Spiritual Constipation

James 2: ¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

If you've heard "SuperDave" McAlister preach, you've probably heard him say that "when the love and grace of God gets in you, its going to flow out of you."  I add a corollary to that "if not, you're constipated."  In his book entitled "Not a Fan," Kyle Idleman calls these Christians "Fans:" people content to sit on the sidelines of the church without truly getting involved and except to criticize the music, the sermon, the dress of attendees, and leave frustrated.  Some satiate their Holy Spirit inspired compunction to serve by simply by dropping some coins in the plate.  Other uber fans serve on endless committees in the church, but never really engage in real service.  

Jesus said in Matt 25:31-46 that we are to serve him by serving others.  To not do so is to not inherit the Kingdom.  This is a high stakes calling!  He called Peter to get into the game in John 21 by telling him to feed his sheep.  Clearly, the life of a Christian is to be characterized by action. 

It is clear to me that the role of the church, like God, is triune: evangelism, discipleship, and service.  Evangelism is to spread the good news of Christ to all people, presenting them with the Gospel message of a life decision that must be made by everyone regarding Christ.  For those who choose to accept Christ as their savior, we are to baptize and teach them to obey all things He has taught (Matt 28:18-20).  Once we have been discipled, we are to serve him by feeding his sheep. 

While service on church boards, singing in choir, and regularly attending worship are all important aspects of a Christian life, these aren't directly feeding his sheep.  So where do we find his sheep?  They are all around us each and every day.  Our coworkers, classmates, and those God places in our lives even if just for a moment are his sheep.  We never know how physically or spiritually hungry those around us are.  Everyone that encounters us should be blessed by His grace flowing out of us in real and tangible ways. 

More tomorrow.

God Answers Prayer

2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

From my perspective, we're in an unprecedented time as a nation of proactively turning away from God, His will, and His ways.  I know many people who have urgent needs for healing, one such person is a sweet lady from our church who begins cancer treatment today.  I pray that God will heal her physically and comfort her emotionally.  I know she stands on the bedrock of a firm foundation in Christ.  There is another "cancer" of apathy in today's church regarding the things of God.  As Rick Warren puts it, we seem to have bought into at least two great lies of Satan: “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.” These lies keep the church on the sidelines of a great moral battle waging war on the family in America today. 
While God has afforded me the great privilege of working with youth in our church and through Chrysalis wherein I see great promise of youth and young adults who are proactively seeking God, so many are blind to the blending that has occurred between the things of God and the ways of the world.  So many have bought into these two lies by Satan and are quite defensive when confronted.  There is even a name for this phenomena: Secular Humanism (which may be new to me, but dates back to the 1930's apparently). 
The great promise of scripture is that it is never too late to humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face, and allow God to help us turn from our wicked ways.  I serve a mighty and powerful God who in spite of the daunting moral decay of our time, is sufficient to heal our land.  Will you join me in praying for healing for ourselves and our land?

God hears us when we pray

Proverbs 15:29 ²⁹ The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

I wonder if we don' pray more often simply because we don't believe God can or will hear us.  Maybe we think God can't be bothered with anything other than health issues.  We spend all kinds of time talking about issues of our days with others, writing about it on social media, and lay awake at night worrying about them, but we don't do the most effective thing we can do which is turn to God.  Why not?  Shallow faith?  Disbelief?  

2 Chronicles 16:9 ⁹ For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. Furthermore, God assures us in Matt 6 that he cares about each and every detail of our lives.  Proverbs promises us that God hears our prayers.  James reminds us that "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" (James 5:16b)  Other versions use the word "fervent" in the place of "effective." 

What is weighing you down today?  Are you praying about it?  As the old hymn says "take it to the Lord in prayer."

Other People (Part III)

Maybe you don’t think you’re worthy to help anybody.  If that’s you today, I’d ask “What did Jesus say to Peter?”  John 21 records Jesus asking Peter three times if he loved Him.  Do you love Christ?  You must know the answer to this questions.  This should not be an IDK text response.  After each declaration of Peter that he loves Him, Jesus instructed him to “Feed My sheep.”  If you know that you love Jesus, then you have no cause of concern for your past sins.  He took care of those.  Your concern is His instruction and call to you now. 

Maybe you just have trouble being around those people.  Maybe your insides churn and twist when you’re around people who stink and are dirty, who are belligerent, who smell of alcohol and make no sense because they are not in their right mind.  I submit that it is better to have not heard of Jesus and be out of your mind in that way than to have heard of Jesus and be unwilling to commit to Him, therefore being out of your “reasonable” mind.  To the nostrils of God, you smell of pride and ego and you make no sense because you are not in your right mind.  I refer to the Prodigal Son story.

Or maybe you just can’t be around someone who worships something that obviously isn’t Jesus: Hindu, Muslim, a college, exercise, themselves, sexual orientation, liberal theology, etc.  Just being around them with their opposing viewpoints crawls up you back and it takes every bit of energy not to want to get in heated and bitter arguments every time you are near them.  In fact, you wonder when you can go to war with them; doing something against them would feel better.  As best as I can read and interpret Jesus’s intentions, we are to provide for their needs also. We are to do what He did.  Ephesians 5:1-2 says “be imitators of God as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God”.

³⁵ for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.

Matthew Henry comments that these described good works imply three things:

1.   Self-denial and contempt of the world.  The things of the world are no further good things except what we are enabled to do good with them. 

2.   Love to our brethren.  This is the second great commandment.  We must give proof to this love by our readiness to do good and to communicate.  “Good wishes are but mockeries without good works.”

3.   A believing regard to Jesus Christ.  What is done is done out of a love for Him and is for His blessing and revelation.

Christ makes the best use of our infirmities, our pain, our suffering.  He used His own to save the world.  If we are willing to give him ours, he will use them to make us stronger and closer to Him.  Just so, He will make the best use of our services.  Not a single cup of cold water given to someone who thirst is wasted.  Christ will make the best use of it.  Jesus says in Mark 9:40-41, “for whoever is not against us is for us.  Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.”  Here Jesus is saying that whoever shows benevolence associated with Him is useful.  No effort is wasted.

Back to our original question, when you look at other people, do you see Christ?  Is your heart willing to see Christ WITHIN YOURSELF when you see “other people”?  Do you see Him through you giving when someone asks?  Or even if they don’t ask?  I am not Christ, but Christ is here with me.  Will I allow Him to provide for the needs of others?  If so, it will be miraculous.  It will be blessed by God and it will reveal the glory of God.  Even if that glory is only in my changed heart and purpose and for me to see.

Is my heart willing to see Christ perform a miracle of provision to fulfill His call to me to provide for others?  Is my heart willing to say “I cannot, but believe that Christ can and will”?  When I hear His call, do I count my inventory and resources before turning to Christ and saying “I’m not enough”, or do I immediately declare to Him that if He isn’t making a way there isn’t a way?  Am I confident through His Word and my own experience that He will make a way?  I should be.  If I am not, I am having a faith battle.

When I see others, am I willing to see the revelation of Christ?  Sure, it’s just a bum wanting two dollars.  Or is it a brother or sister of Christ (“My brethren”) asking for the revelation of Christ from a fellow sinner who, through Christ within, will serve him by fulfilling his physical need through the miraculous provision of God the Father?  Our belief in Him is the revelation of Christ.

When you look at “other people”, what do you see?

Prayer

1 Samuel: ¹⁰ The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Years ago as I was preparing a lesson on prayer, I ran across a definition that changed the way I think about prayer:  A spiritual response to God.  How Wesleyan is that?  So often we think of prayer as something we initiate on our own.  This definition, however, takes the emphasis off of ourselves and places it where it should be; on God.  When we feel the urge to pray, we are simply responding to God's call that "we need to talk!"  I like that emphasis.  It is also consistent with Wesley's Prevenient Grace theology.  It also emphasizes God's work as opposed to our own.
So often when I ask anyone if they've heard God speak this week, I get no response.  When I ask if they felt the urge to pray, I get a majority response.  We're hearing God, but just not recognizing it is Him!  We're like young Samuel thinking that someone is calling us because we "do not yet know the Lord" (v7). 
So think of prayer differently.  Think of prayer as a spiritual response to God.  Then think about every time you feel the urge to pray.  Learn to associate the two and you'll learn to recognize the still small voice of God and I think you'll be surprised at how often He speaks.

Other People (Part II)

Jesus tested Philip in this.  Remember the feeding of the five thousand?  John 6 records, ⁵ When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” ⁶ He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do.

⁷ Philip answered Him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

⁸ Another of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ⁹ “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

What is the test for Philip here?  We need to understand what the test represents.  I often wonder if Jesus knew Philip would fail.  Was He hoping that Philip would pass?  Philip is the disciple, being asked by Christ to provide physical needs for “other people”.  Let that sink in as it might relate to us today.  Jesus says, “Philip, how are you going to provide for these ‘other people’?”  What is Philip’s answer?  Isn’t it simply “I cannot”?

Apparently, this conversation is heard by the other disciples and Andrew has gone and taken inventory.  “This is what we do have and it isn’t in any known way of the world enough.  There aren’t enough resources.” 

Continuing in the event, ¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

¹² When they had all had enough to eat, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” ¹³ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

¹⁴ After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

Jesus takes the little physical resources they do have and their willingness to share with “other people”, and through His conversation with God, it becomes enough to fulfill the immediate needs of all the “other people”.  And upon its provision to them, they immediately see Christ as the Son of God.

So, how did Philip do with his test?  I submit that he got it partly right.  He recognized that he couldn’t meet the needs of the “other people”.  He could not.  What he missed is that all he needed to provide for them is Jesus.  A more complete answer would have been, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!  But You can feed them now.”  I cannot meet their need, but Christ can meet all their needs.

Seeing the physical items in this world is not relevant, no matter how they might be used by “other people”.  Who knows how the bread and fish might have been wasted?  Did someone feed it to their dog?  Did someone take more than they needed and hide it to keep it for themselves for later?  Surely they did, they were “other people”.  These physical items are not the issue.  God will provide more as necessary.  Providing for “other people’s” physical needs, when blessed by Christ, will reveal Him to the world.

Other People (Part I)

When you look at other people, do you see Christ?  I can hear your responses now: “Umm, do you know other people?  They are jerks and hurtful.  They would take everything from me given the chance and leave me to die.  Even the ones that intend to be good will eventually sell you to feed their ego and pride.”  Unfortunately, I’d have to agree since my first-hand knowledge as a “other people” confirms your comments.  We are all “other people” to someone.  My reflection upon myself provides confirmation that I am those things … and worse still.

Yet, Matthew 25 records Christ teaching, “³⁴Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ³⁵ for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ³⁸ When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ³⁹ Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ ⁴⁰ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

There they are, those “other people” we’re talking about (to include ourselves).  They have many needs, the biggest of which is knowledge of God through salvation in Jesus Christ and to learn to dwell on His Word and thoughts at all times.  But, Jesus doesn’t say that here.  He remarks to the physical needs of “other people”, something I find striking and worth reflection.  Food, drink, clothing, and visitations in hospitals or prison – all physical things.  Notice what it is not - prayer, teaching, preaching, prophesizing, evangelizing, and discipling.

What are we to do?  Are we to provide for everyone’s physical needs and neglect their spiritual needs?  This is not the message I receive from the Church.  That message is provide for their spiritual needs first and if they get that right I’ll tend to their other needs.  It makes logical sense, the spiritual issue is more important between the two.  But if they aren’t serious about knowing Christ, then I can’t waste physical resources on them.  Is this really the message of Jesus Christ?  Where in His statement above, when He is judging people in the throne of heaven, does He commend them for being careful to not help people unwanting or unwilling to help themselves? … I looked again, twice, and I can’t find it – no matter how much I want to see it there.  It says simply, "inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren".  My brethren, my family, my brothers and sisters!  The unwanted and ignored, the least, is family to Christ.

Christ fed people.  When He did it, it was miraculous.  Christ visited the sick.  When He did, it was miraculous.  Christ visited the dead.  And yes, it was miraculous.  It demonstrated that a physical item, blessed by God, was an easy task for Him and it revealed the glory of God.  What a minute! Revealing the glory of God is a spiritual thing, not a physical thing.  (Aha moment!)  Physical things are not the issue.  However, for someone who can't see spiritually, seeing physically is the only means you have to serve them.  

Watch Your Walk (Part III)

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
    or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers, - Psalm 1:1

So, how is that relevant to us today?  What TV shows do you watch?  Does the show celebrate a sin?  Maybe it is cleverly written, maybe it’s the number one show in America, and maybe it is very funny.  But when you watch it, do you notice the sins in it?  Maybe you did at first, but now it’s just a part of the show and you don’t see it anymore.  When your kids watch it with you, do you think they notice?  At what point do you think they’ll start thinking that’s the way they’re supposed to live when they leave your house? 

How do you talk when you’re not around Christians or at church?  When someone discusses a personal problem with you, do you pray with them or tell them you will pray for them?  Or are you too embarrassed to say that?  If someone asks for advice, do you provide wisdom from the Bible or advise them to meet with a Pastor or Christian counselor?  Are you willing to call a sin in someone’s life a sin or are you too afraid of losing their friendship, so you want to blend in and be like everybody else?

What books do you read?  What songs do you listen too?  How do you work to control the thoughts in your mind?  What are your dreams?  Are they Godly things?

¹ Blessed is the one ...
² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.

Notice that the Psalm describes what a blessed person does.  He does not walk in step with the wicked; he does not stand in the path that sinners take; he does not sit in bad company.  He does delight in the Word and instruction of God and he meditates on that Word at all times.  He practices these things.  What is the result?

³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

The person is rooted in the Word of God and they yield fruit in their season.  In Isaiah 55:10-11, the water is equivalent to the Word of God.  And here the blessed person's nourishment and foundation for life is in the Word of God upon which they study and delight within.  The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory,the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)  I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  (John 15:5)  The study and delight in Jesus Christ.  Their testimony stands and doesn’t fade.  This work prospers.

⁴ Not so the wicked!
    They are like chaff
    that the wind blows away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. - John 15:6

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
    and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
but whoever listens to Me will live in safety
    and be at ease, without fear of harm. – Proverbs 1:32-33

⁶ For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Two people, two directions, two different destinies.  One leads to life and one leads to death. 

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. – Matthew 7:13-14

Watch your walk and find your life.  A full life in Him, with Him, and for Him.

Learning to Praise

Psalm 8

For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David.

¹ Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
² Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
³ When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
⁴ what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?^[c]

⁵ You have made them^[d] a little lower than the angels^[e]
    and crowned them^[f] with glory and honor.
⁶ You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
    you put everything under their^[g] feet:
⁷ all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
⁸ the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

⁹ Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

 

One thing I teach, but have never been good at is praising God.  I do ok with thanking Him, but I've never been good at praise. When I teach on prayer, I always make it back around to the structure of prayer which should include, adoration (or praise), confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.  I'm pretty good at asking for stuff (supplication), ok at giving thanks, know what I should do when it comes to confession, but adoration is something I'm just not good at.  I've been reading from Psalms lately to get better.  I'm reminded of this one by a choir piece Rew pulled out last night.  Great song, awesome words, powerful praise when sung from the heart. 

Seek and You Shall Find

Deuteronomy 4:29  But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.

What an awesome weekend at Blue Lake!  Blue Lake Chrysalis Flight 94 is complete and once again God was faithful!  I saw him at work from the beginning, giving me a talk to do right at the start and giving me the words to say in just a few short minutes.  I saw young men come out of a shell of fear and anxiety and enjoy fellowship with others.  The testimonies at the end were heartfelt and obvious that God was at work.  Now I pray that all involved continue to seek Him for I know they will continue to find Him.  How about you?  How are you seeking God today?

Watch Your Walk (Part II)

Let’s be careful to notice the progression of this verse.

 

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
    or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers, - Psalm 1:1

It starts with walking in the counsel or advice of the wicked or ungodly.  It starts with moving in a direction that a person who leaves God out of their life takes.  It is moving in a direction that God is not in or advises.  Next, you are standing with sinners, doing what sinners do.  You are “missing the mark” and living a life where sin rules.  “There is a way that seems right to man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12).  And in Proverbs 16:2, “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes ….”  And then, you are sitting with those who say there is no God and who demonstrate a hate for God.  They deny the Word of God and ridicule and seeks to tear down everyone who stands on the Word of God or proclaims to believe in Him.

Isn't this the exact method we see the country taking as it walks away from God?  Isn't this the way we are attacked?  

The problem becomes your thoughts and actions.  When you surround yourself with seeing and hearing things that you know are not of God, you begin to look for and talk in the way that you should not, that’s not natural to the new man.  You will, of course, then begin to do things that you should not and know not to do.  Maybe just a little at first, but then more and more.  As Casting Crowns sings, it’s a “Slow Fade”.  

My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. – Proverbs 1:10

My son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood.  How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it!  These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves!  Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it. – Proverbs 1:15-19

The first verse in Psalms starts with a statement of blessing for the one who doesn’t walk in the path of the wicked.  And here in the first chapter of Proverbs is a call to not walk along the path of the wicked.  These two books have more wisdom for life in them than I can adequately remember correctly to live by, yet they both start in the same place.  If you want a blessed life, if you want to follow wisdom, do not follow, lead, or walk alongside the path that evil doers and wicked people take.  

Watch Your Walk (Part 1)

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
    or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers, - Psalm 1:1

"Blessed is the" ... seems to be a direct link to the way Jesus preached on the Beatitudes on the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5.

And isn't this an answer to what everyone seems to want so much?  Doesn't everyone seem to ask, "How can I be blessed?"  They may not ask so directly with those words, but they ask, "How can I make more money?"; "How can I feel better?"; "How can I be happier?"; "How can I be more successful - have more purpose - be more complete as a person?"  In other words, "How can I be blessed?"  Only God can complete us inside, give us our purpose, define our success, fill us with joy by filling us with Himself, show us what is valuable and what is not.

The Psalm suggest the first step is to avoid the ways of the wicked, don't walk in their steps, don't listen to their guidance or wisdom (NKJV).  Don't be where they stand or go to places that they go.  Don't sit in their company.  The sense of this verse is don't partake in the same evil actions, evil music, evil entertainment, evil words of those who don't know God participate. If someone is telling you how great you are and its not your best friend or your Mom, don't listen to it.  If there's a show on TV and it has content you don't agree with, turn it off.  If people are talking negatively about others, don't participate with them.  These are practical actions and there are many more.  In fact, if you are watchful for them, you will have several encounters everyday that you will need to avoid, move away from, decide against.

“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" - Matthew 6:22-23

When we walk with evil, talk with evil, see what evil sees, and hear what evil hears, the perception of our reality changes.  We change and the perception of all that we are and all that everyone else is and all that happens to us or all that we can do changes and it changes in a very deep dark way that passes common sense and understanding.  Of course, it makes sense to the ungodly, but not to the Godly.  This new perception takes you away from God's Word and away from faith, until you end up in a pig pen eating pig food, and wondering how you got so far away from who you know you are to be and from Who's you know you belong too.

Perspective

Psalm 118

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever

²⁷ The Lord is God,
    and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
    up^[c] to the horns of the altar.

²⁸ You are my God, and I will praise you;
    you are my God, and I will exalt you.

²⁹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever

 

Sometimes it is best to simply let scripture speak perfectly.

Sons of God

¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,  - Romans 8:14-16

There is a difference between being a babe of God and a son of God.  As with our own children, they are our children because they are born of our seed.  We came together with our wives to form our children and so they are by birthright.  The sons of God also start this way; they are born again once they receive Christ as their Savior.  No longer bound by lineage (Jewish) or the Jewish law, but adopted into the family of Abraham as children of God.  But when do our children become our sons?  Our society says that they are our sons when they are born, but is this really true?  They are our children when they are born, but what identifying characteristics other than physical show them to be our sons?  Are they able or have they decided to make decisions and choices based on what we’ve taught them?  Do others upon seeing their character immediately see that they are our sons? 

If you want to grow in Christ, be led by the Spirit of God.  This following will cause growth and you will no longer be a baby Christian.  It is important to trust in His leadership.  Know that the path might be steep, the ground rocky.  The weather might be rainy, snowy, foggy, or perfect.  But all of it is for your growth!  Jesus' single concern is your development into a consistent, personal, close conversation and knowledge of our Father God.  All the weights and concerns we carry today that do not relate to that do not concern Christ except where He can show Himself, build your faith, and cause you to follow in a more determined and persistent manner.

By being led by the Spirit and following Christ, we can be assured of our growth.  Sometimes growth is awkward, sometimes it is clumsy, sometimes it even hurts, but sometimes it is fun and joyous.  Someone once wrote that "we stay in training because we love our body, not because we hate it".  Likewise, we follow and seek to grow because we love our Lord, who loves us, not because it is a requirement and a must-do. 

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1)  That song, sung at Emmaus, resonates in my mind many times.  When I went on the walk it embarrassed me that everyone would sing it for us, but later, I find myself looking forward to it.  What a privilege it is to have the chance to be called a child of God.  May we take the name with confidence and assurance in who our Father is and may we allow Him to build His character within us. 

Hebrews 3: ⁶But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.

Our church has labored through many changes over the past few years, some to me are obviously led by God and others are clearly not.  A few people have pleasantly surprised me with their spiritual maturity and willingness to sacrifice their own agenda in interest of what God was doing for the greater good.  Others, however, shocked me with their pettiness, greed, and willingness to split the church rather than yield to God.  Through all the changes, however, I'm thankful that we worship and serve a God who is bigger than our sin and self-centeredness. 
For several years I've prayed for a personal and church-wide revival.  At first, I looked to external circumstances for this revival, but that is not where God dwells.  God dwells in me!  Therefore, God has shown me that personal revival isn't the responsibility of the pastor or anyone else in the church, it is entirely up to me.  It is entirely up to my perspective as to how I approach corporate worship, fellowship, discipleship, and joint service.  I am constantly presented with a choice of retreating into my naturally critical nature and evaluating the church and finding it imperfect OR I can look at each and every activity, event, or encounter as one with an almighty God who is more than sufficient.  As I changed my perspective, I've realized a personal revival.  I'm closer to God, my wife, and my church than I was a year ago.  As I began to yield my critical spirit to God, I developed a new appreciation for things which I had previously grown quite weary. 
Now with Jimmy in a new role, Whit joining us, Rew settling in, and Dave here, I'm excited, upbeat, and anxiously anticipate what God will do through these servant leaders.  Dave brought a spiritual warmth that just filled the sanctuary on Sunday and it was evident to all those I've had a chance to talk to since.  Many of the "old (or young in some cases) faithful" are still here serving as always and the summer activities have given me an opportunity to join with them in service.  God has truly been faithful to our church and has clearly turned what some meant for evil into what can clearly be so good!  I see it, am thankful for Him, and my faith is increased through His faithfulness to us in spite of our clear lack of deservedness.  I'm excited about where God will take me and our church, but am mindful that now is NOT the time to quit praying.  Where God is at work, Satan always seems close by trying to thwart that which He means for good.

Radiate!

Veiled?

Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face!  They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete.  We’re free of it!  All of us!  Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of His face.  And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like Him. - 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

Verse 16 and verses 12 and 13 above it in this chapter of 2 Corinthians 3 refers to Moses wearing a veil to conceal that the glory of the Lord which shown upon his face after his mountainous encounter with God was fading away.  He didn't want those who were following him to see that it was passing.  When Moses first came down from Mount Sinai carrying the two tablets his face was radiant and Aaron and all the Israelites were afraid to get close to him.  Then he put a veil over his face.  But every time he went to speak with God he removed it, would come out skin a glowing, tell them what God commanded, then veil his face again. (Exodus 34)

Here we are told that we are able to be face-to-face with the living God.  There is nothing that separates us from God.  Nothing!  The only thing that can cause separation is our own determination to not accept His Word, His Son, or His Spirit in some aspect of our lives ... or at all.

Since I accept the Word literally, I have to believe it when it says that Moses, a man, being in close proximity to God left a mark.  In this case, the mark was a radiance or glow upon his face that was noticeable and visible to others.  The personal application of this is humbling.  "And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like Him."  Can anyone notice or even see my God in me?  Does my life radiate or glow from His close presence to my life? 

We are, unfortunately, way too good at veiling our bad qualities, our humanness, to others.  Everyone has a veil on I'm afraid.  But here Moses was veiling the radiance of God upon him so people wouldn't be afraid.  Or was it so people wouldn't doubt in him as the radiance diminished?  I do that.  Those days or weeks when I just am not feeling close to God, I veil myself.  I think everyone does.  No one wants others to know they aren't close to God. ... What is that goes before destruction?  Oh yeah, it is pride.  Yet we naturally move to it.  Just another reason for close accountability to others.

Yet, nothing separates me from Him except me.  Obviously, I've got work to do to remove me.  "Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of His face."  What part of me do I have veiled?  What part of me am I unwilling to reveal to God?

This aspect of Him within us is the exact opposite of the model I recently finished.  We spent all this time being careful to glue everything in its position and paint everything is detail on the inside for the cockpit and crew quarters only to cover it up with the outside of the airplane.  No one will ever see how well it is done.  Once we realized it would be covered and never seen, we were kind of burned out to finish the outside and it doesn't look as good. 

Here we see that God puts Himself on our inside and seeks to dwell closely with us.  When He does, it radiates out to our outside.  It is not hidden and never seen but instead is noticed by all we are in contact.  Our closeness to God is evidenced in who we are, how we act, where we go, and what we do.  If God is our Lord we must be dominated.  And this is the submission and service we can only hope to reach.

With God's Eyes

As I sat on the back deck this morning and drank a cup of coffee, I surveyed what I saw.  A small limb has fallen into the waterfall and pond, I need to get that out.  The palm has put out new limbs, I need to cut the old ones at the bottom.  The grass/weeds in the back yard need to be cut … etc.  I’m tired just sitting there thinking about it.

But then, I take the time to look a little closer.  That small limb has leaves on it and they’re still green.  I guess, since it fell into water, it is still alive.  The limb in the pond has two fish swimming at it, “fish love structure” I think to myself.  I look at the palm limbs and sunlight is shining onto the pond’s surface and reflecting upon the bottoms of those limbs and sparkling.  And in the green grass there is a red Cardinal, the color contrast is striking. 

Wow.  Two completely different observations from the same mind.  I am reminded that what we look for is what we see and what we concentrate on is what we make important.  I also consider that sometimes beauty is in broken down things.  There are many picturesque fences, barns, and bridges that are old and on the edge of malfunction.  It depends upon the attitude and mindset of the viewer.

I wonder to myself that when God sees us, does He see all the things that need to be fixed or does He see something beautiful, even while knowing there are areas that need work.  I have to believe that God sees the latter.  If I, with an evil heart, can look at grass, trees, and a pond and see something beautiful then how much more can God look upon a person and see so much more beauty.

Do I see people for what they need to improve or do I see the beauty that God sees in people?  Do I see myself for what is wrong and needs work or do I see the beauty that God sees in myself?  We will always be free and able to see with both set of eyes.  May we make a conscience effort to see with God’s eyes.

Sin cancelling sin?

2 Peter 2: But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. ² Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. ³ In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.

I heard a tragic story yesterday about a person who was advised by a prospective church that she should divorce her third husband and then she could go to Heaven as well as join the church.  Worse, she followed through with this advice.  Why would anyone believe that a sin can be wiped out with a sin?  Yet we do it all the time.  When caught doing something we knew to be wrong as children, we lied hoping to avoid punishment.  .  
This tragic, but true story is clear evidence of why it is essential to know scripture and apply it ourselves.  Relying on others to study, interpret, and apply scripture ruined this marriage.  Jesus confronted ignorance in a straightforward way: Matthew 22: ²⁹ Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 
We are responsible to know scripture and apply it to our lives 2Tim 2: ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
How are you studying?  When confronted with issues, do you run to a friend for advice or seek council from the one who knows everything?  Don't waste your life by following well-intended advice of others without ensuring it is Biblically sound. 

Be Healed and Follow

²¹ To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.  ²² “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”

²³ When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, he made no threats. Instead, He entrusted himself to Him who judges justly. ²⁴ “He himself bore our sins” in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by His wounds you have been healed.” - 1 Peter 2:21-24

There are too many lessons in these few verses it seems upon first reading. 

• We were called "to this", which is described in verses 19 as enduring unjust suffering because you know God and seek to follow Him. 

We are called to this.  In other words, it is going to happen.  Just as Jesus was led and drove into the wilderness to be tempted, we are called to endure suffering for our non-wrong doing simply because we know God and follow Him.  Just before being led into the wilderness, God had reassured Jesus as His beloved Son, in whom He is well pleased.  It isn't something that isn't going to happen.  It is a "when" it is going to happen.  We do this because Christ suffered for us and we seek to "follow in His steps".  We are not simply to sit by His path to crucifixion and applaud and be thankful, but follow in it.

• Jesus did not threaten His accusers and abusers with His judgment.  "He did not retaliate."

"That's a hard rule" as the comedian Brian Regan would say.  But I want to retaliate!  They deserve to be punished. ... Yet, He did not and if I want to follow in His steps, I should do the same.  Jesus "entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly".   May I be willing to allow myself and actions to be judged by Jesus and let everyone else do the same.  Just as when I give to the church or a cause as I'm led to do (the money is out of my hand once given), and then it becomes the responsibility of those I gave to do what they're led (or not) to do.  I need to give to my growth as I'm led to do and let others  be led or not, follow Him or not follow Him; that is between them and God.  But be sure that every knee and every head will bow before Jesus one day.

• We are to die to sins and live for righteousness.

There is no need for us to carry around our sins when He has bore them on the cross.  If I carry my sin around then I reject the work of Christ.  Why would I carry something that He has already carried?  I need to let it go; He has already got it.  Whether I accept that Christ has carried my sin for me or not, He has already carried it.  Maybe I didn't want Him to have something so ugly, so disgusting, so vile, but He already took it.  Because of His work, I can live to do good works, where good is defined as Godly.  If Christ is bearing my burden, then I can bear another's burden.  And I can tell others how Christ can bear their burden.

• We have been healed, by His wounds.

Christ's suffering and death have healed us from the wounds of our sins which sentenced us to a permanent spiritual and physical death.  This truth sets us free from our burdens, if we allow for it to do so.  Am I willing to accept God's work and be healed?  Am I willing to be forgiven?  Am I willing to let God judge others?  Am I willing to love where He has put me?  To accept the charge given to me?  To be grateful just to be in His view and considered by Him?  ...  I need to be healed in every way at every level by the miraculous shed blood of Jesus Christ.

What good is it for me to pray?

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Lord, you know I've often wondered "then what about MY prayers - what good are they?"  Yet, as unholy and unrighteous as I am, you are more than sufficient to meet my needs for grace and by your sacrifice am I righteous.  Therefore I offer thanks for the greatest gift of family and friends that are as close as family.  When I ponder the wondrous gift of them I understand why you relegate gold to simple pavement in heaven as it pales in comparison to the benefits of love given and received.  I ask that you bless those nearest me today in a special way.  I thank you that Chris and Julie have opted to fight for their family instead of capitulating to defeat in the hands of the evil one.  Lord the fight is just that, however, and some days seems unwinnable, intolerable, useless, and unaccomplishable.  Yet you have called them to this battle and in my head I know you are able, but at times I know that in their body and minds they grow weary and weak from the long struggle.  Pour out your grace today in miraculous portion that spirit may be freshened such that they are renewed in mind and body.  May your mercy overwhelm feelings of anger, bitterness, rage, and intolerance.  May your patience restore peace, harmony, and solitude.  May you reign such that every movement, word, and deed is inspired by your perfect grace such that confidence and trust are restored and real healing may continue.  You alone are able.  Nothing can be said or done by others to bring real healing.  I put my trust and confidence in your ability to overwhelm what Satan intends for eternal evil such that you are glorified through increased faith.  May all of our children see us fully rely and trust you, become more like you, and they become inspired themselves to follow you. 
In the confidence that your words will not return without accomplishing their purpose and in the name of the one who gives these words power and effectiveness.  Amen

In the desert

In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
⁴ Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.
⁵ And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. - Isaiah 40:3-5

I'm still not sure what these verses are saying to me.  Am I to prepare a way for the Lord, making straight in the desert a highway for God?  To say "make straight in the desert a highway" infers that I am in the desert.  Am I in the desert?

Jesus went into the desert.  Matthew 4:1 says the Spirit "led" Him there and Mark 1:12 says the Spirit "drove" Him into it.  Why?  For the sole purpose of being tempted by the devil.  Yes, that's right.  The Spirit led or drove Him into a barren place without food or water for 40 days for the single purpose of His being tempted by satan.  Does this answer the question of whether God will lead us into a desert time?  Does this answer the question of whether God might lead us to a place of temptation? 

This blog writing makes the following excellent statements: "Just because I don't like it, doesn't mean I missed the path."  "A hard place isn't necessarily the wrong place."  "How can I say my desert means You don't love me when Your love for me took You through the worst desert of all?"

In my wilderness, my desert, "prepare the way for the Lord".  Prepare my heart to know that the Lord is able to deliver me.  Prepare my thoughts to believe and know that He will come.  "Make straight ... a highway".  Clear the clutter so God can enter in.  The thought is more than just leaving enough room in my desert, or problem, for God to have a voice, it is remove everything else so that God is the only car on the road. 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego prepared their hearts and made straight a highway.  "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.  But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." (Daniel 3:17-18).  And they were saved from their desert, a fiery trial. ...  "And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all the people will see it together." ... "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." (Daniel 3:25). 

Prepare your heart and make a clear path in whatever desert you are in for the Lord, our God.  He will enter with you into this desert and all who are near you will see His glory in your trial. Jesus walked alone, but we do not.  Just as He walked with the Hebrew children in the furnace, He walks with us.

Lord, I Need You

Lord, I come, I confess

Bowing here I find my rest

Without You I fall apart

You're the One that guides my heart

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more

Where grace is found is where You are

And where You are, Lord, I am free

Holiness is Christ in me

Teach my song to rise to You

When temptation comes my way

And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You

Jesus, You're my hope and stay

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You

Every hour I need You

My one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You

You're my one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You

My one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You