... one that endures no matter what storm we might find ourselves in, and yet, when we feel the boat rocking... hear the wind howling ... and the salt spray in our faces … we shrink back … just like the disciples …

“And when he [Jesus] got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” -  Matthew 8:23-27

That is what makes being on the mountain so great for so many … you sense the presence of God … the fear you felt in midst of the storm is gone … calm waters - smooth sailing - it is a glorious time … but like Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration ... we forget that even though you want to stay on the mountain and worship, you were made for the valleys.  Your purpose is to walk in the valley … not to be a spark on the mountain top but to be a light in the dark valley … even in ... especially in … the storms of life.  God does not want to spare you from trouble ... He wants to use you in the midst of it.  It might mean that you will lose something … but even in that loss, God will not abandon you.  When Moses came off of the mountain, his face shone (Exodus 34:29-35) but eventually that glory faded.  The same for us.  You may experience times of great spiritual encouragement, but those times are like seasoning on food.  They enhance the flavor, but the seasoning is not what sustains and nourishes you.  As Christians we are sustained and nourished by faith through obedience, and all of that for and to the glory of God.

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

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

Your Salvation Is Not Just For Your Benefit

The everlasting God…neither faints nor is weary. —Isaiah 40:28

“Exhaustion means that our vital energies are completely worn out and spent. Spiritual exhaustion is never the result of sin, but of service. Whether or not you experience exhaustion will depend on where you get your supplies. Jesus said to Peter, “Feed My sheep,” but He gave him nothing with which to feed them (John 21:17). The process of being made broken bread and poured-out wine means that you have to be the nourishment for other people’s souls until they learn to feed on God. They must drain you completely— to the very last drop. But be careful to replenish your supply, or you will quickly be utterly exhausted. Until others learn to draw on the life of the Lord Jesus directly, they will have to draw on His life through you. You must literally be their source of supply, until they learn to take their nourishment from God. Continually look back to the foundation of your love and affection and remember where your Source of power lies.” - My Utmost For His Highest

Some of Chamber’s devotions in My Utmost are directed at those Christians who are in “full-time” service, vocational ministry.  You may have read the excerpt above and thought “This does not apply to me.” But, actually, it does.  For most Christians they “exhaust” themselves just trying to live the life they have in Jesus.  Managing their sin mostly.  Let alone feeding other sheep (Christians).  2 Corinthians 5 says we have been given a ministry of reconciliation … reconciling people to God.  Jesus said “Go and make disciples” in Matthew 28.  Both are charges to every Christian.  If you have not been involved in either ... then it’s not because of lack of opportunity.  It is because of lack of obedience and faith.  Both being a witness and discipling others are fully dependent upon the Spirit of God in you and less on your personal ability to teach or persuade.  

We talk much about our personal relationship with Christ, but our personal salvation is not an end to itself.  If I buy a car and park it in the garage ... washing and shining it every week.  Start the engine. But never apply it to its purpose for being then it is really a waste of money and my time. With the exception that I have personal satisfaction in owning it and caring for it.  The same for our faith and its purpose.  James said faith without works is dead (James 2).  Like the car in the garage.  Like the Christian who keeps their faith to themselves. So, my point.  Be alert for the opportunity to spiritually engage in the lives of other people.  Don’t trust in yourself but submit to the Spirit and let God reveal Himself through you.  Fulfill your purpose … and the feeling of spiritual exhaustion that is sure to come. That exhaustion will be accompanied with a peace that is found only in service and obedience.

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