Jars of Clay

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies." - 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

When we are born again and the Spirit of God takes up residence in us, our jar of clay if you will - That is a mystery that is not clearly explained in the New Testament. What we do know is that the Shekinah Glory - the visible presence of God was in the Holy of Holies over the Ark of the Covenant. The Bible does not make a clear connection between the Shekinah Glory of the Old Testament and the Holy Spirit of the new but Christians are referred to as the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19)

So, to my point. You are well aware that the presence of the Spirit in you does not protect you from temptation or from sin for that matter. The Spirit does convict us of sin and does seal us for the day of redemption. We are cautioned that we should not quench the Spirit and go our own way. 

"Do not quench the Spirit." - 1 Thessalonians 5:19

Quenching the Spirit would be to ignore or deliberately disobey the leading of the Spirit. Jesus said the Father would send the Spirit to help us. Help us do what? Live our new life - our spiritual life. I have always thought of the Holy Spirit as the heavenly connector or adapter. When we were living in an RV in Mississippi, Florida and Texas our trailer was powered through a 30 amp circuit and a specific plug. Sometimes there was not 30 amp connection only a 50 amp connection that requires a different plug. So, we had to get an adapter (30 to 50) that allowed us to connect to the source of power.

That is like the Spirit in us. The Spirit gives us a spiritual connection so these Jars of Clay can connect to the Father. To give us the spiritual power we need to live our new life. Quenching the Spirit is like pulling the plug. We are on our own at that point. That is not to say we have lost our salvation - but we are living on our own power. Not a good place to be but it is all too easy to go there, as you probably already know if you have been a Christian for more than a week!

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 

Happy or Holy

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" - 1 Peter 2:9

I happened to see a post on Facebook that was a challenge to the Christian readers to consider the question - "Does God want us to be happy or holy?" I suppose a follow-on question might be - "Why can't we be both?"

The idea of being "holy" is to be consecrated or set apart, dedicated or devoted to serving God. Separate from the world and devotion to the things of the world. That possibility happens the moment that we are saved by faith. Another question might be - "What is the source of our joy or happiness?" Position or possession. Have you ever heard someone ask in frustration, "What does it take to make them happy?" There is a quote from John D. Rockefeller when he was asked how much money he needed. The answer, "Just a little bit more." The pursuit for the things of this world to make us happy is never ending. The desire is insatiable. People with a lot of many very often have lives that are relational disasters. 

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world." - 1 John 2:15-16

If you should find yourself in pursuit of "more" in your quest to be happy, you might very well have to deny your faith - obedience to the Word - your new nature - to acquire that which you desire. The Bible is a mirror, if you will. It reflects the nature of God and the nature of man. It is also about transformation - mankind cannot become like Christ on our own - but we need God's intervention. 

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

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

The truth about happiness is that only way to be truly happy is to be holy. 

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

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

Speak Lord - Your Servant Is Listening

 "And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down" - 1 Corinthians 14:30

Have you ever had that happen to you? You were not expecting it but "wham" you had a sudden realization. And more than that you knew that it was from God.  That happened to the Prophet Samuel before he was the "mighty" prophet. 

"(Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.) And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here I am, for you did call me. Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, Samuel! Samuel! And Samuel answered, Speak, for Your servant hears." - 1 Samuel 3:7-10

Do you believe that the Lord would ever speak to you? I hope you do. But you may not know it was the Lord just like Samuel. He had to seek the advice of someone who understood. Do you remember when CB radios were the thing. You do know what a CB radio is, right? Hey - you got your ears on good buddy!! Do you remember that. Channel 19 was the channel (there were 40) that the truckers used most often. That is how you knew if there were road hazards or if "smokey" had a speed trap set up.  Now you GPS tells you all of that. But I digress :)

In the study, Experiencing God, Dr. Blackaby says that there are 7 spiritual realities that, as Christians, it is important to understand. But more than that to embrace as we live our new lives in Christ. The fourth reality is that God speaks to us. He speaks by the Spirit, who is in us, through Prayer, the Word, circumstances and other Christians. I suspect that a number of people who we have led through that study had no problem accepting that truth - but putting it into practice well that is "a horse of a different color".

When I am listening to a sermon the thought I have is "Speak Lord, your servant is listening."  The pastor has been called by God to share Truth with the Believers and the Gospel with those who are lost. I am interested in hearing that Truth, but more I am waiting to hear from God as well. God does not speak because I decide it is His turn - but I hear because I am focused and listening for His voice. And when He speaks, it is always consistent with His revealed will and always requires me to exercise faith to respond. That typically means that something is about to change.

"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 

I'd Rather Burn Out Than Rust Out

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." -  1 Corinthians 15:58

When do you retire from active Christianity? I don't think it is possible. One of the things that Martie and I are sensitive to is the idea of being shuffled into a "pasture" for the "seniors" at a church as if you are incapable of making a spiritual contribution to the rest of the local body of believers. Do you think there is a time when the Lord says, "OK, I think you have done enough." If He does, then wouldn't it make sense for Him to just call you home? I mean - stick him with a fork - he is done! Unless I missed it, the whole idea of our being here is that we are to be salt and light in a sinful world - there is no age caveat with those verses. That as we accumulate spiritual wisdom, it is our responsibility to share that wisdom with less mature Christians. And if it is us'ns that are immature then Houston we have a problem. The book of Hebrews speaks to this problem - so it is not new.

"We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness." - Hebrews 5:11-13

I think that part of the problem is that, at least in our culture, there is an expectation that our usefulness in the local church is used up by the time we are ready for social security. And many Christians just go along with that idea. Churches organize around it. What I tell people is that I would rather burn out than rust out. 

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

Does that sound like the Lord has a retirement plan for older Christians? I am thinking not. How about you? For Martie and me, when a certain work is finished the thought is never that we are done with service, but what does the Lord have for us next to do. One day it will be to join Him in heaven - but not this day. And like the prophet Samuel, we say, "Speak Lord your servants are listening."

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 In Heaven - Not Like Living On Earth

"So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.  So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man. I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable." - 1 Corinthians 15:42-50

Have you given much thought to what it means to have eternal life? More than that - what it means to live for eternity when this mortal life is over? I think I shared that Martie and I watch a television show called "The Repair Shop". The "shop" is in England and is staffed by expert craftspeople. I always stumble the words that end in "men" these days. If I write craftsmen it is not meant to disenfranchise women but just to use a word to describe both men and women and the word just happens to end in "men". But I digress and I will stick with "people".

The "shop" captured our attention because of the great care that the repairers showed in restoring whatever it was that was brought to them. In every case, the object had significant personal meaning to the families who typically brought it to the shop as a "last resort". No one else was able to repair it. Now to my point - very often the question to the owner after the repair would be something like "so what do you think your grandfather or other relative would say about the repair?" And more often than not the owners would say, "Well, if they are up there looking down, I am certain that he or she would be very pleased to see it repaired to its former glory". 

That comment got my attention. First it suggested that they did not know if the person was in heaven. Second that the person, once in heaven, would even care about something they left behind. Jesus gave us perspective on worldly possessions that we value in this life.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21

Both Paul and Jesus spoke to the difference in what is valued in heaven in contrast to what is valued on earth. The owners of the items in the Repair Shop comments also serve to reveal that we, whose feet are firmly planted on this Earth are inclined project our natural thinking onto what life in heaven will be like. So why do I bring this up? Because the issue is not ever discussed among Christians - in my experience - and I have been a Christian since 1976. We tend to over value possessions, accumulation and relationships during this life. It will all be left behind. We must be careful that we don't have the attitude of Lot's wife who obeyed God physically but looked back on Sodom with regret. Like the song, I Left My Heart In San Francisco. 

I am reminded of a story about a very rich man whose last wishes were that on the day of his death - all of his wealth would be converted to gold and it would be buried with him. And so it was. As he approached the pearly gates, he was dragging his coffin behind him.  Saint Peter asked him what was in the coffin? The man told him it was all that he spent a lifetime accumulating and raised the lid to show him. To which Peter inquired "Pavement?" 

My point - set your heart on things of heaven and don't assume that when you are in heaven that you will just pick up your life where you left off while you lived this natural life. Understand and accept that living in heaven will not be like living on earth. 

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world." - 1 John 2:15-16

Believe it when the Bible says you cannot love God and money. You will love one and hate the other. And you can take that to the bank.

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 Up To What We Have Attained

 "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God....Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11,19-20

When I write these devotional thoughts (this one makes 3203 days that I have shared with you), my hope is not to necessarily reveal some spiritual truth that has escaped you, although that may happen from time to time, but to encourage you to remember who you are in Christ today - at this moment. I must add that the first reader is always me. That somehow it will give you renewed perspective as to how, as Christians, we should live our lives - how we are to act toward others and to live in reverence to the God who has saved us by grace through faith. 

My intent is to remind you that we are by no means perfect by deed or thought so long as we walk this earth but, at the same time, have been supernaturally perfected in Jesus. Not that we might then excuse our sin, but to understand that we were born into sin, our first birth. and will be tempted by sin until we breath our last breath. That you should not be discouraged by that thought but rather be encouraged knowing that He who has begun a good work in you, our second birth, will be faithful to complete. That on Christ the solid Rock you are standing - and all other ground is sinking sand. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians......

"... let us live up to what we have already attained." - Philippians 3:16

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 

Our New Spiritual Life

"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 8:9-11

So, as you already know, as born-again Christians, we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). If that was all there is to it, then all we would need to do is wait until this life is over and - presto - change-o we would be in heaven for eternity and we could begin our new life - which will be for eternity. But that is not what happened. At the point of our salvation - our new birth - we started our eternal existence as the children of God. God put His spirit in each one of us.

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

It is the Spirit of God that "quickens" us toward God and enables our understanding of spiritual truth. We were sealed by the Spirit. God put His mark not on us but in us. 

"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." - Ephesians 1:13-14

Unfortunately, we, all too often, forget that the Spirit is present in us. The presence of the Spirit is similar to what King David said of God. I love this psalm.

"O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." - Psalm 139:1-14

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 

We Are Family

"It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.  As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not." - Romans 4:13-17

I am certain that you have heard the expression, "blood relative". I don't think that I am understating it when I say that millions of people are trying to understand their blood relationship with others through genetic testing. There is something in us that makes us want to know. Adopted children very often feel compelled to find their birth parents. 

Jesus spent a good bit of his earthly ministry telling people to stop looking at their natural condition and use it to shape their world view - what they like - what they don't like - who they like - who they don't like - what they do - what they don't do. His speaking is summed up in His admonition to Nicodemus. 

"Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again." - John 3:5-7

As Christians we have a common blood relative - it is Jesus Christ.

"He [Jesus] has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence." - Colossians 1:13-18

We have been adopted into the family of God. Grafted into the Vine. We are now called the children of God. The eyes of our hearts have been opened to spiritual truth. Our new birth has reshaped our world view (or should have) - so what we like - what we don't like - who we like - who we don't like - what we do - what we don't do - has changed and now is consistent with the will of God.

Stop looking at the outside of the cup to determine if someone is part of your family. It is the inside of the cup that determines that.

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 

A Simple Message With Eternal Consequences

"For Christ did not send me [Paul] to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 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. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles" - 1 Corinthians 1:17-23

At the church we are attending the pastor has been preaching on the Lord's prayer for a number of weeks. Speaking upwards to 40 minutes on each verse. The prayer on the surface is simple but there is a spiritual depth and application to the Christian life and perspective that is expansive. That is the same with the message of salvation. So simple that many think that there must be more to it. I mean after all do you mean to say that just a few words can have eternal consequences?

"But what does it [the Word of God] say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." - Romans 10:8-10

That is so simple - yet for many the simplicity is a stumbling block. I mean, nothing in this life that is of any importance is simple - right? When you share the Gospel with people there is something greater at work than the words that you speak. Although what you say is an eternal truth and THE mystery of the ages. That something is the working of the Spirit of God in the heart of the hearer. I do not know how many times I heard the Gospel, by very well-intentioned people. But the words rolled off like the proverbial water off of a duck's back. But then one day, my heart was quickened and I understood the truth of the Gospel - I believed in my heart. It was the work of the Spirit. Do you remember Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John chapter 3?

"Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?" - John 3:3-10

Spiritual truth cannot be understood through the wisdom of the world. People might understand the words in their minds, but it is only with the transformed heart that we can understand God's truth and recognize the Truth who is Jesus. The One Nicodemus was looking for was the One he was talking to.

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 End of Days

"When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains." - Mark 13:7-8

Technology has made the world smaller. People who once may not have heard about something until months after it happened now know almost the instant that it happens. The "opium of the masses" is the smart phone. People's faces are glued to it. Their minds filled with visual input - most of it only a distant relative of truth and reality. Everyone is an actor and film maker.

Every generation has been faced with what it considered "as bad as it can get", but it isn't. Especially for the economically developed countries, the people know little about hardship - hardship in terms of what many people face every day in less developed countries.

In each generation there is a remnant that will yield their hearts and very lives to Jesus by faith in His death and resurrection. Like it or not - believe it or not - the majority of mankind is headed for the gates of hell - gas pedal on the floorboard.  Hell bent, if you will.  

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." - Matthew 7:13-14

Will the world come to a cataclysmic end - yes. Will it happen in my lifetime? Perhaps but probably not. Jesus said that not even He knows when that will happen - only the Father knows.

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." - Matthew 24:35-39

All I can encourage you to do is be ready. Be ready as if the Lord will return tonight. And if He does not, then know that your life may be required of you before the day breaks in the morning.

"And he [Jesus] told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." - Luke 12:16-21

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 

Treating God Like A First Responder

"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” - Mark 12:41-44

Giving God your all is relative to what you have. What you put your trust in. The more you have the more you are inclined to trust in it and set God aside for emergencies. Like He was a first responder. You know - those people who are ignored until you are facing a crisis that is beyond you - that is when you call 911.  

The widow had put all of her trust in God - for every aspect of her life. Even to the point of giving God the last 2 coins. Do you trust God like that? Are you willing to go "all in" with God. Put all of your chips in the pot. Total dependence upon God and not yourself or what you have in the bank. I have quoted Proverbs 3 on this BLOG so many times over the years.

"My son do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name 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 submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops." - Proverbs 3:1-9

Are you willing to lay everything down if the Lord requires it of you? He already does you know. There must be no other gods in your life - gods being those things that you put your trust in for your well-being. Is there something in your life that you would balk at giving up? It is one thing to say "all I have belongs to the Lord" but it is another thing to open your hands and release those things. 

Trust and faith are hand in glove. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. 

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 Perfectly In An Imperfect Family

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

I have been reflecting on where I am in life.  All of us would want perfection in our family but have never had it.  Like a wisp of smoke, you see it but when you try to grab it, there is nothing in your hand. There always seems to be something out of whack.  I suspect a lot of families try not to think about loss – disappointment – broken relationships – unforgiveness – resentments – bitterness – heartache – everything that results from our fallen nature that seems to linger in our new life in Christ.  I am sure you remember the story about Cornelius and his entire household being saved. (Acts 10).  The story didn’t stop there.  Those people went on to live out their lives.  Did you imagine that their lives were trouble-free after that day? Being trouble free while we live on this planet is an illusion – that puff of smoke I mentioned. 

We long for something that seems unattainable, so we often try to pretend life is what it isn’t.  Do you ever feel the pressure to not let others know that you have problems in your life.  It is as if having problems suggests that you are failing as a Christian.  When we are with Christians, rather than bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) we hide our pain and struggles.  Have you ever asked someone how they are doing and were dismayed when they actually told you more than “Fine!” or “I am blessed!”?

There are moments – some days – when it appears that all is well and then comes the spoiler – a person or event that puts a blemish on what would have been a perfect day. Oh, that this life could be perfect.  But as I struggle to not let “reality” dampen my spirits, I am reminded that what I experience is exactly why we need a Savior.  The matter of the fact is that we will never experience perfection of any kind on this earth.  It will always be just out of reach.  Oh - but one day. As one preacher said, "It's Friday but Sunday's coming!"

I was thinking about the Beatles song “Imagine”.  That song was about an idyllic world – free from trouble.  Those guys went on a spiritual journey looking for it – looking for love in all the wrong places.  The answer was and is Jesus.  You have the family that you have.  Your family is your first place of ministry.  No matter what imperfections may prevail, your place is to show them what Jesus looks like by the way you live your life in the midst of their and your imperfections. But you can’t do it on your own! Be filled with the Spirit.  Draw close to Jesus and let your light 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 

Don't Be Satisfied With Good Enough

"For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." - Romans 10:2-4

What does it mean to be right before God? For some Christians and unbelievers, it is a self-defined righteousness. It is a mix of the natural and the spiritual. Oh - not the really bad part of the natural - just the part that is contrary to God's word but acceptable in the eyes of man.  Most would consider you a nice and honorable person if you are like that. But then, most don't have any idea what right living and right standing before God are. It is a relative measure where you are compared to other people. It is easy to find people that are not as good as you are. You don't have to look far to find them. And when you do, it gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling that you have arrived. The point is not living a life of constrained behavior but a yielded heart.

As Christians. our goal must not be that we are seen as "good" in the eyes of man. This is the same world that Jesus warned the disciples about.

"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." - John 15:18-19

You might say, "The world does not hate Christians." OK, take a stand on something that the world has declared as right and good, but God has declared as sin. The line will be drawn quickly. You will be quickly labeled as being out of touch with the truth - their truth. How important is acceptance by the world to you? Ok, closer to home - your co-workers - your friends - your family. Enough to reject the Truth to embrace a lie all for acceptance. Choosing to go along to get along.

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man." - Romans 1:18-23

And if you find the Christian life difficult to live, that is because it is if you are only trusting in your won't and will power and not the power of God that is in 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 

Recognition - Remorse - Repentance - Reconciliation

"Some Pharisees came and tested him [Jesus] by asking, is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife? What did Moses command you? he replied. They said, Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away. It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law, Jesus replied. But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female. 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. When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery." - Mark 10:2-12

Very often I find myself writing about issues that I suspect will make some readers uncomfortable, but my hope is that it will provoke your thought and reflection on the realities of living in a fallen world. Divorce is an all-too-common event, in our culture in particular. When I tell people that Martie and I have been married for what will be 53 years in January, many reply - "wow, that is uncommon these days, or words to that effect.

In the United States, "when it comes to first marriages, 43% (eventually) are dissolved. Second and third marriages actually fail at a far higher rate, though, with 60% of second marriages and 73% of third marriages ending in divorce." - Legal Advisor article (Revealing Divorce Statistics In 2024) In case you are wondering, divorce rates among Christians are not much better. Recent surveys and studies suggest that approximately 20 to 25 percent of Christian marriages end in divorce, with higher percentages reported among millennials and younger generations of believers.

The woman at the well.

"The [Samaritan] woman said to him, Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water. He told her, go, call your husband and come back. I have no husband, she replied. Jesus said to her, you are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true. ... The woman said, I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us. Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he. .... Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, He told me everything I ever did." - John 4:15-18, 25-26,39

Notice Jesus did not say to the woman that she needed to be restored to her first husband. Although divorce is destructive to the very fiber of marriage and family, it is not the unpardonable sin for which there is no forgiveness. I will leave that to your own study if you are so inclined to pursue it.

Given that one exception to the possibility of forgiveness by God's grace, we should not consider our sins to be OK so that grace might abound.

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" - Romans 6:1-3

I am quite certain that Jesus had an admonition for the woman at the well, just like He had for the adulterous woman.

"When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life." - John 8:10-12

If you will indulge my alliteration - after we sin, there should be recognition - remorse - repentance and reconciliation. "Stuffing" our sin by quenching the Spirit does not get us a "pass" from God. You may fool your friends but not God.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation." - 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

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 Rightly

"And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus, he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." - Mark 7:14-23

Jesus was making a spiritual distinction. Our natural "bent" is to look at the physical and impose it on the spiritual. Jesus said instead we should consider the spiritual and impose that on the physical.  The Jews has strict dietary laws that, if not followed, were considered to be sinful. Jesus "debunked" that thinking - making it clear that God judges the heart and not the stomach. The Apostle Paul expanded on that teaching. 

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall." - Romans 14:19-21

However, even though it is lawful or OK to do something, it may be better to refrain if a weaker brother might stumble by you doing it. When Cain was asked where his brother Abel was, after Cain had killed him, Cain responded with, "Am I my brother's keeper?" The answer is "Yes" in light of the second greatest commandment.

"Teacher [Jesus], which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." - Matthew 22:36-40

Consider that with Jesus' admonition recorded in John 15

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." - John 15:12-13

Willingness to set your own life aside for the good of others. If the question rises up in your heart - "Why should I not be able to do what I want if it is not wrong or sinful?" I would counter with this.

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

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

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

Straining At The Oars Against The Wind

"Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits." - Mark 6:6-7

The disciples were with Jesus but when He sent them out, He had to give them authority to do spiritual things. Spiritual power is gained by association. You cannot go to church - watch enough sermons - even read the Bible often enough to do what God calls you to do - has purposed you to do. 

"And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them." - Mark 6:11

Just because you have the spiritual power does not mean the world will embrace you. In fact, most of the world will not. 

"He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them." - Mark 6:48

When I was in Army flight school, I used to go fishing early on Saturday mornings for a few hours. Stress relief. There was a pond - a rather large pond that I would fish on. I used a small john boat with a trolling motor to fish out of. On one particular day I was fishing with Martie.  As we turned the boat back toward the car, a strong wind picked up.  It was blowing in the opposite direction of the place we wanted to go to. Hard as I paddled with the trolling motor set on high, the boat was pushed back on the opposite shore. I had to yield to the wind. The boat belonged to the people who owned the pond, so we abandoned the boat and walked back around the shoreline through brambles. Martie helping me carry the fishing gear and me carrying the car battery and motor. Life is like that. The winds of life are very often against you. You don't have enough strength to overcome the force of the wind. 

You are faced with a choice. Surrender to the wind or surrender to the Lord. 

"Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel [to all of us]: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." - Zechariah 4:6

We all need to stop straining in our own power - surrender to the Lord.

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13

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

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