Need a Shot?

Just thought I'd toss out some random thoughts this evening.

What do you think it says to God when we "need" a shot of whiskey, a cold beer, or a night cap after a long stressful day?  Are we saying to God that we can't make it without some thing to relieve the stress?  Maybe it is a "shot" of exercise or some other thing.  Is it even possible that we are saying that He isn't enough?  That we need this thing to cope with the world more than we need God to cope?

How can we so organize His Word and Wisdom so that we can take a "shot" when we need to calm our soul, have some peace, gain perspective, and eliminate our stress or distress?  We should take particular cautions within ourselves to know we don't need any single thing except God.  We must learn to depend upon Him to be our "all in all".  Do we "cast all our cares upon Him" or do we cast them all into a bottle?

Is your Lord the real conqueror of everything in your life?  

I'm Third

From the James and Shirley Dobson Married Devotion this morning ....

Out of the sun, packed in a diamond formation and flying as one that day, the Minute Men dove at nearly the speed of sound toward a tiny emerald patch on Ohio’s unwrinkled crazy quilt below. It was a little after nine on the morning of June 7, 1958, and the destination of the Air National Guard’s jet precision team was the famed Wright‐Patterson Air Force Base, just outside Dayton.

On the ground, thousands of faces looked upward as Colonel Walt Williams, leader of the Denver‐based Sabrejet team, gauged a high‐speed pullout. For the Minute Men pilots—Colonel Williams, Captain Bob Cherry, Lieutenant Bob Odle, Captain John Ferrier, and Major Win Coomer—the maneuver was routine, for they had given their show hundreds of times before millions of people.

Low across the fresh, green grass the jet stream streaked, far ahead of the noise of the planes’ own screaming engines. Judging his pull‐up, Colonel Williams pressed the microphone button on top of his throttle: “Smoke on—now!” The diamond of planes pulled straight up into the turquoise sky, a bush tail of white smoke pluming out behind. The crowd gasped as the four ships suddenly split apart, rolling to the four points of the compass and leaving a beautiful, smoky fleur‐de‐lis inscribed on the heavens. This was the Minute Men’s famed “flower burst” maneuver. For a minute the crowd relaxed, gazing at the tranquil beauty of the huge, white flower that had grown from the lush Ohio grasslands to fill the great bowl of sky.

Out on the end of his stem of the flower, Colonel Williams turned his Sabre hard, cut off the smoke trail, and dropped the nose of his F86 to pick up speed for the low‐altitude crossover maneuver. Then, glancing back over his shoulder, he froze in terror. Far across the sky to the east, John Ferrier’s plane was rolling. He was in trouble. And his plane was headed right for the small town of Fairborn, on the edge of Patterson Field. In a moment, the lovely morning had turned to horror. Everyone saw; everyone understood. One of the planes was out of control.

Steering his jet in the direction of the crippled plane to race after it, Williams radioed urgently, “Bail out, John! Get out of there!” Ferrier still had plenty of time and room to eject safely. Twice more Williams issued the command: “Bail out, Johnny! Bail out!”

Each time, Williams was answered only by a blip of smoke.

He understood immediately. John Ferrier couldn’t reach the mike button on the throttle because both hands were tugging on a control stick locked in full‐throw right. But the smoke button was on the stick, so he was answering the only way he could—squeezing it to tell Walt he thought he could keep his plane under enough control to avoid crashing into the houses of Fairborn.

Suddenly, a terrible explosion shook the earth. Then came a haunting silence. Walt Williams continued to call through the radio, “Johnny? Are you there? Captain, answer me!”

No response.

Major Win Coomer, who had flown with Ferrier for years, both in the Air National Guard and with United Airlines, and who had served a combat tour with him in Korea, was the first Minute Man to land. He raced to the crash scene, hoping to find his friend alive.

Instead, he found a neighborhood in shock from the awful thing that had happened. Captain John T. Ferrier’s Sabrejet had hit the ground midway between four houses, in a backyard garden. It was the only place where he could have crashed without killing people. The explosion had knocked a woman and several children to the ground, but no one had been hurt, with the exception of Johnny Ferrier. He had been killed instantly.

A steady stream of people began coming to Coomer as he stood in his flying suit beside the smoking, gaping hole in the ground where his best friend had just died.

“A bunch of us were standing together, watching the show,” an elderly man with tears in his eyes told Coomer. “When the pilot started to roll, he was headed straight for us. For a second, we looked right at each other. Then he pulled up right over us and put it in there.”

In deep humility, the old man whispered, “This man died for us.”

A few days after this tragic accident, John Ferrier’s wife, Tulle, found a worn card in his billfold. On it were the words “I’m Third.” That simple phrase exemplified the life—and death—of this courageous man. For him, God came first, others second, and himself third.

• “I’m Third,” retold by James Lund. This story originally appeared in the Denver Post in the late 1950s.

The Root of the Problem - Part I

¹⁰ Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. ¹¹ What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”  ...

¹⁵ Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

¹⁶ “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. ¹⁷ “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? ¹⁸ But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. ²⁰ These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.” - Matthew 10-11, 15-20

Jesus is addressing the source of all misdeeds.  "For out of the heart" He refers "come evil thoughts" and "these are what defile a person."  Have I ever wondered why I can't overcome something in my life?  Maybe since childhood I've known about a heightened sensitivity in an area that I am susceptible.  I've battled it my whole life leaving a wake of broken hearts in my path including my own, but yet there it is and I cannot overcome it.  What is it?  It is my sin nature and I inherited it from Adam and Eve.

It's in my heart and no matter how hard I try to overcome it, it eventually overcomes me.  The things that come out of it disgust me when I'm in my right mind, but when that sin nature is ruling I revel in them.  Who says they are incapable of murder, adultery, lying, hating?  Only a fool who thinks he can rule the sin nature.  No man ever has or ever will. 

Why did Jesus come?  He came to provide a way for man to be rescued from his own heart.  Yes, there are many good things in our hearts, but no matter how hard we work there will always be that sin nature.  We all take and eat of the forbidden fruit.  Only God the Creator could possible make a way to recreate us, and only the God who loves us would not force it on us, but let us choose to be recreated.  Jesus Christ provides that way but we must choose to believe in Him. 

Every day we must choose that our only source of life is Christ.  Our every day, hour, minute must be a decision that it must be Jesus or nothing.  It is Jesus or it is sin ruling me.  May I choose Jesus now.  This is far too crucial to put off.  It is not a diet or exercise plan that I will start tomorrow.  My choice simply can't wait that long, somebody else's heart is in danger of being crushed from my inability to choose Jesus today, right now.  I choose Jesus.

Mar 31

Romans 8: ³⁸ For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things ^[a]impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (AMP)

 

Yesterday's discussion in Sunday School was encouraging to me.  We discussed Paul's arrest and trial in Jerusalem last week and this week talked about his journey to Rome via ship.  In spite of being unfairly arrested, held without formal charges for over two years in Jerusalem, then being shipwrecked en route to trial in Rome, Paul boldly proclaimed the Gospel.  God used these bad things in Paul's life to firmly establish His church in the Capital of the world at that time, Rome. 

I was encouraged yesterday because the kids in Sunday School were quick to respond that sometimes bad things happen as a result of our poor decisions.  Other times, they are unfairly done to us by sinful people.  Other times we're simply victims of a fallen world.  Regardless, nothing can separate us from God's love.  Not our own sin, the sins of others, or circumstances beyond our control.  Through all of these God is always faithful.  

My favorite verse is Romans 8:28 which sums this up so well: "  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[i] have been called according to his purpose." 

I'm  so glad God's love for me doesn't depend on me to earn it.  I'm glad that God, who is perfect and loves perfectly, reaches out to me and remains steadfast in spite of my poor decisions. 

How-To

Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12:9-21

This is one of my favorite passages of the whole Bible.  This is a ‘how-to’ live.  Each phrase of each sentence has significant implications on ‘how-to’ live.  I would do well to read this at the beginning of each day.  The essence of this guide to living is “love must be sincere.”  How we are devoted to one another, how we honor one another, how we share to others in need, how we bless our enemy, how we associate with people of low position … all depends upon if we are loving others sincerely out of a great love within our heart.

There are many challenges in this ‘how-to’ live guide, but one of the biggest for me is the “never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor.”  I’m sure everyone who knows me can acknowledge that my laid back almost asleep demeanor is far from this picture.  It is important for me to work on the priority, permanence, and prominence of God’s Law for Living daily in my life and to be excited about Jesus as the answer to not only my life, but everyone’s life.  He is real and He can change lives, I do not doubt this, regardless of how hard the world tries to beat it out of me.

It ends with a single statement regarding good and evil.  “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  This reflection of the verses above it is encouraging us not to let the world’s ways of dealing with others alter how we are to deal with others.  Do good without excuse.  Sure someone did you wrong, tomorrow it will be a different person.  May I so live that I would forgive everyone when I meet them for how they are going to hurt me.  I must work to be an extension of God’s grace, giving others what they don’t deserve, and mercy, not giving them what they do deserve.  This good will overcome evil, as it already has conquered eternal separation from God, the source of evil.

Mar 28

Romans 12:⁹ [Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good. (AMP)

 

Ok, I confess.  I'm a chronic packrat.  I keep stuff that I no longer use on a regular basis just because I might need it someday.  I hold onto things because I worked so hard to earn it.  Some things have sentimental value (wait, I thought you were an engineer...) and I just can't take it to the dump or donate it and have it treated like second hand junk.  All who will read this have been to my house and know that I confess the truth (looking forward to some comments on this one)!

Sometimes our outward, physical habits are a reflection of our inward, emotional and mental habits as well.  We latch onto emotional or mental baggage and replay that scene over and over looking for answers that will calm our emotions or complete our lack of understanding.  At times, I've found myself spending hours wondering, replaying events, talking to third parties, etc, rather than simply going to the root of the problem with my questions or issues.  Instead, finding no answers I spiral downward into depression often making up tremendously negative things that simply never happened and aren't true except in the alternate reality of my own mind.  Often, in fact, once I do approach the other person its truly a confrontation rather than a discussion or fact-finding mission and results in yet more issues with which to wrestle.

God reminds us that we're to hold fast or cling to what is good.  So why is that so difficult when I'm grumpy or when I've been insulted or hurt?  I think that's when my true, sinful, nature comes out the strongest.  Satan desperately needs us to be in conflict with each other and ourselves.  Unity, order, cohesion, and Love are and come from God.  Satan is all about destroying that within us and between us.  As fallen people, we immediately default to the negative, critical, suspicious, disagreeable, irritable, cantankerous - well you get the picture - people Satan needs us to be in order to thwart God's Kingdom building in and around our lives.  

How do we break the sin nature and learn to hold fast to that which is good?  We don't - well, not on our own.  We're talking about a fundamental change in our character.  Only God's amazing grace has the power to change our sin nature.  In order to allow his grace to flow, however, we must let go.  We've got to part with the junk, the "in case I need its," and the "heirlooms" that hold us back from being the positive, loving, people that God desires us to be. 

So what junk do you have that you need to get rid of to let God change your character?  Self-reliance? Inability to acknowledge your own sin? Apathy towards others and the things of God?  Un-forgiveness?  This list of Satan's footholds in our lives is endless and unique to each one of us.  Fortunately, God places Himself inside of us where He can expose the fundamental root of our anguish.  He can show us those things that we hold onto that are keeping us from living, enjoying, and being a witness to His promised life of abundance.  Let go of the junk you know you don't need.  Quit making the world around you something it's not and start experiencing the transforming power of God's love and grace!

Lifesong

Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood.  For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.  Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham.  Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God.  Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people [to make propitiation for the sins of the people].  Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested. - Hebrews 2:14-18 (NLT)

Here in chapter 2 the writer says in verses 2-3, "For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?"  How can we indeed!  It is only through Jesus Christ who came as we are in "flesh and blood", lived perfectly, tempted in every way, died but could not be held and rose again.  Only through His worthy sacrifice may our chains of sin be broken through our belief in Him so that we do not fear death, but rather, see it as an eternal home in the presence of the Living and Holy God. 

The Jews had A Day of Atonement where they would refrain from working and offer sacrifices to be given for their sins.  Charles Spurgeon notes that "if a bullock could be accepted to make atonement, how much more shall the Lord Jesus be our full and all-sufficient propitiation?"  How can there be a more perfect sacrifice than God Himself?  God says to us, "you don't deserve it, but I love you, you deserve destruction, but I love you, so I'm going to give Myself for you."  May I accept this sacrifice at once and may it be as new to me now as it was the day I first believed.  Oh how I yearn that I am the Lord's today and no part of me resist his reconciliation!

Now, how may I apply this foundation as the spring of life to my life today?  Who must know the extent of my doubtless belief?  I must be mindful that whomever I do not tell or show my belief to is actually someone I do not love.  Or, I love myself more than them as I am unwilling to be uncomfortable or rejected rather than show someone what separates them from true eternal life.  Who must I sacrifice my wants and desires for today?  How can I lift others so that they may see Christ? 

"Lord I give my life
A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need

To be Your hands and feet"

May my lifesong be a continual celebration of joy today as I reflect upon what Jesus has done!

Mar 27

Hebrews 2: ¹⁴ Since, therefore, [these His] children share in flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook of the same [nature], that by [going through] death He might bring to nought and make of no effect him who had the power of death—that is, the devil—

¹⁷ So it is evident that it was essential that He be made like His brethren in every respect, in order that He might become a merciful (sympathetic) and faithful High Priest in the things related to God, to make atonement and propitiation for the people’s sins.

¹⁸ For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]. (AMP)

 

I often ask people when they have encountered God this day or this week and usually get blank stares, shrugs, or "I don't know."  Tragically, some seem to simply not care.  Their world is ok, and they see no need for God until some disaster strikes.  At that point we urgently cry out in anger wondering where God was and why He didn't prevent the tragedy, and demand that He do something immediately to fix it.  When He doesn't, we lose faith and perhaps even blame God.  Other people seem to live in anxious anticipation of an encounter with God, but expect some miraculous event that is clearly other-worldly.  When the undefined event doesn't happen the same result occurs - they lose faith and interest in God. 

These verses in Hebrews remind us that God is not mystical, whimsical, or "out there somewhere."  He is literally living in us (those who have claimed Christ as Lord and Savior).  So what keeps Him from being clearly evident in our lives each and every day?  Scripture gives us clear understanding: John 16:²⁴ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.  Be careful about your motives, however: James 4:3 says "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." 

So we don't see God in our lives simply because we do not ask!  We don't expect to see Him, because we haven't asked.  We don't get help with temptation because we don't ask.  These verses clearly tell me that 1) God is immediately available to help me resist temptation (so I am without excuse!), 2) It is up to me to ask for that help which means I must want help with my temptation which leads me to my final conclusion; 3) Part of making Jesus Lord of our lives is to ASK for his help with ALL of our sins.  Tragically, many of us have secret (or not-so-secret) sins that we simply don't want God to take away.  Somehow we see that sin as a source of happiness or fulfillment in our lives.  Note, however, that John was inspired to clearly show that our joy is complete when we seek God. 

How awesome is it to know that in each and every situation, relationship, decision, and event in life, God is pursuing us and has taken every initiative to be available to us.  God became like us to truly be empathetic with us and, as scripture shows us, to be there immediately during temptation.  It is up to us, however to ask Him to help. 

Will you ask for God to reveal himself to you today?  Are you open to him helping with your temptation or do you think you can find true lasting joy on your own?  God leaves that up to us.  Choose this day whom you will serve!  (Joshua 24:15 - see what I did there?). 

Religious Words

If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. - James 1:26

This is a pre-runner to the more extended descriptions of the dangers of an uncontrolled tongue by James in chapter 3.  I get the idea that James was hurt by someone who had uncontrolled words since he really addresses this topic!

I feel as though I need to clarify that James is obviously talking about an uncontrolled tongue that spews things that are not a part of the fruits of the Spirit or reflective of God's character.  If any of us had an uncontrolled tongue that erupted in encouragement, poured words of peace, and lavished lovingly on all those around us whenever we spoke, I don't think these verses about controlling what come out of us would be necessary. 

An uncontrolled tongue reflects a few things including a lack of self-discipline and what is really inside the heart.  These are reflected better in chapter 3, but here I believe there is a purposeful tie to religion in this application of an uncontrolled tongue and it is these concepts that drive people away from Christianity.  The pious religious who judge others harshly, who censure what must and must not be said, who speak downwardly on those who don't meet their standard, who are quick to speak of the faults in other people, who point out the errors in others so they might be lifted up, who pray so that others might hear them, who give so others might see them. 

John called such religious people the "sons of vipers" or as a Hebrew would hear it, "the sons of Satan".  Such attitudes only serve to lift up the person and not Jesus Christ or the Lord.  It is a religion of themselves and is a reflection of the very reason that Satan was ejected from God's presence - he wanted to be God.  People who tear down others do not have a humble heart. They do not have a heart who recognizes that "I am the worst [sinner] of them all" and that God had mercy on them.  They do not cling to the old rugged cross for their very life and cry to the words of Amazing Grace.  They do not wake in the morning desperate for Jesus to be in all of their day or their day is lost.

I pray that I am very careful in observance of my attitude and my thoughts of everyone around me as I am a follower of Christ.  May I not be religious as defined here and may my words be used for "the edification and equipping of the saints."

Mar 26

James 1: ²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. (NIV)

Our mouths get us in trouble in many ways.  Sometimes it's foul language.  Other times its disrespect to those in positions of authority over us like our parents, teachers, coaches, or bosses.  Often it is gossip or foul talk of others around us.  There is an old saying that says "what's down in the well, comes up in the bucket."  What's in your heart is often reflected in your speech.   
Sometimes our foul or disrespectful language seems right for the setting (sports etc).  We even give it cool names like "smack" or "trash" talk.  Yet last year's fiasco with two players for the Miami Dolphins shows that often what is meant for a joke or to get someone to "grow some thick skin" still penetrates people and is painful.  Worse, some of the deepest divides between people in the church have started with gossip or even just rumors of gossip.  Clearly, God is concerned about the tremendous impact that our speech has on our witness to or against Christ. 
Finally, sometimes what is NOT said can be a witness to or against Christ.  As I reflect on my life, there have been many times that I fell into the trap of "group think" and piled on a conversation that was tearing someone down (usually behind their back).  Sometimes I participated in these and knew that the conversation was factually incorrect and disrespectful, but took no action to correct the conversation and stop it.  A former pastor often said, silence is golden, but sometimes it's yellow. 
So, what's in your well?  What comes out of your mouth when your team isn't winning?  What spews out of your pie hole when you're mad at those in authority over you ?  When I "creep" on your Facebook or Twitter sites, do I find language that glorifies and witnesses to Christ in your life or will I find something else entirely?  If I find something else, why do you waste your time and God's by pretending?  Who do you think you're kidding besides yourself? 
Lord forgive me for failing to be a positive witness for you in all that I do and say.  May the words of my mouth reflect a deep and abiding love for you to all I encounter not just today, but in all my days. 

God had mercy on me

 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work.  He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.  Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.  But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.  All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God.  Amen. - 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Paul reflects some grand enlightenments in this writing to Timothy and it is difficult for me at least to not be greatly moved by his reflections.

He first thanks God that God has given him basic strength to do the work.  I believe he is indicating physical, emotional and spiritual strength.  This creates the assumption that the work is strenuous.  I should be ready for strenuous work where I do God's work.  He continues this thankfulness in acknowledging that the message of God is valuable and God considers him trustworthy enough to handle it, especially since he used to be the sharpest instrument used in its destruction.  Paul's memory of how he pursued Christians, what he had done to them, and how he spoke about his Savior are carried with him continually.  Yet, he clarifies quickly, "God had mercy on me".  God had mercy on him who was condemning His sons and daughters.  And "how generous and gracious our Lord was" that He would even consider him.  And "He filled me with faith and love", the very essence of Himself He gave to him.

Paul then clarifies the gospel of Jesus Christ who "came into the world to save sinners" and he then declares "I am the worst of them all".  I have always been awed by that statement from Paul, the writer of 2/3 of the New Testament.  How can he be the worst?  But I have come to realize that he is saying that there is no worst and there is no better or best.  We are all "them all"; we are all sinners whom Jesus Christ came to save and regardless of our position or ministry, it is important to know and be reminded of this fact.  When I read the "I am the worst of them all" I cannot help but hurt deeply inside as I really believe there is no one worse than myself.  Who can be this corrupt?

Paul again quickly reflects upon the real message restating that "God had mercy on me".  As important as it is to know what we are, it is doubly important to know how God has dealt with that.  He has mercy on us.  He has mercy on me!  It doesn't say He might, or could, or one day He will if I do this or that; it says He has mercy today, now, this very second.  Why?  Because He is God and He loves us, but for more also, Paul declares that God had a purpose for him.  For him to show the worst sinners Christ so they could realize that they could believe in Him.  As Paul is celebrating upon that Amazing Grace that has taken him from the worst of sinners to saved he is then overcome with thankfulness and gratefulness that God would not settle him there but promote him and use him to show others the same! And he can't help but sings praises to God for that purpose!

There are some real truths in this that can be summarized:

1. The message of Jesus Christ is to save sinners.
2. We have been the worst sinners.
3. God has a purpose for us.
4. We should be thankful that God trusts us with His message.
5. We should use how God reached us to reach others.

May we declare how God has had mercy on us and continues to do so with a joyful and overflowing heart! May we see and understand how much God loves us today!  May we love others enough to be willing to show them what separates them from God who will complete them and give them life!

Mar 25

Hosea 14:9

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; Whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, And the righteous will walk in them, But transgressors will stumble in them.

 

Acts 5

³⁸ ... For if this doctrine or purpose or undertaking or movement is of human origin, it will fail (be overthrown and come to nothing); ³⁹ But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop or overthrow or destroy them; you might even be found fighting against God! (AMP)

 

1 Corinthians 1:19

For it is written, I will baffle and render useless and destroy the learning of the learned and the philosophy of the philosophers and the cleverness of the clever and the discernment of the discerning; I will frustrate and nullify [them] and bring [them] to nothing. (AMP)

In his book, Beautiful Outlaw John Eldridge states that "The spirit of our day is soft acceptance of everything - except deep conviction in anything.  This observation really resonated with me.  Rick Warren said something similar: “Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.”
I admit that I'm very frustrated by today's church.  We've accepted satan's lie that by standing firm in the conviction of Scripture, we risk losing numbers or driving people away.  Yet even Jesus told us that he was sending us out like sheep among wolves and that brother would betray brother (Matt 10).  We endure those who oppose God and would seek to marginalize His word by calling it extreme or other names, but we must stand firm.  That doesn't mean we don't love sinners, after all we are all the same, but it does mean we don't simply accept sin in the name of love.  We've got to do a better job of loving sinners and holding them accountable for sin just as Jesus did.  We're pretty good at the first part, but ignore the second. 
Don't let Satan sell you a lie.  Know God by knowing and obeying His word.

Praying

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.  For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.  May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation - the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ - for this will bring much glory and praise to God. - Philippians 1:9-11

I believe this prayer by Paul to the Philippi church reflects how we ought to pray for one another.  This is just one of the prayers Paul authored in his letters and I find that there are some similarities in his prayers for his Christian brethren.  It is always valuable to me to be around strong Christians and to hear their prayers, and so, reading how Paul, a very strong Christian, prayed for others has a very high merit on my need-to-know scale.

Paul loved these people.  He said in verse 7 "for you have a special place in my heart" and in verse 8 "God knows how much I love you".  I believe we should love those we pray for so that our prayer is not merely words, but actual feelings and heartfelt desire.  I believe that God wants our prayer to be sincere as well.  If there is no one we feel that strongly about, then we have another more serious problem.  We have a heart condition that needs immediate work.

"I pray that your love will overflow more and more ", Paul knows that if the love of Christ is in you it is going to overflow.  I should want for those I love to have such an abounding love of Christ in them that it is overflowing.  This is the joy of life and what makes life worth living - an abundance of Jesus. " I pray ...  that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding", Paul wants them to be on a continual learning curve and to not be satisfied.  I should desire that those I love to grow in their understanding of God and in wisdom of application and knowledge of His Word.  That they would want to grow in their understanding.

"I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives. "  I want you to so live that you do not let the temporary things of this world matter too much to you since they are not eternal.  I want you, with your growth in knowledge and understanding of God, to see what matters to God and to live in the way He leads and calls you to live because that is the ONLY thing that matters and that lasts.

"May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation - the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ."  I pray that the Godly character that has been developed and is being developed in your life would rule you and overcome your old self.  I pray that in every way possible that Jesus would overcome and become your character so that His love in you is undeniable and you are fulfilled and completed.

"For this will bring much glory and praise to God", this is God's desire for you and you will magnify Him in your life.  My prayer is that His knowledge, His presence, and His purpose for you are accomplished for His praise.  I pray that your life would be a pointer to the magnificence of God, to His perfection, His power, and His lordship.

As I study prayer, I find that if I can get in the right mind - if I can have the right thoughts, I will pray in God's will which He has already stated in His Word.  My desires are centered around the spiritual world and not the physical world.  Too often, my prayers are only for physical worldly things.  I find that great Christians, like Paul, reflected spiritual thoughts for others in their prayers, and I want to learn to do the same.

Mar 24

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. (AMP)

 

These verses are a clear definition of faith and hope, but is there more we can learn from them?

So what are my hopes?  I hope I can lose some weight again this year.  I hope Ryan makes it into college.  I hope Kerianne finds a job.  I hope I can catch a sailfish this year.  These are superficial issues that really don't demand a chapter in scripture as life continues whether these things come to reality or not.  So let's dive deeper. 

As a first century Hebrew Christian, what are your hopes and dreams?  First, the Jews of this era, like all of their predecessors dating back to at least the Babylonian captivity, were waiting in anxious anticipation of Messiah.  Immanuel came and dwelt among them, however, and most of them missed it because they had made up in their own minds that Jesus would be an earthly king and would re-establish a magnificent earthly kingdom along the lines of David.  When Jesus came to a lowly carpenter in a small town of no consequence, He didn't fit the mold that men had defined and they missed him.  So the first note here is that God does not conform to our expectations.  We mold our expectations around facts of God as revealed in scripture.  Taking editorial license risks missing God altogether even when in our very presence.  

Secondly, the Jews of this era were in a heavy debate regarding the reality of Angels, spirits in general, or the resurrection of the dead (see Acts 23).  Now think about that for a second, if there is no resurrection, what hope do we really have?  We're born into this physical world, we toil some 80 years or so, and we return to dust.  What's the point?  Yet, if the resurrection is real, there is a hope that we can live in eternal communion with God Himself!  Now THAT is something radical for which to hope.   

So into this raging debate the author (I don't know who it is, do you?) jumps stating that faith is assurance of things we do not see.  Some versions state it as "substance."  What is substance?  In literal terms, it is matter - anything that has mass and consumes volume (you do remember your high school physics, right?).  My understanding is that the original Greek term is most directly translated as "foundation."  Now reflect back to the situation of the time.  The author is making a case for Christ to be the one hoped for, the Messiah and has spent several chapters knitting together the old testament for the Jews of that era.  Then he hits them with this definition that in my opinion (I share the teaching that Mr. Chris Garick put together over the last several days) establishes Christ as THE foundation or source of all hope.  The Sadducees had hoped for resurrection, and the author is stating that not only is there really a true source of hope, but that hope has substance - it is Christ.  I believe that without Christ, hope simply doesn't exist - whether for eternal life or simply hoping I catch a fish - without Christ there is no hope at all. 

The verse continues to state that faith is the conviction of the reality of this hope in spite of the fact we haven't seen Christ.  Reality shapes my life.  Gravity, for instance, is real and things thrown into the air will eventually hit the ground (or some other point of minimum potential energy, but we'll save the physics lesson...).  If we really have any faith, then the reality of Christ should likewise shape our lives.  How has your faith shaped your life?  Do you live in each moment aware of Christ?  Do you make every decision from a deep-rooted faith in Christ, or is this Jesus someone you're still unsure about?  One thing is for sure, He is real, He is pursuing you, and He is relentless!

Substance and Evidence

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

I’ve struggled with an aspect of this verse for a few days.  Mostly with how to communicate a correct perspective of these interpretations. 

The author of Hebrews (unknown to my knowledge) started Hebrews with the sentence, "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son."  And we get to the end of chapter 10 where the author, speaking to Christian Jews (Hebrews), asks them to remember when they had become saved and had endured suffering, persecution, and loss of all they had.  He reminds them that did this joyfully, mindful that they had "better and lasting possessions", "enduring possession in heaven", or I would teach it as God's Spirit within them.  And so the writer encourages them to have endurance in their faith.

Here is where we start chapter 11 with a definition of faith followed by the "Faith Hall of Fame".  What is the purpose of this definition?  The writer is defining for us something we can all relate to, then he is giving us the greatest examples of demonstrated faith so that the Christian Jews and we might be encouraged to "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12).

"Faith is the substance in things hoped for ...".  Here is where it is absolutely crucial to remember the audience of this letter, the Christian Jews.  What had the Jews been hoping for since Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden?  A Deliverer from their sins who would be King of the Creation.  "The blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).  Their hope is the appearing of Jesus our Savior, forever. 

Unfortunately, we too often define hope as something we want to happen but aren't sure it will - we expect it but are uncertain in its happenstance.  There is a sense of doubt and unfortunately, too many Christians define their faith by that same definition.  They like the idea of the eternity thing and they like the love characteristics of God and the friendliness of His people.  But when a non-believer says to them that they are just putting wishes in their hand and hoping they come true, they do not have a response because they themselves have some doubts.  Or when a real life trial comes they can’t stand.

It is important to understand that God is the Author of our hope, not the Subject of it.  He is “the God of hope” (Romans 15:13).  The verse says that faith is the “substance” and the “evidence”.  It is a known quantity, not something unknown.  Substance would indicate a scientific thought; I’ve put the Bible to the test and it has proved itself – the Spirit of God has made it real to me.  Evidence would indicate a legal thought; it can be used to prove a case. Neither of these has the slightest relation to our concept of hope in a wishful sense.

The writer injects this verse here to say to the Hebrews that hope we have been looking for has come and is Jesus.  He is the Messiah we were waiting for, do not doubt now and hold onto your faith.  "Faith is the substance in things hoped for ...", our faith is in a real person, Jesus, and He really lived and we are confident in Him as the fulfillment of God’s promise to man.  “The evidence of things not seen”, He alone is proof of God.  The simplest and smallest encounter with Jesus will prove He is real and He will change your life by fulfilling it.

Mar 21

Isaiah 56: ⁶ Also the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord to minister to Him and to love the name of the Lord and to be His servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath so as not to profane it and who holds fast My covenant [by conscientious obedience] ⁷ All these I will bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples. (AMP)

 

Clearly these verses were written to highlight the fact that relationship with God is open to all people, both Jew and Gentile with no prejudice or additional requirements.  Yet, what I find tremendously profound is that once we accept Jesus as Savior (those who "join themselves to the Lord...) and we demonstrate our love for God through obedience, God takes care of the rest.  Think about that for a moment.  Look at the obedience God is emphasizing here.  Not that He takes away any requirements of the law, but He emphasizes observance of the Sabbath.  Now for whom was the Sabbath created?  God?  No!  The Sabbath was created for us.  God mandated a day of rest for us.  Not a day to focus on God (we're to do that every day!) or to somehow work at "earning our salvation" (which is how I think many view church attendance) or a day to "do something for God.  No, God requires us to labor 6 days and on the seventh to rest (Ex 16:29, 20:9).  That is a recognition that we need our rest.  Furthermore, God promises that for those who love and obey Him, He will bring us into himself (take us to His holy mountain).  Tell me what other "gods" out there simply demand we enter into a love relationship with him and they will take care of the rest? 

It all seems so simple until I get to that pesky "obey" part.  There is a part of me buried deep inside that says I know how to satisfy myself or to make myself happy or content without God.  I try to repress it and to conquer it, but it overwhelms me.  Instead I need to let God "take care of the rest," by turning these things over to Him, and let Him transform me into who he needs me to be such that these sinful ways cease to exist.  Rather than me trying to be acceptable to God on my own, which is impossible, our God promises to set us free from this impossible burden and "take care of the rest!"

 

 

Mar 20

But clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts). (Romans 13:14 AMP)

I don't usually think too much about what to wear, but here Paul directs us to clothe ourselves in Christ. Clothes are a covering for our bodies. They offer protection against the elements and a covering so we are acceptable in public.  This is great!  I'm liking this verse - I'll take Jesus' protection and his covering for my image.  From there, however, God demands discipline to make no provision for indulging the flesh. A truly hard rule as my stomach growls and I prepare to head to the breakfast buffet.  Furthermore we're to even stop thinking about evil cravings.  Now being hungry isn't a sin, but what about the last word here: lust.  Ouch!  This is a difficult one to master, yet by putting on Christ, the Holy Spirit can provide the willpower we lack.  My issue is do I really want Jesus to control my evil lusts or do I buy into the lie that happiness can be found in the desires of the flesh. As the rich young ruler said, this is a difficult teaching.

Mar 19 - Thorns Spring Up

Mark 4:19. but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. (Mark 4:19 NIV)

This week as I travel, I'm reading from a book called "Renew Mr Heart" Classic Insights from John Wesley and paused to reflect on this verse, the subject of a recent sermon by Mike Sigler.  I had always had two views regarding the thorns in our lives.  The first is the obvious things in our lives that compete with God for our time, money, and thoughts - our priorities.  These may be material things as highlighted in the verse, or it could be our ego, vanity, social status, our hobbies, or even our jobs or career "Success."  The other thing, though, can be relationships.  To me, there are only two kinds of relationships in this world:  people in our lives that encourage our growth in Christ or those that compete for that growth or worse, discourage it.
I've been blessed way beyond my deservedness by numerous Christian friends who collectively encourage my continued growth in Christ. The vast majority of them are through church, hence the health of our church is of constant concern to me and subject of routine prayer. I also am greatly blessed to be a part of the Emmaus and Chrysalis community in our district and have many close friends there as well.
How about you?  Do your closest friends encourage your spiritual maturation or do they drag you down into their sinful ways?  How about you?  Are you encouraging your friends to grow in Christ?  Do you hold the same behavioral standards on Friday night as you do on Sunday morning?  Make a friend, be a friend and lead that friend to Christ, but don't let them drag you away from a growing relationship with Christ. Be picky with regards to your closest friends - it's a matter of eternal life and death!

Stand, Be, Do

Be on guard.  Stand firm in the faith.  Be courageous. Be strong.  Do everything in love. – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

This verses seems out of place in its context.  Paul is right in the middle of being the lead field missionary.  He is in Ephesus and is writing to the Corinthian church.  He is briefly discussing other missionaries and the leaders of the Corinthian church and then right in the middle of all of that church business he writes these verses.

It is as if forgot to include it earlier and wants to get it down before he writes the salutation of the letter or he realizes that it is easy to lose our courage when we become opposed.  Paul’s enthusiasm, gratefulness, and encouragement leap off the page when I read it.

“Be on guard.”  Look out for those that would destroy your faith, be careful to and ready for them.  “Stand firm in the faith.”  Do not be swayed.  Set your mind on your faith and do not waiver.  Know it more than you know anything else. “Be courageous.”  Take courage and do what is necessary to stand on your faith and be on guard.  Do not be fearful of the attack.  Do not let anything take or diminish your faith.  Do and act when you feel a call from God.  “Be strong”.  If you are on guard and if you are set upon your faith and filled with courage, you are strong. Refuse to be set back or easily conquered.  “Do everything in love.”  With all the strength and courage required to be on guard and standing firm, do not forget to love people.  Do your ministry with a love for others and out of a great love for Jesus.  God who has infinite power over all the world, there is no one stronger or more courageous or more on guard, handles all of us with mercy.  He does not give us what we deserve. He does this through love and there is nothing stronger than love.

Mar 18

1 John 5:18  We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ's divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him]. (AMP)

I don't know about you, but I struggle with temptation. I'm tempted to over-eat or have drink after a stressful day.  I'm tempted to search for happiness in material things.  I'm tempted to be unnecessarily critical of my wife. And I could continue, but you get the picture.  Most of you know that I have a spotty record of resisting these temptations and have therefore sinned.  Thankfully God and most of you love me in spite of my numerous shortcomings.  I find that incredible. Yet, despite that agape love, I'm nevertheless compelled to do better; to make those of you to whom I'm closest, proud and deserve your respect; to be a man of Godly character worthy of the respect that many of you show me.  This compunction is counter cultural. Today's world is being sold a lie that somehow they are entitled to something for nothing and these entitlements are central to today's political dialogue.  Scripture clearly teaches us we are to earn our daily meal (2 Thes 3:12). This dialogue bleeds over into how we accept the gospel message. We teach that accepting Jesus as Savior costs us nothing. The correct message is that there is nothing we can do to earn God's grace it is a freely offered gift that we must choose to accept.  Accepting Christ as savior In reality costs us everything!  It costs us a life dedicated to sin and calls us into a sinless and perfect life (Matt 5:48).
The good news is that because God places his Holy Spirit in us, we are free from the impossible responsibility of obedience on our own. To allow God to make us perfect, however, requires that we give up our own selfish desires and give Him control over each and every aspect of our life.  I have areas of my life in which I struggle daily some of which I confessed above.  How about you?  Are you perfect?  If not, what are you doing about it?  Are you trying to conquer sin on your own?  Worse, do you insist on sinning in spite of clear direction from God to avoid that behavior?  What's stopping us from letting go of sin and letting God fill us with perfection?  I have a few ideas, but look forward to you inputs!

Do I Trust Him?

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”  Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. – Mark 1:40-41

I am struck at the timing of this devotion in this devotion series by Tony Dungy.  At least timing in the sense of what is happening around me.  But then, when would there not be a time when I didn’t need or someone I know need healing from a physical, emotional, or spiritual pain?  So I guess every day is a good day to read about and study how Jesus heals.

Tony does a great job today in his writing discussing this man with leprosy, Jarius, and Mary and Martha.  He discusses that all of them had belief that Jesus could heal him, his daughter, or their brother.  They might not have had understanding, and we might not either, but they had belief and we can too.

When I study and reflect upon this Bible text I get the same sense, that there is something special about this man because of how the man believed.  This man with leprosy “came and knelt” at Jesus’ feet. He approached Jesus with Jesus as the one with authority, as his Lord.  But he says something different than others, he imparts truth in his belief in Jesus, “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”  He isn’t saying Jesus can’t do it, by what he says he knows he can.  He just doesn’t know if Jesus is willing.  And this is the hang-up for me and many others.  What do we do if we know Jesus can heal but don’t know if He’s willing?  What if it’s not in the cards or a part of His plan? 

Sometimes I think this is the true test of faith.  Am I willing to believe in Jesus just as much with no miracle healings as I am with them?  Do I know Him that well?  When the three Hebrew children were to be thrown into the fire for not worshipping the idol, they said (my summary) “Our God can deliver us from this fire, but even if He doesn’t, we will not worship your idol.”  Am I willing to allow God to order the steps of the world, to order my steps, and accept them?  Am I willing to accept them and not waiver on my belief, my faith in who He is as the Son of the Living God, the Savior of the world?

Jesus said, “I am willing, be healed.”  Healed might most appropriately mean a complete faith in Jesus.  I must trust the Unseen with the seen.  I must trust the Known with my unknown.  “Where You lead me, I will trust You.”

Mar 17

Philemon 1: ⁸ Therefore, though I have abundant boldness in Christ to charge you to do what is fitting and required and your duty to do, ⁹ Yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you just for what I am—I, Paul, an ambassador [of Christ Jesus] and an old man and now a prisoner for His sake also (AMP)

 

As a leader at work and a dad at home, I find that I live in these verses daily.  I've always tried to practice an "ask, tell, spank (yes - and hard!)" parenting style.  I ask my kids to do something to teach them how to show respect, I tell them to teach authority and obedience, and I spank them to teach them that there are painful consequences to disobedience.  Many of you know I'm not given to much patience so I'm sure that there wasn't even any punctuation between my asking and telling on many occasions.  Furthermore, I defaulted to applying this style too often in marriage and being quick to assume authority over one's spouse is a real mistake.  In spite of my mistakes, however, I remain committed to the Biblical support of this approach and offer these verses in Philemon as the support for step one (see Eph 6:1-3 and Proverbs 13:24 for the others).  It's still a little too early to see how successful I've been, but to date I have no regrets as far as how Ryan and Kerianne have turned out so far.  God has truly been good to them and me as well.   

Working with adults at work and church is a little different.  I work in a large organization at Eglin AFB and have supervisory and leadership responsibilities over a many adults.  The same rules are a little more difficult to apply.  The ask and tell part works ok, but being a military organization confounds things.  Some people appreciate the "asking" as a sign of mutual respect and open-mindedness.  Others are more accustomed to a strict military style and hate the ambiguity of requests and much prefer someone who barks clear and concise orders.  In addition, a leader has to be cautious of moving to the "spank" (obviously not literally) mode too early.  I've found that most adults truly want to comply with the desires of their superiors, but either move at a different pace (as a very high type "A" personality I don't have patience with people who can't get into my fast-paced time-space continuum), or failed to fully understand what they were asked to do.  Consequently I find myself explaining too often what I want in great detail, to too many people, too many times; a highly stressful issue for a type A person and too often tempts me to do too much myself (more stress).  This teaches one the importance, of respect and patience with others as a measure of self protection against burn-out.  I've got a long way to go and a highly last week is clear evidence. 

Lord may I be an inspiring and challenging leader.  One who communicates a clear understanding of  who You want us to be and where You would want us to go as a team and allowing them to build the detailed steps of how to get there in each of their respective areas rather than telling everyone each and every step of how to accomplish the corporate goals.  If I err, may it be on the side of respect, rather than dictatorship. 

Do You Believe This?

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Anyone who believes in Me will live, even after dying.  Everyone who lives in Me and believes in Me will never ever die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26

At this point in the Bible text, Jesus has just arrived to Mary and Martha’s home after Lazarus has been dead for four days.  Martha goes out to see Jesus and says, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.   But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”  I believe that this is a very important element in Jesus’ response.  Without her faith in Him, the physical resurrection of Lazarus would not have benefited them spiritually.  For in the other story of Lazarus the beggar, Jesus clarifies this, but this is another discussion.

I find Jesus’ question essential to my life and that it applies to every area of my life.  Jesus says He can make the dead alive and that HE IS LIFE.  What area of my life is dead?  By Jesus’ definition, it is every area that He isn’t because only He is life.  Is my compassion for people dead?  Is my conviction of sin in my life dead?  Is my connection with other people dead and am I selfishly living to myself?  The Preacher’s sermon would say I need to open up and ask for Jesus. 

This sounds good from a pulpit, but how exactly do I do that?  Pray first and ask for help in knowing where I am dead or dying.  Acknowledge those areas that are dead or dying – admit I have those problems.  Then ask Jesus to bring those dead areas to life.   

The second sentence in Jesus’ response I believe is often miss-interpreted, but then again I might be mist-interpreting it myself.  He says that “anyone who believes in Me will live”.  I believe Jesus means NOW, not just when I die.  If I believe in Jesus I receive the His Spirit inside of me.  Where He is there is life.  So If I or anyone believes in Him they will live as His Spirit dwells in them now.  He then continues and clarifies this to mean eternally by saying “even after death”.  I think we focus too much on the living eternally and not enough on the living today, the now, in the fullness of Him. 

Finally He leads to His question for us by declaring that if we believe in Him we will never die.  He is saying that He lives forever.  We know we can’t, but do we believe He does.  “Do you believe this?” He follows this with bringing Lazarus back from the dead physically.  But everyone who believes him is brought back from the dead spiritually and this is the focus of everything Jesus did.  He wants us to live spiritually and we will never be healed, resurrected, or live unless we can answer His question with our heart with a resounding “YES!”

One inch at a time.

Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.
Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on. - Proverbs 4:14-15

Tony Dungy's devotion in the Uncommon Life Daily Challenge for today is very good; it might be his best writing in terms of practicality and identification with everyday life.

"Death by inches" he writes.  How true this is, I make a terribly small compromise today on something that's "not that big of a deal" and I am immediately off the path.  I'd use the anecdote "Give sin an inch and it'll take a mile." 

How does this work?  I think math provides the best ability to describe it.  Let's say a boat captain is headed on a course taking him home.  He has to travel 100 miles and he is traveling 10 miles an hour, so he should arrive at home in 10 hours.  But let's say his heading is off by a scant 5 degrees.  Although he is not far off, by the time he goes 100 miles he is off by 8.7 miles and it will take another hour to get home.  But let's say he only makes four small 5 degree heading errors in the 100 miles.  When he goes the 100 miles he will be 35 miles away from home!  Now he has to worry about having enough gas, uncharted territory, water depths, and weather.  All from a few very, very small heading errors.

I see this in young people by their friend selection, watching an inappropriate movie "just this once", excusing themselves in not getting that better grade in that one class, or missing a church service, soon I see that they have a group of bad friends, watch a lot of inappropriate movies, all their grades are bad, and they never expect to attend church.   But I also see it in my life, us "mid-lifers".  I think a little drink every night is deserved until I find its 3 drinks.  ...  Another inch, another 5 degree heading change. ...  I think it's okay to put off exercise and eating better for another day, week, then year.  ...  Another inch, another 5 degree heading change.  ...  I think it's okay to share personal information and become friends with that person of the opposite sex. ...  Another inch, another 5 degree heading change.

Everywhere I lack self-discipline and am willing to compromise the internal driving of the Spirit and God's Word, I am getting off the path.  I am allowing sin to have an inch.  Even if it is only the slightest of errors and I am still very close to the path - I am off the path.

In the movie, The Matrix, Morpheus says to Neo, "Neo, sooner or later you're going to realize just as I did that there's a difference between knowing the path and walking the path."  Knowing the path doesn't keep you on the path.  I have to purposely and actively walk the path and to not take those slightest forks off the path lest I find myself completely off the path and unable to even see it.  Purposely and actively walking can only be done in a daily complete surrender in faith and a call of faith to Jesus declaring that my life is Him or it is nothing.  Everything away from Him is death, destruction, and chaos, even that smallest of compromises.  

Mar 14

Proverbs 4: ¹⁴ Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. ¹⁵ Avoid it, do not go on it; turn from it and pass on. (AMP)

 

Tony Dungee talks about the importance of always coaching, even when winning.  He explains that coaching is a job of "death by inches" wherein often during a winning streak the coaching staff would let little details slide without correction as long as the team was winning.  But then, the little mistakes became the norm and suddenly the team wasn't winning and there was so much that needed to be fixed.  Our lives are no different.  I've seen some people who get off track by making huge mistakes; sort of a ninety degree turn right out of God's will.  By far though, especially in my life, I experience "death by inches" where small, seemingly minor mistakes or calculated disobedience becomes accepted behavior.  Soon thereafter it becomes comfortable leading to another seemingly minor bad decision and then I find myself outside of the life I know God wants me to lead. 

Satan is insidious.  He finds seemingly minor cracks in our defenses and wedges himself in making change seemingly impossible.  Fortunately, God places himself in us and promises that His grace is sufficient (2 Cor 12:9).  The question is do we really believe that claim?  Do we believe God is sufficient in our lives to overcome the temptation of the evil one?  Do we care?  Do we think that todays "happiness" can be overcome or corrected by obedience tomorrow? 

Spring break & Mardi Gras especially reminds me of just how off-guard we are to Satan.  We think that a little debauchery can be simply forgiven with confession tomorrow.  That coupled with the naïve fearlessness of youth results in so many unnecessary tragedies.  How God must long to capture our full attention and call us into the fullness of life only He knows we can be through Him. 

Today I pray first for myself that I would die to my selfish desires and truly yearn only to be centered in His will.  Secondly, I pray for all teenagers and young adults in my life (and beyond) that believe that a little sin will bring them no harm.  May God's mercy cover them all with a supernatural hedge of physical, mental, and emotional protection and may His spirit call us all into a more passionate life lived in His likeness.

Friends

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. - Proverbs 17:17

By definition, this verse tells us that our friend is God.  Who else can "love at all times" and who else is "born for a time of adversity"?  Sometimes we can love like that but not all the time.  Sometimes we can be there during a time of adversity but not all the time.  Jesus said in John 15:15 "No longer do I call you servants, ... but I have called you friends".  Jesus is our friend, and our friend is king of all, lord of all, and able to judge all.  He has all power and authority of heaven.  Yet, He listens to us and walks along side us and converses with us as our friend.  Can we have a greater blessing!

As I started to reflect upon this verse I found myself in a search through Proverbs for advise and thoughts on friends.  At least one of these is quite humorous.

A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. - Proverbs 18:24

You want friends, then be friendly, but my experience says be friendly to the right kind of friends.  Those who would lead you astray will also be your "friend", but no real friend would knowingly lead you astray.  Here again is a reference to Jesus as our closest friend who never leaves us.

One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend. - Proverbs 22:11

Everyone, including leaders, treasure those who have a pure heart with no ill intentions and who speak from that pure heart with kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. - Proverbs 27:9

The closeness and kinship of a friend who offers their counsel for your benefit is a sweet blessing.  Too often, we do not take it this way.  It is important to remember that our friend has our best interest at heart.

Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you - better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away. - Proverbs 27:10

This is very unexpected to me.  I should probably research it more, but it seems to instruct that it is better to count on our friends and neighbors during adversity than to run home.  Too often people run home and don' t consider their friends and neighbors first for help.  In our society of not knowing our neighbors this is certainly counter to that current social stance.

He who blesses his friend loudly early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse to him. - Proverbs 27:14

This one is just funny.  Don't go over and yell "Rise and Shine" to your neighbor too early in the morning.  He won't appreciate you for it.  I might give this one a try to see if it's true.

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. - Proverbs 27:17

Real friends can meet each other in opposing thoughts or in views going in the same direction but from different perspectives and provide strength to each other.  But this only works when both are willing to receive it and apply it to their reasoning.  A closed mind set in its own direction is a lonely ship.  There is no room for friends there.