The Fight is Real

You have an enemy today.  That enemy is not your brother, sister, Mother, Father, daughter, son, friend, a moral-less society, or that person who purposely has tried to damage your life.  Your enemy is the enemy of God.  He wants to do so much more than just ruin your life.  He wants to destroy in as painful way as he can do it and to take as many people with you when you go and leave as much damage as possible behind while you go.  Make no mistake regarding the clear purposeful enemy you have today.  I urge you, again, make no mistake regarding this enemy's purpose for you.

I find that at this time I see many families who are hit hard by the enemy.  In those families are those who are trying to stand on the Words of God and those who want to do their own will.  Two families, in particular, are on my mind as they struggle to hold their position with regards to their own daughters, who have decided to live how they want to live.  Their reward for their efforts is to lose contact with their daughters and to be ridiculed by them and those they convince at how judgmental and cruel their parents are.  Yet, the fight is not against their daughters, but against the common enemy that seeks to enslave us all.

"If you're a follower of Jesus and you find yourself doing things differently from the ways of the world, rejoice!  It's because you've been born again and are learning a new - and better - way to live." - David Jeremiah

Too often, we doubt our actions.  We wonder what is wrong with us.  We worry and fret over taking a stand because we look at others and so many do not.  Then when those who have a foot on each side of the fence scorn us and ridicule us, when those whom we have spent our lives with turn away from us, and when we feel we are all alone, we fight not to be consumed with pain and anxiety. ... This is the battle for faith.  This is where we are to decide how deeply and truly we trust and know that Jesus is our Savior.

"Jesus invited us not to a picnic, but to a pilgrimage; not to a frolic, but to a fight." - Billy Graham

Stand Christian, on the Holy Words of God!  Fight Christian, to know you faith is in the One True Living God!

The Lord, who is above all things, fights for you!!

Spirit of Jesus Christ

I woke up singing this song this morning.  It's "One Thing Remains" by Jesus Culture.

For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. - Philippians 1:19-20

What is the "this" in your life?  Can you confidently say as Paul did, "For I KNOW that "this" WILL turn out for my deliverance"?  If you cannot say it, why not?  Everyone has a "this" in their life.  Is "this" more than your Lord?  Is "this" above the one and only living God?  Take some time and gain some perspective about your God.

How was Paul confident that he'd be delivered?  From the prayers of other Christians.  In order for these other Christians to pray for him, they had to know his needs, his problems.  Why don't more people pray for us?  It's because we don't share our hearts with anyone.  We put on a mask and hope the world don't see us for what we are.  We need to learn to share our problems with others so they can pray for us.  We also need to be in the habit of praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ since this is a part of their deliverance.  

How else was Paul confident he'd be delivered?  By the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. ... Take a minute and let that sink into your thoughts. ... "The supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ."  There are two aspects to this.  The first is that it is the Spirit of Jesus Christ.  The Holy Spirit has many names recorded in the Bible, but this one describes Him as that of Jesus Christ.  Do you ever find yourself wanting to know Jesus?  Get close to the Spirit then, for that is the essence of Jesus.  The Spirit of the One who died and was resurrected will walk with you, hold you, comfort you, strengthen you, encourage you, and never leave you.  The second aspect is the supply.  It is a never ending supply.  This provision will always be enough, in fact, it is always more than we need or can contain.

Whatever your "this" is, you can be assured that if you'll allow others to pray for you and you will open your heart to the Spirit of Jesus Christ, it will turn out for your deliverance.  Be hopeful that through the experience until it is over, that Christ is magnified by your words, your witness, your actions, and all of your life.

Where are the signs?

Acts 2: 43Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 

Signs, signs, everywhere there're signs!  as the old song says.  Do we see them in church?  What are they?  If so, what are they?  If not, why not? 
At last nights Administrative Board meeting, I was struck by the upbeat, optimistic, and praise-filled atmosphere.  I confess that I arrived late for the meeting; right in the middle of Pastor Dave's four-point outline summarizing God's vision for our church after spending a year here.  As I recall the four point outline:  1) Align resources with children and young families, 2) Continue ministry to the aged, sick, and homebound, 3) Communicate our care and presence in our community, and 4) Move people from the "porch to discipleship" (focused on those involved with the Preschool and Taekwondo etc).  Whether you agree or not, I found it refreshing to see elements of leadership sizing up the demographics, gifts, and talents of the church and crystalizing a vision for ministry.  I pray that this is God's leading and we will follow in obedience as He continues to reveal His direction as we move from a broad vision to actionable ministry plans.  I also found a very positive atmosphere throughout all the perfunctory reports with each person finding and dwelling on the good things God is doing through His people rather than harping on what is wrong.  From a strong foundation of observing God at work, we can join Him.  Absent was the critical spirit that can at times be so prevalent in our church which serves only to divide, discourage, exhaust, and exasperate. 
More to the point, where are the signs of God at work in my life?  How have I listened?  How have I followed in obedience?  Where is the fruit?  As Jimmy Carter once said, rather than ask me, ask those around me.  Have I followed in daily devotion, prayer, and worship?  Do I have the courage to lay aside my own selfish hopes, dreams, plans, interests, hobbies, and commitments to this day take up my cross and follow Him in obedience?  If not, how can I possibly be the man God needs me to be in a lost and hurting world?  How can God perform signs and wonders through me if I'm consumed by my own goals, interests, and opinions?
Hmm.  I didn't go to a business meeting looking for God, a worship experience or a devotion.  I almost didn't go at all.  Perhaps God is trying to tell me to quit looking for reasons to whine (thanks Rew!) and look for Him at work in everything.  That takes discipline. Dang it!  That is against my perfectionist and critical nature.  That goes against the analytical character that I learned in school and am paid to practice at work.  That requires God to break me and remake me into something else outside of my flawed character.  Signs and wonders depend on my willingness to yield to His Lordship and nothing else.  If I'm not seeing signs, perhaps it is because of my own stubbornness and disobedience instead of others faults. 
Lord, rather than stand in harsh judgment of those around me, may I be a man who humbly seeks You and can be used by you to make a real difference in Your kingdom.  May You forgive my lack of discipline and honor my repentance with a revelation for where You need me to go today. Teach me to love and lead better.  Control my mind and bind my tongue such that instead of critique and criticism, may my mind and ears be open and alert to what You are doing and guide me into accompanying You in Your work.  Where others are struggling, rather than criticize or blame, may you reveal how I can simply stand in the gap between feeble efforts and the results you need.  Although unworthy of even asking, may I be a clear sign of your reality, presence, care, and ongoing work to all those around me today beginning at home and continuing through each and every encounter and activity of this day. 

Love as Jesus Loved

I remember as a young teenager growing up how frustrated and angry I’d get at my single Mom when she would condemn or oppose my directed tendencies to do things in a very man-like manner.  Obviously testosterone had something to do with it as I was moving through puberty.  But I distinctly remember occasions where the rub was that I was being a guy and not doing something as a girl would.  I can’t blame my Mom for this.  She was married with a guy who left her for someone else while she had a one year old, two year old and a six year old at home.  No matter who I ask, no matter what the reason is said to have been, I can find no excuse worthy enough to do such a thing.  The simple fact is my Dad was irresponsible and didn’t want to a) be the man God intended him to be at that time and b) be that responsible at that time in his life.  He had made decisions he didn’t have the manhood to stand up too.  So who can blame my Mom for having a strong dislike or even a hate for having to put her whole life on hold to raise kids while the Dad runs off.

I am aware of another lady here in town through a friend, who is gay.  When I asked why, the friend told me that her husband had beat her so often and so severely that when she was able to get away (thankfully before she was killed) she didn’t want anything to do with another man.  I have to admit, no matter what I think about the aspect of being gay, that I have little support in me to tell her to trust another man.  My male friend is working on it though and has made progress, even getting her to see his belief in Jesus and have brief discussions about it.

My point, however, is to discuss my observance with the obvious attack on all things male.  Men are under attack by our society.  This is incredibly dangerous to our young men who are trying to discover who they are and where they fit in society.  As a Father of young males, I am very concerned about this aspect for them.  But for some reason, our society has a problem with testosterone, unless it is required to defend them in war or entertain them on a football field.  Yet, our Savior came to this physical world as a man.  People don’t seem to oppose that, but that’s because He was Jesus, the son of the one and only living God.

People tend to see aggression as the problem.  If they could just take away that inner explosion from a man the man would be a nice kind lovable person.  I say, if men didn’t have that, no one would like them.  Jesus had this same aggression and it became evident at times.  He ran the businesses out of the Temple (physical confrontation), He verbally assaulted the religious leaders almost every time He spoke to them (verbal confrontation),  He spoke directly to many regarding the kind of person they were (spiritual confrontation), and He would condemn His own disciples when their faith was not correct (family confrontation).  This is very aggressive.  It is incredibly difficult to be confrontive.  No one accepts this well and it takes big shoulders and a lot of confidence to stand in the face of people who reject your point-of-view and even make fun of you for it. 

Men need to learn to be responsible and secure for everyone who trusts in them.  They should use their natural aggression to protect, teach, and confront those either outside of their family who attack them or those in the family who knowingly do wrong.  However, as important as that might be, men must love as Jesus loved, with an intentional inner explosion of aggressive love.  This should be a fierce love for all to see.  If men were more like this, society would not be in this attack on men.

Out of Balance

Acts 2: 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 
I returned from Israel out of sorts.  Not grumpy.  Not irritated.  Not frustrated.  I thought I was just tired, but by Sunday when I hadn't snapped out of it, I knew something else was wrong.  I examined my time over the past 10 days and was immediately confronted by my own lack of discipline.  I had not once sat down to journal about what God was speaking or doing and I was in the land where he took on flesh and then gave that very flesh up for my sins which I was in the very process of committing.  Of all places to not devote one's self to prayer and devotion!
The excuse:  I've found that as I age, travel is becoming more difficult.  I don't sleep as soundly as I once did and travel, especially international travel, really messes with my already sub-optimal sleep schedule.  Even days spent on my feet walking in excess of 5 miles (it seems everyone has a fitbit these days and can tell me how far I've walked with them), I didn't sleep well at night.  Consequently, I felt sorry for myself and spent as much time in the bed as possible, foregoing my usual morning routine of writing a short devotion.  Besides, I'm on travel, I can surely take a break from morning devotions, right?
One never knows the importance of discipline until you abandon it.  I became convinced on Sunday that my poor mood wasn't lack of sleep, although that was certainly a contributor.  Instead, I believe the failure to discipline myself and center myself under Christ's Lordship each morning led to what might best be described as a mini prodigal experience.  I know God didn't go anywhere, but the failure to take time in prayer and devotion led to a strange lack of contentment and a feeling of being distant from God.  Nothing was right.  Nothing was good, everything frustrated me, especially my lack of sleep which became more and more elusive as the trip went on.  Unfortunately, the real issue wasn't confined to sleep, it was a lack of devotion. 
May I remember this brief lesson the rest of my days and discipline myself to simply grasp the promise made by seeking Him first.  Only then will "all other things be added"  (Matt 6:33).  I had the privilege of going to the Holy Land for the second time and I cheated myself out of a prime experience by losing discipline.  May I live a disciplined life of devotion from this day forward.
Thanks to Rew Randolph for an excellent sermon yesterday that reinforced my own conclusion regarding "whining."   Perhaps God needed Dave to take a break just so I could hear the lesson on the importance of discipline in devotion.  Thanks Rew!

Enjoy the Ride

Are you waking up in heavenly joy every morning?  Are you walking in heavenly joy every day?  If not, what is keeping you from experiencing the life God has for you?

While those are good questions, let me bring this topic "back to earth" where we all live.  Life happens: people hurt us, pain is real, survival demands labor and labor demands time, the world pulls/pushes/attacks/pummels us in ways we don't understand.  We are like boats tossed in the stormy waves at sea.  ...  Yet, Jesus calmed the seas.  The wind obeyed His Words.  While His disciples were exactly where He asked them to be and were in the middle of those winds and waves, He was there.  When they cried to Him for salvation, He spoke, and world changed.

How often do we forget that God is with us?  I often wonder if the disciples should have been kicked back, holding onto ropes, and enjoying the ride on the waves with great wonder - and no worry - knowing their God, their salvation, the holder and fulfillment of their very life, was there with them and He's got this.  So might as well enjoy the awesome ride!

Does this describe you today dear Christian?  Has something or someone robbed you of your joy today?  Jesus freely accepts today - will you freely give to Him?  Today is a day you will never get back and Jesus created you to be full.  Open yourself up to enjoy the ride with all its ups and downs and turns and thrill, knowing He rides with you and will speak at the proper time and change your world.

The Difficult Skill

"The fruit of the Spirit is ... self-control." - Galatians 5:22-23

"Self-control is not a popular virtue in our culture.  We are an instant-gratification, act-on-impulse, if-it-feels-good-do-it society.  ...  As Christian adults, we can fully grasp why it is so important to have control over our bodies, our energies, our motives, and our purposes; it is the only way we can truly be useful servants to God.  And yet, it is still such a difficult skill to master." - Dr. David Jeremiah

This is without a doubt a very perplexing subject in our society today.  Today's current societal influence is that "everything is okay".  Do whatever makes you happy, we'll accept it and maybe even promote it.  The government seems to lead this charge.  All moral compasses that promote a healthy, robust, society that includes strong middle class working families are demolished in a purposeful manner.  A self-controlled society is only as good as the self-control of the citizens.

Everyone struggles with self-control.  This struggle can be with everyday things: it might be the doughnut on the counter that is supposed to be for the kids; it might be in setting aside time to pray and read God's Word; it might be in intentional exercise - or the struggle might be with deep-down heavy things: it might be with viewing porn (one study asked 1,000 college men if they viewed porn and ALL said yes); it might be with idolatry; it might be with forgiveness; etc.  Self-control can apply to all areas of our life, therefore it is important for this to be one of the fruits in our life through the Spirit.

It is impossible to conquer self-control over sins without the person of Jesus and the Spirit of God.  Until a sin can be forgiven and lifted off your shoulders, it will always pressure you.  Then when you walk daily and the sin jumps out to grab you, the Spirit of God dwelling in you (if you're allowing Him to rule), will protect you and guide you safely.  Our greatest effort in self-control is to willingly submit daily to the Lordship of Jesus and purposely walk in the Spirit of God.  When we do this, all efforts of self-control in our physical lives can become a reality.  In fact, I can bear witness that some things that you couldn't find a way to answer will evaporate and disappear.  God still works in the miracle business and I bear witness of such healing.

Give your life to God today and walk closely in His Spirit and be self-controlled.

Who is Your Authority?

As I continue in my physical journey in this life, I am made aware over-and-over, example-after-example, that all sin starts with the wrong view of Who is the authority over all things.  Would any of us lie, cheat, or steal seeking gain for ourselves if we were living second-by-second accepting in full knowledge the Creator and Overseer of our souls specifically told us not to take from others in order to lift ourselves but to give to others instead through words, deeds, or materials?  And not just to give what they need, but more than they need (Mt 5:40-42).

The immediate area of concern in everyone's life at all times is this: Who is the authority over your life at this very moment?  Maybe you're tired of your marriage.  Does God say you can get tired of it?  If not, then who is the authority in your life?  Maybe you hate someone who has done you wrong.  Does God say you can hate them?  If not, then who is the authority in your life?  Maybe you've decided that now it is time to live for you and its time you got something from life.  Does God say you live this life for yourself?  If not, then who is the authority in your life?  Maybe you want to be a part of a movement and a culture of change for the world.  Does God say your life should stand for that movement; does the movement line up with His Word?  If not, then who is the authority in your life?  ...  And this type of questioning could go on-and-on looking at every detail in our life.

If we do not take the time to acknowledge this topic and do some self-analysis and continue making decisions "on the fly", we need to know that we are telling God that we know better about sexuality, revenge, idolatry, and our purpose or calling than He does.  Isn't it absurd to believe such a thing!  We would never openly say that we believe that, but we make decisions everyday that confirm that we believe that!  What speaks louder about our beliefs, our actions, or what we think we believe?  There is no substitute for the right action.

Do not make another life decision without first confirming who the authority is over that decision.  Do not have another emotion without first confirming who the emotion should represent.  Do not believe another word without first confirming from whom the word is spoken from.  Make God the authority over every decision, every emotion, and all knowledge.

Small Talk

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.  – Ephesians 4:29

I wish I knew how to say things in a non-clumsy way so it would bring grace to the hearers.  I trip over words so often and people perceive them in ways I can’t imagine.  I can try to compliment someone, but by the time I trip over myself they are somehow offended instead.  Because of this I have learned to be quiet.  Rather than say something embarrassing, don’t say anything.  This works most of the time, but there are times when something has to be said.  Someone has to be made aware of their action.  You have a responsibility to try to show someone where they have no longer made themselves subject to the Word of God.  These times are so awkward and never go well.  To confront someone, while fumbling words, and have them take it well is seemingly an impossibility for me.

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification. – Romans 14:19

Everyone responds well to smiling people who compliment them.  People who want to hear about something going well in their life.  Most people like to talk about themselves (or their college football team).  Is this kind of small talk what is referenced in these verses?  Words that do not bring strife and lead to a peaceful conversation?  Words that compliment only?

Perhaps they refer to just being nice, kind, caring, loving, courteous, helpful and encouraging to others.  I think this is great and who doesn’t want to be around such a person.  But it is necessary to show where that spirit comes from, Who provides the continued victory in your life.  Otherwise, people will just say what a wonderful person you are and that worships the wrong person. 

I do not believe that this is to what these verses are referring regarding conversation.  Where is peace?  In Christ.  Where is grace?  In Christ.  Therefore, bring Jesus to people in your conversation.  This makes sense to me, but my immediate conflict is this: rarely can you bring up the topic of Jesus without someone being offended or even incensed in today’s culture.  So these verses seem counter-productive to me.  Truth is, if you talk about Jesus, you won’t have to talk for long, everyone will stop talking to you.  However, anyone who’s identity is as a child of God and who is full of thankfulness and gratefulness for being saved, will talk about their faith and Who it is in.  So talk loud.

He Holds Me

Rick Warren's Daily Hope today is entitled, "God's Love is Deeper Than Your Problem".  You can read it by going HERE.

Pastor Warren says at the end,

You’ve hit bottom emotionally, ... you’re frustrated, and you think, “I’m going under.”  Where is God when you hit bottom?  He’s right there underneath you. He is “your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you” (Deuteronomy 33:27a NLT, second edition).  Drop into his arms of love. Let him catch you and support you when you have nowhere else to go.  

I have to admit that it is shameful to get to those locations at the "end of everything" as Frodo described it to Sam in the Lord of the Rings.  I believe that God puts us in those locations so we'll realize we have nowhere else to go and we never had anywhere else to go.  We need to learn that everyday we must wake up and walk in the full knowledge of not having anyone more secure, more trustworthy, and more capable than our Savior.  We should not have to "hit bottom" to walk in this kind of faith.  When I witnessed God catching us and performing a miracle right before my eyes, I was walking in the miracle, I realized that God can do this everyday and He doesn't need me to be left with no hope to do it.

God shouldn't just be our last hope, but He should be our only hope - everyday.

John Wesley's Order of Salvation

For my Methodist friends ........ with an Emmaus Walk flavor.

Got Deceit?

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,

  Whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
  And in whose spirit there is no deceit. – Psalm 32:1-2

Jesus came so that the original sin of Adam (but that women sinned first!) could be removed from all mankind.  From that original sin, all sin was born.  We like to think some sins are more severe than other sins, but all sin came from the original sin, which was refusing the authority of God.  Sure, some sins have much more severe consequences than other sins.  A murderer is much different in its effect on people than someone stealing a piece of bubble gum from a convenience store.  However, in their essence, both refuse the authority of God.  One of these sins is full grown and destructive and the other is a baby, but if the baby sin is allowed to grow, its defiance against the authority of God will one day destroy lives also.  All sin, fully grown, takes life (James 1:15).  Sin always takes you farther than you want to go, keeps you longer than you want to stay, and costs you more than you intend to pay.  The original sin took Adam and Eve’s lives.  The only sin I’m aware that they committed was eating the fruit of the tree they were told not to eat.  Yet God held that sin to the same accountability as the sin of the murderer.

Praise God today that we can be forgiven!  Blessed are we that we have a Savior!  Blessed are we that our sins (transgressions) are forgiven!  Blessed are we whom the Lord does not hold sins against!  Is there a greater blessing in your life?  Are you living in the grace and mercy of the one true living God who has forgiven you of all your sins?  Be restored today!

An important piece of these verses is the very last sentence of verse two.  Blessed is the man whose sins are not counted against him by the Lord AND whose spirit holds no deceit.  This is the genuine part of the sinner’s heart.  This is the part man can’t see in another man.  The intent here is to say the sinner had sincere and real repentance and a changed heart.  He is not a hypocrite, faking his change for the perception of other men, while holding onto his idol deep in his heart.  Everyone has done this at some time in their life.  We may have believed that we wanted to be rid of something (anger, drugs, alcohol, lust, hate, murder, jealousy, envy, etc.) and do what we knew we were supposed to do, but after a while we called back to that idol that we held down deep and truly never left.  We are depraved children.

Surely we all see this in those who fail time and time again in rehabs, but then see the one who didn't go to a rehab and stopped in a single day.  One never left it in his heart (deceit) and the other left it completely (no deceit).  One was appeasing others and the other gained a new faith.  Those who are deceitful with selfish intentions cause great pain in others, often burdening them with their continued addictions and consequences from those actions from the addictions.  There is a wake of destruction behind them.  Those who have had a great change are great joy to others, overflowing in their thankfulness for being made new.  They are uplifting to those around them.  Everyone who sees them gains faith and hope.

Pray today thanking God for His forgiveness of your sins.  Pray for God to reveal any deeply held idols that you may have held onto, even unknowingly.  Let them all go today and worship the one and only living God.  Be alive!

Command Fire Upon Them?

And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”

But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.  For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village. – Luke 9:54-56

Leading up to this event, Jesus has fed five thousand, been transfigured, healed a boy, and now He has started towards Jerusalem for what He knows is His own crucifixion.  As He approaches this Samaritan village they “do not receive Him”.  In other words, He wasn’t welcomed. 

I’m amazed at the response of James and John at first, but then I see how common their response is for us.  I am truly amazed however, that they fully believed they’d be able to command fire to come down and consume the village.  I mean, that is incredible to me that they believed that they could do that.  But, regarding this as their response, we do this too often and the church has done this so much it’s a real reason why the church doesn’t grow.

When someone rejects our Christ as Lord or our position to stand on the Scriptures, what are our first thoughts?  Many times we think as James and John, “Well, enjoy the fires of the hell you’re gonna live in then!”  If we are honest, sometimes we want that for them, because we want some relief from the pain.  Maybe this person has intentionally hurt us, ridiculed us, and scorned us and we want some revenge.  We wonder why we have to experience such loss and pain for standing with our Savior.  It is our nature to want those who reject Him (or too often us as we put the emphasis too much on us and not Him) to pay for it.  Unfortunately, the truth is, if they reject Him long enough, there will be a terrible price to pay.  It will either be in dire consequences here in this physical life or forever apart from Him in the next.

Jesus makes it clear that He is here to save men’s lives and this message is very clear to Him at this moment in time as He faces what He is set to do for God the Father.  We need to hear that message today and see how far away we are from His mission when we want revenge upon and pain for others.  Yes we can be opposed to sin, but we need to be mindful of how desperate we need to be for that one whom Jesus loves to be convicted of that sin and to repent from it so they can enjoy the peace and satisfaction of being fulfilled by Christ.

Lastly though, we need to do what Jesus did and go to another village.  When someone refuses continually there is no need to stand outside of them and continue asking.  They will seek you out when they are ready, if they ever get ready.  God has a specific purpose for you at this moment, march on to that purpose.  Do not let someone's rejection cause you to miss a greater purpose.  If Jesus would have waited at that village, He would have missed Jerusalem and He would not have died on the cross and risen again.  The whole world would have missed God's Message.  Don't let someone take away the message He has to deliver with your life.

Testimony Friday!

Mary Goetz telling his testimony.  Video by http://www.oneforisrael.org/.

Sleep Through the Storm

This is an excellent devotion by Matt Ayers and you can find the original HERE.  I have highlighted some thoughts that stood out to me.

One of my favorite stories from the Gospels is when Jesus calms the storm while on the boat with his disciples on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35–41). The storm is raging on and his disciples are panicking. As experienced fishermen who have certainly seen their share of storms on the water, Jesus’ disciples are sure that death is imminent. This must have been a storm of epic proportions! All the while, Jesus is fast asleep.

The frightened disciples wake Jesus saying, “‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:38–39, emphasis added).

When his disciples witness that even the wind and waves obey his command they turn to ask each other, “Who is this guy?!”

There are three features of this story that apply to current events. First, this story affirms that there will be some intense storms in this life, and the most intense ones will tempt us to panic. The greatest storms will tempt us to rage and waver along with its unruly winds and churning waters. As long as we live in a broken and hurting world, things will not always be calm and peaceful around us. At the same time, God uses these situations that arise to invite us to deepen our dependence on him and commitment to him. Any situation that causes us to rely on Jesus on a deeper level and inspire greater faith in his capacity to redeem is something for which to be thankful. Let us rejoice in the problems that cause us to put our roots down deeper in the love of God!

Second, and most importantly, when these storms rage around us (and they will rage), we need not worry, and must not panic because Jesus is with us. No matter how the climate may change around us, what will never change is the historical fact that Jesus walked out of the grave on the third day victorious (his greatest miracle). Jesus invites us to share his peaceful and calm posture in the midst of circumstances in which brokenness runs amuck in the world like an out-of-control storm. Jesus, as the example of faith in the story, sleeps through the storm and the source of his peace and stillness is his trust in the Father and assurance that he is the sovereign king whose authority no adversary can legitimately challenge.

Third, Jesus calms the storm. According to the Old Testament, God alone controls nature. This story, then, attests to Jesus divinity. This means that when storms like this rage, it is by no human power or authority that peace will come, it is only by God’s sovereignty that order manifests in the midst of chaos.

The bottom-line is that the greater the problem, the greater the opportunity for Jesus to demonstrate what he’s capable of. When we deepen our faith in him during chaos of epic proportions, Jesus does what only God can do. When we witness this, like the disciples, we will stand back in awe of what he can accomplish.

By God’s grace, let us follow Jesus’ example of faith. Let us rediscover the assurance of God’s unmatched capacity to redeem every circumstance and calm every storm.

Praise Him

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations. - Psalm 100

Sing with me this morning:

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart;

I will enter His courts with praise.

I will say this is the day that the Lord has made.

I will rejoice for He has made me glad.

He has made me glad, He has made me glad,

I will rejoice for He has made me glad.

He has made me glad, He has made me glad,

I will rejoice for He has made me glad.

In the midst of angst, in the midst of pain, in the midst of ridicule, I find myself laughing.  Yes, it makes no sense.  But I find myself rejoicing this morning to be alive and to be cared for by an almighty God that cares intimately about me.  He cares so much about me that He has not destroyed me but blesses me instead!  How insanely crazy is His love!  

This past Saturday Russ and I were stuck in analyzing the fuel tank on the boat because of screws we couldn't get out of the top of the gas gauge sending unit.  I said a small prayer that God would help us get these insignificant things out.  Why?  I don't know, I guess because it was a problem for us at that time.  Guess what happened.  Yep, immediately thereafter the troublesome screw came right out.  

If God is willing to answer such a prayer regarding a meaningless screw, how much more must He consider the prayers regarding our deep heartfelt pain and the pain we have for others.  Oh how glorious is it that our pitiful prayers are lifted up to the throne of heaven and heard in the ear of the Creator of all things who has all power and all authority!  

May we enter into His gates this morning and enter the courts of His palace with thanksgiving and gratefulness ever humbled and awed by His great love for even us.

My Hope is in You

But now, Lord, what do I look for?
   My hope is in You.
Save me from all my transgressions;
   do not make me the scorn of fools. - Psalm 39:7-8

My wife and I find ourselves in the painful position of having to stand alone against my family.  We have had to do this in some regard before when other family members were doing other things and trying to manipulate us and others, but for some reason that was easier.  They weren't doing anything deceitful or intentional against us.  They were doing it equally to everyone.  At this time we are having to stand on what we believe is righteous and good while there is obvious work against us.  It is painful and we are heartbroken.  No one likes to be ostracized.

As David says, "My hope is in You."  Our hope is in Christ.  We have seen Him change a man when all hope was lost that he could change.  We are witness to Him saving us when the world would throw us away. We have a real faith in what Jesus can do in others or in us.  We pray that we'll be where we need to be in this and we'll be who He wants us to be.  May He reign in our lives and pour Himself out on those around us. We pray for the conviction of sin and God to "save me from all my transgressions".

We also do not want to be ridiculed for our position.  As David prays, we pray not to be made "the scorn of fools."  Our hope is in the One True Living God.  He will reign over us, in us, and through us forever more!

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

Hearing God

Ps 46:10  He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

I admit to many sins one of which is fail to follow this command to be still.  I know God is God and clearly I am not, but I fail to be still none-the-less.  I'm a high type A personality that always has way too much on my plate and I find it practically impossible to simply be still.  Yet being still is essential.  Elijah had to be still to hear God in a whisper following a storm and earthquake.  Samuel was trying to sleep in the still of the night when God called to him.  Even Saul (later Paul) had to still himself following a dramatic encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus to hear Christ's message to him. 
So how does God speak to us?  Henry Blackaby, Author of "Experiencing God" defines four different ways:
1.  Scripture
2.  Prayer
3.  Other Christians
4.  Circumstances

So do you test everything against scripture?  Sadly, responses by Christians to the recent SCOTUS decision regarding same sex marriage clearly shows that many or even most Christians don't know/care to check their beliefs against scripture.  I've seen absolutely outlandish claims about what God says and how He feels that are counter to scripture.  This is why it is so important to check everything against scripture.  God has clearly spoken through His divinely inspired word and I believe He expects us to read it.  To do so, requires us to be still and thoroughly research topics such as marriage, then believe and act on what He has said accordingly.  Have you ever thought about the fact that those who have espoused opinions that are clearly in conflict with scripture are worshipping a false God?  Furthermore, God included dire warnings against changing His word. 
Prayers isn't just asking God for stuff.  More importantly, prayer is a privilege to approach a high and holy God.  We should be in awe and immediately convicted of our sin as God cannot tolerate sin.  In addition, we should be aware of the tremendous blessings God has bestowed upon us.  If you're not convicted of your sin and humbled by the great blessings you've been given, then I suggest your prayer life is centered on you, not God which prevents you from listening.  If your prayer life consists of just asking for stuff, you need to stop, examine just exactly who is on the throne of your life, and be honest and admit that you are trying to be lord - a role God has reserved for Himself!
As a type A, its easiest for me to simply run to ask others when I need a quick answer.  Be careful!  None of know and completely understand: 1) your past perfectly,  2) your present circumstances completely, and 3) anything about your future.  Only God has perfect knowledge of all three and only God can provide you a perfect answer.  You may get good advice, but if you don't check it against scripture and you don't pray, you may be stuck with good, but not best.  Worse, you may get advice that is actually harmful. 
Finally, be careful allowing circumstances to define who God is or what He wants for you.  He can speak to you and even "open or close doors" for you, but His message isn't ALWAYS defined clearly in your circumstances.  I think He can ALWAYS speak to you in your circumstances, but His message may not be on the surface.  Remember His message will always be consistent with His word already revealed in scripture.
So, do you have the discipline to be still and hear God?  I worry that I've missed Him all too often in the business of life.  In fact, I'm convinced that business is a tactic by Satan to distract me.  I hope and pray that you are taking time to pray about your decisions in life and taking your decisions to scripture as well as trustworthy Christians.  Don't draw your own conclusions about where God is leading you without investing the time to be still and listen carefully and with an open mind and heart.

Feeding the Homeless

I got up at 4:50 this morning to get to the church by 5:30 to could help prepare breakfast to feed the homeless.  Julie and I signed up to be on teams to do this once a month, but if there are five Tuesdays in a month my team does it twice.  She got up with me and went with me to help this morning, that's three times for her in the last six weeks as she filled in for me last week when work was crushing me.  It is such a joy to serve together to serve others in this way.

I was alone preparing the drink table with coffee and water and I thought, no one will ever know I was here doing this, yet I'd rather be doing this than my regular work.  This work will make no difference of any real consequence, it will not be noticed, yet I am more filled by it than doing my normal job.  And to have my wife working in that work also is God heaping blessings upon me.

My cousin, Joe, explained feelings and thoughts we have like these deep inside in a real way for me once. He was speaking of himself in relation to his desire to help others but I believe it applies well to each of us, he said:

"The reason I am drawn to help is because I have a lot of love in my heart.  I have Christ in my heart.  He wants to help so I want to help.  I hurt when I see someone hurting and needy because Christ, in my heart, hurts.  I have to overcome Christ to do nothing."  

These were powerful words of testimony to me and I have not forgotten them.

Stuff

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:19-21

This was the obvious verse for this past weekend.  On Friday I learned that my boat had a small gas leak.  I thank God that no one was hurt in some kind of accident because of it, as I am mindful of the guy who's boat exploded just a few weeks ago as he had gasoline vapors build up inside his engine compartment and they were sparked.  As Russ and I went to investigate, hoping for a leaky hose which would be easy to fix, we couldn't find a leaky hose but realized there was a deliberate slow leak.  Upon determining this, we had to remove large panels to get to one of the gas tanks where we saw the obvious corrosion on the aluminum tank.  The worst news of all with regards to cost, inconvenience, and work required for repairing.

While we are in the middle of transferring the fuel out of this leaky tank into the good tank one 5-gallon gas can at a time with a hand pump (the tank is 90 gallons, fortunately it was only half full), Russ gets a call from Reja that their freezer has quit working and everything in it is rotten.  All the fish we'd caught and cleaned, deer meat from the deer killed over winter, deer sausage, steaks, ... everything.  As much as it is to loose all that it comes with a large mess to clean up and that mess doesn't smell good.  

So, do we get angry, throw our hands up, or give up?  Has life thrown us something unfairly?  Do we fret and wonder why this happened to us?  Of course not!  This is just stuff and stuff is, in comparison to the only really important thing - a relationship with Jesus, absolutely inconsequential.  Yes, that is correct, stuff has no eternal value.  While there is a price to pay for it here in this physical world, there is no eternal price on stuff, therefore it is really worthless.  At best, it is for convenience while we exist in the physical world.

All of this is just another reminder of why it is important to keep our heart close to God.  We must search and want a closer walk with our Savior everyday.  Perspective is corrected when the Spirit of God is able to weigh upon our hearts immediately in the face of these worldly events.  I thank God that I have those around me who encourage and reflect such importance in their life daily.

Comparisons

As much as I dislike putting a part of the Sunday class message up as a daily devotion, I really wanted to record it for future reference.  We are currently through week two in the Jesus > Religion series.  There is, what I think, to be an excellent description given by Jefferson Bethke in regards to comparing ourselves to others.  I am assuming he came up with it, he may have heard it and repeated it, but it is good nonetheless.

Comparing ourselves to others is like looking for our reflection in a pool of muddy water.  We simply cannot see ourselves as we truly are in muddy water.  The reflection we get is gross and it does not accurately indicate who and what we are, if we can see ourselves at all.  In order to see ourselves clearly, we need a clear surface, one with no flaws.  Therefore, the only way to see ourselves correctly is to compare ourselves to the perfection of Jesus.  Any other comparison is inadequate.

There was plenty of other great information in the class, but I wanted to record that one.

Fiery Ordeal

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. – 1 Peter 4:12-13

Rejoice we are instructed!  Rejoice in the fiery ordeal or trial.  I know people who cringe and lament giving their tithe.  They can’t fathom giving above the measly 10% in however God might call.  Even though we are told that God loves a rejoicing giver.  And that is easy.  How much more difficult is it to rejoice in, not just a trial, but a “fiery” trial? 

The Message translation quotes these verses this way.  “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.” 

Why must we endure such with rejoicing?  One reason is for our own refinement.  It is so that we might grow in our faith and character of God.  Another reason is for witness.  It is so that we might demonstrate to others what faith in and character of God are so that they might see and believe in Jesus as the Son of God and substitute for their sins, either freshly anew or in a new deeper way.  Yet, there is the single purpose of knowing we are in God’s purpose and giving God the glory for it.  1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” and Jesus instructed in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Suffering and enduring patiently through a fiery ordeal falls in that whatever you do category.  So, we are to rejoice and give God the glory for our pain, but more for His deliverance which our faith knows will come.

Hannah Whitall Smith wrote in 1866, “The Lord has been teaching me in many ways lately about my utter weakness in the presence of temptation.  … My own efforts have been worse than useless.  …  If I am to be sanctified, if I am to be preserved blameless and harmless, it must be by the power of God for my own efforts have utterly failed.  … I realize that Christ dwells in my heart by faith and that He is able and willing to subdue all things to Himself.” 

It is so easy to feel sorry for ourselves, our situation, and to be angry and bitter for it.  But we are taught that as followers of Christ we are not to yield to these temptations.  It is more than difficult to stand in pain, in a fiery ordeal or trial, and do it with a rejoicing heart giving God the glory for His yet unseen deliverance.  I dare say it to be impossible for man to do alone.  Yet God can do all things, if we will only believe.  Jesus came to glorify the Father and He did it.  If we then, yield our suffering to Christ asking Him to take our burden, to guide our actions and feelings, and to glorify the Father through us.  He has already proven He is more than capable to answer such a prayer request.

Critical Spirit

Romans 14:10-14 Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁰ Why do you criticize and pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon or despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.

¹¹ For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God [acknowledge Him to His honor and to His praise].

¹² And so each of us shall give an account of himself [give an answer in reference to judgment] to God.

¹³ Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavor never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother.

 

Lately I've become extra-sensitive to those around me that seem to find nothing to say except to criticize.   Often, for instance, I hear people criticize the church service, the sermon, the music, the sound or visual aids.  Some say the music is unfamiliar and doesn't fit with the worship style or that the  sermon wasn't pointed enough.  Others are frustrated with the upkeep of the building and grounds while others are frustrated with staff turnover.  All may be valid critiques, but I'm wondering what people expect when they go to church.  Furthermore, I'm wondering if they care how the criticism affects my spirit and perhaps more importantly, their own spirit.  I'm not sure why I've become so sensitive, but perhaps God is dealing with my own critical spirit.

I'm most critical at home and mostly of Reja and the kids.  Consequently, I constantly complain, nag, gripe, and issue negative reinforcement about everything.  My clothes aren't clean, or my house isn't clean or my yard isn't cut, or my vehicles aren't clean, or dinner isn't ready and so on and so on and so on and so on.  As we've aged, I can see the toll my perfectionist streak has had on Reja as she has come to expect criticism over several key topics and lives in a defensive posture and often lashes out even without criticism.  In short, my criticism has made her worse, not better in every subject that I constantly berate her about.  Now, I constantly pray for God to help me love her as Christ loves the church and to become an encourager, not a critic.  As we know, however, a leopard simply cannot change his own spots except by the grace of God and the Grace of God doesn't change the consequences of years of bad decisions and behaviors over night.

So I live in a constant state of needing an extra dose of God's grace.  Unfortunately, in spite of the fact that I think I might actually see a difference in myself, change in Reja or the kids lags behind the improvements I think I observe in myself.  I've spent years building a critical relationship and they live in a world that expects it, often even misinterpreting my words and intent because of my past critical spirit.  I've got a long way to go to become the man I should be, but in the meantime I live in a home of my own making.  For that I need patience and I was not born with that gene.  Back to the well of God's grace...

So I'm hypersensitive to criticism.  I tell my engineering staff that it takes zero brain cells to criticize another's idea, design, or analysis.  Real brains are required to actually execute a design or improve a design or conduct an analysis.  More importantly, criticism doesn't help me accomplish our mission.  Don't get me wrong, we need critique, but it can't end with criticism.  I need answers, plans, paths forward.  I believe church is no different. 

In fact, what I see, is that we usually get out of a circumstance what we put into it.  If we go to church expecting issues, we will find them readily.  Worse, we won't worship.  If on the other hand, we go expecting to draw nearer to and be caught up into the spirit of God, I almost always find an occasion to do so in our church.  I guess what I learned from the school of hard knocks is that proper worship requires preparation of my own critical spirit or I simply miss the opportunities to worship, fellowship, and grow. 

So are you constantly criticizing the church and its staff?  If so, what do you hope to accomplish?  Are your thoughts guided by the Holy Spirit or self-centeredness?  If you think these thoughts are inspired, what do you think God is calling you to do about it?  I urge you to be cautious in your criticism.  I live in a home that has been perhaps irreparably damaged by my own critical spirit.  Do you want to join me in the cesspool of my sin? 

 

 

His Best Work is in Our Darkest Hour

¹⁸ Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. ¹⁹ For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. ²⁰ For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. ²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

²² “Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 

²³ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; ²⁴ who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. ²⁵ For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:18-25

While we don’t use the term servant and master in our society, they certainly do exist.  Those who are in authority are masters.  If you are a child, your parent is your master at home.  If you are a student, your teacher is your master in the classroom.  If you work, your boss is your master at work.  If you are a business owner, your clients are your master for your income.  All of this is relative, of course, to our local condition and not in relation to our position with God.  That is another discussion. 

The point in this Bible text is that if you are submissive and enduring wrongful suffering because you are mindful of God, this is commendable before God.  If you do no wrong, but are treated unjustly (think Cinderella), God recognizes this as it emulates the steps of Christ.  We, unfortunately, do not apply this to our daily lives.  Do you suffer patiently when someone cuts you off in traffic?  Do you slow down, offering a safe distance for driving while asking God to bless them in their urgent need?  …  So many people we see every day do not have the slightest consideration for anyone around them.  Shouldn’t we, as Christ followers, be different?  This is the message here.  …  Do you suffer patiently with the wrong that was committed to you?  Maybe it was abuse, abandonment, or an attack.  Do you slow down, thank God for bringing it into your life to develop your spiritual character and move you closer to God, and pray for God to use what is an obvious extension of His character in you to save the abuser, abandoner, or attacker? …  (This is the 2^nd most difficult paragraph I’ve ever written.  While I believe it is the Godly way, I do not know how to live there without the ever present Spirit of God obliterating me daily.  It is one of those things that I know is right, but am not sure I see how to live it.  It will require that 2^nd step of faith, the one that says “My only hope is in Christ.  If He doesn’t do it, it can’t be done.”)

Jesus committed no sin and did not speak against those who persecuted Him.  When He spoke in reference to them He simply asked God to forgive them.  Matt Ayers comments on this verse saying, “Jesus’ example reveals that it is in the greatest moment of injustice that God redeems the world.  It is in the darkest hours of human life that God is at His best in His redemptive work.  God is at His best in the Red Sea moments of life; the moments when it seems as if there’s no way out of our problems or troubles.”

Verse 21 says this is our calling.  Do you wonder what your calling is?  Every Christian has general and specific callings on their life.  One of the general callings is described here.  We are called to suffer like Christ suffered with regard to those who are harsh and hate.  Until Christ comes again, there will be hate in this world.  We are not to respond to hate with more hate.  We are to patiently endure as He endured and let God demonstrate who He is through us in such times.

How do we do this?  The simple answer is we can’t, but He can.  We have to have faith and put all our hope in Jesus to do in us what we accept that we can’t do.  We have to know that His best work is in our darkest hours.  If we could do it, then why would we need God?  He is ever present in our times of trouble and ever able to do what we can’t do.  Jesus committed Himself to God (vs 23) when persecuted, we are to follow His steps.