September 29
Fortunes rise and fortunes fall. Whether we are able to live our lives in the lap of luxury or whether we are privileged to live our lives totally dependant upon the mercy of God for each day’s need—no matter how our lives may look externally to anyone observing our journey from birth to eternity—our circumstances are subject to change.
The wealthy man who thinks he shall have need of nothing can become like so many during the Great Depression whose reversals of fortune were too much for them to bear. The poor man who anticipates nothing but one day of want followed by another may become the recipient of a windfall that transforms his life.
Nothing is absolute but God Himself. Nothing is sure except His promises. As we stand on the unshakable Word of the God who cannot fail and cannot lie, we are secure in a world that leaves little room for confidence in our circumstances. No matter how the details of life may ebb and flow, we remain unshakable in our expectation of Jesus’ promises.
The Word says in Philippians 1:6, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you shall perfect it until the day of Jesus’ appearing.” No matter what joys or disappointments we may have in life, if we have placed our lives at the feet of the Lord, He shall work every aspect of our lives toward the glorious realization of all His perfection –not merely in time but in eternity.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
September 29
Fortunes rise and fortunes fall. Whether we are able to live our lives in the lap of luxury or whether we are privileged to live our lives totally dependant upon the mercy of God for each day’s need—no matter how our lives may look externally to anyone observing our journey from birth to eternity—our circumstances are subject to change.
The wealthy man who thinks he shall have need of nothing can become like so many during the Great Depression whose reversals of fortune were too much for them to bear. The poor man who anticipates nothing but one day of want followed by another may become the recipient of a windfall that transforms his life.
Nothing is absolute but God Himself. Nothing is sure except His promises. As we stand on the unshakable Word of the God who cannot fail and cannot lie, we are secure in a world that leaves little room for confidence in our circumstances. No matter how the details of life may ebb and flow, we remain unshakable in our expectation of Jesus’ promises.
The Word says in Philippians 1:6, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you shall perfect it until the day of Jesus’ appearing.” No matter what joys or disappointments we may have in life, if we have placed our lives at the feet of the Lord, He shall work every aspect of our lives toward the glorious realization of all His perfection –not merely in time but in eternity.
Fortunes rise and fortunes fall. Whether we are able to live our lives in the lap of luxury or whether we are privileged to live our lives totally dependant upon the mercy of God for each day’s need—no matter how our lives may look externally to anyone observing our journey from birth to eternity—our circumstances are subject to change.
The wealthy man who thinks he shall have need of nothing can become like so many during the Great Depression whose reversals of fortune were too much for them to bear. The poor man who anticipates nothing but one day of want followed by another may become the recipient of a windfall that transforms his life.
Nothing is absolute but God Himself. Nothing is sure except His promises. As we stand on the unshakable Word of the God who cannot fail and cannot lie, we are secure in a world that leaves little room for confidence in our circumstances. No matter how the details of life may ebb and flow, we remain unshakable in our expectation of Jesus’ promises.
The Word says in Philippians 1:6, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you shall perfect it until the day of Jesus’ appearing.” No matter what joys or disappointments we may have in life, if we have placed our lives at the feet of the Lord, He shall work every aspect of our lives toward the glorious realization of all His perfection –not merely in time but in eternity.
September 28
Have you ever been among a group of people who were irreverent toward God? Perhaps they were taking the Lord’s name in vain. Perhaps they were joking about holy things. Perhaps they were making a believer—perhaps you—the butt of their derision. How did you feel? How did your react?
Possibly you felt uncomfortable in the presence of such jesting. Perhaps you walked away. Perhaps you went along with it because you didn’t want to appear naïve or critical of what other people take so lightly. Afterward, you felt you had let your Lord and Savior down.
It could be that you reflected upon His statement that if you denied Him before men, He would deny you before His father. That’s a steep price to pay for a moment of discomfiture before a crowd of scoffers. Did you rationalize your behavior—after all, God is bigger than that. He can take a joke! Right? We may hope He can, but His Word suggests otherwise.
In Galatians 6:7, we are told, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked; whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap.” What is taken lightly in our world of ever lower standards and ever cheapened values does not reflect the standard of a Holy God who is the same forever. His righteousness never lessens! His expectation that we will maintain holy reverence for Him is never compromised.
Have you ever been among a group of people who were irreverent toward God? Perhaps they were taking the Lord’s name in vain. Perhaps they were joking about holy things. Perhaps they were making a believer—perhaps you—the butt of their derision. How did you feel? How did your react?
Possibly you felt uncomfortable in the presence of such jesting. Perhaps you walked away. Perhaps you went along with it because you didn’t want to appear naïve or critical of what other people take so lightly. Afterward, you felt you had let your Lord and Savior down.
It could be that you reflected upon His statement that if you denied Him before men, He would deny you before His father. That’s a steep price to pay for a moment of discomfiture before a crowd of scoffers. Did you rationalize your behavior—after all, God is bigger than that. He can take a joke! Right? We may hope He can, but His Word suggests otherwise.
In Galatians 6:7, we are told, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked; whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap.” What is taken lightly in our world of ever lower standards and ever cheapened values does not reflect the standard of a Holy God who is the same forever. His righteousness never lessens! His expectation that we will maintain holy reverence for Him is never compromised.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
September 27
The Lord has established for us a resource that is intended to prepare us for life, for any eventuality. The Bible is His love letter, His instruction book, His roadmap through the mountains and valleys of human experience. If we will read it, study it with the same diligence we would apply to any vital set of guidelines, it will serve us well.
What is God’s purpose in giving us such a weighty volume to peruse? Doesn’t He realize how consumed we are with simply living life? Isn’t He aware that we really haven’t the time to read about life because we’re too busy getting through it? He doesn’t see it that way.
He, our Designer and Maker, knows our frame and His intent is to help us to become all we have the potential to be. In John 16:33 Jesus stated it this way, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have confidence. In the world you may have tribulation and trials and distress, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world!”
If we don’t use the Bible as our manual for living life, life may take us by surprise. We may not see the best or the worst things as they’re coming and we won’t know how to graciously possess the blessings or how to successfully overcome the challenges. But, if we have Jesus’ Word hidden in our hearts, we will go confidently forth, knowing He is with us and He has equipped us to overcome!
The Lord has established for us a resource that is intended to prepare us for life, for any eventuality. The Bible is His love letter, His instruction book, His roadmap through the mountains and valleys of human experience. If we will read it, study it with the same diligence we would apply to any vital set of guidelines, it will serve us well.
What is God’s purpose in giving us such a weighty volume to peruse? Doesn’t He realize how consumed we are with simply living life? Isn’t He aware that we really haven’t the time to read about life because we’re too busy getting through it? He doesn’t see it that way.
He, our Designer and Maker, knows our frame and His intent is to help us to become all we have the potential to be. In John 16:33 Jesus stated it this way, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have confidence. In the world you may have tribulation and trials and distress, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world!”
If we don’t use the Bible as our manual for living life, life may take us by surprise. We may not see the best or the worst things as they’re coming and we won’t know how to graciously possess the blessings or how to successfully overcome the challenges. But, if we have Jesus’ Word hidden in our hearts, we will go confidently forth, knowing He is with us and He has equipped us to overcome!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
September 26
How are we to sow into the fertile soil of our lives? The reality is that we will sow much seed into the field that we believe will profit us most. If we call ourselves believers in Christ but are allured by the fruit of worldly endeavor, we will focus our sowing in the field that will supply us a worldly harvest.
If we are truly committed to our Lord, we will sow His righteousness into the soil of our lives—whether or not doing so realizes gain for us, knowing that the true treasure we long to possess will come after we have ceased our labors in the fields of worldly pursuit.
The truth proclaimed in I Corinthians 9:6 will remind us, “…he who sows sparingly will reap sparingly and he who sows generously will also reap generously.”
If we neglect the primary field—righteousness—in order to better tend the field of worldly success and profit and acclaim, we will be robbing ourselves of the eternal treasure we are so hopeful of finding upon our entry into glory!
How are we to sow into the fertile soil of our lives? The reality is that we will sow much seed into the field that we believe will profit us most. If we call ourselves believers in Christ but are allured by the fruit of worldly endeavor, we will focus our sowing in the field that will supply us a worldly harvest.
If we are truly committed to our Lord, we will sow His righteousness into the soil of our lives—whether or not doing so realizes gain for us, knowing that the true treasure we long to possess will come after we have ceased our labors in the fields of worldly pursuit.
The truth proclaimed in I Corinthians 9:6 will remind us, “…he who sows sparingly will reap sparingly and he who sows generously will also reap generously.”
If we neglect the primary field—righteousness—in order to better tend the field of worldly success and profit and acclaim, we will be robbing ourselves of the eternal treasure we are so hopeful of finding upon our entry into glory!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Please pray about the Moslem gathering in Washington, D.C. today.
Our Lord Jesus, Please look upon these people whose intention is to gather in the behalf of Islam and to promote the Moslem intent to conform the earth to their religious system. We ask that somehow, some way, Your Holy Spirit and Your Truth move upon them and convict them of the fallacy of their beliefs and convert them to faith in the One True and Living God.
If their hearts refuse to receive Truth, we ask that You bring their exercise to nothing, that You reduce their efforts to none effect except to galvanize YOUR PEOPLE to pray more fervently that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will one day reign upon the earth in His holiness and righteousness and truth. In Your own name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
If their hearts refuse to receive Truth, we ask that You bring their exercise to nothing, that You reduce their efforts to none effect except to galvanize YOUR PEOPLE to pray more fervently that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will one day reign upon the earth in His holiness and righteousness and truth. In Your own name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
September 25
Our God is righteous. We say those words. We believe them. But do we have any idea at all of what they really mean? God is holy. First of all, what is, who is, God? From ancient times, mankind has been endeavoring to find, to fashion, to serve someone beyond himself. Ancient man found his gods in the sun, in the moon, in nature. It was the Israelites alone who were found by the one true God.
The One who found them was far beyond the whimsical, war-like, demanding deities of the pagan world. He did not require their substance. He did not demean their character by sexual orgies in temples of debauchery. He did not require their children as sacrifices to Himself.
Because He is Himself holy—that word depicting honor and uprightness and integrity that is far beyond the human mind’s ability to understand—He requires righteousness of us. But He understands our frame. He knows our limitations, so He supplied our righteousness, our holiness, through Christ—the God-Man—who reveals God to us. When Jesus walked among men, He demonstrated God’s perfection. He showed us what we are to be.
As far back as Hosea 10:12, we are told we must, “Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap according to mercy and loving-kindness. Break up your fallow ground for it is time to seek the Lord…until He touches you with righteousness—His righteous gift of salvation.” As we break up the uncultivated plot of righteousness in our lives, He plants His character in us that we might reap His holiness, that we might be righteous--as He is.
Our God is righteous. We say those words. We believe them. But do we have any idea at all of what they really mean? God is holy. First of all, what is, who is, God? From ancient times, mankind has been endeavoring to find, to fashion, to serve someone beyond himself. Ancient man found his gods in the sun, in the moon, in nature. It was the Israelites alone who were found by the one true God.
The One who found them was far beyond the whimsical, war-like, demanding deities of the pagan world. He did not require their substance. He did not demean their character by sexual orgies in temples of debauchery. He did not require their children as sacrifices to Himself.
Because He is Himself holy—that word depicting honor and uprightness and integrity that is far beyond the human mind’s ability to understand—He requires righteousness of us. But He understands our frame. He knows our limitations, so He supplied our righteousness, our holiness, through Christ—the God-Man—who reveals God to us. When Jesus walked among men, He demonstrated God’s perfection. He showed us what we are to be.
As far back as Hosea 10:12, we are told we must, “Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap according to mercy and loving-kindness. Break up your fallow ground for it is time to seek the Lord…until He touches you with righteousness—His righteous gift of salvation.” As we break up the uncultivated plot of righteousness in our lives, He plants His character in us that we might reap His holiness, that we might be righteous--as He is.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
September 24
Paul, the ‘Pharisee of the Pharisees,’ the one whose credentials in the subjugated land of Israel were beyond reproach in the religious hierarchy of this proud people who were under the yoke of Rome came to Christ under circumstances orchestrated from above. The Lord wanted this dynamic individual on His team!
Certainly, Paul had no inclination to join the rag-tag assemblage of believers who were willing to stand up to their national leaders and to the mighty empire that oppressed them. It was his intention to help stamp out the off-shoot of the religion of the One True and Living God that was precious to him.
But when Christ found him on the road to Damascus and turned his life around, Paul became a willing slave of His gospel. He was transformed in the inner man and in the outer man and he gave us insights into the way we can orchestrate our lives to be a sweet symphony to the Lord we love. In Romans 8: 8, 9, Paul lays down some significant points of doctrine and life.
“Those who are living the life of the flesh (as Paul had been—focused on worldly accomplishment and success) cannot please God or be acceptable to Him…you who are living the life of the Spirit, if the Holy Spirit of God be in you, will please Him. Without the Holy Spirit of Christ, you are not His.” Worldly credentials do not gain heaven. True spiritual awakening to the gift of Christ gains all we need.
Paul, the ‘Pharisee of the Pharisees,’ the one whose credentials in the subjugated land of Israel were beyond reproach in the religious hierarchy of this proud people who were under the yoke of Rome came to Christ under circumstances orchestrated from above. The Lord wanted this dynamic individual on His team!
Certainly, Paul had no inclination to join the rag-tag assemblage of believers who were willing to stand up to their national leaders and to the mighty empire that oppressed them. It was his intention to help stamp out the off-shoot of the religion of the One True and Living God that was precious to him.
But when Christ found him on the road to Damascus and turned his life around, Paul became a willing slave of His gospel. He was transformed in the inner man and in the outer man and he gave us insights into the way we can orchestrate our lives to be a sweet symphony to the Lord we love. In Romans 8: 8, 9, Paul lays down some significant points of doctrine and life.
“Those who are living the life of the flesh (as Paul had been—focused on worldly accomplishment and success) cannot please God or be acceptable to Him…you who are living the life of the Spirit, if the Holy Spirit of God be in you, will please Him. Without the Holy Spirit of Christ, you are not His.” Worldly credentials do not gain heaven. True spiritual awakening to the gift of Christ gains all we need.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
September 23
We are a free people. Our concepts of personal freedom and political freedom are as old as the American Revolution. That sense of liberty is graphically expressed in one of the flags of that era—the famous, “Don’t tread on me!” But before the concept of liberty came to fruition as the foundation for a nation, it was literally fleshed out in another way.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the second member of the Trinity, the One who is the living and only King of kings and Lord of lords took upon Himself the cloak of humanity and visited the people He had created. As the father of John the Baptist stated it in Luke 1:78, “The Dayspring from on High has visited us.”
When Jesus came, it was to set us free. We had been chained in the prison of sin. We were bound by our own proclivity toward rebellion against our Creator. But when Christ, our Dayspring from on High, made His sinless life a ransom for our own, our ransom was paid. We were bought with a price and given the opportunity to be free. It behooves us to appropriate that freedom for ourselves and to share that freedom with anyone who will receive it.
James stated it in chapter 2, verse 12 of his brief epistle—“So speak and act as people who are to be judged under the law of liberty.” We are no longer under the law of sin and death; we are under a new law of freedom that comes from the God who paid for our liberty with His own blood. He expects us to comport ourselves as free people. Long before national liberty was a concept of the mind, spiritual liberty was a reality in Christ Jesus.
We are a free people. Our concepts of personal freedom and political freedom are as old as the American Revolution. That sense of liberty is graphically expressed in one of the flags of that era—the famous, “Don’t tread on me!” But before the concept of liberty came to fruition as the foundation for a nation, it was literally fleshed out in another way.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the second member of the Trinity, the One who is the living and only King of kings and Lord of lords took upon Himself the cloak of humanity and visited the people He had created. As the father of John the Baptist stated it in Luke 1:78, “The Dayspring from on High has visited us.”
When Jesus came, it was to set us free. We had been chained in the prison of sin. We were bound by our own proclivity toward rebellion against our Creator. But when Christ, our Dayspring from on High, made His sinless life a ransom for our own, our ransom was paid. We were bought with a price and given the opportunity to be free. It behooves us to appropriate that freedom for ourselves and to share that freedom with anyone who will receive it.
James stated it in chapter 2, verse 12 of his brief epistle—“So speak and act as people who are to be judged under the law of liberty.” We are no longer under the law of sin and death; we are under a new law of freedom that comes from the God who paid for our liberty with His own blood. He expects us to comport ourselves as free people. Long before national liberty was a concept of the mind, spiritual liberty was a reality in Christ Jesus.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
September 22
What has frail man about which to boast? What accolades may men heap upon us that give us the right to stand tall among our fellow sojourners on this planet?
Perhaps we might become advocates of human rights and take a stand in the behalf of those who lack the freedoms we enjoy in America.
Or, we might be quite accomplished in the field of aviation and contribute to the development of the spacecraft that will one day allow mankind to establish colonies on distant planets. Perhaps our achievements will be in the field of medicine and we will discover the vaccine that will conquer the worst illness.
Maybe we are skilled wordsmiths. Perhaps we weave a magic that causes letters to come together on a page in a way that challenges or encourages our fellow man in a way that few others can. May we then boast? Perhaps, unless we consider the following: the freedom Christ gives far exceeds any we may gain for ourselves or extend to others. Our God has already flung the galaxies into their ordained sphere—nothing we might do approximates what He’s already done! If we conquer dreaded diseases in our laboratories, it is far less than Jesus has already done and empowered us to do by the mention of His name. In Isaiah 53:5 we are told that it is, “…by His stripes that we are healed.”
No brilliant novel or poetry or prose we may write begins to approach the majesty of the Bible, God’s own love letter to man, His instruction manual for living life successfully, His history of His interaction with His paramount creation. So, about which of our accomplishments may we boast? By comparison to our omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God we have little that smacks of achievement—at least in the ultimate sense of the word. But we do have one thing worthy of boasting. Psalm 34:2 says, “My life makes its boast in the Lord.” May we tell of Him to all who perish for a lack of Him. That will please Him greatly, and that is enough.
What has frail man about which to boast? What accolades may men heap upon us that give us the right to stand tall among our fellow sojourners on this planet?
Perhaps we might become advocates of human rights and take a stand in the behalf of those who lack the freedoms we enjoy in America.
Or, we might be quite accomplished in the field of aviation and contribute to the development of the spacecraft that will one day allow mankind to establish colonies on distant planets. Perhaps our achievements will be in the field of medicine and we will discover the vaccine that will conquer the worst illness.
Maybe we are skilled wordsmiths. Perhaps we weave a magic that causes letters to come together on a page in a way that challenges or encourages our fellow man in a way that few others can. May we then boast? Perhaps, unless we consider the following: the freedom Christ gives far exceeds any we may gain for ourselves or extend to others. Our God has already flung the galaxies into their ordained sphere—nothing we might do approximates what He’s already done! If we conquer dreaded diseases in our laboratories, it is far less than Jesus has already done and empowered us to do by the mention of His name. In Isaiah 53:5 we are told that it is, “…by His stripes that we are healed.”
No brilliant novel or poetry or prose we may write begins to approach the majesty of the Bible, God’s own love letter to man, His instruction manual for living life successfully, His history of His interaction with His paramount creation. So, about which of our accomplishments may we boast? By comparison to our omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God we have little that smacks of achievement—at least in the ultimate sense of the word. But we do have one thing worthy of boasting. Psalm 34:2 says, “My life makes its boast in the Lord.” May we tell of Him to all who perish for a lack of Him. That will please Him greatly, and that is enough.
Monday, September 21, 2009
September 21 Addendum--Please pray about the 9/25/09 moslem prayer gathering in Washington, D.C.
This addendum diverges from the usual focus of our daily contemplation upon the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word and the personal walk each of us has the opportunity to develop with him.
I would like to use this venue to bring to your attention the fact that this coming Friday, September 25, in Washington, D.C., an event unique in the history of our nation is scheduled to occur. A group of moslems, anticipated to range in the neighborhood of 50,000 strong will be gathering to pray.
The goal of their prayer, as stated by one of the gathering’s organizers is, “…Allah willing, the White House will become a muslim house.” For those of you who know the history of islam, you already understand that it has been the goal of this religious system/social system/governmental system/value system to spread their beliefs throughout the earth and convert the whole world to islam.
I will refrain from elaborating upon their methodology or a discourse of the success they’re already enjoying in Europe and other parts of the world, but I would implore you, as a person of faith, to pray fervently through this week that Friday’s event will not achieve the goal of their prayer to bringing the U.S. into the Islamic fold.
Do not stop praying that the Lord Jesus Christ, the God of very God to whom we pray and bow our knee will intervene in this land that was placed at His feet at its inception, that this land of the United States of America, which has enjoyed the incomparable blessings of God through its history will experience a mighty revival of faith in the One True and Living Christ!
Pray that every citizen, every immigrant of every persuasion will be impacted by the power of the Holy Spirit of God and be converted to faith in the only God our Savior Jesus Christ who came to earth to reveal God to us and to enable us to have a relationship with the One in whose hand the whole universe lies.
Lord Jesus, we pray that every misguided attendee of Friday’s prayer gathering will find himself in the presence of Your Truth and Your convicting power. We pray that these lost souls will find themselves in You, dear Lord, and we pray that their intent to turn this nation away from truth unto the insidious lie of their worldview which is a perversion of Judeo/Christian truth, will come to nothing.
We lift up Your holy name, Jesus, and we stand in the power of Your Word that cannot lie and Your Truth that cannot fail. We know that when the enemy comes in like a flood, You will raise up Your standard against him. We know that one day, Your righteousness will cover the earth as the water covers the seas.
We thank You and praise You that You are God and You are mighty and that You cast out evil with the finger of God. In Your mighty, matchless name we ask that You bring this moslem gathering to nothing and penetrate the hearts of the misguided and lost with Your light and Your truth. In Your glorious name we ask, Jesus. Amen.
I would like to use this venue to bring to your attention the fact that this coming Friday, September 25, in Washington, D.C., an event unique in the history of our nation is scheduled to occur. A group of moslems, anticipated to range in the neighborhood of 50,000 strong will be gathering to pray.
The goal of their prayer, as stated by one of the gathering’s organizers is, “…Allah willing, the White House will become a muslim house.” For those of you who know the history of islam, you already understand that it has been the goal of this religious system/social system/governmental system/value system to spread their beliefs throughout the earth and convert the whole world to islam.
I will refrain from elaborating upon their methodology or a discourse of the success they’re already enjoying in Europe and other parts of the world, but I would implore you, as a person of faith, to pray fervently through this week that Friday’s event will not achieve the goal of their prayer to bringing the U.S. into the Islamic fold.
Do not stop praying that the Lord Jesus Christ, the God of very God to whom we pray and bow our knee will intervene in this land that was placed at His feet at its inception, that this land of the United States of America, which has enjoyed the incomparable blessings of God through its history will experience a mighty revival of faith in the One True and Living Christ!
Pray that every citizen, every immigrant of every persuasion will be impacted by the power of the Holy Spirit of God and be converted to faith in the only God our Savior Jesus Christ who came to earth to reveal God to us and to enable us to have a relationship with the One in whose hand the whole universe lies.
Lord Jesus, we pray that every misguided attendee of Friday’s prayer gathering will find himself in the presence of Your Truth and Your convicting power. We pray that these lost souls will find themselves in You, dear Lord, and we pray that their intent to turn this nation away from truth unto the insidious lie of their worldview which is a perversion of Judeo/Christian truth, will come to nothing.
We lift up Your holy name, Jesus, and we stand in the power of Your Word that cannot lie and Your Truth that cannot fail. We know that when the enemy comes in like a flood, You will raise up Your standard against him. We know that one day, Your righteousness will cover the earth as the water covers the seas.
We thank You and praise You that You are God and You are mighty and that You cast out evil with the finger of God. In Your mighty, matchless name we ask that You bring this moslem gathering to nothing and penetrate the hearts of the misguided and lost with Your light and Your truth. In Your glorious name we ask, Jesus. Amen.
September 21
Who’s the cause of most of our trouble and conflict? Who’s responsible for the feelings we have of inadequacy or fear or anger or depression? Who’s the one at whose door we may place the blame for our failed relationships and our inability to reach desired goals?
The devil? Humm…maybe it’s God. He’s in charge of everything after all. Oh, sure the devil tries to trip you up if you’re endeavoring to please the Lord; although he’ll pretty much leave you alone if you’re going your own way instead of God’s. To even suggest that God is to blame is to negate the goodness and perfection of His character. He is our strength and our help, not our adversary.
There is one additional suspect we might need to consider in the mix. It’s the one who does more to sabotage us than even God’s ancient foe, the enemy of our souls. It’s us! Our fears, our inhibitions, our negative emotions are part of the residue of the old nature that lurks within us even after we’ve given our hearts to the Lord. The Word prescribes a mighty anecdote for the negative poison that’s part of our inherent make-up and which endeavors to surface even when we think it’s gone.
In II Timothy 1:7, we are reminded that, “God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” If we will appropriate these amazing gifts and if we will employ them when temptation to lapse into the negative attitudes that once dominated our character resurface in our lives, we will find they act as dikes that have the power to hold back the surging sea of negativity that wells within—to hold it back and cause it to recede—far from the shore of our existence.
Who’s the cause of most of our trouble and conflict? Who’s responsible for the feelings we have of inadequacy or fear or anger or depression? Who’s the one at whose door we may place the blame for our failed relationships and our inability to reach desired goals?
The devil? Humm…maybe it’s God. He’s in charge of everything after all. Oh, sure the devil tries to trip you up if you’re endeavoring to please the Lord; although he’ll pretty much leave you alone if you’re going your own way instead of God’s. To even suggest that God is to blame is to negate the goodness and perfection of His character. He is our strength and our help, not our adversary.
There is one additional suspect we might need to consider in the mix. It’s the one who does more to sabotage us than even God’s ancient foe, the enemy of our souls. It’s us! Our fears, our inhibitions, our negative emotions are part of the residue of the old nature that lurks within us even after we’ve given our hearts to the Lord. The Word prescribes a mighty anecdote for the negative poison that’s part of our inherent make-up and which endeavors to surface even when we think it’s gone.
In II Timothy 1:7, we are reminded that, “God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” If we will appropriate these amazing gifts and if we will employ them when temptation to lapse into the negative attitudes that once dominated our character resurface in our lives, we will find they act as dikes that have the power to hold back the surging sea of negativity that wells within—to hold it back and cause it to recede—far from the shore of our existence.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
September 20
In Christ there are no losers. Our victorious Savior has made each of us part of His victory parade. He who has conquered sin and death has endued us with the power that raised Him from the grave and admonished us to use it to pull down strongholds in the behalf of His Kingdom’s purposes.
Will we always feel like conquerors? Probably not. Does a soldier feel like a conqueror in the throes of battle? Oh, yes, there is an adrenalin rush unlike any other when one is engaged in combat; there is a sense of power that comes with confronting an enemy and overtaking him. But the ability to savor the victory comes after the battle is concluded.
To anticipate victory prior to the delivery of the final blow is to court defeat. Whether in literal warfare or in athletic contests or in spiritual conflict, even though victory might be so close that its sweet taste is upon the warrior’s tongue, the soldier must battle on until the opponent is totally vanquished.
In Philippians 3:14, the great Apostle Paul states it thusly, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling me upward.” Our victory in Jesus is assured but our day-to-day struggle to overcome the enemy of our souls is a continual ‘mop-up’ operation; it requires our continual ‘pressing on.’
In Christ there are no losers. Our victorious Savior has made each of us part of His victory parade. He who has conquered sin and death has endued us with the power that raised Him from the grave and admonished us to use it to pull down strongholds in the behalf of His Kingdom’s purposes.
Will we always feel like conquerors? Probably not. Does a soldier feel like a conqueror in the throes of battle? Oh, yes, there is an adrenalin rush unlike any other when one is engaged in combat; there is a sense of power that comes with confronting an enemy and overtaking him. But the ability to savor the victory comes after the battle is concluded.
To anticipate victory prior to the delivery of the final blow is to court defeat. Whether in literal warfare or in athletic contests or in spiritual conflict, even though victory might be so close that its sweet taste is upon the warrior’s tongue, the soldier must battle on until the opponent is totally vanquished.
In Philippians 3:14, the great Apostle Paul states it thusly, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling me upward.” Our victory in Jesus is assured but our day-to-day struggle to overcome the enemy of our souls is a continual ‘mop-up’ operation; it requires our continual ‘pressing on.’
Saturday, September 19, 2009
September 19
Psalm 118:5 says something that is at once comforting and disconcerting. Here David says, “Out of my distress I called upon the Lord; and the Lord answered me and set me free.” Deliverance is something for which we all long. When trouble assails, we want the Lord to rescue us from it, but how did we get into trouble in the first place?
David knew a lot about being rescued. As a shepherd boy, the mighty God he served empowered him to overcome great beasts and to defeat a godless army by felling its champion. When he became king, his conquests were renowned and his army was always victorious. Yet, the one foe that caused him great distress was himself.
David yearned to be all that God desired him to be. He knew he was a man after God’s own heart and he wanted to live up to God’s expectations, but he continually fell short. Because of his adultery, his family was plagued by intrigue—his daughters were not safe from the lust of their own half-brothers and David’s throne was not secure from the political aspirations of his sons. David’s life is a picture of self-induced turmoil—much as our own often are.
We know that Christ has given us power to live righteously, and when we do, we are unconquerable; but we often find ourselves falling far short of His provision. When we succumb to our flesh, we miss our spiritual potential. We wish we knew how to walk in victory and are distressed when we don’t. But, like David, we can be set free from our foibles if we will call upon the One who died to liberate our lives and our spirits from the snares of the enemy of our souls.
Psalm 118:5 says something that is at once comforting and disconcerting. Here David says, “Out of my distress I called upon the Lord; and the Lord answered me and set me free.” Deliverance is something for which we all long. When trouble assails, we want the Lord to rescue us from it, but how did we get into trouble in the first place?
David knew a lot about being rescued. As a shepherd boy, the mighty God he served empowered him to overcome great beasts and to defeat a godless army by felling its champion. When he became king, his conquests were renowned and his army was always victorious. Yet, the one foe that caused him great distress was himself.
David yearned to be all that God desired him to be. He knew he was a man after God’s own heart and he wanted to live up to God’s expectations, but he continually fell short. Because of his adultery, his family was plagued by intrigue—his daughters were not safe from the lust of their own half-brothers and David’s throne was not secure from the political aspirations of his sons. David’s life is a picture of self-induced turmoil—much as our own often are.
We know that Christ has given us power to live righteously, and when we do, we are unconquerable; but we often find ourselves falling far short of His provision. When we succumb to our flesh, we miss our spiritual potential. We wish we knew how to walk in victory and are distressed when we don’t. But, like David, we can be set free from our foibles if we will call upon the One who died to liberate our lives and our spirits from the snares of the enemy of our souls.
Friday, September 18, 2009
September 18
Truth stands on its own. Truth doesn’t require a defense or an applauding audience. Even if all who hear Truth reject Truth, Truth will still stand on the merit of its own essence. Jesus declared Himself to be Truth. If He who is God of very God is Truth, then Truth is immutable and undefeatable.
If we are to be victorious in life, it is essential that we discover Truth. The Lord said in John 8:32, “You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.” Men who are bound by sin or by deception cannot be victorious, for men who are in chains haven’t the power to fight for their freedom!
As long as sin holds us in its tentacles—whether the sin of lust for power or lust for wealth or lust for pleasure—we shall be unable to embrace the Truth that sets us free. As long as we indulge “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life” (I John 2:16), we shall be unable to overcome the deception that holds us captive to its pleasure or its promise of reward.
But when we glimpse Truth, realize that there is a hell to avoid and a heaven to gain, when we recognize the Savior who extends to us the life-line of salvation, that Truth shall set us free to hold fast to the knowledge that illumines our dark eyes and recalibrates the gage that measures our values and establishes our goals. We shall stand secure forever on the Truth that stands eternally!
Truth stands on its own. Truth doesn’t require a defense or an applauding audience. Even if all who hear Truth reject Truth, Truth will still stand on the merit of its own essence. Jesus declared Himself to be Truth. If He who is God of very God is Truth, then Truth is immutable and undefeatable.
If we are to be victorious in life, it is essential that we discover Truth. The Lord said in John 8:32, “You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.” Men who are bound by sin or by deception cannot be victorious, for men who are in chains haven’t the power to fight for their freedom!
As long as sin holds us in its tentacles—whether the sin of lust for power or lust for wealth or lust for pleasure—we shall be unable to embrace the Truth that sets us free. As long as we indulge “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life” (I John 2:16), we shall be unable to overcome the deception that holds us captive to its pleasure or its promise of reward.
But when we glimpse Truth, realize that there is a hell to avoid and a heaven to gain, when we recognize the Savior who extends to us the life-line of salvation, that Truth shall set us free to hold fast to the knowledge that illumines our dark eyes and recalibrates the gage that measures our values and establishes our goals. We shall stand secure forever on the Truth that stands eternally!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
September 17
Is life going well for you right now? Perhaps not. There may be a life and death struggle going on for your spirit and your soul but your circumstances are so wonderful that you don’t know it’s happening. Sound far-fetched? It isn’t. The time when we take our ease by the side of the road may be the time the enemy of our soul is catching up on us; when he is overtaking us.
Why say something like that? Because it’s what the Word indicates is true. Jesus Himself said the Christian walk would be fraught with danger. He said that the fact He had been persecuted was a sure indication that the world would persecute His followers also and that we should be prepared.
What’s the purpose of it all? If we’re in a virtually continual spiritual warfare, why are we? The Biblical answer to that question can be found in II Corinthians
10:4, 5, where we are told, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but they are mighty to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations and every high thing that lifts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” If indeed we are in a life and death struggle, the worst thing for us is to be unaware of the conflagration.
We don’t want to be like campers in the center of a forest fire who are as yet unaware that flames surround us. To overcome, we must first be aware so we can plan a strategy of escape. We learn here that our escape lies in the battlefield of our minds—our own imaginations are our enemy! When all we imagined becomes ours to possess, we are in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. We cannot allow the blessings we have received to dull our awareness of the battle for our souls! Stay vigilant and become victorious!
Is life going well for you right now? Perhaps not. There may be a life and death struggle going on for your spirit and your soul but your circumstances are so wonderful that you don’t know it’s happening. Sound far-fetched? It isn’t. The time when we take our ease by the side of the road may be the time the enemy of our soul is catching up on us; when he is overtaking us.
Why say something like that? Because it’s what the Word indicates is true. Jesus Himself said the Christian walk would be fraught with danger. He said that the fact He had been persecuted was a sure indication that the world would persecute His followers also and that we should be prepared.
What’s the purpose of it all? If we’re in a virtually continual spiritual warfare, why are we? The Biblical answer to that question can be found in II Corinthians
10:4, 5, where we are told, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but they are mighty to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations and every high thing that lifts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” If indeed we are in a life and death struggle, the worst thing for us is to be unaware of the conflagration.
We don’t want to be like campers in the center of a forest fire who are as yet unaware that flames surround us. To overcome, we must first be aware so we can plan a strategy of escape. We learn here that our escape lies in the battlefield of our minds—our own imaginations are our enemy! When all we imagined becomes ours to possess, we are in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. We cannot allow the blessings we have received to dull our awareness of the battle for our souls! Stay vigilant and become victorious!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
September 16
The Lord has given us a cloak of His righteousness to wear. It is a stunning garment, fit for Heaven. There is no garment of earthly fabrication that begins to approximate the exquisite raiment that Jesus Christ has provided to those who believe in Him and accept Him as Savior.
We know that were it not for the fact that we are clothed in Christ, we would be ineligible for Heaven because there is no garment of earth that is fit to be worn in the presence of the Holy One. There is no act of generosity or self-sacrifice or kindness, not even any act of faith that covers our sin. Only the righteousness of Christ can do that.
And although when we are dressed in His righteousness, we are fit to stand before the Throne of God, there are adornments that we are encouraged to wear. Just as if we were to be presented before presidents or kings, we would select a fine garment and enhance it with our finest jewelry, so we should augment our garment of righteousness. But, what can possibly increase its perfection?
On the one hand, nothing. But in another way of thinking, much, for Galatians 5:22,23 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. For there is nothing that can be said against these things.” Nothing can be said against them, but here is much God says much in their behalf.
The Lord has given us a cloak of His righteousness to wear. It is a stunning garment, fit for Heaven. There is no garment of earthly fabrication that begins to approximate the exquisite raiment that Jesus Christ has provided to those who believe in Him and accept Him as Savior.
We know that were it not for the fact that we are clothed in Christ, we would be ineligible for Heaven because there is no garment of earth that is fit to be worn in the presence of the Holy One. There is no act of generosity or self-sacrifice or kindness, not even any act of faith that covers our sin. Only the righteousness of Christ can do that.
And although when we are dressed in His righteousness, we are fit to stand before the Throne of God, there are adornments that we are encouraged to wear. Just as if we were to be presented before presidents or kings, we would select a fine garment and enhance it with our finest jewelry, so we should augment our garment of righteousness. But, what can possibly increase its perfection?
On the one hand, nothing. But in another way of thinking, much, for Galatians 5:22,23 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. For there is nothing that can be said against these things.” Nothing can be said against them, but here is much God says much in their behalf.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
September 15
Love asks the question as to just how much one should endure at the hands of the beloved. Of course, physical abuse is intolerable at any level. If a relationship involves any kind of violent or excessively assertive physical action, it is highly questionable that there is any love in the relationship at all.
But there is certainly a reasonable amount of ‘give and take’ that should be expected whenever people interact on a level that can include the term ‘love.’ What should that exchange include? How much of another person’s failure can be considered reasonable and have the relationship survive?
Keep in mind that all relationships do not allow selectivity—you can’t pick your parents or your siblings—but you can certainly be choosy about your friends and romantic interests. Where choices are viable and reasonable, they must be exercised wisely. The Word tells us that “Love bears all things, believes all things, endures all things, hopes all things and that it never fails” I Corinthians 13:5-8. This is a standard far above that set by the world.
In other words, love that springs from God’s heart will fulfill His lofty expectation, for this is exactly how He loves us. When we enter a relationship, then, and as we observe the one with whom we’re interacting, how much of these godly attributes do we see in our love? Is it mutually tolerant and trusting and hopeful? Is it consistently unfaltering? If so, it is worth developing as a lifetime commitment. If not, let it go before leaving it becomes virtually impossible.
Love asks the question as to just how much one should endure at the hands of the beloved. Of course, physical abuse is intolerable at any level. If a relationship involves any kind of violent or excessively assertive physical action, it is highly questionable that there is any love in the relationship at all.
But there is certainly a reasonable amount of ‘give and take’ that should be expected whenever people interact on a level that can include the term ‘love.’ What should that exchange include? How much of another person’s failure can be considered reasonable and have the relationship survive?
Keep in mind that all relationships do not allow selectivity—you can’t pick your parents or your siblings—but you can certainly be choosy about your friends and romantic interests. Where choices are viable and reasonable, they must be exercised wisely. The Word tells us that “Love bears all things, believes all things, endures all things, hopes all things and that it never fails” I Corinthians 13:5-8. This is a standard far above that set by the world.
In other words, love that springs from God’s heart will fulfill His lofty expectation, for this is exactly how He loves us. When we enter a relationship, then, and as we observe the one with whom we’re interacting, how much of these godly attributes do we see in our love? Is it mutually tolerant and trusting and hopeful? Is it consistently unfaltering? If so, it is worth developing as a lifetime commitment. If not, let it go before leaving it becomes virtually impossible.
Monday, September 14, 2009
September 14
The word ‘love’ is bantered about quite readily. We hear people declare, “I just love pizza or barbecue or”—fill in the blank. We love the new DVD player or the new flat screen TV. We even use the word to be facetious—“Don’t you just love it when the new guy in the office gets it right?”
But what is the proper use of the over-used, often misused word ‘love’? Perhaps to establish its proper use we must define it in its absolute sense. The Bible tells us in I John 4:7 that “…love is of God.” If that is true we can hardly reduce the word to using it to declare our fondness for pizza!
Nor should we use it lightly in describing the romantic notions that may swirl like fallen Autumn leaves through our interactions with others. Love is too lofty to be the catch all expression that covers everything in our lives from fruit to nuts. And when we use it to express our feelings we must be cognizant of its lofty intent.
I Corinthians 13:5 establishes some guidelines that real love will follow.
“Godly love does not insist on its own rights or its own way, it is not self-seeking or resentful; it does not hold grudges and keeps no account of wrongs.” If you’re measuring what you feel or assessing what another declares to be his feelings for you, the only true measure of the depth of that emotion is God’s unchanging, unselfish love that gives His best to you as He expects you to give to others
The word ‘love’ is bantered about quite readily. We hear people declare, “I just love pizza or barbecue or”—fill in the blank. We love the new DVD player or the new flat screen TV. We even use the word to be facetious—“Don’t you just love it when the new guy in the office gets it right?”
But what is the proper use of the over-used, often misused word ‘love’? Perhaps to establish its proper use we must define it in its absolute sense. The Bible tells us in I John 4:7 that “…love is of God.” If that is true we can hardly reduce the word to using it to declare our fondness for pizza!
Nor should we use it lightly in describing the romantic notions that may swirl like fallen Autumn leaves through our interactions with others. Love is too lofty to be the catch all expression that covers everything in our lives from fruit to nuts. And when we use it to express our feelings we must be cognizant of its lofty intent.
I Corinthians 13:5 establishes some guidelines that real love will follow.
“Godly love does not insist on its own rights or its own way, it is not self-seeking or resentful; it does not hold grudges and keeps no account of wrongs.” If you’re measuring what you feel or assessing what another declares to be his feelings for you, the only true measure of the depth of that emotion is God’s unchanging, unselfish love that gives His best to you as He expects you to give to others
Sunday, September 13, 2009
September 13
Have you ever been baited? You know how that goes—someone says or does something deliberately to provoke you to a response that would be un-Christlike?
We’ve all taken the bait, probably more times than we care to admit. We have responded in kind when we should have responded in Christ.
The old adage that the road to hell is paved with good intentions could state further that the mortar around those good intentions is the words that often accompany our failed intentions. Though we may have the best of intentions, they do not approximate what the best of our words would be if we yielded our words and the consequences of them to Jesus.
The Word has wise counsel regarding how we should respond to the bait that is set out for us. The Author of the Word’s wise advice is the One who knows us inside and out, the One Whose admonitions are well-heeded if we desire to reap the good He has planned for us.
In I Peter 3:10 the Lord says through Peter, “Let him who desires to enjoy life and see good days keep his tongue from speaking evil and his lips from deceit.” If we truly desire the Lord to be glorified in us—even when we are baited—the sure way to accomplish that goal is to refrain from vile conversation, subtlety and lies.
Have you ever been baited? You know how that goes—someone says or does something deliberately to provoke you to a response that would be un-Christlike?
We’ve all taken the bait, probably more times than we care to admit. We have responded in kind when we should have responded in Christ.
The old adage that the road to hell is paved with good intentions could state further that the mortar around those good intentions is the words that often accompany our failed intentions. Though we may have the best of intentions, they do not approximate what the best of our words would be if we yielded our words and the consequences of them to Jesus.
The Word has wise counsel regarding how we should respond to the bait that is set out for us. The Author of the Word’s wise advice is the One who knows us inside and out, the One Whose admonitions are well-heeded if we desire to reap the good He has planned for us.
In I Peter 3:10 the Lord says through Peter, “Let him who desires to enjoy life and see good days keep his tongue from speaking evil and his lips from deceit.” If we truly desire the Lord to be glorified in us—even when we are baited—the sure way to accomplish that goal is to refrain from vile conversation, subtlety and lies.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
September 12
God has created us to be passionate. He wants us to have intense feelings regarding the gift of life He’s bestowed upon us. He wants us to carry this intensity into every aspect of our being. He wants us to care about our work, about our relationships, about the lost who know Him not, about our faith.
Our stumbling block is often a result of our focus settling too fully upon the temporal aspects of passion. We invest ourselves in the things of time but forget that everything we do, everything we say, everything we are is to be covered by the shed blood of Jesus—that He is to be in every aspect of our lives.
When we neglect to remember that He is to pervade our reality, we tend to allow our emotions to overcome our reason and to overcome our spirit. When we are out of tune with the Lord, negative emotions come to the fore in our lives. We allow frustration, depression, fear, and anger to rule in Jesus’ place. The Word is replete with guidance as to how we should allow our spirits to be controlled by His Spirit—thereby negating the impact of destructive emotions.
In Proverbs 14:29, for example, we are told, “He who is slow to anger has great understanding.” To realize the negative impact of anger is the first step toward conquering it. Proverbs 16:32 states the necessity for overcoming anger even more succinctly—“The man who can control himself is mightier than the army that can conquer a city.” If we are to realize the fullness of our potential as people of passion, those things that drive our emotions must be given to Him.
God has created us to be passionate. He wants us to have intense feelings regarding the gift of life He’s bestowed upon us. He wants us to carry this intensity into every aspect of our being. He wants us to care about our work, about our relationships, about the lost who know Him not, about our faith.
Our stumbling block is often a result of our focus settling too fully upon the temporal aspects of passion. We invest ourselves in the things of time but forget that everything we do, everything we say, everything we are is to be covered by the shed blood of Jesus—that He is to be in every aspect of our lives.
When we neglect to remember that He is to pervade our reality, we tend to allow our emotions to overcome our reason and to overcome our spirit. When we are out of tune with the Lord, negative emotions come to the fore in our lives. We allow frustration, depression, fear, and anger to rule in Jesus’ place. The Word is replete with guidance as to how we should allow our spirits to be controlled by His Spirit—thereby negating the impact of destructive emotions.
In Proverbs 14:29, for example, we are told, “He who is slow to anger has great understanding.” To realize the negative impact of anger is the first step toward conquering it. Proverbs 16:32 states the necessity for overcoming anger even more succinctly—“The man who can control himself is mightier than the army that can conquer a city.” If we are to realize the fullness of our potential as people of passion, those things that drive our emotions must be given to Him.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Today, September 11, 2009, is the eighth anniversary of the attack on our nation that robbed 3000 of our fellow sojourners on this planet of life. Their plans for the future were in the rubble of the Twin Towers and of the Pentegon and in a field in Pennsylvania.
May we bow our heads before our great God this day and pray that this nation which was laid at His feet at its inception will return to the God of our Founding Fathers. Let us ask Him to give us holy boldness in sharing our faith with those who know Him not in order that we may be instruments in His hand of the restoration of our great country to righteousness in Jesus Christ.
September 11
When we share our faith with another, exactly what should we hope will be the return on our investment of time and heartfelt conviction? It takes a certain amount of holy boldness to step out with the gospel of truth as we understand it, to impart to another thinking individual of our beliefs and hope he embraces them.
Should we hope he’ll begin attending church with us? Perhaps he will, and that would be lovely. Will he see eye-to-eye with us on every matter of doctrine? This is an unlikely eventuality in view of the fact that many within the same denomination differ on fine points of doctrine.
Should we expect that we will have a brother in the faith—one with whom we may consider ourselves co-heirs in the family of faith in Jesus Christ? This is a realistic expectation but time and distance will often separate even those of like precious faith. Paul stated his thoughts regarding those whom he had converted to Christ and it would be well if they were ours.
In I Corinthians 1:4, 5 he says, “I thank my God at all times for you because of the grace which He bestowed on you in Christ Jesus; in every respect, you are enriched, full of power in your knowledge of Him.” Our part, once we have complied with the great commission to share our faith, is to leave the one who has received the Lord at His feet with prayer and thankful hearts.
May we bow our heads before our great God this day and pray that this nation which was laid at His feet at its inception will return to the God of our Founding Fathers. Let us ask Him to give us holy boldness in sharing our faith with those who know Him not in order that we may be instruments in His hand of the restoration of our great country to righteousness in Jesus Christ.
September 11
When we share our faith with another, exactly what should we hope will be the return on our investment of time and heartfelt conviction? It takes a certain amount of holy boldness to step out with the gospel of truth as we understand it, to impart to another thinking individual of our beliefs and hope he embraces them.
Should we hope he’ll begin attending church with us? Perhaps he will, and that would be lovely. Will he see eye-to-eye with us on every matter of doctrine? This is an unlikely eventuality in view of the fact that many within the same denomination differ on fine points of doctrine.
Should we expect that we will have a brother in the faith—one with whom we may consider ourselves co-heirs in the family of faith in Jesus Christ? This is a realistic expectation but time and distance will often separate even those of like precious faith. Paul stated his thoughts regarding those whom he had converted to Christ and it would be well if they were ours.
In I Corinthians 1:4, 5 he says, “I thank my God at all times for you because of the grace which He bestowed on you in Christ Jesus; in every respect, you are enriched, full of power in your knowledge of Him.” Our part, once we have complied with the great commission to share our faith, is to leave the one who has received the Lord at His feet with prayer and thankful hearts.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
September 10
We all remember the pie graph from elementary school mathematics lessons. The pie was divided into segments and each segment was allotted a percentage value. Our job was to compare the portions ascribed to various entities such as time spent on homework compared to time spent playing or sleeping.
Were we to make such a pie graph as adults and were we to designate a segment to each of our day’s activities, into how large a piece of the pie would we place God? How much time would we allocate to prayer? To Bible reading? To waiting quietly in His presence?
How much time does He expect us to set aside for Him? If we know what He wants, we can endeavor to give it to Him. If we try to divvy up the pie without knowing what He prefers, we might not give Him enough time. Or, we might give Him too much. What value would there be in becoming a cloistered hermit?
Psalm 105:4 says that we are to, “Seek the Lord continually and desire His… presence evermore.” God wants the whole pie! In all the activity of life, we are to give Him place. He wants the entirety of our lives to be devoted to Him. When we do that, our lives will reflect His presence and manifest His goodness
We all remember the pie graph from elementary school mathematics lessons. The pie was divided into segments and each segment was allotted a percentage value. Our job was to compare the portions ascribed to various entities such as time spent on homework compared to time spent playing or sleeping.
Were we to make such a pie graph as adults and were we to designate a segment to each of our day’s activities, into how large a piece of the pie would we place God? How much time would we allocate to prayer? To Bible reading? To waiting quietly in His presence?
How much time does He expect us to set aside for Him? If we know what He wants, we can endeavor to give it to Him. If we try to divvy up the pie without knowing what He prefers, we might not give Him enough time. Or, we might give Him too much. What value would there be in becoming a cloistered hermit?
Psalm 105:4 says that we are to, “Seek the Lord continually and desire His… presence evermore.” God wants the whole pie! In all the activity of life, we are to give Him place. He wants the entirety of our lives to be devoted to Him. When we do that, our lives will reflect His presence and manifest His goodness
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
September 9
We often refer to ‘the well-made plans of mice and men.’ Mice. Men. The insignificance of the one; the dominance of the other. Some believe that ultimately, the schemes of both are subject to happenstance, to whim, to fate, to folly. The little rodent sets out for his tasty morsel of cheese and loses his life for his effort to obtain in.
Men plan and strive for professional success, for success at love, for self-promotion of whatever sort and when the winds of fate are favorable, all the heart desires is realized. When the breath of fate blows ill upon an endeavor, it comes to nothing. Or so it seems.
If we stand or fall only on our own best effort, if our hope is in the fickle entity of Lady Luck, this is a very reasonable assessment of how the success of life’s opportunities may come. But, as believers, we are not dependent upon the roll of the dice. We are not dependent upon our own prowess.
Proverbs 19:21 tells us, “Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.” It should be the bedrock of our security—present and future—that the Lord’s eyes are upon His people and His purposes for them will be achieved. We cannot fail when we are surrendered to His will.
We often refer to ‘the well-made plans of mice and men.’ Mice. Men. The insignificance of the one; the dominance of the other. Some believe that ultimately, the schemes of both are subject to happenstance, to whim, to fate, to folly. The little rodent sets out for his tasty morsel of cheese and loses his life for his effort to obtain in.
Men plan and strive for professional success, for success at love, for self-promotion of whatever sort and when the winds of fate are favorable, all the heart desires is realized. When the breath of fate blows ill upon an endeavor, it comes to nothing. Or so it seems.
If we stand or fall only on our own best effort, if our hope is in the fickle entity of Lady Luck, this is a very reasonable assessment of how the success of life’s opportunities may come. But, as believers, we are not dependent upon the roll of the dice. We are not dependent upon our own prowess.
Proverbs 19:21 tells us, “Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.” It should be the bedrock of our security—present and future—that the Lord’s eyes are upon His people and His purposes for them will be achieved. We cannot fail when we are surrendered to His will.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
September 8
In Deuteronomy 23:14, we are given a great and sobering promise. Here we are told, “The Lord your God walks in the midst of you to deliver you and to give your enemies vanquished before you. Therefore, shall your camp be holy, in order that He may see nothing of offense among you and turn away from you.”
From the first lines of scripture and throughout the holy Word, it has been evident that it is the desire of our loving heavenly Father to bless us. He desires to be with us, to speak to us in the cool of the day, to guide us through difficulty, to bless us with good things.
We yearn to enjoy the gifts our great God and King desires to lavish upon us. We stand on His promises of health, and prosperity, and victory over every trial, and guidance into the fullness of His intentions for us. We yearn to share His truth with others who know Him not.
We realize that for the fullness of His promises to dwell in us and to be manifested to others through us, we must walk in the righteousness with which we are cloaked when we receive Jesus as Savior. Apart from Him, we cannot be holy and apart from holiness, we can have no favor with God.
In Deuteronomy 23:14, we are given a great and sobering promise. Here we are told, “The Lord your God walks in the midst of you to deliver you and to give your enemies vanquished before you. Therefore, shall your camp be holy, in order that He may see nothing of offense among you and turn away from you.”
From the first lines of scripture and throughout the holy Word, it has been evident that it is the desire of our loving heavenly Father to bless us. He desires to be with us, to speak to us in the cool of the day, to guide us through difficulty, to bless us with good things.
We yearn to enjoy the gifts our great God and King desires to lavish upon us. We stand on His promises of health, and prosperity, and victory over every trial, and guidance into the fullness of His intentions for us. We yearn to share His truth with others who know Him not.
We realize that for the fullness of His promises to dwell in us and to be manifested to others through us, we must walk in the righteousness with which we are cloaked when we receive Jesus as Savior. Apart from Him, we cannot be holy and apart from holiness, we can have no favor with God.
Monday, September 7, 2009
September 7
One of many major differences between Christianity and the religion of Islam is their completely opposite perception of confession as regards forgiveness from sin. The position put forth by Jesus is that when we confess our sin, God forgives our sin and cleanses us from it.
The Moslem view is that the sin that is hidden is the one that is least detrimental. They believe the sin that is veiled or covered or denied has less weight against the proponent of Islam when he stands before Allah’s great scale on judgment day where his good deeds will be weighed against his bad deeds.
The Bible says the opposite, “Be sure your sin will find you out,” stated in Numbers 32:23, is a clear declaration of God’s abhorrence of secret sins. Without confession and the cleansing that comes when Jesus is received as Savior and Lord, Christians believe no one shall see God. Beyond acknowledging our sins to God, the Lord adjures us to be straightforward with others regarding sin
James 5:16 says, “Confess to one another therefore your faults and pray earnestly for one another that you may be restored to right standing before God, for the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." This clearly says that we are to be transparent before our brothers in Christ and they are to hold us accountable—and to pray that we may be restored to grace when we have stumbled.
One of many major differences between Christianity and the religion of Islam is their completely opposite perception of confession as regards forgiveness from sin. The position put forth by Jesus is that when we confess our sin, God forgives our sin and cleanses us from it.
The Moslem view is that the sin that is hidden is the one that is least detrimental. They believe the sin that is veiled or covered or denied has less weight against the proponent of Islam when he stands before Allah’s great scale on judgment day where his good deeds will be weighed against his bad deeds.
The Bible says the opposite, “Be sure your sin will find you out,” stated in Numbers 32:23, is a clear declaration of God’s abhorrence of secret sins. Without confession and the cleansing that comes when Jesus is received as Savior and Lord, Christians believe no one shall see God. Beyond acknowledging our sins to God, the Lord adjures us to be straightforward with others regarding sin
James 5:16 says, “Confess to one another therefore your faults and pray earnestly for one another that you may be restored to right standing before God, for the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." This clearly says that we are to be transparent before our brothers in Christ and they are to hold us accountable—and to pray that we may be restored to grace when we have stumbled.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
September 6
Integrity is something that is lacking in many quarters today. We have become a people of expedience—do what it takes to get the job done—rather than a people of character who will sacrifice personal goals or desires in order to maintain God’s standard in our day-to-day conduct of our business and ourselves.
When believers in Christ succumb to the world’s standard, when we justify our slump into professional or personal compromise, we are denying the high calling to which the Lord has brought us. He expects more from His people because those who call His name in faith have Him to emulate for their integrity.
While ‘the world’ has only itself and its own values—which seem to worsen by the day—believers in Christ have an unchanging belief system upon which to build their lives and guide their actions and measure their words. If we do not employ His values in governing ourselves, we have virtually turned our backs upon Him. According to Psalm 15:4, 5, this is something we will not do if we are truly His.
It says, “The man who honors those who fear the Lord, who is inflexible in his commitment to His ways, who does not take usury against his own people or bribes against the innocent shall never be shaken.” If we have a true regard for the people of the Lord, if we constrain ourselves from employing unethical tactics in any situation, if we have an absolute commitment to Christ, we will be people who reflect His sterling character, not the compromised integrity of the world.
Integrity is something that is lacking in many quarters today. We have become a people of expedience—do what it takes to get the job done—rather than a people of character who will sacrifice personal goals or desires in order to maintain God’s standard in our day-to-day conduct of our business and ourselves.
When believers in Christ succumb to the world’s standard, when we justify our slump into professional or personal compromise, we are denying the high calling to which the Lord has brought us. He expects more from His people because those who call His name in faith have Him to emulate for their integrity.
While ‘the world’ has only itself and its own values—which seem to worsen by the day—believers in Christ have an unchanging belief system upon which to build their lives and guide their actions and measure their words. If we do not employ His values in governing ourselves, we have virtually turned our backs upon Him. According to Psalm 15:4, 5, this is something we will not do if we are truly His.
It says, “The man who honors those who fear the Lord, who is inflexible in his commitment to His ways, who does not take usury against his own people or bribes against the innocent shall never be shaken.” If we have a true regard for the people of the Lord, if we constrain ourselves from employing unethical tactics in any situation, if we have an absolute commitment to Christ, we will be people who reflect His sterling character, not the compromised integrity of the world.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
September 5
Where do negative attitudes originate and how can they be overcome? Negative attitudes. We would probably conclude without much contemplation that negative attitudes begin in the mind. The Word makes it clear that the way we think determines much about what we say and what we do (Proverbs 23:7).
Looking at that verse more closely, however, requires our coming to a different conclusion about the origin of our attitudes. It says specifically, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” We don’t attribute our thoughts to our hearts. We attribute them to our minds. So, exactly what is the Word telling us here?
Where do those negative mindsets—greed, lust, hatred, revenge, scorn, and all their ‘cousins’—come from? Proverbs 28:25 gives us a clue regarding the root from which ungodly thoughts spring. It says, “He who is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, but he who puts his trust in the Lord shall be enriched and blessed.” It is within the spirit of an individual that evil schemes or benevolent actions are conceived.
The Word tells us that our bodies are to be the temples of the Holy Spirit. If we have Christ in our hearts, His Holy Spirit resides within us; our spirits are subject to Him. Apart from His presence, they are subject only to self. Our spirits, then, conceive the attitudes that our minds develop and our actions execute—whether for good or for ill—depending on whether His Spirit or ours sows them.
Where do negative attitudes originate and how can they be overcome? Negative attitudes. We would probably conclude without much contemplation that negative attitudes begin in the mind. The Word makes it clear that the way we think determines much about what we say and what we do (Proverbs 23:7).
Looking at that verse more closely, however, requires our coming to a different conclusion about the origin of our attitudes. It says specifically, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” We don’t attribute our thoughts to our hearts. We attribute them to our minds. So, exactly what is the Word telling us here?
Where do those negative mindsets—greed, lust, hatred, revenge, scorn, and all their ‘cousins’—come from? Proverbs 28:25 gives us a clue regarding the root from which ungodly thoughts spring. It says, “He who is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, but he who puts his trust in the Lord shall be enriched and blessed.” It is within the spirit of an individual that evil schemes or benevolent actions are conceived.
The Word tells us that our bodies are to be the temples of the Holy Spirit. If we have Christ in our hearts, His Holy Spirit resides within us; our spirits are subject to Him. Apart from His presence, they are subject only to self. Our spirits, then, conceive the attitudes that our minds develop and our actions execute—whether for good or for ill—depending on whether His Spirit or ours sows them.
Friday, September 4, 2009
September 4
God promises to reward integrity. In Psalm 18:20 we are told, “The Lord rewards me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He will recompense me.” Oh, it may not appear that the Holy One has observed but not acted upon what He’s seen of the integrity of His people!
A wise friend has said, “God does not always pay His debts on Tuesday.” Those of us who are familiar with receiving bills on a schedule and paying them on a schedule sometimes expect God to follow our time table when it comes to issuing His rewards. He does not.
In fact, the individuals who seem to have reaped most abundantly of the rewards of earth may not be those who God intends to reward. Sometimes, God’s choicest saints are those quietly serving Him without fanfare. They seem to gain no advantage from their faithfulness. But there is a day coming when all God’s accounts will be settled.
Isaiah 62:11 says that when He comes, His reward will be with Him. Mark 9:41 assures that the slightest act done in the name of Jesus and for the sake of His Kingdom shall be rewarded. Nothing will have been too insignificant for His notice. If you are laboring for Christ and seem forgotten, soldier on! The One you serve knows—and His promise is that you shall not be disappointed.
God promises to reward integrity. In Psalm 18:20 we are told, “The Lord rewards me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He will recompense me.” Oh, it may not appear that the Holy One has observed but not acted upon what He’s seen of the integrity of His people!
A wise friend has said, “God does not always pay His debts on Tuesday.” Those of us who are familiar with receiving bills on a schedule and paying them on a schedule sometimes expect God to follow our time table when it comes to issuing His rewards. He does not.
In fact, the individuals who seem to have reaped most abundantly of the rewards of earth may not be those who God intends to reward. Sometimes, God’s choicest saints are those quietly serving Him without fanfare. They seem to gain no advantage from their faithfulness. But there is a day coming when all God’s accounts will be settled.
Isaiah 62:11 says that when He comes, His reward will be with Him. Mark 9:41 assures that the slightest act done in the name of Jesus and for the sake of His Kingdom shall be rewarded. Nothing will have been too insignificant for His notice. If you are laboring for Christ and seem forgotten, soldier on! The One you serve knows—and His promise is that you shall not be disappointed.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
September 3
One of the things that is most troubling to us is the notion that we are unheard, that we haven’t a voice. Husbands and wives tend to “tune out” their spouses. The lover who was attentive and hung on every word of his beloved has become deaf to the voice of his wife. Wives do it, too.
Children yearn to be heard by their parents, yet they lament that they are not. Parents long to communicate with their offspring, but the lines of communication are often down. The best of intentions seem unable to transcend an invisible generational barrier.
Politicians are incapable of recognizing the will of the people they have been elected to represent. They have an agenda that furthers their own objectives but they tune out the voice of the people. Election cycles do not go quickly enough for the disgruntled voter who is awaiting the opportunity to vote again!
But we have One who knows our hearts’ profoundest longings and hears our deepest cries! We have One who hears and cares. Psalm 10:17 assures us that the Lord, “…has heard the desire and longing of the humble and oppressed! He will strengthen their hearts.” No one is without a voice; creation’s God hears!
One of the things that is most troubling to us is the notion that we are unheard, that we haven’t a voice. Husbands and wives tend to “tune out” their spouses. The lover who was attentive and hung on every word of his beloved has become deaf to the voice of his wife. Wives do it, too.
Children yearn to be heard by their parents, yet they lament that they are not. Parents long to communicate with their offspring, but the lines of communication are often down. The best of intentions seem unable to transcend an invisible generational barrier.
Politicians are incapable of recognizing the will of the people they have been elected to represent. They have an agenda that furthers their own objectives but they tune out the voice of the people. Election cycles do not go quickly enough for the disgruntled voter who is awaiting the opportunity to vote again!
But we have One who knows our hearts’ profoundest longings and hears our deepest cries! We have One who hears and cares. Psalm 10:17 assures us that the Lord, “…has heard the desire and longing of the humble and oppressed! He will strengthen their hearts.” No one is without a voice; creation’s God hears!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
September 2
It is said that a man met with his pastor to tell him he planned to divorce his wife because he no longer loved her. The minister reminded him that the Word tells men that they must love their wives. He said he simply could not. The pastor replied that if he could not love her as his wife he must love her as his neighbor for this is admonished in the scripture. The man said he could not.
At this point, the man of the cloth said, “Well, then you must love her as your enemy, for the Lord requires you to love your enemies. Whatever you do, you must love her.” We sometimes find ourselves in the same situation as the man in the illustration. We know we are to love, but cannot muster love within us.
The first step toward loving is the realization that the Hollywood image of love is not real. Love is not butterflies in your stomach and happy-ever-afters. Love is a covenant. It is a commitment before God. It is a solemn contractual agreement that is sealed in the Court of Heaven.
Beyond the love we owe to our spouse, the Word adjures us to love as Christ loves. How is that? In Galatians 6:10 it says, “In so far as you have opportunity, do good to all people, caring for their temporal and spiritual advantage, blessing them with love—especially those who share your faith in Jesus.”
It is said that a man met with his pastor to tell him he planned to divorce his wife because he no longer loved her. The minister reminded him that the Word tells men that they must love their wives. He said he simply could not. The pastor replied that if he could not love her as his wife he must love her as his neighbor for this is admonished in the scripture. The man said he could not.
At this point, the man of the cloth said, “Well, then you must love her as your enemy, for the Lord requires you to love your enemies. Whatever you do, you must love her.” We sometimes find ourselves in the same situation as the man in the illustration. We know we are to love, but cannot muster love within us.
The first step toward loving is the realization that the Hollywood image of love is not real. Love is not butterflies in your stomach and happy-ever-afters. Love is a covenant. It is a commitment before God. It is a solemn contractual agreement that is sealed in the Court of Heaven.
Beyond the love we owe to our spouse, the Word adjures us to love as Christ loves. How is that? In Galatians 6:10 it says, “In so far as you have opportunity, do good to all people, caring for their temporal and spiritual advantage, blessing them with love—especially those who share your faith in Jesus.”
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
September 1
It is almost as though there are two realities of life for most believers. There is the reality of what we aspire to be and to do as we live fully committed lives for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and there is the reality of the deadness of our actual day-to-day surrender to Him.
Unfortunately, the plane of our good intentions exceeds the plane of our performance. We disappoint ourselves daily and fall far short of our spiritual goals. How can we overcome the wretched sense of disappointment we feel when we let ourselves down?
The first step is to realize that God isn’t disappointed in us. He is forgiving and He has chosen to put our shortcomings along with our sins into His ‘Sea of Forgetfulness.’ God does not badger us with our broken expectations—we do that to ourselves. But HE does have a remedy for the burden of guilt that our disappointment with ourselves requires us to carry.
It is found in Galatians 5:16 where we are told to, “Walk in the Spirit, so you will not walk in the lusts and desires of the flesh.” To avoid human failure, we must walk in spiritual power! What we haven’t the capacity to accomplish on our own because our flesh is dead to true godliness, we can achieve through the power of the Holy Spirit within us that will raise us as it raised Jesus from the dead!
It is almost as though there are two realities of life for most believers. There is the reality of what we aspire to be and to do as we live fully committed lives for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and there is the reality of the deadness of our actual day-to-day surrender to Him.
Unfortunately, the plane of our good intentions exceeds the plane of our performance. We disappoint ourselves daily and fall far short of our spiritual goals. How can we overcome the wretched sense of disappointment we feel when we let ourselves down?
The first step is to realize that God isn’t disappointed in us. He is forgiving and He has chosen to put our shortcomings along with our sins into His ‘Sea of Forgetfulness.’ God does not badger us with our broken expectations—we do that to ourselves. But HE does have a remedy for the burden of guilt that our disappointment with ourselves requires us to carry.
It is found in Galatians 5:16 where we are told to, “Walk in the Spirit, so you will not walk in the lusts and desires of the flesh.” To avoid human failure, we must walk in spiritual power! What we haven’t the capacity to accomplish on our own because our flesh is dead to true godliness, we can achieve through the power of the Holy Spirit within us that will raise us as it raised Jesus from the dead!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)