Do You Believe, But Need Help with Unbelief

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! - Mark 9:24

Up front – Some may think that devotions should be short.  A few sentences.  I write what the Lord lays on my heart.  Sometimes, like today, it can be lengthy.  No apologies, just know that is not likely to change.  

Have doubts? Join the club friend. I was talking with someone the other day.  The matter was concerning what seemed to be the imminent death of a loved one.  He said, “I sure hope that when I die, I find out this (our hope in heaven) is really true.” (Have you ever had that thought?) That statement set me back for a second.  I never thought of him as having any doubts about his faith, but there it was. The stress of the death or grave illness of someone you care about seems to have the effect of removing inhibitions from people.  Those situations reveal things that they typically keep hidden, and you wonder “Where did that come from?” or “I had no idea they felt that way!”  But to the point …

We are on a journey of faith – like in Pilgrim’s Progress.  We are jars of clay, formed from dust.  There is something called the Law of Thermodynamics, actually there are 4 laws, like Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion, except different. “Energy cannot be created or destroyed. In other words, in a closed system, the total amount of energy that can be taken out of the system will be equal to the total amount of energy that was put into the system.” That might be why people think that they can be reincarnated.  If you leave this form, you will “pop-up” in another form.  Zero sum.  Whatever is taken away is put back in.  (Hang with me, I am almost finished with the physics lesson!!!) My point is that these “laws” are nothing more than man’s observation of God’s creation.  The truth is that God can do what He wants to do, whenever He wants to do it.  He operates on an eternal clock and we operate on seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years. Hey, we do the best we can.  

Here is the problem. If we try to figure God out on our own, we are doomed to failure.  

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

You, with your mortal natural mind, cannot figure God out.  

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 2:14

You see, in order to not have doubts, you must see the world as God does, and you can only do that by the power of God’s Spirit in you.  

We are given an account of a young boy being healed by Jesus.  The boy was apparently beyond human help. 

So He (Jesus) asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You (Jesus) can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 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 9:21-25

All of us face impossible situations. Situations that challenge the promises of God and our faith. Hebrews 11:1 says that Faith is about things hoped for and not seen.  If you want to strengthen your faith you can do two things.  Be reminded of when God showed up in impossible circumstances and keep your heart and mind fixed on Jesus.  If you don’t do that you will suffer spiritual atrophy and when that happens you will be plagued by doubt. (Proverbs 3:5-6) “Trust in the Lord in all your ways and not your own mental capacity.” In one of the Indiana Jones movies, Indy was confronted by a huge man with a huge sword.  Then Indy remembered that he was carrying a gun, so he shot the man with the sword. Well, in a way, Indy is me and you. Faced with impossible circumstances, we must remember that we are “packing”.  We have the Holy Spirit in us .. the Creator God is on our side .. and He is faithful to His promises. You can believe that!

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

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

Temptation - I Hear You Knocking, But You Can't Come In

 "There is no temptation taken you but such is common to man" - 1 Corinthians 10:13

 “Joab withstood the greatest test of his life, remaining absolutely loyal to David by not turning to follow after the fascinating and ambitious Absalom. Yet toward the end of his life he turned to follow after the weak and cowardly Adonijah. Always remain alert to the fact that where one person has turned back is exactly where anyone may be tempted to turn back." Oswald Chambers

As a Christian there are a few things that are certain. One is that you are going to heaven.  You have eternal life in Jesus.  Another is that you are going to face temptation until you do ... go to heaven that is. The question is .. How will you respond to temptation when it comes your way?  Temptation is not sin, but what you do with temptation can lead to sin. 

“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” -  James 1:13-15

You will face opportunities to sin by way of temptation every day.  First you must recognize that your struggle with temptation is a spiritual issue not a physical one. 

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  - Ephesians 6:12

The point is that if you try to defeat temptation through shear will power or I suppose, more appropriately, “won’t” power, you will fail.  You are trying to do something that is impossible for the natural man.  It’s likened to trying to save yourself.  You need faith and the Spirit of God to be saved, not works or personal effort.  The next time you are tempted do what Jesus did when tempted by the devil in the wilderness … trust in God and His Word. as Pastor E.V. Hill said at a Promise Keeper's Conference some years ago - When you are tempted then Hit 'em, Hit Satan with the Word of God. 

"Your Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You." - Psalm 119:11

Jesus was tempted in the desert in the 3 ways that John wrote about. The lust of the eye, lust of the flesh and the pride of life. All temptation is rooted in one of those three.

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. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. - 1 John 2:15-17

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

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but [He] was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:15-16

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

What To Do When You Don’t Get What You Want

Perhaps some of the most abused or misused or misunderstood verses in the Bible are in Matthew chapter 7. 

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! - Matthew 7:7-11

If I want it than God will give it to me.  If He doesn’t, I will be upset with God because I have decided I need what I asked for.  Actually there are a few reasons that I see that might affect God’s answer to your prayer.

First.  You have failed to examine your heart.  You have some un-confessed sin tucked away in the corner of your heart.  You have decided that the sin doesn’t matter.  That you can stand before a holy God even though you have quenched the Spirit with the sin that you are embracing.  Yes, you are a child of God.  Washed in the blood.  But you need to clear the air … approach God with clean hands and a clean heart. 

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. - Psalm 24:3-5 

Second. In God’s wisdom, there is a better answer to your prayer than the one that you have decided is the best one.  This is a test of submission to the will of the Father.  Just like Jesus. Are you really committed to seeking His will or is it only when His will agrees with yours? 

Third.  As the King James Version says “You ask amiss”.  Is it your flesh, your old nature, that you are seeking to satisfy? 

You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. - James 4:2-3

If everything is for God’s glory, why are His answers not good enough when you don’t get what you asked for? If God’s will for you is for your good and His glory, then the test is, can you trust God even when He is silent.  When you don't get what you asked for.  God is not here to serve us.  It is quite the opposite.  Even grocery stores are delivering what they sell to homes.  You nearly don’t have to leave the house.  But God does not take delivery orders.  It is so very important that we have the right view toward God.  Unlike the new TV show, God does not want to “friend you” on Facebook!  He is not your buddy.  He is the creator God who sacrificed His Son that you might be adopted and eternally blessed – for His glory and for your good.  We all should keep that in mind when we approach Him in prayer. 

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 Can't See Their Heart But We can See Their hurt.

 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.  - Psalm 141:4

This is about speaking into someone's personal pain.

I might say something to that someone about their behavior or choices. The same words can be either intended to tear down or build up. They can be critical or encouraging.  Condemning or edifying. As Christians, the former should never be our motive. Everything we say should be intended to correct and direct. Encouraging the person to repent - go another way - reflecting the Lord in word and deed. What does the Word of God help us to do - To know what’s right. To know what’s not right. To know how to get right. To know how to stay right. 

So we should .....

"consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… encouraging one another.” — Hebrews 10:24–25

“Encourage one another and build each other up.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:14

“Remember that the words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” — Proverbs 12:18

“Not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.” — Ephesians 4:29

“Carry each other’s burdens.” — Galatians 6:2

Taken together, these passages teach that encouragement means noticing people’s needs, speaking words that strengthen rather than wound, helping those who are struggling, being patient, and motivating others toward love and good actions. It doesn’t require pretending everything is fine; biblical encouragement can include gently offering truth, hope, prayer, and practical support. 

These verses are guides for others to step into the lives of some struggling Christian to be Jesus to them. In doing that you will be casting spiritual seed. Applying kindness, love, and spiritual oil as a balm. Your ministry may never be received in the way that you would like to see it at the time, but that is not your responsibility. That is between the hearer and God. We cannot see their heart but we can see their hurt.

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

Will You Get In The Wheel Barrow

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, neither let it be afraid. - John 14:27

The real test of spiritual focus is being able to bring your mind and thoughts under control. Is your mind focused on the face of an idol? Is the idol yourself? Is it your work? Is it your idea of what a servant should be, or maybe your experience of salvation and sanctification? If so, then your ability to see God is blinded. You will be powerless when faced with difficulties and will be forced to endure in darkness. If your power to see has been blinded, don’t look back on your own experiences, but look to God. It is God you need. Go beyond yourself and away from the faces of your idols and away from everything else that has been blinding your thinking. - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Seeking God out in the midst of living out your life … is that a problem for you?  Our lives of faith are not merely thinking about God and then trying to do godly things … that is a certain path to failure … we do that every day even though we know that we cannot be righteous in our own strength. Yet we try to live righteous lives to the best of our ability.  Chambers said “You will be powerless when faced with difficulties and will be forced to endure in darkness. “Have you ever heard yourself say “I am doing the best that I can!”?  It’s thinking that “we” must be doing that is our real problem. 

The underlying issue of all of this is our lack of trust or faith in God.  It’s like the guy who pushed a wheel barrow on a rope stretched across Niagara Falls.  When he got to the other side he asked a spectator “Do you believe that I can take the wheel barrow back to the other side?”  The spectator said “Yes” so he said “Ok, get in!” Now that was a problem … we can believe that God will provide and take care of us, but when it is time to ‘get in the wheel barrow’ we back up … We have a tight grip on our lives and and are not ready to give the control to someone else … even if that someone else is God. 

Have you ever heard the phrase “Let go and let God”?  That is what we have to do … Putting your faith in God is where the natural meets the super-natural.  Can you trust Him?  You bet.  How will you know you can trust Him … the only way you will now for sure is by climbing into the wheel barrow.  You won’t be disappointed … trust me!

Why are you downcast , O my soul? … Put your  Hope in God - Psalms 43:5

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

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

Want A Better Life - More of Jesus - Less Of You - Is A Good Start

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 

There is an old hymn that describes what our attitude should be with regard to our past, our present and our future.

“Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!

Thou art the potter, I am the clay! Mold me and make me, after Thy will While I am waiting, yielded and still

Search me and try me, Master, today! Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now, As in thy presence Humbly I bow

Wounded and weary, Help me, I pray! Power, all power, surely is Thine Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

Hold o'er my being absolute sway! Fill with Thy Spirit 'til all shall see Christ only, always, living in me.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!”  POLLARD, ADELAIDE

All of us have things in our past that we regret.  Satan, the god of this world, would have us cling to those things, so that they would define who we are today and limit what we will be in the future.  But Jesus has overcome sin and the grave. (1 Corinthians 15:17) In Him we have new life. (1 John 5:12) Old things are passed away. (2 Corinthians 5:17)  We are forgiven, in Christ. (Ephesians 4:32) 

It is Jesus that defines us now. Of course that is not to say that it would be OK to continue to sin, but that we should not let our sins in the past be a wall that we cannot get by.  If you want to refresh your commitment of faith, make it that you will draw closer to Jesus .. 

And .....  "turn your eyes upon Jesus.  Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” 

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

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

Asking For Help From A Drowning Man

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

In today’s culture when someone says “Prejudice”, the narrow definition is racial prejudice or bias.  Actually the root of the word has to do with having an opinion about something.  Dislike or even hatred, of people of other races is one type of prejudice.  That is one of the prejudices that is part of our old nature. Let’s use that as an example.  Men have argued for years that one race is superior to another. Typically it is the race in power that holds that view.  It is part of the old nature.  So what does the Bible say? Well, man was created in God’s image. (Genesis 1:26) Genesis does not say only white or red or black or yellow or brown.  So God must not have been referring to skin color or national origin.  Paul wrote “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female” (Galatians 3:8) in the Body of Christ.  Jesus prayed “That they may be as one, as we are one" (John 17:11).  John wrote “If you say you love God and hate your Brother, you are a liar and the Truth is not in you.” (1 John 4:20)

We try to justify our prejudices – the opinions born out of our old nature – by turning to those who think like us to seek affirmation … and we will always find approval from those who have the same prejudices we do or at least are tolerant of our prejudices lest we fail to accept theirs.  If you want someone to say your sin is OK ask another sinner.  When drowning, why would you seek help from someone who is drowning beside you?  The Word of God is the place you go to know what is Truth.  The Spirit is the One that affirms and confirms what is right and what is wrong … the Spirit convicts us of our sins. (John16:8)  I know a good number of Christians that hold on to opinions – prejudices that were born out of their old nature.  So what to do?  It’s actually a simple solution that is impossible to accomplish by wishing it so …. it requires faith not will power.  We must surrender our prejudices – our old nature – to God.  Offering ourselves, daily, as a sacrifice. Confessing our sins, daily. (1 John 1:9) As you develop your spiritual acuity, (one day you will have 20-20 spiritual vision) you will see those opinions or prejudices for what they are and abandon them by faith and through the power of the blood of Jesus.  “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

I was in a meeting some years back where the topic was racial reconciliation in the Body of Christ. The question of asked of the men of color (other than white) “Has anyone every expressed bigotry or prejudice toward you?  Virtually every hand of every man of color was raised. Then the question was asked to the men of European origin, “Have you ever expressed prejudice toward a man of color?” Very few raised their hands. Those men with their hands raised, were thanked for their honesty.  Then to those who had not raised their hands, the speaker asked, ”Do you even care that it happened?”  Good question.  When God asked Cain where his brother, Able, was, he answered “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The same might be asked of us.  As Christians, our answer is, or should be, “yes”. Read Matthew 25:31-46.

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

Seeing Should Not Be A Requirement For Believing

Without faith it is impossible to please Him… —Hebrews 11:6

Common sense and faith are as different from each other as the natural life is from the spiritual, and as impulsiveness is from inspiration. Nothing that Jesus Christ ever said is common sense, but is revelation sense, and is complete, whereas common sense falls short. Yet faith must be tested and tried before it becomes real in your life. Faith is a tremendously active principle that always puts Jesus Christ first. The life of faith says, “Lord, You have said it, it appears to be irrational, but I’m going to step out boldly, trusting in Your Word” (for example, see Matthew 6:33). Turning intellectual faith into our personal possession is always a fight, and not just sometimes. Until we know Jesus, God is merely a concept, and we can’t have faith in Him. But once we hear Jesus say, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9) we immediately have something that is real, and our faith is limitless.” - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

When I woke up this morning, the thought “Seeing is not a requirements for believing.” Was on my mind. Then I read Chambers devotion for today. The Spirit is speaking to me. That ever happen to you? Probably, but perhaps you don’t realize that is what is happening when it does.  To know something to be true without evidence is different from “thinking” something might be true.  Faith is spiritual and works on another plane than our natural reasoning.  I know that I know, but don’t know how I know.  I struggle because I try to filter a faith-fact through my natural mind.  Thomas struggled with believing that it was Jesus standing before him, until he filtered it through the natural man – “I must touch his wounds!”  Jesus then said “Blessed are those who believe and have not seen.” (John 20:29)

Can you .. .will you trust Jesus even when what you are trusting Him in is contrary to reason?  I did not say contrary to the revealed will and Word of God.  Faith facts will always be consistent with who God is and His truth. But it may not make any sense.  Martie and I find ourselves in that place all the time.  The hazards (if you will) of our calling.  

Proverbs 3:5-6 says not to lean on our own understanding.    In other words, faith comes first.  Understanding will follow … most of the time.  When I was in Army Basic training at the ripe age of 18, I had one particular drill sergeant, SSGT San Felice.  He was 6’2”, red hair, from Puerto Rico.  He had a very thick accent.  He told us .. “I don’t care if you don’t understand me, you better do it!”  I think I did a lot of unnecessary pushups! Well, our life in Christ is that way in some respects.  We hear God, we don’t understand what was said, but we doubt God.  The disciples did that during the storm.  Peter did that while walking on the water.  We do that when God says do something that makes no earthly sense.  It means that we have to give up our worldly confidence and rest in God’s faithfulness. Friend, that is the life we have been called to. 

We live by faith and not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7

What is it that God is telling you to do?  You must choose.  And, by the way, to do nothing is making a choice . And that choice is not for God.  

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. - Joshua 24:15

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

Why You May Not Be Content With Your Place In The Body Of Christ

By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain… —1 Corinthians 15:10

The way we continually talk about our own inabilities is an insult to our Creator. To complain over our incompetence is to accuse God falsely of having overlooked us. Get into the habit of examining from God’s perspective those things that sound so humble to men. You will be amazed at how unbelievably inappropriate and disrespectful they are to Him. We say things such as, “Oh, I shouldn’t claim to be sanctified; I’m not a saint.” But to say that before God means, “No, Lord, it is impossible for You to save and sanctify me; there are opportunities I have not had and so many imperfections in my brain and body; no, Lord, it isn’t possible.” Always be humble before God, and allow Him to be your all in all. There is only one relationship that really matters, and that is your personal relationship to your personal Redeemer and Lord. - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

You must be careful to not compare yourself to other Christians and imagine that you can never be like them.  It’s true, you may never do what they do, but if you are born again .. you are exactly like them.  You are exactly like Paul … exactly like Billy Graham … but you may be a different part of the body.  (1 Corinthians 12:14-25)  “… the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. […] The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it.”

God has purposed us (Ephesians 2:10).  You might decide to be a butcher, baker, or candlestick maker in the natural, but you do not decide what part of the Body you will be in the supernatural.  God does that.  Exactly like Paul and Billy Graham.  Now that is not to say that you might be envious of someone who is the mouth.  But that is your flesh at work.  Perhaps your insecurities at work or maybe your pride. I have known men who demanded that they have a certain leadership position in a local church.  Not because they were called to it, but because they lusted after it.  They want to be significant in the eyes of men or perhaps to overcome some feeling of inferiority.  Or maybe you feel like God can’t use you because you have nothing to offer.  You do! You do!  You offer … you.  Then trust that God will use you as He sees fit. It may be to fulfill a place that people won’t see or ever know about.  Is that OK with you?  If not, examine your heart.  If your desire is to glorify God .. the first step is to submit your life to Him and to His will.  A song you may be familiar with … “Yes Lord yes to Your will and to Your way.  Yes Lord yes.  I will trust you and obey.  When the Spirit speaks to me, with my whole heart I’ll agree and I will answer .. YES Lord YES!” 

God will provide the opportunity for you to fulfill your purpose. You don’t have to make those opportunities.  Just do what God puts in front of you.  If it seems bigger than you are .. for whatever reason .. it is most probably God.  There was a man, Brother Lawrence, who was known for his spirituality.  He was a monk.  One thing he did not want to do was work in the kitchen.  He decided that.  Any guesses where God put him?  For 15 years.  During that time, he made a huge impact in many people’s lives.  He served faithfully where God put him and glorified God and blessed others in the process.  Are you ready to work in the kitchen? To set side notoriety and not be praised by men.  (Mark 9:35) [Jesus said] “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”  Hope that puts things in perspective for 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

Is There Enough Light To Convict You Of Being A Christian?

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:13-16

As born again Believers, we have the “light of God” – the Holy Spirit in us. That light and His transforming power should be evident to everyone we meet.  Not only by what we say or don’t say, but by what we do and don’t do.  Jesus charged the disciples – which includes us – to let our light shine in the world.  We are to be witnesses so that God will be glorified.  Jesus said (John 13:35) “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  Years ago we sang a song at fellowships – “They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love”.  I think there are two main reasons why there is a lack of light in a Christian’s life. 

First. The Christian is not pursuing their faith and they are still spiritual infants and are indistinguishable from those who are still lost in the world. 

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. - 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

2 Corinthians 5:17 says “old things are passing away and all things are becoming new”  That is true for the heart that is devoted to God.  But Spiritual transformation does not happen when your heart remains devoted to the things of this world.  You growth is stunted – your light is hidden – your witness non-existent.  

Second.  The Christian is afraid of being rejected by the culture they live in – afraid of the social and/or financial loss they might incur if they let their light shine and make what they believe to be Truth – Biblical Truth – known.  Jesus told the disciples, 

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. - Matthew 10:34-39  

Most of us have a herd instinct.  We want to be around other people.  We want to be accepted by those people.  For a Christian – that can mean that they must not make their beliefs evident – they must be silent – even when what is acceptable to the “herd” is clearly contrary to the declaration of God.  They only way to overcome that is by having a strong faith – a heart for God. (see #1) 

I am not sharing these things try to “guilt” you into something. I want you to understand your new nature and life – how we are to live.  Dr. Francis Schaeffer wrote a book some years back “How Should We Then Live” which addresses this very thing.  How should Christians live in the context of the world around them.  I don’t want you think, after reading this, that you will just have to try harder.  On the contrary. What I hope for is that you will decide to “faith” harder.  Read Proverbs 3:5-6 and Joshua 1:8-10.  

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

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

Don't Build Your House On The Sandy Land

…add to your faith virtue… —2 Peter 1:5

Add means that we have to do something. We are in danger of forgetting that we cannot do what God does, and that God will not do what we can do. We cannot save nor sanctify ourselves— God does that. But God will not give us good habits or character, and He will not force us to walk correctly before Him. We have to do all that ourselves. We must “work out” our “own salvation” which God has worked in us (Philippians 2:12). Add means that we must get into the habit of doing things, and in the initial stages that is difficult. To take the initiative is to make a beginning— to instruct yourself in the way you must go. Be determined to act immediately in faith on what God says to you when He speaks, and never reconsider or change your initial decisions. We have to get into the habit of carefully listening to God about everything, forming the habit of finding out what He says and heeding it. - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

 Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete. -  Luke 6:46-49

Jesus was talking directly to his disciples but there was a large crowd of people listening as well.  It is one thing to Hear the Truth and quite another to Obey the Truth.  About 8 children recited the entire 12th chapter of Romans in church one Sunday.  Impressive and challenging, but what good did it do the congregation to hear that if they were not willing to do what it said.  Chapter 12 pretty much lays out how we are to live as Christians.  

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. - James 1:22

It is a recurring theme.  Why must we be reminded? Well, it must be that our tendency is to Not do what the Word says.  Obedience is not something that suddenly happens on its own. It is a spiritual discipline and we must decide to obey.

So my friends “Don't build your house on the sandy-land, Don't build it too near the shore, Well, it may look kind of nice But you'll have to build it twice, Oh, you'll have to build your house once more. You better build your house upon the rock, Make a good foundation on a solid spot. And though the storms may come and go, The peace of God you will know. Rock of ages, cleft for me.  Let me hide myself in Thee.” Karen Lafferty (b. 1948) Words and Music © 1981 Maranatha!

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 But A Vapor

 He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again. - Psalm 78-39

When I was a freshman in college [ before I met Jesus on the road] - no we were not using lanterns for light! - I wrote a paper in sociology 101 about the tension of the free enterprise systems and social reform in our country.  In their extremes they are juxtaposed to each other.  There is a tension - not unhealthy one. Really it is sort of symbiotic. Without revenue - money -  the social programs cannot be funded. Without social programs the country would not be able to provide workers to support the free enterprise system. I realize that is a simplistic description of what is going on in our country. But there is a balance that must be maintained for our system to work. It is not perfect, but seems to be better than most in the world.  

Having said that - as Christians - we are not socialist - per se - but we are to be more people oriented that money oriented. If we are affluent we have a responsibility toward those who are less affluent. Two verse segments come to mind. Matthew 25 - the sheep and the goats. They sheep and the goats asked King Jesus the same question - "Lord when did we see you?" To the Sheep he answered "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." and to the Goats the King will say, "Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me."  And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

The sheep were focused on others and the goats were focused on themselves.  The other verses in Luke 12:16-21

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

So what does this have to do with life being a vapor. "A wind passes and does not come again". We have one shot at this mortal life. We can live like sheep or goats. Any guess which one the rich man was.  Affluence can be a good or bad thing. It depends upon the affluent persons attitude and understanding why they are affluent. A hint, it is not merely for their benefit or so they can live in a bigger house or go on another cruise.  Neither of those thing are in and of themselves evil - but what will Jesus say to you when you ask Him the question - Lord when did we see 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

Peaceful Living

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:18-21

Have you ever been at odds with someone, Christian or not. Is it possible to be hospitable toward people that have a mean spirit toward you? You may have sought to be reconciled, but they would have none of it. So what to do? Well, as my dad would say, let's look at the Bible and see what it says about it. You see - if you rely on your flesh - you feelings - then you will be tempted to respond in kind. An eye for and eye. What did Jesus say. 

You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. - Matthew 5:38-41

When your old nature cries out for justice - your spirit says show them grace and mercy. They don't deserve it - that is what unmerited favor means. Oh you might feel provoked and might even be able to respond forcefully, but don't. Stay your hand. Don't harbor a grudge - if you do you will have lost the battle - given in to the temptation to sin. What? Well think about it. What is sin - to disobey the will of God. And what might that be? Well, re-read the previous verses. The Bible is not a book of suggestions.

 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

I have quoted this before but it bears repeating. Our pastor - with regard to 2 Tim 3 said the Bible gives us spiritual wisdom and understanding:  to know what’s [right],  to know what’s [not right],  to know how to [get right], to know how to [stay right]. 

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is 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 do you have? - Matthew 5:43-46

So there is no room for unforgiveness in the heart of a Christian. People may harbor negative attitudes toward you but we don't have the liberty to respond in kind. Oh - our flesh may cry out for reciprocity - vindication even, but God has made it clear that one bad turn does not deserve or justify another.  And not doing something in response but harboring the desire to do it in you heart it is still sin.

Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. -  1 John 3:13-15

That doesn't give us much wiggle room does 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

Balancing Priorities – Deciding What Is Most Important

Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And He [Jesus] said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. - Matthew 22:36-38

What is the most important and urgent thing in anyone's life? Charles Hummel wrote a book “Tyranny of the Urgent”  The idea behind the book is that we often let what seems urgent be the deciding factor with respect to what we do.  What is “important” is juxtaposed with what is “urgent”.  (OK hang with me here!) There are 4 possible combinations of life situations that we will encounter  – Urgent/Important – Urgent/Not Important – Not Urgent Important – Not Urgent/Not Important.  You can put any aspect of your life, every choice, every decision under one of those headings.

So what does that have to do with our faith?  Emotions are tied to urgency.  Something happens and our emotions – Spidey senses – tell us that this must be acted upon immediately, it's urgent.  The key is knowing what is important and keeping life in perspective with respect to that knowing.  So, Christian, what is important to you?  The text-book (Bible) answer is God, others (world, culture, family), and lastly you. (Matthew 22: 37-39, Romans 12:1-2, Mark 9:35) There are many other references, but those are sufficient for my point.  Take a moment and look them up. Then pray about them.

So what is important is determined first by our relationship with God and our willingness to trust and obey – and not by our feelings/emotions.  The difficulty starts with the tension between the old life and the new life – that we live in a physical world but have a new spiritual reality that is supposed to be our primary perspective – the filter by which we determine what is important and what is urgent.  

In the context of Hummel’s book – Our relationship with God is the determinant with respect to deciding what is important and what is urgent.  For some Christians – it’s OK to agree that we should not love the world or the things of this world (1 John 2:15) but what about retirement – the children’s college – my new car – my job.  Where do they fall into the mix?  

What my point is, friend, is that all of that falls into its proper place when God is in His proper place.  A classic question is “Do you believe that what you believe is really real?” If you do – God will always be first – and if you don’t – God will often be left in the dust in favor of what is urgent – what your flesh tells you is important.  We are faced with these decisions every day.  But – if we are not spiritually minded – we are bound to choose poorly.  If the Chief End Of Man is indeed to “Glorify God and Enjoy Him Forever” then God must be first and must be the One who determines what is important and what is urgent.  

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” - Galatians 5:25

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” - Galatians 5:16

You are going to be challenged today with this dilemma – what to respond to and how to respond.  If you are a Christian – your choice is clear but requires faith and obedience to respond correctly.  Keep the things of life in their proper place … don’t let your emotions rule your heart .. that place belongs 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

Foxhole Religion

The Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. —Job 42:10

I pray, “Lord, I will purify my heart if You will answer my prayer— I will walk rightly before You if You will help me.” But I cannot make myself right with God; I cannot make my life perfect. I can only be right with God if I accept the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ as an absolute gift. I must leave myself completely alone in His hands, and then I can begin to pour my life out in the priestly work of intercession. “The Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends.” As a saved soul, the real business of your life is intercessory prayer. Whatever circumstances God may place you in, always pray immediately that His atonement may be recognized and as fully understood in the lives of others as it has been in yours. Pray for your friends now, and pray for those with whom you come in contact now. - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Foxhole religion. If you were ever in the military in a war you know what that is.  It’s when you are afraid .. in mortal danger ..  and you make a promise to God. “God if you will spare me I promise to be good.” We find ourselves in a jam and we are looking for a way out.  A prayer of the flesh – devoid of any spiritual context – and what happens when you are spared?  The prayer fades in your memory.  So often we treat prayer like a 911 call.  “I have an emergency and need to be rescued! Lord save me!” or perhaps “Lord restore what I have lost!”  Why? Because my trust and confidence was in that which was lost or in danger of being lost - health - wealth - whatever and not in the One to Whom I am praying. In one breath someone will tell me they don't want to hear about "my God" and then in another - when they face a hardship they ask me to pray for them. They are not interested in God but in finding a way to make the trouble go away.

You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. - James 4:2-3

The New Testament is replete with admonitions to distance yourself from the world and the things of the world .. to trust God .. to not worry .. but we do anyway.  What the Bible says to do .. you cannot do apart from Christ in you.  “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” God is very often not our first thought – He is our afterthought?   Sound harsh?  Listen – it is a problem that every Christian must contend with.  Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love God – the Father – with all of your being.  That does not leave much room for anything else.  But – out of that love will flow everything else.  Jesus said His kingdom was not of this world. God is interested in our spiritual success and obedience not in our earthly affluence.  Too many have compromised their faith because of the things of this world.  Like the song of the sirens, you will be lured into the rocks resulting in spiritual impotence.  Be careful my friend.  Wanting to not be like that will not make it so … that will happen when you commit your heart to God and pursue Him.  

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 God Asks You To Leave Your Comfort Zone

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 

Everyone likes to be comfortable.  I can remember occasions when Martie and I got to sit on a soft sofa after months of sitting on hard chairs in Haiti.  Seems like a small thing, but the feeling was exquisite.  We 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 in the comfort of your routine.  You may not be able to empathize – because you have never left your comfort zone – but you can sympathize – at least until the commercial, supper  or the start of your favorite program.  We like to be comfortable and we don’t like giving that comfort up.  

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

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

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

God is not “safe” but He is good.  He has our best in mind.  He will disrupt your routine, if you allow it. 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.  Henry Blackaby called it a Crisis of Belief in Experiencing God. So come on – go ahead and put your toes in the water.

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

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

Making The Right Investments

Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the multitude of their riches, None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him— For the redemption of their souls is costly, And it shall cease forever— That he should continue to live eternally, And not see the Pit. Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased;  For he sees wise men die; Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, And leave their wealth to others. Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever, Their dwelling places to all generations; They call their lands after their own names.  Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain; He is like the beasts that perish    .......  For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lives he blesses himself (For men will praise you when you do well for yourself), He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see light. A man who is in honor, yet does not understand, Is like the beasts that perish. - Psalm 49:6-12,17-20 

A person without the Spirit of God is not unlike a beast of the field. They imagine that the life they are living is the sum total of their existence so they must "eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow they die". They have no understanding of the eternal nature of humankind, very unlike those other beasts. It is not merely "dust to dust" for these mortal bodies and that is the end. There is more beyond the grave for the souls of human kind. Those who reject God live their lives blinded by the god of this world, believing that their conduct doesn't really matter but accumulation and affluence does. They struggle for significance in this life and the best that can be hoped for is to be remembered somehow after this life is over. 

"They call their lands after their own names." I am certain that you have read or heard about the desire by some to have monuments built, buildings and even ships emblazoned with their name as benefactor as if that will somehow be a legacy and a fond memory. The truth is, little thought will be given to the names by future generations. It will just be a name. A reference to the building but, for most, not to the person.

King Solomon said "Life is a vapor" and "all [that we know in this life] is vanity". And yet I see people struggle to make their mark in the course of Human history not knowing that their mark was made with a dry erase marker and will soon be erased from the eyes, minds and hearts of the generations that follow. 

And he [Jesus] said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” - Luke 12:15-21

What are you investing your life in? Are you living for His glory or for yours?

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

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

Living A Life Contrary To Human Reasoning

 Let them be confounded because of their shame, Who say to me, “Aha, aha!” Psalm 40:15

When I read Psalm 40 this morning, I thought about my mom. It was 1970. I had been in South Vietnam for nearly a year. In Vinh Long, a province that sits in the Mekong River and is essentially one big rice paddy. I had been receiving letters from home - from my mom. She was telling me bout her new found faith in Jesus. She and my dad, two younger brothers and a younger sister. I had three older sisters that had already left home and were not part of the Way, not for years to come.

When I returned to the States later that fall and mustered out of the Army, I moved back into the home-place.  But it was not the same home that I had left.  There was something different. The biggest difference was my mom. She had been a bit of a hellion when I was growing up. Up to the point that I left for the Army actually.  But now she was different. She epitomized the verse 2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

It was hard to understand - but my older sisters and I thought that it was an act.  That it was a put on. That eventually the "old mom" would reappear and like Psalm 40:15 we would say "aha, aha!" We knew it was not real. It couldn't be could it? She was not who she pretended to be - no - she was still the old mom. But the old mom never reappeared.

Coincidentally, I had come back from the Army with a drinking problem, profanity laced conversations and a 2 pack a day smoking habit. And then it happened - in 1976 my wife and I "met Jesus on the road." Just like my mom, dad, brothers and sister had in 1969. And eventually, so did my three older sisters. Our lives were changed - forever. My children have no idea what I was like since they were all raised in a Christian home.  And they have a hard time believing that I was ever like that. I often use this quote, I suppose because it resonates so with my life.  It is loosely attributed to John Newton, writer of Amazing Grace.

“I am not the man I ought to be, I am not the man I wish to be and I am not the man I hope to be, but, by the grace of God, I am not the man I used to be.”

― John Newton 

In Haiti, they grow sour oranges to use to tenderize meat.  Those oranges look like other oranges while they are hanging on the tree. But take a bite and you will discover that it is not fit to eat. It is not sweet at all. That is what we thought about my mom.  Spiritual conversion is not something that you can physically see. No - you have to experience the difference. You may be expecting, convinced there will be an "Aha" moment to prove that what people said is now "sweet" is in fact still sour. But it is not. Why could I expect a sweet taste from a sour orange? Because His grace is amazing! The old is gone and the new has come.

Amazing grace - how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found. Was blind but now I see. 

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

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

How To Respond To An Attitude Of Ingratitude

We love because He first loved us. - 1 John 4:19

Paul’s idea of service was to pour his life out to the last drop for others. And whether he received praise or blame made no difference. As long as there was one human being who did not know Jesus, Paul felt a debt of service to that person until he did come to know Him. But the chief motivation behind Paul’s service was not love for others but love for his Lord. If our devotion is to the cause of humanity, we will be quickly defeated and broken-hearted, since we will often be confronted with a great deal of ingratitude from other people. But if we are motivated by our love for God, no amount of ingratitude will be able to hinder us from serving one another. - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

One of the things that has troubled me in our life of service for the past 30 or so years to others has been when I encounter ungrateful people.  My flesh wants to rise up. I know that what I am thinking and what I am feeling is in no way spiritual. The question is “How I should respond to them?”  Although my natural response is constrained – not acted upon – it causes me to examine my motivation for what I do.  Rarely has my frustration toward ungrateful people been because I thought they did not appreciate God.  No, it was because I thought they did not appreciate me.  Do you see the problem?    Matthew 22:37-39 suggests that when we love God first, our love for others demonstrated in our service will be a reflection of our total devotion to God.  Loving others, and the service associated with it, is an expression of our love for God. Think about this.  When you are confronted by ingratitude, since what we do is for God and not for them, understand that they are really being ungrateful toward God. The offense is toward Him not you.  I must hasten to add, that if what you do is so people will praise you and not God – you have committed the greater offense – robbing God of His glory. 

When he [Jesus] saw them [10 healed lepers], he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well. - Luke 17:14-19

That was a gratitude rate of 10%.  Do you think Jesus asked himself "Why did I heal those others guys, they did not appreciate it!" Would you be satisfied with that or would you decide it just wasn’t worth the trouble?  Those people, those ingrates, were not worth your effort and “sacrifice”.  If you think that way, your focus is on you and not one the One who sent you.  Don’t you suppose that God already knows what will happen?  And He sent you anyway.  We must not look at those He has sent us to serve, but at the One who did the sending. Read Romans 12:1-2 to refresh your memory.

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

Doing The Right Thing And Not Expecting A Thankyou

Fierce witnesses rise up; They ask me things that I do not know. They reward me evil for good, To the sorrow of my soul. But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart. I paced about as though he were my friend or brother; I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother. But in my adversity they rejoiced And gathered together; Attackers gathered against me, And I did not know it; They tore at me and did not cease; With ungodly mockers at feasts They gnashed at me with their teeth. - Psalm 35-11-16

Seem like an odd scripture. When I read it this morning I was reminded of Matthew 25 - the parable of the sheep and the goats. 

Then the righteous will answer Him [Jesus] , saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the King will answer and say to them, Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. - Matthew 25:37-40

I helped someone the other day and they said, "I owed you big for this!" to which I replied, "I did it because I love you not because I expected something in return." And that got me thinking about the difference between Christian charity - Matthew 25 - and the world's view about doing good things for people. If I share the Gospel with words - that is a good thing - but how much better that I share the Gospel with deeds. Helping others should be a natural outpouring of our faith. Proof of our faith if you will.

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. - James 2:17-18

I used to struggle with these verses.  Martin Luther called the Book of James a "strawy epistle" - hard to swallow since he preached justification by faith and not works. The problem was the Catholic church had gotten the works-cart before the faith-horse.  James was simply saying that the declaration of our faith is best presented through good works - not just good words.  That is not to suggest that the Gospel must not be proclaimed. I have done that with the person I referred to at the onset of this devotion. But it is my faith in action demonstrated by my works, free of conditions and expectation of reciprocity, that proves my faith.

People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. That is an anonymous quote attributed to many people of the year. I first heard it in 1995 at a Promise Keepers conference by a speaker, Dr. John Maxwell. But he was not the originator. Be that as it may, the saying is axiomatic and applies to you and me sharing our faith with the world through our good works.

James Brown, a devote Christian and the studio host of CBS NFL Today gave the sermon at our church today.  He showed a graphic during his sermon on Discipleship, Development and Growth which fits nicely with what I am writing about.

As a Christian do I merely believe in God or do I actually live out that belief and obey God? Many people are interested in not going to hell - but when it comes to living by their faith - well suffice it to say that fewer are willing to follow that path.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:10

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

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

Hiding The Fact That You Are Not Perfect

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. —1 Corinthians 10:31

Beware of allowing yourself to think that the shallow aspects of life are not ordained by God; they are ordained by Him equally as much as the profound. We sometimes refuse to be shallow, not out of our deep devotion to God but because we wish to impress other people with the fact that we are not shallow. This is a sure sign of spiritual pride. We must be careful, for this is how contempt for others is produced in our lives. And it causes us to be a walking rebuke to other people because they are more shallow than we are. Beware of posing as a profound person— God became a baby. To be shallow is not a sign of being sinful, nor is shallowness an indication that there is no depth to your life at all— the ocean has a shore. Even the shallow things of life, such as eating and drinking, walking and talking, are ordained by God. These are all things our Lord did. He did them as the Son of God, and He said, “A disciple is not above his teacher…” (Matthew 10:24). Never show the depth of your life to anyone but God. We are so nauseatingly serious, so desperately interested in our own character and reputation.  You may find that the first person you must be the most critical with, as being the greatest fraud you have ever known, is yourself.. - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Henry David Thoreau said, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”  In general, most people are very aware of what is wrong with them and don’t have any idea of what to do about it.  Moreover, they don’t want others to know that they are flawed. Too late! If you have spiritual understanding, you will know that “all have sinned” …. “There is none righteous” … “all we, like sheep, have gone astray” … “we are jars of clay” … we have no hope, but for Jesus! Our tendency is to try to hide our imperfections .. or at minimum make excuses for them … and condemn the imperfections in others.  Jesus spoke of the speck and the log.  

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. - Matthew 7:3-5

The Apostle John wrote 

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. - 1 John 2:16-18

It’s your pride or the lack of it that drives you to judgement. That is not to say that you ignore sin. Or you believe that there should not be consequence for sins.  But be careful about judging others.  God does that.  You who have spiritual understanding should see the struggle of the soul for what it is .. the need for Jesus .. new life in Him.  You were once lost but now your found .. was blind but now you see.  How did Jesus respond to sinners?  He told them to repent .. to have faith in Him. They did not all do that then … and they do not all do that now … Just be careful that you don’t sin in your eagerness to find fault in others. 

In psychology the term is “projection”.  Where a person projects their shortcomings onto others.  It is easier .. less stressful if you can deal with your problem in someone else’s life. (Speck and Log) In this case, the speck you see is merely a reflection of the log in your own eye. The bottom line is that our focus is on ourselves and not on Jesus.  So stop looking at others, even stop looking at yourself, and look to Jesus. 

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

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

Those Who Know Your Name

 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10

As I was reading in Psalms this morning, I came across this verse and paused. "those who know Your name" I doubt that there is a language on earth that does not had a word of God. Most people that I know have used it in their conversations. Whether in reverence or as an explicative. For the latter - it is just a word in a phrase or expression. Nothing more. For the former - it is an acknowledgement that there is One who is the Creator of all things - Jehovah God.

Have you ever shared your faith - I assume since you are reading this that you are a Christian - with someone - maybe someone that you care about personally and not just though a chance meeting. You share the most significant truth that can be shared. One that has consequences beyond the grave - and you get the look - oh you know the one - a look that is somewhere between "I am bored" and "If you keep it up I will be offended!"  So what is going on. Well - to start, they don't acknowledge who God is.

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 2:14

I just popped out to go to the store. While going back to my car someone across the parking lot was upset about something and I could hear him yelling - crying out I suppose to God, to damn his circumstance.  I thought - if I go over there and talk to him about Jesus would he be receptive. Obviously I am being a bit sarcastic. I am not a prophet or the son of a prophet, but I can guess what his response would be.  

And so what to do. Well, I think we are to live with discernment. Understanding the times. Remembering that the god of this age (world) - the Devil - has blinded the minds of his followers.  

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Knowing who Jesus is and who the Father is has been revealed by God to hearts that yearn to believe.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. - Matthew 16:13-17

With no spiritual understanding, all the people could do was look to the natural - what they could see in their natural understanding but God reveals the truth by His Spirit. That is the only way that you can know His name and hear His voice.  Yet still, God has given us a role in His eternal plan of redemption and restoration. 

 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people - Ephesians 1:17-18

[A side note: my wife and I were watching a movie that we had not see in years. I was unpleasantly surprised to hear profanity in the movie. I did not remember it being in the movie although I am certain it was. The problem?  - My spiritual senses were dulled when I first watched it. The point. - Be careful and be watchful don't let your heart and mind be numbed by the culture and your mortal life]

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

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

No Matter What The World Thinks - We Are Not All God’s Children

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” – 1 John 3:1

Over the years, I have heard a number of people refer to humankind as being “all God’s children”. It’s one of those sayings that sounds good, but is patently false. It is similar to people saying "if so and so who has passed is looking down" suggesting that everyone goes to heaven when they die. We are all God’s natural creation but we are not all His spiritual children.  What happened in the Garden changed that and now we must be adopted into His family. 

Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will - Ephesians 1:5

Just as someone cannot adopt their own children, so without faith in Jesus, we cannot be part of God’s family nor are we heirs of eternal life until we are adopted.  Without that spiritual adoption I am bound for hell.  But, once adopted I have eternal life with God in heaven.  Pretty simple really.  Saying we are all God’s children may sound sweet but it is a bitter falsehood – a deception.  With the great movement toward inclusivity – that we are all the same – people are losing the distinction between what men think to be truth and what God has declared is truth.  Only the Spirit of God can convince people of that truth.  I know I have tried to convince people that they need to repent and put their faith in Jesus, but the truth is that it takes a revelation from God not wise or persistent words from me. We have an obligation to share the Gospel when given the opportunity, even in the real possibility of being castigated and rejected and called a hater or a bigot.  Why? Because you are telling people that what they have chosen to do is sin.  And you will have the opportunity.  Don’t give people who are lost false hope, but always “Speak the truth in love.” What is true is God is the Source of all creation.  And Jesus is at the center of it. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. – John 1:1-4

Jesus is the “living” Word. [It was this truth that the Spirit used to open my mom’s eyes and led to her salvation]  I am not going to address the Trinity but suffice it to say that spiritual reality is so different from our human reality.  We try to cram spiritual understanding into the shoes of our natural understanding and those “feet” are just too big!  They don’t fit.  So the temptation is to reject Spiritual truth because of the limitation of our natural understanding. Those who have not put their faith in Jesus will not receive the truth.   Apart from the presence of the Holy Spirit it is impossible to understand.

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. – 1 Corinthians 2:14

As a child of God you are still in the world but you are no longer "of" the world. You may look like everyone who is lost on the outside, but you are not the same on the inside. You are a temple of the Holy Spirit. Something the world cannot see but God can.

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

Repenting Is More Than Being Sorry You Got Caught

Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. —James 2:10

The moral law does not consider our weaknesses as human beings; in fact, it does not take into account our heredity or infirmities. It simply demands that we be absolutely moral. The moral law never changes, either for the highest of society or for the weakest in the world. It is enduring and eternally the same. The moral law, ordained by God, does not make itself weak to the weak by excusing our shortcomings. It remains absolute for all time and eternity. If we are not aware of this, it is because we are less than alive. Once we do realize it, our life immediately becomes a fatal tragedy. “I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died” (Romans 7:9). The moment we realize this, the Spirit of God convicts us of sin. Until a person gets there and sees that there is no hope, the Cross of Christ remains absurd to him. Conviction of sin always brings a fearful, confining sense of the law. It makes a person hopeless— “…sold under sin” (Romans 7:14). I, a guilty sinner, can never work to get right with God— it is impossible. There is only one way by which I can get right with God, and that is through the death of Jesus Christ. I must get rid of the underlying idea that I can ever be right with God because of my obedience. Who of us could ever obey God to absolute perfection! - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Understanding sin in the context of a holy God.  Until a person comes to the point of conversion .. coming under conviction by the Holy Spirit and having a sudden awareness of who they are and who God is, they will never experience a sense of guilt before God and their need for salvation. Many people are more sorry they got caught than the fact that they did something wrong.  Their doing that something wrong was an attempt to satisfy some need they had. Whether it be physical or emotional. Sin is an act of desperation.  Man trying to be his own god.  It all started in the garden.  

You will not certainly die, the serpent said to the woman. For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. - Genesis 3:4-5 

The Law brings an awareness of what is necessary to “be like God”, and it is impossible for sinful man, by himself, to be like God.  Recall that Adam and Eve were already created in God’s image and likeness.  (Genesis 1:26)  But they wanted more than that.  They wanted to be equal to God. They wanted to decide what is right and what is wrong. (Sound a bit like our culture?) 

So what about today .. for you and me. Does becoming a Christian make you sin-proof?  No.  But it does make you Hell-proof.  Sins can be both internal and external.  Jesus taught that.  We tend to focus on the external and try to manage those sins .. to keep them under control.  Not good enough!  If you compare what you do plus what you think to the holiness of God, you will quickly realize that you are not so “holy” as you hoped.  If most of your sinning goes on – on the inside, you may fool people around you, but not God, who sees the heart.  The Law and our sin is a constant reminder that we need a Savior because we cannot be holy on our own.  We need a little – well more correctly – a lot of help. 

God does not want you to live a life of guilt because you struggle with sin and the flesh .. He wants you to confess and repent.  But repentance is more than trying harder .. it is trusting more … it is submitting more … it is “faithing” more. I don’t expect to be perfect in the flesh … but I also know that I cannot ever be satisfied with my sinful nature.  Some people say “That is just the way that I am!” in response to some attitude or action that does not glorify God and is hurtful to other people.  As if they can blame their sin on heredity … well they can, but then again, they can’t.  Adam and Eve may have started it, but we are each responsible for our own sin. So we need to own it, confess it, and repent of it.  Today would be a good day to get started.

One of my favorite quotes is attributed to the man who wrote "Amazing Grace" - John Newton.

“I am not the man I ought to be, I am not the man I wish to be and I am not the man I hope to be, but, by the grace of God, I am not the man I used to be.” - Whether you be a man or woman - Can I get an Amen?

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

Let Your Faith Not Your Past Define You

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

Security from Yesterday. 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. Security for Tomorrow. “…the Lord will go before you….” This is a gracious revelation— that God will send His forces out where we have failed to do so. He will keep watch so that we will not be tripped up again by the same failures, as would undoubtedly happen if He were not our “rear guard.” And God’s hand reaches back to the past, settling all the claims against our conscience. 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. - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

None of us are free from heartaches, disappointments, or regrets. Some of them are our doing, some not.  But, if you are born again, new in Christ, you do not have to let your past define you. 

One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:13-14

Oh that we could embrace that attitude. Well, actually we can, but not by willing it.  It is a product of a deep and abiding relationship with Christ.  I was speaking with our daughter-in-law one day about the nature of heartache.  If you were to break a bone, it would be painful of course, but the pain would eventually subside.  You can remember the event.  You can remember that you broke that particular bone.  It might even remind you when a storm is approaching.  But one thing you cannot do is feel the sharp, stabbing pain that you felt when the bone was broken.  You know it hurt, but you cannot conjure up the same feeling that you had in the past. Not so with a broken heart.  It only takes a word or a thought to bring back the pain of the moment when your heart was broken. 

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted  and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:17-28

What a promise.  He delivers us out of all of our troubles.  He gives us strength.  He gives us comfort.  He gives us hope.  He gives us life.  You have so much to look forward to in the days ahead.  Don’t let the pain of the past define you.  Instead let the Lord renew you.  

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31

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