The Threat Of Being Irrelevant

it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment - Hebrews 9:27

I read a recent quote from Barrack Obama. It had to do with men and their getting older. He said (my paraphrase) that when men get old they start to think about their death and irrelevance. [end quote] I assume that he included himself among those men. I am familiar with a similar saying about Generals. "Old Generals don't die, they just fade away." That is when people ask, "Whatever happened to so-and-so?" They are no long part of the cultural picture. Disappeared from the scene. In my experience, what Mr. Obama said is true. When men are young they think about the future and living. But at some point they begin to think about the temporary nature of life - the finality of death that is looming and being the proverbial hand in the bucket of water. When the hand is removed and the water settles down, you would never know the hand was ever in the bucket.

Then Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. And he said to them: “I am one hundred and twenty years old today. I can no longer go out and come in. Also the Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not cross over this Jordan.’ The Lord your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua himself crosses over before you, just as the Lord has said. - Deuteronomy 31:1-3

Moses found himself - after doing everything that he had done - eternally significant things - he was done - becoming irrelevant. So he was passing the mantle to Joshua. BTW, even though the Lord told Moses he was not going to cross the Jordan with the people, he would stand on the Mount of Transfiguration one day next to Elijah and Jesus - along with Peter, James and John.

I have written before about my dismay with older Christians being put out to pasture by churches today. The idea being that ministry is for the young. At some point the older Christians should step aside. Make room for the next generation. Not that room should not be made - just like it was for us. But that does not mean that the older generation does not have a spiritual contribution that can yet be made. In fact, what I have experienced as I have watched my hair turn from Red to Blond-ish to White (skipped over grey) is that what the Lord has me doing has changed - but so long as I have breath - He has a purpose for me. My ministry is not done - it is just different. As far as I know my life does not have a "must use by" date on it.

What I am physically able to do has changed. I tell people that when we first went to Mississippi in response to Hurricane Katrina I would heft a 90lb bag of concrete and carry it to the truck. By the time the season for us being in Mississippi had passed, 5 years later, I was putting 2-45lb bags of concrete in a cart to take to the truck. As King Solomon wrote - there is a season for everything. 

So - what is my point to all of this. Like Moses, at some point we will no longer be physically able to serve as we once did. And while the church you attend may want to shuffle you off to a room full of people who look like you - respectfully wanting you to stay out of the way - that does not mean that God is done with you - that He doesn't want to or can't use you any more. 

Don't look to the world for relevance and acceptance - look up! Barrack Obama was speaking from a secular - humanistic point of view. God has an eternal purpose for you and He will decide when you are done.

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

I tell people that I plan to burn out - not rust out! And the question that I have for God is this, "What's next Lord?"

How about you? 

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

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

Do You Believe?

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” - Mark 9:23-24

I have quoted from the Focus on the Family study, The Truth Project, on occasion. The question is posed; "Do you believe that what you believe is really real?" Good question - but I suppose before you answer that you must answer - "What is it exactly that you believe?" With respect to our Christian faith there are what I call "negotiables and non-negotiables".  Non-negotiables being fundamentals of the faith, if you will, that cannot be compromised without compromising the essence of the Gospel. 

Someone once said with respect to the subject of unity in the Body of Christ across denominations and cultures, "In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity [or love]". Who said those words is up for debate. Some say it was Rupertus Meldenius, a 17th-century Lutheran theologian. Others say it was St Augustine. I think that St. Augustine is the "go to" guy when someone is not sure who said it! The point is that, as Christians, we can find unity with other Christians who disagree with us in the non-essentials so long as we agree in the essentials. And with respect to the non-essentials - we show toleration to disagree and love one another in spite of the disagreement.

There are certain things concerning our faith that are core to what it means to be a Christian that are unequivocable. Meaning - spiritual facts that clear and unambiguous, leaving no doubt about their meaning. It refers to something that is expressed in a definite and certain way. 

I do not intend to address every issue of faith - but only to what I consider the major points of our faith. So let's get to it.

Who is Jesus?

[Jesus] asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 16:13-17

How can I have eternal life?

Jesus answered and said to [Nicodemus], “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. - John 3:3-6

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. - John 3:16-17

We are saved by grace through faith.

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

if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. - Romans 10:9-10

The Spirit of God dwells in every Christian

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

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

All scripture is a revelation from God to Man.

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

The unsaved cannot understand Spiritual Truth

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

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

The bible has been translated in many languages but if someone who speaks that language and has been taught to read they can read the words in the Bible. But apart from the indwelling of the Spirit of God, it is not possible to understand the the spiritual truth of those words. Showing the Word of God to someone who is not born again is like showing an English translation to someone who only speaks Spanish. They see the words - they recognize the letters - but they cannot comprehend since the truth of God is spiritually discerned.

That should give you something to chew on. There is much more, but I think you will find that the rest of the essentials spring out of those that I have shared. BTW, if anyone agrees with these essential spiritual truths then they are your Brother or Sister in Christ.

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

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's Peace What It Is And What It Is Not

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled… —John 14:27

What is your expectation of God with respect to your faith and everyday living?  Do you think that God is obligated to make certain that you do not have to endure hardship?  That nothing “bad” will happen to you or the ones you love?  No injury, no heartbreak, no death, no failure, no loss?  If so, that is a problem.  The Bible does not promise that … God’s theme song might be “I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden!” In fact Jesus said 

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. - John 16:33

"that in Me you may have peace" - not our circumstances. Our peace is in Jesus – supernatural peace … peace in spite of the circumstances you find yourself contending with in this world you live in .. a world full of sinners.  The Peace Christians are promised is a fruit of the Spirit ... peace in spite of your circumstances … in spite of the turmoil you find yourself struggling with.

Because of your spiritual nature and perspective you can see and respond to life, as it happens, differently. Oh, you wanted to avoid experiencing anything unpleasant and was hoping that your rebirth would provide that for you.  Sorry!  But that does not mean that you can’t experience joy while your feet are still on "terra firma".  

Joy is another fruit of the Spirit.  Are you hoping the world will somehow get better over time?  Not going to happen.  Sin begets sin.  Hurt people hurt people.  The answer is Jesus.  He is the Hope of Heaven.  James wrote

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

Look!  All of us have experienced and are experiencing difficulties in this life.  Remember that God showed His grace and mercy by sending a Redeemer – Jesus. And then He sent a Spiritual Helper – the Holy Spirit. And through Jesus, He established the Church.  The world wants to snuff out your candle.  To replace Jesus with its god – money. Let your light burn brightly.  Let people know that our Redeemer lives! He is Jesus the King.  He is the Christ.  The Son of God.  Who takes away the sins of the world.  Shout hallelujah! And thank God for His wonderful gift … (Ephesians 2:8-9) “…salvation by faith … it is a gift from God”

Be encouraged. Walk by faith. Be willing to step out of the boat. Shine Bright my friend and give God the glory He is due.

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

Seeking Vindication And Feeling Justified For Loving Things That Do Not Honor God

Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt. —Psalm 123:3

“O Lord, deliver me from this lust of always vindicating myself.” - Saint Augustine

There are things in this world that are spiritually neutral.... In other words, they  don’t have a positive or negative effect on you spiritually. The problem is that our discernment can become dulled to those things that are acceptable in our culture but contrary to the Word - that are not spiritually neutral and are, in fact, sinful.  

Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.  - Proverbs 4:23

There are certain things  in everyone’s life that we cling to, even though, in our heart, we know they are not right.  There are things that we teach our children are wrong, yet we will sit in our living rooms and watch those wrong things being played out on the television screen or in a movie theater.  What you allow in your home through music and visual media is a statement by you to your children that those things are acceptable.  Do this the next time you watch your favorite television show, count those things (words or relationships) that are contrary to the Word of God.  Each one is a lesson.  There is an old adage “Do as I say, not as I do.”  Well, I would suggest that that opposite of that is in effect in most homes ... “Don’t do as I say, do as I do.”  I can remember when I was a little boy, my dad told me not to smoke because it was bad for me.  All the while he was smoking a cigarette.  What was the “real” message there?  If you want to be like me, then you should smoke - and what little boy does not want to be like his dad?

As we observe sin, vicariously, we convince ourselves that it is entertainment and not “really all that bad”.  What we don’t realize is that our flesh is at the root of our desire to indulge it.  Sin is attractive to our flesh because our flesh is sinful.  Look, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig!  Whether it is language, life style, or sinful behavior … it promotes those things that are supposed to have been crucified in your life. 

Bottom line, if you crave those things, you have a sin problem.  Hope you don’t stop reading my devotions because of that! Our country has a problem with violence and the most popular television shows are about people killing people. Parents fear their daughters getting pregnant before marriage, yet most movies and television dramas portray and promote extra-marital sex.  The same media that is slamming men for sexual aggression toward women is promoting Victoria Secret in China, the world’s sexiest man, and promoting women as sex objects at every turn.  Think about it Church!  It’s the frog in the pot.  Christians are being boiled alive … and they think the water is just right!  Don’t try to vindicate yourself .. justify you actions .. confess and repent .. honor God in all you do.

Pray about this … and listen for the Spirit to guide you. I’ll close with a couple of verses that you might consider. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” - Philippians 4:8  

This Book of the Law [the Word of God] shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful 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 courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:8-9  

 Stop turning your spiritual nature off when you turn your TV on or sit down in a movie theater.  Ok last verse …

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t trust in your own understanding.  In all your ways (including television and movies) acknowledge Him and He will direct your path - Proverbs 3:5-6

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

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

Who Does The World Think Jesus Is?

 He [Jesus] asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 16:13-17

People heard about Jesus and many saw Him - but what did they think they were seeing? Most people think about Jesus - Who is both God and man - as just a man. They see Him or think about Him from a natural - human point of view. The reason is that they are incapable of understanding spiritual truth on their own. If they could, they would surely tremble. 

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. - 1 Corinthians 1:18

God thoughts are not our thoughts. When Jesus asked the question, their response was in the context of what those who were not spiritual understood of what was spiritual. Their only frame of reference was of other people. Everyone they named was a human being a son of Adam. But when Peter answered Jesus, it was with spiritual understanding. The nation of Israel has long been looking for a Messiah.

They believed that the Messiah would be a direct descendant of King David, which is a crucial aspect of Jewish messianic expectations. He would gather the Jewish people from the diaspora, rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, and restore Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel. The coming of the Messiah was and is associated with a time of universal peace, where nations will no longer engage in war, and there will be a heightened moral and spiritual awareness among humanity. The Messiah is expected to be a human leader, not a divine figure, who will fulfill specific prophecies and bring about significant changes in the world. 

But Peter understood that Jesus was the Messiah and was divine - the Son of God - a mystery that was unknown until Jesus walked the earth. Jesus told the disciples that "flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." Knowing about Jesus' divine nature was revealed by God - it could not be deciphered by Biblical scholars. When Jesus met with Nicodemus - a religious teacher - He essentially told Nicodemus that he was trying to understand spiritual truth from a worldly perspective and that Nicodemus had to be born again spiritually. 

There is much talk about the Charlie Kirk memorial in Arizona. But a day after the memorial, the intensity in the press has died down - predictably. Old news. Many people talked about the spiritual context of the event - where Jesus - not Charlie - was being lifted up. The secular media was largely silent about that. Not news worthy to a secular society. That is the way of things in a world that rejects God. The god of this world will not allow the promotion of the God of heaven. Why would the press promote something that it believes is patently false? Some might say that everything does not have spiritual context - but I would argue that it does. God - who is spiritual - is sovereign over all. 

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

So who you say that Jesus is? If you agree with Peter - it should be more than informational it should be transformational. Is it? Was 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

The Way of the World - But The Darker The Night The Brighter The Light

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. - Titus 2:11-14

I have been reading posts on Facebook from a number of Christians about their hope of revival in this country - as if our culture has reached a tipping point and people are looking for a spiritual solution.  Certainly that is my hope as well - but even if there is a revival, there is no promise that the impact today will survive the passing of this generation. And, to my knowledge, there is no Biblical evidence that any country - besides Israel - had ever collectively turned it heart and hope to Jehovah God.  

When Adam yielded to the temptation that he could decided what was right and wrong - he chose not to trust God but himself - that opened a door to Hell. Even though man opened it - he cannot shut it. 

I am reminded that the gate to Hell is wide and the gate to Heaven is narrow. We want it to be the other way around. Better yet that the Lord would lock up the gate to Hell and put a sign up saying "Closed for Eternity". He will one day. but not today. In the meantime, our country has gone the way of every other country and civilization before us and that way does not lead to God through Jesus. Even God's chosen people did not have a very good "batting average" when it came to faithfulness to God, often yielding to the culture they lived in and the traditions of their fathers.

For the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the Lord. - 2 Chronicles 28:19

Judah did not keep the commandments of the Lord their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. - 2 Kings 17:19

So these nations feared the Lord, yet served their carved images; also their children and their children’s children have continued doing as their fathers did, even to this day. - 2 Kings 17:41

Hearts will not be changed without spiritual rebirth. But wouldn't it be wonderful if people would stop using guns for evil purposes?  That could happen but won't happen until there is a heart change brought about by faith in Jesus. The politicians speak of gun control because they cannot legislate morality and pure hearts. 

The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? - Jeremiah 17:9

As of 2025 there are about 78 million Evangelical Christians in the United States. That is 22 percent of the population of about 347 million.  That is not the majority. What that means is that 78 percent of the population does not share the Christian world view. Which means that Christians do not hold sway on our culture's definition of what is wrong and what is right. What is true and what is false. What is moral and what is immoral. Think about it. Ponder the implication for the future.

There is a song by Paul Simon that has a line "the nearer the destination, the more we are slip slidin' away". 

And to that I say - Maranatha!  Jesus come and quickly!

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

The darker the night - the brighter the light.

Be the light!

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

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

Do You Have The Faith To Cross Your River Jordan?

 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1

In what we used to call Sunday School we now call Connection Groups in the church we attend. We are currently studying the Book of Numbers. This past week in chapter 13 concerning the 12 spies that were sent to scout out the land. Recall that 10 said it was too difficult, that there were giants in the land but 2, Joshua and Caleb, said the land was theirs for the taking and they should go and take it.

So back to Hebrews 11. The promise was that the nation of Israel would be free from being slaves to the Egyptians and be given a land of their own - flowing with milk and honey. That was the substance of things hoped for - but using their natural sight and wisdom they could not just see how it was possible. And so they lacked faith in God. Remember, this is the same God who parted the Red Sea. Defeated the Egyptian Army - the mightiest in the world at the time. The same God who provided food and water for thousands of people in the wilderness. 

It is easy for us to sit in judgement reading about the failure of Israel to trust God - sitting in an air conditioned room with our Bible or iPhone in hand. It is quite another to be facing what the world would agree is impossible. Do you recall the story of God's call to Gideon? Gideon was in a wine press threshing wheat - just think about that for a moment. He was hiding from the Midianites when an Angel of the Lord appeared calling Gideon a "mighty man of valor". (Judges 6:12) I imagine that Gideon was looking around wondering who the angel was talking to!  This was the same Gideon later who attacked an army with trumpets and torches. 

Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers—they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing—and they cried, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” - Judges 7:20

It was God's intervention and Gideon's faith that won the day. In the same way - God was sending the people of Israel into the land of Canaan. But He was not staying behind. In fact He provided a visible sigh of His presence. Do you remember the story? The people chose to go with the 10 and not the 2. They minimized God's intervention on their behalf and chose to not believe He would do it again. They refused to cross the Jordan and so they wandered in the desert for 40 years until that disobedient generation had passed. 

So I have a point to all of this. The point is about our faith, not theirs. Yours and mine. It goes back to the question asked in the Focus on the Family Truth Project study - "Do you believe that what you believe is really real?" Do you trust your faith in God enough to act on it when all you have is hope and a promise from God. (As if that were not enough!) Now you might give mental assent to the idea that you would but the proof in the pudding is "Are you willing to cross your river Jordan?"  What are the giants in the land that you are facing today?

This natural life is uncertain. There is so much that you and I have no control over. That is why, as people born again by the Spirit, people of the Faith, we must keep our eyes of Jesus.  Remember who our Father is. Remember the new life that we have been called to where ....

we walk by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7

My prayer for you is .... 

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. - Ephesians 3:17-21

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

Don't Let The World Distract You

Look to Me, and be saved… —Isaiah 45:22

There are many things – distractions in this life that would draw our attention, trust and devotion away from God.  It requires a deliberate effort on our part to keep our focus.  I was thinking about a batter in a baseball game. People are yelling at the batter .. opponents trying to distract him so he will miss the ball and be called out. They want to keep him from accomplishing his purpose which is – of course – to hit the ball and score a run.  Life is like that for a Christian.  The world is constantly vying for our attention. To stop looking to God and trust in yourself and your culture .. make your own way .. achieve righteousness through your own effort and not by faith and devotion to God.  

It’s natural for us to be distracted by the things of this world.  To trust ourselves.  To make our own way.  But remember…. 

If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation .. old things are passed away .. all things are becoming new - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Don't confuse being an American with being a Christian - they are not the same thing. Think of yourself as being part of the scattered Church - the Bride of Christ - who happens to live in the United States. Our primary devotion is to the Creator God. Our determination of right and wrong is founded in scripture - not in the moral values of the country we happen to find ourselves in.

We are being shaped into the image of Christ.  (Romans 8:29) But just like the baseball player, we must fix our eyes on the “ball” – our faith in Jesus.  

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:1-2

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

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

What God Has Shown Us

 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 6:8

When I first joined the Army in 1969 as a private, I learned what the Army expected - demanded is actually closer to it - of me and my behavior. My life was no longer my own. I won't go into details but suffice it to say I had to make some adjustments. That was the purpose of Basic Training - change my thinking as a civilian to that of a soldier. The old had passed away and all things became new.

Being a Christian is not much different really. Paul reminded the Corinthian church and us as well 

... do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? - 1 Corinthians 6:19

When we were born again by faith, we surrendered our right to go our own way. God has told us - like the Army did with all new recruits - what the Lord requires of as us His own possession. - Do justly, Love mercy, And Walk humbly with God. Seems simple of enough. But why is it so hard to do. Think about this, if it came naturally with our new birth there would be no need for the admonishments throughout the Bible to be faithful to the expectation.

I am reminded of a song - Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing - Public Domain 1758

And oh to grace, how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be
And let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
And here's my heart Lord, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above

Prone to wander - the challenge is to walk with God or go our own way - we will struggle with it until we are called home. Now, in the Army there are consequences for not complying with what the Army tells soldiers to do. The consequences are the physical sort, demotion, loss of pay, prison, discharge. The consequences with respect to our new life in Christ are of a spiritual nature and so they don't seem so daunting if you "wander". But thinking like that is what a friend of ours called "Stinkin' Thinkin'". In fact, in the extreme, if you are not concerned about your spiritual life then I might question whether you have one. Put simply - either you are not a Christian at all and therefore incapable of walking with God or you are a reprobate. That word is not use much now adays. Reprobate means that a person is morally corrupt or depraved. The Apostle Paul also wrote about Christians who live a carnal life. I will let you search that out on your own. - homework :)

Before I end this devotion allow me to run down a rabbit trail for a moment. While reading through the Book of Micah - verses 10-12 in chapter 6 got my attention. 

And the short measure that is an abomination? Shall I count pure those with the wicked scales, And with the bag of deceitful weights? For her rich men are full of violence, Her inhabitants have spoken lies, And their tongue is deceitful in their mouth. - Micah 6:10-12

Just the other day I mentioned to Martie that the portions we buy in fast food restaurants are smaller than that once were, but the price has not gone down. Stated plainly - the hamburgers are getting smaller. Reread those verses again in the context of what is happening at fast food restaurants. OOK back to the devotion.

Closing thought from Hebrews 11.  For context, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Sarah are the people referenced in Hebrews 11:13 as "These all" 

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. ... But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. - Hebrews 11:13-14,16

And that is what God has shown us and promised us as well. As the songs goes, we are "Looking for a city, Yonder where we'll never die!"

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 Called To Be A Silent Witness

 “Praise the Lord, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, For He has done excellent things; This is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!” - Isaiah 12:4-6

Social Media is like a loaded gun. It can be used for good or for bad. It all depends upon the intent of the one holding it. I don't venture beyond Facebook and YouTube. Often times I have to fight my way through unwanted adds, videos, and malicious or maligning posts to get to the "better side of mankind". That being promotion of family life, friends, and faith. If you think about it - all of the stuff I mentioned that I was "wading" through is a proclamation of faith of another sort. It is the promotion of all that the human heart can muster. 

Now the works of the flesh [or for the purposes of this post I might call it the world's faith in 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. - Galatians 5:19-21

Just think about what you see on social media and in the news media. That about sums it up. One national news program has a 30 minute segment and then at the end they have 2 or 3 minutes to report on something "good". 

So - to my point. What should we be focused on? Well - the Word tells us .... 

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. - Philippians 4:8

Not only should we be meditating on these things but we should be promoting the meditation on these things. The Body of Christ has a lot to offer this world. It starts with the Good News that Jesus saves. I just had a conversation with a friend about Christians who say God is good and then live like there is no God. Jesus asked the question - 

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? - Luke 6:45-46

We have the unique ability and opportunity to tell the world about an eternal hope - a better way - but not if we remain as silent witnesses.  The manner in which we live our lives should be a trigger for people to ask why we are different. It is not us but the Spirit of God in us - it is not our reflection but the reflection of Jesus that the world should see in us. The Blogposts and other things that I do are seeds that I am scattering along the way. So I plant - someone else waters and God brings the increase. My encouragement to you, Christian, is this ..... 

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

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

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

Whom The Lord Chooses

 “I was no prophet, Nor was I a son of a prophet, But I was a sheep breeder And a tender of sycamore fruit. Then the Lord took me as I followed the flock, And the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’ Now therefore, hear the word of the Lord: You say, ‘Do not prophesy against Israel, And do not spout against the house of Isaac. “Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Your wife shall be a harlot in the city; Your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword; Your land shall be divided by survey line; You shall die in a defiled land; And Israel shall surely be led away captive From his own land.’ ”  - Amos 7:14-17

So - Are you wondering what this has to do with you? Well, if you are a Christian - plenty! Let me share a few New Testament verses to provide context.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28

Do you think Amos was thinking that when God told him to "Go prophesy to My people". There were no prophets that he was even remotely related to. He bred sheep and tended fruit trees. Maybe God went to the wrong address. Maybe He was on the wrong street!. Probably not.

"God who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began" - 2 Timothy 1:9

What God calls you and I to do. What He has purposed for us has nothing to do with what we do for a living. It has everything to do with the will of the Creator God.

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." - 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Did you catch that? We have spiritual abilities according "to each one individually as He wills" Amos did not get to decide what he would do spiritually - God did. I find it interesting that immediately looked to what he did in the world in an attempt to suggest that God picked the wrong guy. God never calls us to do anything for Him that we can do without Him.

"So he [the Angel of the Lord] answered and said to me : “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts." - Zechariah 4:6

Our propensity [great word!] is to look to our own abilities when we find ourselves in the place that Amos found himself in.  And when we do, we will always wilt in the face of it until we look to the Lord who is our help. And if we treat God's call as if it were no different than breeding sheep or pruning fruit trees - we are in trouble. 

"But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:26

God may not have called you to be a prophet or preacher or teacher - but He has called all of us to be a witness - and that also requires the power of God. 

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

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

Keeping My Flesh In Check - Avoiding A Spiritually Unfulfilled Life

These people honor Me [God - the Father] with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules. - Matthew 15:8-9

A person that is born again and committed to following Jesus has a devotion to Jesus and therefore to the Father. That devotion is evidenced in how they live and how they treat others.  But there is one aspect of that devotion that is invisible to the people around them and only visible to God.  That is the condition of their heart.  A heart wholly devoted to the Father.  It is possible to attend church, put on your happy face, listen to sermons, and sing worship songs and not be devoted to following Jesus.    

having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. - 2 Timothy 3:5-7

Many people are convinced that “doing” is the same as “being”. They practice the Christian religion, embrace the teachings but lack the devotion to the Cornerstone of the Church. They may go to the altar every Sunday morning and still be spiritually ignorant and far from God.  They lack understanding and they lack commitment to their faith … that is , if they have saving faith.  The demons know who Jesus is, but they don’t serve Him.  They have another master. For many Christians, their hearts that were once alive toward God have become hardened toward spiritual things in favor of those things that satisfy the flesh.  They go through the motions .. say the right things .. but serve themselves and not the risen Lord.  Sound harsh? The truth often does because truth brings conviction and conviction brings discomfort and causes us to make a decision.  Will I respond to the Truth and repent or will I ignore it and choose to continue on the vain journey I am pursuing. 

What am I saying?  Friends, we need to be on our guard or before we know it .. those people .. will become “we the people”.  I must examine myself and my devotion every day.  I have to keep my flesh in check.  The only way that we can glorify the Father is by being spiritually “right” and devoted to His will in every aspect of our lives.  You must be careful that you do not relegate your spirituality to Sunday morning.  We are Christians 24x7 into 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

Stay Away From High Places

 And he [Azariah the son of Amaziah] did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done, except that the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. - 2 Kings 15:3-4

When was the last time you read Kings and Chronicles in the Old Testament? I have been reading the Bible in a year chronologically. It gives you an interesting perspective on the historical progression of the events recorded in the Old and New Testaments. What recently caught my attention was how many times I read "the high places were not removed". These high places were dedicated to idol worship especially among the Moabites. These shrines often included an altar and a sacred object such as a stone pillar or wooden pole in various shapes identified with the object of worship (animals, constellations, goddesses, and fertility deities). The Israelites practiced Molech worship (involving child sacrifices) and built high places for Baal (a fertility god who helped the earth produce crops and people have children).

So many of the kings got so close to turning the nation to worshipping God, except they couldn't give up the high places. It was something of the natural that they held on to. As if giving God half of their heart was sufficient. That brought my mind back to the temptation we face as Christians today. 

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

That reminded me of Samuel confronting King Saul after Saul won a great battle. (1 Samuel 13) The Lord had told Samuel and Saul through Samuel what must be done before the battle was fought. Samuel left and when he returned discovered that Saul had not obeyed the Lord's direction. Instead he listened to the people and did what they wanted him to do. It wasn't that it was bad, but that it was contrary to what the Lord required. His actions revealed his commitment to obeying God. The penalty was that King Saul lost his anointing. King Saul was known to be a man who was half-hearted (not fully committed) toward God while his successor, King David, was called a man after God's own heart or devoted with his whole heart to God.

It is so easy for us to "give in" to the desires of our culture and to reject what God has made plain. When we are confronted by the Spirit - that's called conviction - we make excuses for why we did it and do not repent. Jesus called the Pharisees "White-washed tombs filled with dead men's bones" 

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. - Matthew 23:27

Don't treat your faith like a vain religion. Where it is something you practice but have not devoted your heart to. Being a Christian is not like being an American. It is like being a human being. Pastor Tony Evans once said that Christian is not an adjective that modifies a noun - Christian is a noun that cannot be modified.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Christian, your old self has passed away - now you have a new identity. - New genetics - you are now a child of God. You have a new ethnicity and a new destiny.

... therefore .... by the mercies of God, ... present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. [in light of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the Cross for you] 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

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 Hinders Our Hearing God And What Keeps Us From Obeying

Who are You, Lord? —Acts 26:15

Knowing what the right thing … the God-thing … to do is and doing it are two entirely different things.  It's like knowing you should not cross the tracks when a train is coming and the right thing is to wait for the train to pass.  But, when you approach the tracks a thought comes to mind … “I think I can beat the train to the crossing.”  Sometimes you are right and other times .. you are dead-wrong.  

That is the way it is with believing and obeying God.  God offers His best but you think you know better. And even if you beat the train to the crossing, you have settled for less than God’s best for you. It may bring satisfaction for a moment, but God deals in the eternal .. not the temporal.  The heavenly not the earthly.  I have shared this before, Dr. Henry Blackaby, in Experiencing God, said that God speaks to us in four ways – by His Spirit (the still small voice saying “This is  the way”) – through prayer – by His Word (the sword of Truth, a light and lamp for us to see the way) – through other Believers – and, as Chambers suggest – through circumstances.  Dr. Blackaby went on to say that our problem is not in knowing what God said to us – the problem is obeying what God said to us.  The Scripture is replete with examples of disobedience.  They heard God and did something else because they thought they knew better. 

Hearing God requires two things of us.  First, our heart must be right … unconfessed sin will hinder your hearing.  Second is the practice of the spiritual discipline in our lives .. if you don’t pray .. if you don’t read the Word … if you don’t associate with other Christians who are doing those things … if your focus is on yourself and not God as you live life, then don’t be surprised when you resist the conviction of the Spirit. 

All too often we want to be our own god and decide what is best for us.  We won’t accept any advice that is not consistent with what we have decided is the best for us.  “I am going to beat that train and you are bad if you don’t agree with me!” We ignore our sins .. having decided they are really not that bad. In fact, they are acceptable and preferred as far as we are concerned.  We pray asking only for things that support our plan for peace and fulfillment.  We avoid other Christians who will not agree with us.  The reality is that we are merely practicing vain religion.  We have a form of godliness but deny the power of God in favor of our own devices.  In short we are carnal but have convinced ourselves that we are spiritual.  My best and only advice to a Christian who is living like that is repent – you need more Jesus and less you.  You have accepted a life that falls short of God’s plan for you  .. and one day … you won’t beat the train.

I recently shared a similar opinion with someone about a choice they were making. I knew my opinion was contrary to what they had decided to do. But, if you ask for my opinion, I will give it - even if it is not going to be what you want to hear. 

Speaking the truth in love - Ephesians 4:15

If I see a train coming, I am going to tell you - even if it means you might have to wait for the train to pass when you don't want to. Ever been there? Maybe you are listening to the train whistle right now!

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 Serving God Equation: Submission + Faith + The Power Of God = God Glorified

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me - Philippians 4:13

 You cannot do anything for God unless it is done by faith in God.  Oh, you can do things in His name, but it really amounts to work accomplished by your own effort.  Ephesians 2:8,9 says we are saved by grace through faith not of works lest any man boast that somehow he had saved himself by his own effort.  

And so it is when you step out for God.  There is nothing I can do that pleases God in terms of effort, what God wants from me is a broken and contrite heart and a willingness to pick up my cross and follow Jesus.  You might think, but God I am so smart. Well - if you are so smart - who do you think gave you your intelligence?  

When you serve God you must lay a spiritual foundation.  If you say “yes” God will take you to places that, if you were on your own, would crush your spirit and cause you to feint in the intensity of the circumstances. Whether it be face to face with a lion in a pit on a snowy day (2 Samuel 23:20), feeling the heat from a fiery furnace (Daniel 3), or ministering to a difficult person in a difficult situation, God is sufficient to meet your needs.

… my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. -  Philippians 4:19

Have you ever wondered what the difference was between a Christian giving someone a drink of water and a non-Christian doing the same thing?  The person receiving the water has their thirst quenched either way.  Sometimes we are guilty of thinking that only Christians can do “good” things.  Not true.  But there is something supernatural going on when a Christian serves others.  

Jesus told the woman at the well that He had living water to give her.  In other words, He could offer water to quench the thirst in her soul … and so can you.  You must have the Spirit of God in you to do that.  There are organizations involved in disaster relief that have the reputation for being “spiritual” but, in fact merely have a religious veneer. They will not allow Christians to share their faith in their desire to be “ecumenically correct” and not offend people who have other beliefs or have no belief at all.  

Disasters are not an opportunity to take advantage of people’s vulnerability. But, at the same time, they  give opportunity for the Church to rise up and be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within them. (1 Peter 3:15)  

There are no spiritual strings attached to our serving others, but there is spiritual power behind it.  

God uses circumstances to speak to the lost.  Sometimes He whispers and sometimes He SHOUTS!  In any case we must be ready to shine the light of Jesus whatever the situation and circumstance.

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

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

I Did It My Way

 "My Way" was a popular song some years ago. Sang first by Frank Sinatra, I think. Look him up on Google if you are not sure who he was. :)  Here are a few words from that song

And now, the end is near, And so I face the final curtain, My friend, I'll say it clear, I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's full, I traveled each and every highway, And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Do those words give you a feeling of satisfaction - maybe achievement? Nothing wrong with that - right? Well - it depends. Put that in the context of Proverbs.

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

We are always challenged to choose to do things our way or submit to God as He orders our steps. When Jesus was in the Garden praying to the Father, he asked for His way - being that He would not have to go down the path the Father had set His feet on - "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." - Luke 22:42

It is OK for us to want something that is not consistent with God's expressed will - that is not sin - temptation - yes - sin - no. But, choosing and following our own way when it is contrary to His expressed will - is! When we have rejected His way and do it our way, we often rationalize and cling to the idea that doing a good thing that is not God's will is still a good thing. But James wrote ... 

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. - James 4:17

Our challenge is choosing the greater good. And God's good is always greater than mine - even when I think mine is pretty good. We must say - Like Jesus - Nevertheless, not my will, but yours (Father), be done!

If you are unwilling to do that, then your relationship with God is actually an alliance, not a family relationship. You have not surrendered your whole heart to Him. An alliance is a relationship that exists when two parties share a common, mutually beneficial interest. The bond between them is formed by those interests. But when there is no mutual interest then the relationship dissolves.

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

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

Do You See What I See?

He [Elisha] said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes [the servant's] that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. - 2 Kings 6:16-17

An army had been sent to kill Elisha. Elisha and his servant woke up only to find that they were surrounded with no way out. But Elisha saw something greater than the army sent to do them in. He saw the power of God.

We may not be surrounded by a fierce army, but we are faced with difficulties in this life's journey. Problems that seem to be, and very likely are, bigger than we are. More than we can overcome. That is when our faith is tested.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing - James 1:2-4

Life is a test at its best. I would like to think that all I need is faith to be spared from hardship and loss, but that is not the truth. The thing is that I must trust God before the trouble - in the midst of the trouble - and after the trouble. What it boils down to is "Do we trust God?" no matter what comes our way. Is our faith unwavering in the midst of the storm?  

Do you remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace? They refused to bend their knees to worship any other god but Jehovah. But they were told that if they did not recant and bow down to other gods then they were going to be cast into a furnace. This was their response. 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. - Daniel 3:16-18

As it was they did not die - but they were prepared for any outcome - including death. Their devotion was to God the Father. Responding to life is about have a spiritual perspective on life. In the study the Truth Project from Focus on The Family ministry the question is posed, "Do you believe that what you believe is really real?" If you don't then when the "crunch" comes, you will bend you knee. Paul prayed this for the church in Ephesus .... 

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. - Ephesians 1:16-21

We have been saved for eternity. This short life - which may seem long from man's perspective - is not what you have been saved for. Your natural life has a limit that only God's knows. It will come to an end one day, just as it has for all previous generations. The question for all of us how will we live out the days we have been given. 

So like Elisha asked his servant, I will ask you as you face whatever this natural life brings your way - Even Elisha grew old, got sick and died. Recall that Elisha was Elijah's protégé and received a double portion of the anointing that Elijah had received and yet .... 

Now when Elisha had fallen sick with the illness of which he was to die. .... So Elisha died, and they buried him. - 2 Kings 13:14, 20

"Do you see what I see?" No, it is not a star in the night - but the Creator God in heaven who is now our eternal Father and we are His children - for ever.

My [Jesus speaking] sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. - John 10:27-29

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

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

Two Lights Shine Brighter Than One

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:22-25

My wife and I were talking with a friend just the other day about life. The friend commented about our marriage and that our relationship was an encouragement to them about their own marriage. That is not the first time we have had a conversation like that. Our children and grandchildren have said the same thing from time to time. I appreciated the friend's words, but through that conversation the Spirit of God brought to my mind the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians chapter 5.

I have quoted about the fruit of the Spirit many times in the past. In fact, I just wrote a devotional not long ago citing that scripture. But I thought about it in a different way this time. I believe that what people see in Martie and me is not a result of our personal effort or following "10 sure fire steps to having a good marriage" but a demonstration or manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit toward each other. 

LOVE : We lay our lives down for each other as a demonstration of our love for each other - John 15:13 - Do you remember the short story - "The Gift Of The Magi" by O Henry? If not, Google it and read it, then you will make the connection. JOY : The comment is often made that Martie and I make each other laugh. When I first heard it I was surprised. But after I talked about it with Martie, I realized that we do. We like being with and want to be with each other. I would say that our relationship is light hearted. PEACE : Not just the absence of strife in our lives - but peace in the midst of it. The peace that surpasses all understanding. Our journey together over the nearly 54 years - 50 of those years as Christians - has put life and what comes our way in perspective. People often remark that our home is a peaceful place. PATIENCE : We don't demand perfection from each other but allow for each other's imperfections. We don't take it personally when there is a disagreement but look to the heart of the other person knowing that each of us love the other. We know that the motive is never to slight or demean the other one. We are one, but at the same time are two.

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful" - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

KINDNESS: It is so easy to be unkind. It is part of our old nature. Kindness is deferring to the other person. Not insisting that it be my way or the highway. Very little in our lives is critical to life. I see Martie as a fragile flower that I must treat with care lest I do the flower harm - emotionally. And the same is true for Martie toward me. Oh, you don't see me as a fragile flower? I am speaking of the inner man - the heart - which can be broken all too easily. I have told her that the only opinion about me that really matters to me, apart from the Lord's is her opinion. If your spouse is the most important person to you on this planet then that is the way it should be. Why would you not be kind to each other? 

OK - you get the idea. My point in all of this is that the fruit of the Spirit should not only be manifested in each of us as a witness to the world, but also and especially through the marriage relationship. Of course that will not and cannot happen if you are not evenly yoked spiritually with your spouse. (Both of you must be Christians) [Living with an uneven yoke may be a devotion for another time.] But if you are equally yoked with your spouse then God can and should be glorified and Jesus can and should be be magnified through that relationship. Two lights shine brighter than one. 

Frankly, this is something I knew but didn't realize it was happening through Martie and me. And when I did I was humbled and thankful. 

This doesn't just happen - you must be intentional about your relationship with your spouse and with the Lord. It takes determination - work - effort - but it is worth it on both counts - to that I can testify!

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

Forgiveness Is Proof Of A Steadfast Faith

Dr. R.T. Kendall wrote in his book, Total Forgiveness: When Everything in You Wants to Hold a Grudge, Point a Finger, and Remember the Pain - God Wants You to Lay it All Aside :  "I have come to the conclusion that the primary way we grieve the Spirit in our lives is by fostering bitterness in our hearts. I say this because it is the first thing the apostle Paul mentions after warning us not to grieve the Spirit"

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4: 30-32

Forgiving is easier if we believe those who have done us wrong will be punished for what they have done to us somehow. This is what Jesus said about injustice .... 

You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? - Matthew 5:38-46

Oh - but my flesh is crying out - "That cannot be possibly right!" More correctly - my flesh doesn't want it to be right. But at the same time the Spirit of God is witnessing to us that it is absolutely right according to how things work in God's economy.  Once again, we are shown that the life we have been called to and saved to is impossible to live if you try to live it through our personal determination and effort. It can only be done when I lay my life and will down - surrendered to the Creator God, the Word of God, and the leading of the Spirit of God.

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

I must say no to what my old nature, my flesh, demands and follow Jesus' example. Paul reinforced that instruction in Romans chapter 12.

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

Our ability to forgive, biblically, is proof of our steadfast faith. Trusting in God and not ourselves. Oh there are so many verses coming to my mind. I will end this with just one more.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. - Proverbs 3:5-8

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

If I Got Jesus I Got It All

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." - Philippians 1:21

What do you consider success in this life? What is your brass ring that always seems to be just out of reach. That carrot that keeps you moving forward. Oh, you know the right spiritual answer I am certain, but what does your heart say - what does your life shout out? Certainly, we must eat, have a place to lay our heads, care for our family. Be good stewards of the things of this world. But why? It was God who put man's hand to the plow. It was man who sinned against God and interrupted God's intent for him to walk alongside Him in the Garden. Instead, man was banished from the Garden. And so every day, we find our way to our field, thinking that that is where we will find fulfillment and contentment. 

Generally one of the first things that guys ask each other is "What do you do?" The implication is that a man does for a living defines what kind of man he is. Where he stands in the pecking order of manhood. What if the answer to the question was "I serve God with my whole heart, soul and strength. I work in a factory to feed my family."

Paul was a tent maker, but he was not known for his ability to make tents. He was known for his faith and devotion to God. 

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. - Colossians 3:23-24

God has a plan and purpose for each of His children. What you do for a living - given that it is legal - does not really matter to God as much as it does to men. Whatever you do - do it to the glory of God.

I recall attending my 20th High School reunion - the only one I attended. At the time I was a major in the Army, a helicopter pilot. I had just finished a year's study at the Army Command and General Staff College and was attending Kansas State University in the Engineering Graduate Program to earn my Masters Degree in engineering. I didn't tell anyone at the reunion what I did in the Army. I didn't tell them because I knew that most if not all of the people I would talk to that night could relate to my life or exploits. Martie, my wife, asked me to get her a soda. When I came back the people in the group knew all about me. Martie had squealed on me! One of the guys in the group started making excuses for why he was only working at the Caterpillar Tractor plant. My grandfather and dad both retired from Caterpillar. I guess in his mind - compared to me, he was a failure. So I asked him if he was taking care of his family. He said "Yes". Then I told him that he should be proud of what he was doing - and more importantly he was being a good husband and good father. My point is that we should be more impressed by character and not career. The Apostle Paul brought this into perspective in his letter to the Church in Philippi. 

If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;  concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him - Philippians 3:4-9

Be careful that you don't use the culture's measures of success in this life. If you've got Jesus, you've got it all. 

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 To Do With Old Light Bulbs

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:14-16

Have you ever noticed that lightbulbs will burn until they suddenly go out? How bright they burn depends upon their wattage. Higher wattage typically means more light output. For example, a 60-watt incandescent bulb will generally be brighter than a 40-watt bulb. When the filament in the bulb eventually fails, the light will not work anymore. 

I could take this analogy further, but I won't. As Christians, our charge is to be lights in a sinful world. Our physical age should not be the determining factor of our utility or value in the Body of Christ. Unfortunately, at least in the American Christian Culture, when the light bulb is about 55 years old, they are replaced with "younger/newer" bulbs.  

Since I have broken the 55 year old barrier - 20 years ago actually - I have become more aware of how older bulbs are culled out of the active herd and sent out to pasture to live the remainder of their lives out in fellowship with the other "old bulbs".  I have been looking hard to find that mandate in the Bible and have been largely unsuccessful. 

I think about the untapped cumulative wisdom that is represented by those older bulbs. Recently, I overheard a comment by one of the older bulbs describing the 2 worship services at the church we attend. "The older people attend the first service and most of the younger people attend the second service. The biggest distinction between the services, besides age, was the style of music. The Sermon is the same. In my view subdividing the congregation by age and music style is probably not a good thing. And sadly I think it is the "old bulbs" fault for going along with it.  It should be the Spirit of God and not the spirit of the music and the age of the person sitting next to me in the pew that we focus on. But we do.

My encouragement ..... Don't let your light be put under a basket - and don't put the basket over your head yourself - let it shine!

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

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

The True Purpose For Tithing

Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. -  Malachi 3:8

What are your thoughts when you hear the preacher talk about tithing? Do you think "Oh no, not again!" or "Amen - God is good!" I listened to the preacher talk about tithing just the other day. I have written before that my approach to sermons is that I say in my heart as Samuel did - "Speak Lord, your servant is listening." The role of the preacher is to speak what God has laid on his heart. My role is to listen for what God has to say to me through the preacher.

Well this time what the Spirit said was "Tithing is not about your money, it's about you heart." We would all agree that God does not need our money. We are actually stewards of His money. The act of tithing is an act of faith and devotion.

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. - Matthew 22:37-38

If our full devotion is to God and dependence is on God - his provision - Jehovah Jireh - God the Provider - then giving back a portion of what He has given us should not be an issue. Tithing is a test of our hearts. Do we love God fully or do we have another love or worse, other loves competing for our devotion?

The love of money is the root of all evil -  1 Timothy 6:10

The reaction we have at the thought of tithing, if it is anything but joyful obedience, is rooted in our old sin nature. I am not saying that we cannot be guilted into giving money - but we might as well have kept the money in our bank account. A saying that coined some years ago is "You can make me do it, but you can't make me like it!" 

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7

Why does God love a cheerful giver? Because the gift was birthed out of their love for God. Do you remember the story about the widow's mite?

And He [Jesus] looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had. - Luke 21:1-4

Tithing is not an earthly investment. The wrong idea that the more money you give, the more you get back. It is actually a statement about your love for God and trust in God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions. - Proverbs 3:5-9

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