Who Decides What Is Good? - God Does Not You

To him who overcomes… —Revelation 2:7

I just read a post the other day saying that most Christians think they are like King David - whole hearted for God, but are really like King Saul - serving God half heartedly. 

Most Christians don’t struggle with those things that are blatantly “evil”, but with those things that seem, on the surface, to be “good”.  Good as defined by our culture and our traditions, not God. There is a movement in our culture, in particular, to redefine the definition of “good” or what is not sin. Isaiah wrote …  

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” - Isaiah 5:20

Today, centuries later, men continued to strive to be like God and define what is good and acceptable.  Paul wrote in the beginning of his letter to the Romans .. 

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. … they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools… And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them." - Romans 18,20-22,28-32

When the young man called Jesus a “good teacher”, Jesus responded 

“Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." - Matthew 19:17

In other words, Jesus was saying “My Father is the only source for what is good”. He is the only One who decides what is good - what is right.  However most cultures reject God and choose to define their own morality and embrace their own definition of what is good and right.  Jesus accused the Church of Ephesus of being lukewarm in Revelation 2.  They wanted to have their cake and eat it too.  That is embrace God and embrace the world, at the same time.  When there is a clash of definitions of good and sin, God is often abandoned in favor of the culture's definition of good.  God is rejected and the culture is embraced. Those Christians who do it feel justified. It is the temptation of “Everyone is doing it”  or "Going along to get along" 

His Spirit convicts us of sin, but we have within our capacity to quench the Spirit. We are in a spiritual battle that manifests itself in the way people live and believe.  My encouragement to you .. 

 “Choose this day whom you will serve .. but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" - Joshua 24:15

 Make it more than a catch phrase or a plaque on your living room wall.  Make it a commitment … everyday … and more than that … do live like you mean it!

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

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

Life Is A Highway

"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling" - Psalm 46:1-3

I heard a great sermon on these 3 verses today. The emphasis was that we will not fear EVEN THOUGH things may not be going our way. Like our three friend Shadrach,  Meshack, and Abed Nego - we feel the heart of the furnace - we can respond with confidence that God is with us. Another preacher, last Sunday said - we don't take big problems to God - we take our problems to our BIG God. The word for God in the first verse of Psalm 46 is Elohim - the transcendent Creator of all things. Let me remind you what God's word says.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:11-13

Our present circumstances don't change that truth.  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

Don't believe that being a Christian shields you from problems in this life. It doesn't. Paul wrote ....

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you." - 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

As the pastor said today, "We are on a journey. We know where we started from. We know where our destination is. But most often we don't know where we are at the moment. Jesus said don't worry!

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." - Matthew 6:25-34

We are to live by faith and not by sight. Easy to say, but it requires deliberate submission to the Spirit of God and full trust in God. So what are you facing today that you did not expect? Trust 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 

Keeping Politics Out Of The Church

"And He [Jesus] said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." - Matthew 22:20-22

Jesus made it clear that there are two domains of authority. God's domain and Caesar's or mankind’s domain. What should we do when they are in conflict with each other?

The Pharisees plotted on how they might entangle Jesus in His teachings. So they sent some of their henchmen to ask Jesus about the legitimacy of paying taxes to Caesar.

That confrontation speaks to an important issue that faces the Body of Christ. What to do when there is a conflict between the God’s and man’s domains. In other words – the worldly domain says something is right when God has made it clear that it is wrong or, conversely, the worldly domain says something is wrong when God has made it clear that it is right.

There are times, of course, when there is no conflict, and in those cases, Christians should render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. Like paying taxes.

But should a conflict arise between the two on some other issue then, as children of God, we are bound to yield to God and not man. And although we would be right in the eyes of God, we would be wrong in Caesar's eyes and may well suffer legal consequences for our actions and decision to obey God.

However, as salt and light we, Christians, have a biblical responsibility – a mandate if you will - to speak up and stand in agreement with God.

So why bring this up? I recently read a post about the separation of church and state and whether it is permissible for a pastor to speak out against actions taken by the government from the pulpit.

You may not have given this much thought – but you should – we – the body of Christ - live in spiritually perilous times.

So, when is it OK to speak about the moral conflicts that arise and when should Christians, and pastors in particular, be silent?

There are two aspects to this issue. One is what the First Amendment to the United States Constitution says and second when the IRS and second what the IRS Tax Code has to say about it.

Let’s talk about the First Amendment

The First Amendment to the Constitution says : Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion (meaning no national religion), or prohibiting the free exercise thereof (freedom of religion); or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

So, you see, the intent of the First Amendment was and is to keep government influence out of churches practicing the Christian faith – or any other religious faith for that matter, and not attempt to keep the influence of our faith out of the government.

What that means it the Islamic faith has as much right to influence the government as the Christian faith does. The government does not rule on which religion is right and which one is wrong. People have the freedom to practice the religion they choose to follow.

No matter which religion is being followed, if the government enacts laws or policies that are contrary to the beliefs of a particular faith, the people following that belief system are obligated to follow their belief system and not the government’s laws or policies.

The term for that is peaceful civil disobedience.

As an example, I am certain you remember the dilemma that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego faced in Daniel chapter 3.

When King Nebuchadnezzar was told that they had refuse to bow before his golden statue he was furious. He confronted the 3 men and gave them another chance to comply or get tossed into the fiery furnace.

"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." - Daniel 3:16-18

In this case, God had made it clear that His children are to serve no other gods and have total devotion to Him. And the 3 men were not willing to sin against God no matter what the worldly consequences. And as you know there were consequences but then the king looked on the furnace, he saw 4 men not three. God was with them.

Ok so that is the First Amendment which does not limit what the Pastor says from the pulpit or in writing.

Second is the IRS Tax code

Personally I think this is where some of the confusion about separation of church and state may arise because of a rule the IRS has about 501(c)3 non-profit organizations, including most churches and their being banned from political campaigning.

As a point of clarification – the government does not require churches to be 501(c)3’s. That is the church to get a tax exemption from the government.

Section 501(c)3 of the IRS tax code prohibits organizations who are granted the exemption from explicitly supporting candidates and/or parties. For Churches to be designated as 501(c)3 non-profit charities that they don’t pay Federal taxes and the donations or tithes they receive are not taxable for the donors.

So what is the ban on political campaign activity?

The ban on political campaign activity is a requirement imposed by Congress for the privilege of being recognized as exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Tax Code says for an organization to be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) it cannot “participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements) any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.” Charities, educational institutions and religious organizations, including churches, are among those tax-exempt organizations restricted.

That means that if a pastor wants to keep the tax exemption, he cannot tell his congregation either verbally or in writing to vote or not vote for a particular person or party.

The ban on political campaign activity does not restrict leaders (pastors) of organizations from expressing their views on political matters if they are speaking for themselves as individuals. Nor are leaders (pastors) prohibited from speaking about important issues of public policy.  (like abortion or gay marriage)

A pastor of a church can attend an event for a particular candidate and express his support of the candidate as long as he does not state or otherwise imply that he is speaking on behalf of his church.  [But frankly in my experience this is hard to do as a leader. Most people see a pastor as always expressing the position of the church and not just his own.]

You see ....

A church may take positions on public policy issues, including issues that divide candidates in an election for public office as long as the message does not in any way explicitly favor or oppose a particular candidate or political party. A pastor can encourage the congregation to vote, fulfilling their civic duty, but not who or what party to vote for.

If Caesar has instituted a policy that is in conflict with God's Word then a pastor is free, and I would say obligated, to speak against it so long has it does not take on speaking against political parties which would be promoting one over the other. If that happened then the church might lose its non-profit status.

I hope this brings clarity to the Church and State conundrum.

By the way, should a pastor choose to tell the congregation how they should vote in an election or participate in a political campaign, don't worry about law enforcement swooping in the middle of the service and carting the pastor away. The pastor has not violated the First Amendment. The worst that can happen is the loss of non-profit status - but, again, that is only if the church is a 501(c)3.

That being said, Pastors, and Christians, do have a responsibility to speak to the moral issues of the day. Pastors must help their congregations understand the moral issues embedded in the political process. They should equip their congregations to embrace a biblical worldview in a world that hates God and ignores His law.

It is the responsibility of the pastor to help the congregation become like the sons of Issachar, mighty men of David) who understood the times having spiritual discernment. To not only embrace a biblical world view and understand the times but be willing to stand against those things in Caesars domain that are contrary to what belongs to God. For that – like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego it requires conviction of your beliefs, moral courage, and a devoted heart to God.

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

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

Trusting God - Even When Things Don't Seem To Be Going Your Way

I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. —Genesis 9:13

 “Waiting for God to act is fleshly unbelief. It means that I have no faith in Him. I wait for Him to do something in me so I may trust in that. But God won’t do it, because that is not the basis of the God-and-man relationship. Man must go beyond the physical body and feelings in his covenant with God, just as God goes beyond Himself in reaching out with His covenant to man. It is a question of faith in God— a very rare thing. We only have faith in our feelings. I don’t believe God until He puts something tangible in my hand, so that I know I have it. Then I say, “Now I believe.” There is no faith exhibited in that. God says, “Look to Me, and be saved…” (Isaiah 45:22). When I have really transacted business with God on the basis of His covenant, letting everything else go, there is no sense of personal achievement— no human ingredient in it at all. Instead, there is a complete overwhelming sense of being brought into union with God, and my life is transformed and radiates peace and joy.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest 

You may have heard the saying “Those who can’t do, teach.” Well, that may be true for some, but there are many teachers who are masters at their discipline and have chosen to teach others in that discipline, communicating their skills and knowledge they have gained  in “the real world” in the classroom.  In the same way, I could not write the words that I do, had I not experienced what I write about.  That is the nature of discipleship.  I can study books that tell me about flying, but unless I actually have flown, it’s all hypothetical.  God has called Martie and me to a life that is unfettered from conventional wisdom.  In other words, we do things that don’t make sense to “reasonable-rational” men … for example you wouldn't do what we have done if you want a secure retirement and to live the American dream.  Nothing wrong with those things .. that is unless they are the source of your saying “no” to God.  If that is the case, they are stumbling blocks and should be tossed aside.

The most important question for a Christian to answer is .. “Do I trust God?” The antithesis is “Do I trust something else .. like my 401K, more?”  Right now we are in Texas.  I left a good job … with no guarantee that I would have enough money to pay my bills in a month. We lost our health insurance … with no assurance that Medicare would be sufficient to meet our health needs.  We left our family .. again … with no assurance that we would ever enjoy the family dynamics that all families look forward to.  We  lived in a travel trailer that rocks as the wind whistles around it.  But wait .. there is more!  We came to Texas because God said “Go”.  The people here wondered where the rest of the volunteers were.  As if it was the volunteers that would “save the day”.  They seemed to be waiting for us to get started … and some days .. we were waiting for the same thing … It is in that context that I read Chamber's devotion … and heard the Lord ask me, “Do you trust Me?  We do and God has provided all along the way.

Abraham followed God and did not know where he was going.  He trusted God without seeing.  Life is like that.  We should not presume that we can get ahead of God. Martie and I are in the center of His will for us, of that we are confident.  We are doing what He called us to do.  Worldly consequences are not the measure of the “rightness” of the call.  If things don’t seem to be going the way you thought they would … will you still follow God and walk in obedience to what you “do” know? People asked Noah where the rain was.  God was holding it back. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, but we must be obedient to what we know today.  And when we are asked … will volunteers come to help us … our answer will be “Bondye Konnen” – God Knows. Si Bondye vle – God willing, they will come – or God will provide in some other way.  But even if the volunteers didn't come, right now, we must rest in our knowledge of God’s faithfulness. 

I often use Proverbs 3:5-6 as an encouragement .. but wanted to share the wisdom that is wrapped around those verses … 

 “…. 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." - Proverbs 3:1-8

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

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

Jehovah Jireh - The Lord Will Provide

"Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided." - Genesis 22:13-14

When Abraham took Isaac to Mount Moriah to sacrifice him, Abraham had an attitude of total dedication and dependence on God. There was nothing in Abraham's heart that was withheld from God. When Abraham was about to plunge the knife into his son, God stayed his hand. Abraham had passed the test of faith. In Abraham's heart - his only son was already sacrificed. And Abraham's faith was reconned unto him as righteousness.

We must be careful that we don't approach God half- heartedly. Devoted partly to God and partly to ourselves. Then expect God to bless us for the portion of devotion we are willing to "toss" His way. The Word is clear!

"Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation."- Psalm 24:3-5

Abraham named that altar, "The Lord Will Provide" or Jehovah Jireh. And He will - but be careful lest you forget we have access to the throne of grace on His conditions and the sacrifice of His Son and not on ours. 

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

Going To Church

 "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another" - Hebrews 10:25

I used this verse to start a BLOG post about understanding that the church building is the place where the Church or Body of Christ assembles. The Spirit of God does not reside in the building, but in each and every Believer. What makes the church building special is the assembling of the Church in that building.

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." - Matthew 18:20

What I did not want to make clear was I was not suggesting that it is not necessary to assemble for corporate worship. I recall a story about Chuck Colson. He was an American attorney and political advisor who served as Special Counsel to President Richard Nixon from 1969 to 1970. Once known as President Nixon's "hatchet man", Colson gained notoriety at the height of the Watergate scandal, for being named as one of the Watergate Seven and also for pleading guilty to obstruction of justice for attempting to defame Pentagon Papers defendant Daniel Ellsberg. Chuck was born again while serving a prison sentence for his offenses. He subsequently started a ministry call Prison Fellowship.

After his release from prison, Chuck met with a man at Chuck's home.  The man was telling Chuck that he didn't need other Christians - just Jesus. Chuck got up from his chair, went to the fireplace and pulled am ember from the fire with tongs. He waled back to his chair and silently stared at the ember until it died out. Then he told his friend, "That is what the Christian life is like for the one who thinks that they don't need other Christians!" 

We come to church to worship the Lord in song and prayer, listen to the Word of God preached, fellowship with other Christians and receive training in the faith. 

"As iron sharpens iron, So a man [one Christian] sharpens the countenance of  his friend [another Christian]." - Proverbs 27:17

Assembling together is important to the health of our faith and spending time alone in the "garden" is also important to the health of our faith. We should not neglect either one of them. 

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 In A Battle

 “I am a Soldier, I fight where I am told, and I win where I fight.” -  George S Patton, Jr.

Does that seem like an odd way to begin a Christian devotion? Perhaps - but I guess you should consider the source. I spent a good bit of my life as a soldier. Being a right minded soldier is about being ready to serve with the proper attitude and devotion. Being a right minded Christian is the same thing. Paul often used the analogy of Christians being like soldiers.

"You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." - 2 Timothy 2:3-4

The life we live once we are born again is a constant battle. We are in constant spiritual warfare. It may not feel like it all the time, but is true nonetheless. As children of God we are enemies of the god of this world and at odds with people who are not born again.  It may not feel like it all the time, but is true nonetheless. We are told to "suit up" in preparation for the struggles we will assuredly face.

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." - Ephesians 6:11-13

We fight many battles in this new life - we don't win them all - but we have won the war through faith in Jesus Christ over sin and death. 

"So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory?" - 1 Corinthians 15:54-55

We had a saying in the Army - we fight the way we train. If you want to be successful in your new life you must put on the full Armor of God. What are we told to do?

"Stand. Gird our waists with truth. Put on the breastplate of righteousness. Shod our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Take the shield of faith to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. Be watchful to this end with all perseverance." - Ephesians 6:4-18

All of those admonishments are deliberate - intentional - actions. They don't just happen on their own. We are not children where someone must dress us, pin a note on our shirt and send us off to school - we are soldiers. Born for battle. Ready to stand our ground. Our eyes fixed on the Lord of Hosts. Our hearts devoted to only One - the Creator God. 

We have no reason to fear. 

"Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, Here I am." - Isaiah 58:8-9

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 Don't Go To Church - We Are The Church

"not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another" - Hebrews 10:25

Martie and I heard a great sermon some time back.  The preacher was from Indonesia.  Christians from other countries, particularly Third World countries have a different perspective on the brand of Christianity from what is prevalent in the United States.  He said that we define Church in one of three ways.  1. As a Gas station.  That is where we go each Sunday to “fill up” spiritually so we can get through another week. 2. As a Cinema.  We go each Sunday to watch a show, maybe have an emotional response to what we see or hear, but take away nothing that might influence how we live. Or 3. As a super-market.  A one stop shop.  We have a need that must be met … we go have that need met. The bottom line in all three, it is all about us and what we get out of it .. for us. And we are never satisfied. Actually, attending the church service is a celebration, not the be all end all.  It is a gathering of His Church.

I remember a rhyme I learned as a child. Folding my hands together and intertwining my fingers I would say "Here is the church and here is the steeple. Open my hands as see all the people." The world should not have to go to a building to see the Church. Many if not most Christians in the United States don’t understand what the Church, that has Christ as the cornerstone, is all about.  The main purpose of the Church is to expand the Kingdom and to bring glory to God.  Not make me comfortable and feel good. The local church building is an equipping center not a haven from a sinful world. The reason Jesus wants you to be a disciple is so you can be a fisher of men (people) like Jesus, not merely to make you a better person, better than your neighbor.  Jesus said “Go!”  Jesus said “Pick up your cross and follow Me.”  Do what Jesus did.  Jesus said “Lay down your life for others.”  Jesus said “Love God with everything you have.”  Jesus said “If you love Me, then do what I say.”  When Joshua wrote that he must obey God's Word and then he would be prosperous and successful, does your mind of material wealth as success? (Joshua 1:8-9) That is your flesh speaking.  The Word says do not love the world or the things of this world.  Love God.  So how does that fit your idea of Christianity and the Church?  The proof of your belief is not in what you say you believe, but in how you live that belief out day by day.  

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

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

How Do You Spell Blessed?

"Why do the wicked live and become old, Yes, become mighty in power? Their descendants are established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them. Their bull breeds without failure; Their cow calves without miscarriage. They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance. They sing to the tambourine and harp, And rejoice to the sound of the flute. They spend their days in wealth, And in a moment go down to the grave. Yet they say to God, ‘Depart from us, For we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?"- Job 21: 7-15

There was a TV commercial some years ago that asked the question - "How do you spell RELIEF?" The answer was R-O-L-A-I D-S (Rolaids - tastes like a mint, works like a miracle!) Who says that advertising doesn't make an impression on our minds???  Reading in the Book of Job as he grappled with the disasters that had befallen him - trying to reason it all out. He had lived a life that honored God and yet one disaster after another had come upon him and yet when he looked around he could see people who did not honor God with their lives living - essentially - trouble free. 

"for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." - Matthew 5:45

The fact of the matter is that living a trouble free and financially prosperous life is not proof of righteous living. On the other hand it is not necessarily a sign of unrighteous living either.

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." - 1 John 2:15

Having things is not the problem. The things having you is the problem. It is easy to become convinced that the proof being right with God is being financially prosperous and being trouble free physically and relationally. But that reasoning  is what a friend of mine would call "stinkin' thinkin'". Supplanting spiritual truth with the world's definition of success. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was He did not say make sure you invest in a good 401K.

"Teacher [Jesus], which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." - Matthew 22:36-37

When you love God with your whole heart then there is no room for another love. And if you make room - then God will be edged out. You may praise Him with your lips but your heart will be far from Him. (Matthew 15:8)

You will make decisions to secure the things of this world to the detriment of your devotion to God. At the same time, convincing yourself that your prosperity is proof of your right living. Most of the Body of Christ is not rich in the treasures of this world and it is not because they are sinful. 

"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

According to the World Bank, almost half the world’s population is living in poverty, subsisting on less than $6.85 per day. If you are healthy and or wealthy you are more of an exception than the rule. The second greatest commandment is to ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ We have a moral - even Biblical - responsibility to "cross the road" and help those in need. And not just build bigger barns for ourselves. (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

Walking In Our Calling - A Struggle Of The Heart

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." —Isaiah 6:8

“God did not direct His call to Isaiah— Isaiah overheard God saying, “…who will go for Us?” The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone. Whether I hear God’s call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude. Remove the thought from your mind of expecting God to come to force you or to plead with you. When our Lord called His disciples, He did it without irresistible pressure from the outside. The quiet, yet passionate, insistence of His “Follow Me” was spoken to men whose every sense was receptive (Matthew 4:19). If we will allow the Holy Spirit to bring us face to face with God, we too will hear what Isaiah heard— “the voice of the Lord.” In perfect freedom we too will say, “Here am I! Send me." - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Jesus said (Mark 4:9) “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”  Whoever has the desire to seek God will hear.  Then the next step is to “do”.  We have all been called.  In Romans chapter 1, Paul referred to the Roman (Gentile) church as “the Called of Jesus Christ”.  Our challenge is to live in obedience to that common calling.  Called to leave our devotion to the things of this world and embrace our new life in Christ.

But, as I have shared before, we also all have a specific calling in the Body of Christ. 

"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

It is not an easy road that we walk. But we don’t walk it on our own, but by faith and the power of the Spirit in us.

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

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

Sunshine Christians

"These things I [Jesus] 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

Thomas Paine was an English American writer and pamphleteer whose "Common Sense" and other writings influenced the American Revolution, and helped pave the way for the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Payne wrote a pamphlet - the analogue version of social media in 1776 - called "The Crisis". The goal in the pamphlet was to encourage anyone who might be wavering on their commitment to the Cause.  In the Crisis, he called those whose loyalty faded with the changing seasons "Sunshine Soldiers".  They were "all in" when things were going well when there was little risk. But when times were hard - when things seemed to be turning against them they would make themselves scarce. 

Being a Christian does not shield you from the troubles in this world. But being a Christian does give opportunity to persevere in the face of your afflictions. There are some who are "Sunshine Christians" who want all the "perks" of being a Christian - but fade in their faith in the face of trouble. Rather than draw close to other Christians who might encourage them in their faith, they run to their "cave" like Elijah. 

As Job dealt with his great losses - it is interesting that they covered the gambit - financial loss, death of loved ones, loss of possessions, loss of personal health, even his friends turned against him. The only things he had left was his life and his wife. And she told him to curse God and die. Satan wanted to prove to God that Job was a faithful to God only when times were good. That Job had a Sunshine faith. Job's response to all of that?

"Though He slay me, yet will I trust [or serve] Him."- Job 13:15

Listen, we all struggle with the troubles that living in a sinful world can bring. The question is - "How are we going to respond?" Job was able to respond the way he did because of his devotion to God. That his hope was in the Father and not on the temporary circumstances of this life. Things happen in this life that can emotionally crushing. Wanting us to run to our "cave". And the Lord will ask us - like He did Elijah - "What are you doing in the cave." The litmus test for the strength of our faith is when tragedy comes our way do we look up or do we look around. My encouragement to you is this.

"... up [your] eyes to the hills— From whence comes [your] help? [Your] help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord shall  preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore." - Psalm 121

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 Time

"So the rich man said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build bigger barns, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘You Fool! This night your soul will be required of you” – Luke 12:18-20

God does not promise tomorrow – not even our next breath. King David wrote that our mortal lives are like a vapor in Psalm 39. A whisp of smoke – visible for only a moment in the span of eternity. And yet how ever many our years are, it is all we know – all we can relate to. So we live and plan like we have all of the tomorrows we want.

My wife and I were just talking about how many people we know who are passing. Seems we get a report every week. It’s not that more people are dying – but more people we know are dying. I am reminded that we are told in Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment”. God does not tell us where, when or how – just that we will all die. That is unless Jesus returns first. And only the Father knows when that will be.

None of us know when our last day will come for us. Nor for those in our families or even for those that we pass in the street. But that last day will come for all of us. Our responsibility as Christians is to be the light – God is the source of the light. When you have the opportunity to share your faith with others, don’t resist the Spirit – speak up. We are to give a defense or explanation for the hope that is in us. Unfortunately our testimony will not always land on fertile soil. But our duty is to go and tell. Salvation - the act of faith - is between the person who hears the Gospel and the Lord. 

One day the time for kneeling and praying will be passed – it will be too late. For those who did not know Jesus yesterday (the day they still had breath) – He will not know them on that day. The day of judgement. Their fate will be sealed for eternity.

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

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

When I Find Myself In Times Of Trouble

"But he said to her [Job's wife], “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips." - Job 2:10

Job had lost everything that mattered and now his health was failing him. Job's wife told him that he should curse God and die. Words of encouragement from your spouse - nothing like it in my humble opinion. Well maybe not.

Job's perspective was that he had praised God when things were going well for him. Since trouble had come knocking he would not reject God - curse Him. Instead, he would accept the hardships and continue to worship the Lord. 

It is a different view of adversity. A view that sees God as sovereign. That attitude brings context to the admonition in Proverbs.

Trust God with all your heart in every circumstance - good or bad and do not put your trust in your own plans and priorities. (paraphrased by me).

Some years ago I used a small fishing boat to fish on small ponds. It was powered by a trolling motor. So long as the winds were favorable - the trolling motor was enough. One day the wind picked up. I was on the far side of the pond and the wind was blowing from the direction I needed to go to get to my car and trailer. Try as I might the wind kept blowing me backwards. I even tried using my paddle with the trolling motor but to no avail. So I had to yield to the wind. Gather up all of my gear, the car battery that powered the motor, the paddle and the motor and walk around the pond. Through brambles. 

That is how life is at times. No matter how hard we try, we fail. James wrote to the Jews who had been scattered.

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

That was Job's attitude as well. He was not happy because of the bad that had come his way. But he found joy - a fruit of the Spirit - because the temporary affliction that was testing his faith would produce patience - another fruit of the Spirit. That is a spiritual perspective on life - good and bad. 

We should be careful that we don't suggest that the sorrow and loss and pain are not real - because they are. But God is able to carry us through.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

You see how we respond to life depends upon our spiritual perspective. Do we trust fully on God or ourselves? Are we focused on the temporary things or the eternal things?

How you respond to life will depend upon where the devotion of your heart is. There is an adage - No Jesus - No Peace - Know Jesus - Know Peace

Peace is another fruit of the Spirit. All of the fruit is manifested in a Christian in spite of their circumstances - not because of them. While I am typing this I have had a persistent headache (sinuses). So I reached in my desk drawer and got a couple of Tylenol to take. 

The fruit of the Spirit is not like Tylenol - waiting in a desk drawer to be taken like a pill. The fruit is a result of a persistent seeking of the Lord. Spending time in the Word and prayer.  I am reminded of Joshua 1:8-9.

"This Book of the Law [the Word] shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

That prosperity and success does not mean that you will be trouble free. But how you are able to respond to trouble will be marked by peace, joy, and patience. 

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

As Christians We Are All The Same But Not

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:28

In Christ we are all the same. So many differences naturally but in Christ we are all the same spiritually – or are we? As born again believers, we are all the same, but at the same time, are not the same. But before I talk about God’s supernatural creation, I want to briefly review God’s natural creation. 

God created everything that is natural with variation. In biology there are 9 different levels of difference that define what group a created thing falls in to. I will spare you the details. Suffice it to say that natural variation has been well documented. Unfortunately, the natural differences of some groups of creation have caused divisions among mankind – injustice and sometimes even wars. 

Birds of a feather flock together. I am certain that you have heard that old saying. Carried to an extreme mankind’s desire to flock together can become exclusive. Many people associate others being different with being less acceptable. And so, being the same is more acceptable. If you are different then there must be something wrong with you. All of that tension and contention is common in the natural world.  It should have no place in the Body of Christ. But it does. But, as I said, my focus today is on spiritual differences. 

One of my granddaughters recently asked me to text her some verses about the fruit of the Spirit. So I sent her the verses as she asked. Her immediate response was “Thanks but can you put some Poppa-knowledge on that?” In other words – would you elaborate which I, of course, was happy to do.

The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) is common among all Christians. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Having been born again we have the same Spirit in us and therefore the same manifestation of that Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit

But while we have the same spirit, we all have a different, specific roles or places in the Body of Christ. We are all equipped in different ways to fulfill the place we are assigned. As you know, those spiritual abilities are referred to as spiritual gifts. The specific spiritual gifts are addressed in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 1, 12 and 14, Ephesians 4 and Hebrews 2. Spiritual gifts are something that God, in His wisdom, has ordained and distributed. They are properly exercised by us through Spiritual empowerment – not through human effort or will. 

As an example - Just because you teach in a school and although you may be a gifted teacher does not mean that you have the spiritual gift of teaching and are called to teach other Christians. Just because you are a public speaker does not mean that you should be a preacher or evangelist. On the other hand, it does not mean that you couldn’t be if God ordained it. There is a saying that God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called. 

I have known people who coveted a particular role in the body but it was for their personal benefit or aspirations and not for the benefit of the Body. They might even hold that position, but it is not because God has called them there. That is akin to having a dead branch on a living tree. It will bear no spiritual fruit. You get the idea. Our role in the body of Christ is up to God – not us. But no matter what that role might be - we are still all the same – equal before God. 

Being a pastor or evangelist or elder is a calling and is a role in the Body of Christ. Their role carries great responsibility. But the pastor, as a Christian – is the same as you and me – a sinner saved by grace. 

2 Timothy 5:17 says to let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor (by other Christians), especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. (pastors/preachers)

That does not mean that they are better than other Christians – but they have more responsibility in the Body and that should be acknowledged.  

So what place have you been called to? Have you thought about it? Maybe you are already fulfilling it. But is it possible that you never considered that you have a calling. You thought that perhaps having a calling is for other people. Or maybe you think that being used by God for the benefit of the Body of Christ it is beyond you. In my experience, God calls us to do what is beyond us. The result is that the Church is edified and He is glorified.

As Christians we have a common calling which is to be a servant. And as such - we should all have a common aspiration - not to be praised by others but to be a servant of all. Jesus said, 

“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your servant" (Matthew 20:26-27)

So – as Christians we are spiritually all the same yet different.  – Those differences are spiritual and should not divide us but unite us.

God’s intent was not to have you sit in the stands and watch or even sit on the bench or in the pew with no intent to be a player on the team. His intent is that you would be on the field fulfilling your eternal purpose.

I want to encourage you to seek your place in the Body out and then suit up. Then get ready because God will send you in.

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

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

Leaving Your Comfort Zone

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths" - Proverbs 3:5-6

Everyone likes to be comfortable.  I can remember an occasions when Martie and I got to sit on a soft sofa after months of sitting on hard chairs while we served in Haiti.  Seems like a small thing, but the feeling was exquisite.  We all like to be comfortable. Right now, I get up first. I start the coffee. I do my devotion. Drink my coffee. Martie gets up. I prepare her coffee. It's a simple routine, but we find comfort in following it. We all like routine.  Mainly because we know what to expect.  There is no uncertainty in routine.  Each day is like every other day.  Each day, week, month and year like the other. Routine.  People find comfort in that.  Being around people who look like you, believe like you, talk like you, do what you do … it is a comfortable place to be.  Watching a news report about a war in a different land or the ravages of a natural disaster allows you to remain comfortable in your routine.  You may not be able to empathize – because you have never left your comfort zone – but you can sympathize – at least until the commercial, supper or your favorite program starts.  We like to be comfortable and we don’t like giving that comfort up.  

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

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

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

God is not “safe” but He is good.  He has our best in mind.  Oh, He will disrupt your routine, if you allow it. That is correct – He won’t make you abandon what is comfortable – but He will invite you to leave it behind for something much better.  What you see as “dangerous” depends upon the maturity of your walk of faith.  For a child, putting their toes in the water may seem like a great accomplishment.  For an adult, jumping off of the high-dive is a challenge. Both require stepping into the unknown – the uncertain – the “anything but routine”  Jesus said 

“If anyone follows Me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)  

Are you a Jesus follower or Jesus watcher?  It is one thing to marvel at the person jump off of the high-dive and quite another to grip the end of the board with your toes right before you take that leap of faith. 

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

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

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

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

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

As a Christian God calls you to leave what is comfortable – what is routine for something greater – something eternal.  So come on – go ahead and take the leap. The water is fine and God is your lifeguard.

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

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

God Knows Even If You Don't

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

There is a saying that I picked up while on staff with Promise Keepers in the mid 90's. "You can't teach what you don't know, you can't lead where you won't go, and you can only recreate what you are." It's true and can be convicting. 

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

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

I am certain you know about hurricane Irma paid a visit to Florida in 2022. And you probably know that Martie and I have been  involved in Disaster Relief work in 2005.  Well, a friend of ours, Sherry, posted that she was in Florida with the ministry she is connected to helping with the relief effort. I contacted her to check on her and to see how things were going.  Her response was that Martie and I needed to come to Florida to help.  I wasn't "feeling it" and so didn't think much about it. But I did tell her that our oldest daughter was available to help. Mandi went to Florida that October.

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

So here is what happened next.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We served in Florida for 6 months - built 60 portable sheds and 20 sets of bunkbeds for a volunteer camp. We trained a local disaster relief organization on shed construction and left materials, plans and some tools to help them continue the mission. Then we returned to Texas waiting for our next adventure. I will save that for another day.

So what is it that god would have you do?

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

Letting Your Past Hold You Back

 "You shall not go out with haste,…for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard."  —Isaiah 52:12

 “…God requires an account of what is past” (Ecclesiastes 3:15). At the end of [every] year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise when we remember our yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God’s grace tends to be lessened by the memory of yesterday’s sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future. God reminds us of the past to protect us from a very shallow security in the present. Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ. Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him." - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest 

The remembering of our past failures (sins) has two edges.  On the one hand, they remind us that we have a sin nature and that nature has been a powerful influence in our lives.  We have proven the truth of the Word … all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and there is none righteous (Romans 3:10).  Our past failures remind us that we do not deserve God’s favor.  

But on the other hand, we also know that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”  (Romans 5:8).  We know that we have been redeemed.  

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law (from the judgement of God) by becoming a curse for us”. - Galatians 3:13 

That does not mean ours sins are somehow, “OK”, but it does mean that we have been forgiven. 

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

 It does mean that we have hope.  It does mean that we have help - even the Holy Spirit.  

"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." - Ephesians 1:13-14 

It does mean that we have a certain future - eternal life.  

"And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." -  1 John 5:11-12

Don’t let your past hold you back.  Don't allow your past to send you on a guilt trip. You are a child of the King.  Focus on your future and rejoice!  

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

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

 

Hearing God’s Voice

"And Samuel answered, ‘Speak, for Your servant hears.’” – 1 Samuel 3:3-10

Samuel was not ready when God spoke to him – will You be?

According to Dr. Henry Blackaby in his book, Experiencing God, the Spirit uses the Word of God, your prayers, life circumstances and events, and other born-again Believers as the means of communication with you. 

The means by which God speaks to us are not mutually exclusive,  but are mutually supportive. God uses one means to reinforce another. In other words, God will speak to you using more than one of these means. 

As I read the Word of God, the Spirit may impress a truth on my heart. Perhaps I have read the verse many times before, but in that moment in time, God had a word for me. Then the same day I will hear the same verse or someone will address the same issue with me. Or maybe two people, not related in any way, will talk to me about the very thing that God addressed in my heart while I prayed. 

The challenge is to have the discernment to know when it is the Spirit at work and not merely our flesh.

I was on staff with a ministry called Promise Keepers for a season in the mid-90’s. During the 1996 Promise Keeper’s Pastors’ conference in Atlanta there was a time of prayer – a solemn assembly if you will. 

We were called to a time of reverent silence as all 39,000 pastors prayed. As I stood there with my eyes closed, I asked God, “God, how are you going to show yourself? Are you going to split the roof of the Georgia Dome open and send down your Shekinah glory? Or maybe send a great rushing wind and flames will appear about the heads of your saints?” And even though they told us to close our eyes, I must admit that I peeked. 

And when I looked up, all I saw was a single dove flying in circles above the great throng of pastors. I closed my eyes again. After the prayer I looked up, but the dove was gone. I figured it had been my imagination running away with me. It was just then that the guy standing next to me said, “Hey, did you see that dove flying up there?” Guess it was not my imagination after all. And then I was reminded of Elijah in the cave.

“And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ So he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.’ Then He said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earth-quake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” – 1 Kings 19:9-12

God does not speak to us in the way we might expect. With Promise Keepers , it was as if God was confirming His presence through the dove. The next day I was at home. It was early morning, and as I do nearly every morning, I got up to put the coffee on. I looked out through our patio doors to the deck, and there, sitting on the deck rail was a dove, looking back at me. 

Seem odd? For the next week, I was convinced that I was being followed by doves! 

Sound crazy? I would drive down the road, stop at a corner and a dove was sitting on the ground at the corner. This didn’t happen just once, but many times. And you know what, it is still happening. Does that seem odd? It did to me, until I remembered what an optometrist friend would say. That is not odd my friend, it’s God.

Perhaps there was a time when God has spoken to you; during prayer, while reading or hearing the Word, through life’s circumstances, or through other Christians. 

Dr. Henry Blackaby said that it is not knowing that it is God speaking that we struggle with.  

Our struggle is obeying what He is telling us to do.  Do you remember a time when you knew that God was speaking, but you did not want to obey Him? I sadly remember times in my life when that happened.  We all struggle with going where God wants to lead us. Sometimes we need help knowing that it is God who is speaking

“While Samuel was lying down, that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, ‘Here I am!’  So he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ And he said, ‘I did not call; lie down again.’ And he went and lay down. Then the Lord called yet again, ‘Samuel!’ So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ He answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” (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 3:3-10

Sometimes we miss the fact that it is God speaking to us.  It takes someone with more maturity to recognize it and help us to see.  Do you have someone like Eli in your life? Who is it? How have they helped you in the past? Are you open to them speaking into your life.  

In my experience, when God speaks He uses more than one of the methods I mentioned.  Sometimes all four.  

When God was sending us from Mississippi to Haiti was just such a time.  Through the Word and prayer, the Lord had been impressing on me that it was time to leave.  Our time in Mississippi was done. We had been there 5 years. It was then that three people, who did not know each other, living in different states, talked to me about leaving Mississippi and going to Haiti. I was talking with a friend in Mississippi who was not a Christian. When I told him we were going to Haiti, he drew close, looked me in the eyes, and asked “Are you Crazy?”  You see, he didn’t know it was God, he only heard thunder.  I told him, “It’s not my idea; it’s God’s.” 

Listen - You may not see doves, but you might.  And You probably won’t hear a voice from heaven or walk up to a burning bush.  But if you seek Him, He will be found.  Listen and you will hear. Then obey.

I so hope that when God speaks to you, you will have ears to hear, eyes to see and a heart to obey.

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 God Really, Really Wants From Us

King David wrote Psalm 51 after he was confronted by the Prophet Nathan over David's sin with Bathsheba – David understood what God really wanted from David.

David wrote “you do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm chapter 51 verses 16-17 

And that begs a question for each of us - what does God Really……. REALLY Want From you and me?

The Prophet Micah asked ... 

“With what shall I come before the Lord, And bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, With calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? [And the Lord answered] ... He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:6-8

 I often quote Micah 6:8. In fact it is one of my favorite verses – along with Joshua 1:8-9, Galatians 6:2, James 1:27, Philippians 4:13 – come to think of it, I guess I have quite a few favorites. Anyway, as I was contemplating what this podcast would be about today, my thoughts went to Micah 6:8 but then I read the verses before it and they gave context to the text. Did you ever consider the word “context”? In Spanish “con” means “with – so I guess we could say the other text that goes “with” the text.

Micah was asking what he could give to atone for his transgressions. What could he do so he might be in the presence of the holy creator God? The answer – he needed a heart transplant – to love God and love others. Don’t you think it interesting how often that idea comes up in the scripture.

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus said the whole Law hinges on those two commandment. Do justly – love mercy (loving others) Walk Humbly (love God) It is not enough to think good thoughts. By the way, telling someone to “think good thoughts” is euphemism the world uses to avoid saying, “Please pray for someone.” When I hear someone say - “Think good thoughts” most often on TV.     It makes me sad, really.

So what does God really really want from me – from you?

He wants us to actually love others not just in thought but in deed and to love Him sacrificially, not just in thought but in deed. That means less of me and more of God. We can’t love other people, the way that God intends, unless we first love God the way God demands.

Paul wrote - 

“I [beg] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 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 12:1-2

 God wants your heart totally devoted to Him. A heart turned toward God and away from the world.

And the result of that turning away will be that we love others the same way that God loves us. With mercy and grace. Pretty simple really.

So why then if it is so simple isn’t it easy? Simply stated – it is because of our old nature – our desire to do what we want to do naturally.

Jesus, Micah and Paul were telling us to do what man cannot do ….. apart from God. Certainly it started with a decision when we are born again – but continues with needing to make that same decision every day – with every breath we take – choosing God and not the world. So what will you choose today?

Jesus told His disciples ……

“If anyone comes after Me (Jesus), let them deny themselves, pick up their cross (every day) and follow Me.” – Matthew 16:24

Joshua told the people ….

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15

I so hope that you will choose to serve the Lord

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

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

Losing Your Witness

In Luke 6 Jesus said - "But I say to you who hear [by that Jesus meant those listening who had spiritual understanding]: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.  To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.  And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. - Luke 6:27-31  

Oswald Chambers, author of My Utmost For His Highest said this about that ----- ‘Jesus says, in effect, “Don’t worry about whether or not you are being treated justly.” Looking for justice is actually a sign that we have been diverted from our devotion to Him. Never look for justice in this world, but never cease to give it. If we look for justice, we will only begin to complain and to indulge ourselves in the discontent of self-pity, as if to say, “Why should I be treated like this?” If we are devoted to Jesus Christ, we have nothing to do with what we encounter, whether it is just or unjust.’ 

Let me ask you. When you hear or read Jesus words, do they seem right to you?  I mean shouldn’t you be shown kindness?  Shouldn’t people that treat you poorly be dealt with – divinely?  Wouldn’t that make you feel better?  

Most of us will agree that the concept is good … but when you are being treated poorly how do you feel when the concept becomes a reality … I sometimes say, tongue in cheek, ‘I don’t want to lose my witness’ … when what I am really saying is that I don’t want to act on what I am feeling and wanting to do.  You know what?  It’s too late at that point.  I have already missed it (the mark). I have already sinned in my heart.

"Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." - 1 John 3:15  

"We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?  And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also." - 1 John 4:19-21

You see ….. it is about your heart .... the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).  You don’t have to act on your sin to sin.  Thinking that so long as you didn’t do what you were thinking you have stopped short of sin is not right thinking.

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.'  But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." - Matthew 5:27-28  

Remember David on the roof?  He had already sinned before Bathsheba ever entered his house.  Pretty high standard isn’t it.  It cannot be achieved through determination .. will power .. or won’t power … but only by God’s power in us.  

Are there things – attitudes – responses that you have stifled so you don’t lose your witness? Things in your life that you have been accommodating? Pretending that they didn’t matter .. Get your heart right … do not sin … James says that sin begins in our heart when we are tempted (James 1:12-15).. and at the point of temptation is where it must end … It is only when we are spending time in the Word and with the Lord will we be able to stand against the temptation, but … that is another devotion for another day …  

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

Every Christians Duty

"And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit." - 1 Thessalonians 5:14-19

When you join the military - the branch of service matters not - every member is taught the basics of what it means to be a member of that particular service - specifically and then what it means to be in service to your country specifically. I can remember finding my step-dad's manual from the marine corps. As a grade schooler I read that book from front to back. I learned the assembly and disassembly of the M-1 Garand rifle and how to treat blisters on your feet. I guess my serving in the Army should have come to no surprise to anyone. Once you learned the basics, you learned one or more specialties - like communications or Armor or Infantry. A specific role in the organization.

The Apostle Paul was wrote to the Church in Thessalonica about their basic responsibilities as Christians. The fundamentals of the faith if you will. Characteristics that will set you apart from the culture you  live in. Things that every Christian should be about.  We should all warn those Christians who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. When others think about what a Christian looks like - your face should come to their minds. (Do you think it does?)

That would not be as a point of pride but one of thankfulness, knowing that you are no longer conformed to this world but are being transformed to prove or demonstrate that which is the good and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2) You are fulfilling your purpose in your generation.

But wait there's more!!!  In the military everyone has a specialty that they are trained in. In the Body of Christ, everyone is gifted for their place in the Body that God has purposed for them. You are not merely a passenger on this train to heaven, but you are part of the crew. 

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. .... one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ." - 1 Corinthians 12:4-6,11-12

You have been called to serve in the Lord's army, if you will. Just remembered a song we taught our children when they were very small. "I may never fight in the infantry, shoot the artillery, ride in the cavalry. I may never fly o'er the enemy, but I'm in the Lord's army - Yes sir!" 

Actually I have done all of those things and am in the Lord's army on top of it. Go figure. So where is the place that the Lord has called you 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 

Not All Israel Is Israel

"I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, [speaking nonsense] against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God." - 1 John 3:9-11

Have you ever witnessed a time when there was discord in your church. People - professing Christians - could not seem to get along. There was division - not unity - dissention - not harmony. Maybe you witnessed a split where a group of people left - "en masse" - over some issue. Discouraging? Yes. New with our generation? No. The writers of the New Testament addressed problems like this with the churches that they planted and nurtured.

I recall one church we attended while we were in Alabama. I was asked to lead a devotion at the start of a business meeting. There was some contention among the members over a number of issues. I called them "pet rocks". Issues that certain people would pull out of their pockets and talk about when they had an audience. So I decided to speak to the church about Galatians chapter 5. The fruit of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.

"Now the works [what I call fruit] of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." - Galatians 5:19-25

I focused on "outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions" with respect to the flesh. I told them that if you wanted to know what a person's underlying motivation was - the flesh or the Spirit - all you had to do was examine the fruit. That was the best business meeting that we ever had - and it was the last time that I was asked to do the devotion.

So what is the problem? James wrote .... 

"Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh." - James 3:10-12

When you see demonstrations of the flesh in the church, it is because 1) a Christian is yielding to their flesh and not the Spirit or 2) the person is not a Christian at all and incapable of being spiritual - merely having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. (2 Timothy 3:5)

So what does this have to do with Israel? 

"But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel" - Romans 9:6

Not all of the ethnic Jews were part of the Spiritual Israel. Just because people attend church does not mean that they are Christians. Just because they are Christians does not mean that they "checked their old nature at the door." When you encounter situations like this - don't react - reflect - reflect Jesus.

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

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

Forgiven But Not Excused

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" -  Romans 5:8

There is something called the "Roman Road" that is an explanation of the Gospel using scripture from the book of Romans. John 3:16 is, of course, another "go to" verse that communicates what it was that God, the Father, did through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, the Son. Good so far?

I had a conversation with one of my cousins today about loving sinners and forgiveness. What exactly that means in a practical sense for those of us who have been forgiven by God through Jesus and how we are to love and forgive others. This is the way I see it, and of course, you are free to disagree with me. God's forgiveness has to do with eternity. He loved us enough for His Son to pay the penalty for our sins which saved us from eternal separation from God and eternity in hell. 

What I think it did not do was give us a pass on the natural consequences of our sins with respect to the laws of man. The Bible says you are not to murder other people. If you do, you can find forgiveness through the blood of Jesus by faith. That does not mean that you will be spared from a life in prison, or worse, execution by the state. We are to love others like God loved us and desired that they would place their faith in Jesus and be born again by the Spirit. One of the thieves on the cross was told by Jesus that Jesus would see him in paradise because of his faith. That thief told the second thief that the two of them "were receiving the due reward of their deeds"

"Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." - Luke 23:39-43

Jesus did not spare the believing thief his mortal life - though He could have. Both thieves dies that day. There are many evil people on this planet who do evil things. We are to pray that everyone, including the very evil ones, will yield their hearts by faith to the Lord, and yet the Bible tells us that most will not. The gate to heaven is narrow and wide is the gate that leads to destruction. Is it a challenge to pray for an evil person? I think so, but that is not our call but the Lord's command. We are praying for their souls - but not necessarily that they might escape man's judgement for their sins against humanity. If building prisons and the threat of sending people to prison was sufficient to prevent evil, then the prisons would be empty, the judges' gavels would be silent, and the police could go on holiday. But the prisons are full, the court dockets are backed up, and there are not enough police to maintain order. But still we pray. 

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 Proof Is In The Puddin'

"My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him." - 1 John 3:18-19

There are a number of sayings that have faded over time. "The proof is in the pudding" is one of those. Every now and again an old saying will "pop up" in my brain and come out of my mouth and Martie will say, "I haven't heard that in years." So .. what proof is in the puddin'? Well the proof of our faith. We prove our faith when we live out the Word of God in the face of the world that does what it can to contravene God's design and intent.

How do we do that? Loving others is at the top of the list. The Bible tells us that we are to love because that is God's nature and mankind's nemesis. God's love is unconditional - it doesn't matter who you are or what you have done. (I might add quickly that I am not saying there are no earthly consequences for our actions but there is eternal forgiveness for our souls) 

Following Jesus means that we must reject our old nature and embrace a new nature by faith. (Like what Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3) The result is change within. 

"Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 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. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God." -  2 Corinthians 5:16-20

Listen - we live our new lives in jars of clay. It is a struggle to live a new life in the face of the pressure life on this planet brings to submit to the old one. The world wants what it considers the "good parts" of being a Christian but not the part that requires the rejection of the sin that it wants to embrace. The proof of our faith is in the lives that we live not in the words that we say. Our going to church is a demonstration to the world that we are religious but the proof of our faith is how we live and love.  

You know about Peter denying Jesus 3 times. In John 21, after the resurrection, Jesus asks Peter 3 times if Peter loved Him.  I don't know if those events are connected or not. Sometimes we look for connections that are not explicit in the Bible and sometimes we miss connections that are. Be that as it may (another old saying)

"So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep." - John 21:15-17

It's pretty clear - that Jesus was telling Peter that the love of God is an action and not just an attitude. Think - John 3:16 or perhaps .... 

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

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