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United? Or Divided?

There is a shift that has to happen,  a change,  or we will all continue destroying and hurting each other. It is a shift to being willing to sacrifice, to give up our own selfish, prideful, and sinful lives to know and demonstrate love. It is a shift to be willing to put the needs of others ahead of our own wants – a shift to be willing to help others even if there is nothing in it for ourselves. This is the picture of a community. This is a picture of unity. This is a picture of love.

Remember, O Lord , in David’s favor,
all the hardships he endured, 
how he swore to the Lord
and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob, 
“I will not enter my house
or get into my bed, 
I will not give sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids, 
until I find a place for the Lord ,
a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” 
For the Lord has chosen Zion;
he has desired it for his dwelling place: 
“This is my resting place forever;
here I will dwell, for I have desired it. 
I will abundantly bless her provisions;
I will satisfy her poor with bread. 
Her priests I will clothe with salvation,
and her saints will shout for joy.
Psalms 132:1‭-‬5‭, ‬13‭-‬16 ESV

It is said that “David was a man after God’s own heart”, and what does this mean but that David wanted to be a blessing to the Lord. David wanted to build a place for the Lord to dwell,  but David was thinking that He would build it with the hands of men, when the truth is that the Lord builds it in our hearts.

“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
Jeremiah 17:10 ESV

What greater blessing could there be than for the Lord to come and live in our lives, to abide with us, to teach us and to guide us, to test us and mold us to be more like himself?

But many are not interested in giving up their lives, they are only interested in what they can taste,touch, see, and pleasure themselves with today and now. They have little interest in loving the Lord or living others, because their first love is themselves and their bellies.  And if they don’t let go of the worthlessness of this world, their hands will never be open to receive His blessings.

“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 ESV

Do you want you life to be the dwelling place for the Holy Spirit of the Lord? Do you want to be delivered from your life of sin and bowing to the demands of your flesh? Do you want to give up your life and serve the Lord, sharing in the trials and tribulations and sufferings and persecution that are part of following Him in reckless abandon?

Or would you rather live your life your own way?

Or would you rather find a “church” with a “hireling” that doesn’t ask very much of its “supporters”?

Would you be most satisfied with a “religion” that keeps God at a comfortable distance from really having any impact on “your way of life”?

Yes, many have chosen religion over the gospel – ritual and tradition over relationship – the practiced sacrifice of religion over the living sacrifice of love.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
Romans 12:1‭-‬2‭, ‬9‭-‬16 ESV

These things in Romans 12 reflect the blessings that the Lord says He will pour out on His chosen vessels in Psalm 132 above. He blessed us so that we can be a blessing to others, so that His name can receive the glory and honor and praise.

Do you want to surrender your life to the Lord so that you can deny yourself and suffer so that others might know His love?

Ate you ready to put the needs of others ahead of your wants?

Do you desire to love and serve the Lord today?

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Not a Sprint, but a Marathon

I have spent much of my life chasing after one thing or another – interested in one hobby then another, or one lustful interest then another. And while I was interested, it got my full attention – focused and intense. I was blown by the wind of my desires in reckless abandon that carried me through all kinds of intense pleasures and hurtful consequences. 

But chasing my ever shifting desires left me many times drained – emotionally, financially, and physically. It was not a stable, sturdy, and content life, because I always wanted more. Nothing was ever “good enough”. Whether it was cars, or mountain bikes, or women, or sex, or pornography, or drugs, or alcohol – it always left me thirsty for more. I always wanted to be better or have better. Some thought that I was very ambitious – I’d argue now that I didn’t know where to find any lasting joy and I was searching, searching, searching.

Lord , my heart is not proud;
my eyes are not haughty.
I don’t concern myself with matters too great
or too awesome for me to grasp.
Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,
like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.
Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, put your hope in the Lord — now and always.
Psalms 131:1‭-‬3 NLT

Contentment.

Calming and quieting our desires.

Freeing ourselves from hungering and thirsting for worldliness, from always wanting more, from not being joyful about the now because we are more focused on what might be tomorrow.

How often do we let our dreams of “some day” get in the way of this “one day” we have in our hands right now?

And it is foolish to either waste our day in worry or in too much worrisome planning for “making tomorrow better” – when we have today to engorged and be thankful for. When there will be so many opportunities today to say, “Thank you, Lord, for your many blessings over my life.”

You are where you are today for a reason. There will be opportunities to either be thankful and content while continuing to move steadily forward – or to be dissatisfied whether you are ruining full tilt or sliding backwards. Set your eyes on the finish line and pace yourself, friends. It isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.

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Holy Spirit – Rain or Hail?

There was a storm yesterday at our farm,  and everything was wet with leaves and tree limbs on the ground – but at our house, we just got a sprinkle. Some people hated seeing the rain because it stopped ballgames and spring events, while some farmers were blessed to have it show up in time for their crops. The same front rolled through, but lives were touched differently depending on their own perspective. 

Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, And the fruitful field is counted as a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness remain in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, Though hail comes down on the forest, And the city is brought low in humiliation. Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, Who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey.
Isaiah 32:15‭-‬20 NKJV

The same Holy Spirit that is poured out on the children of God to produce a fruitful and spiritually abundant life – that will produce peace and righteousness and rest – will seem devastating and dreadful to the enemies of God. People who are enemies of morality and self control do not like being in the presence of someone that lives a peaceful and righteous life.

When we are not yielded to God, it convicts us about the sin in our own lives more than loud preaching ever could. It humiliates us (whether or not we admit it openly) when we witness another person walking in self control and power of spirit when we are prisoners to our own desires, wrapped up in sin that we are not willing to let go of.

I don’t say this to boast in our own self control or to leave us in guilt and shame – but to boast in the Holy Spirit given to us that is not of fear, but of love, power, and self control. We are no longer powerless, and this is something worth celebrating – it is Good News!

And our job is to sow the seed of Christ,  to love and serve,  to walk in the Spirit, and to tell people this Good News – whether they receive it as annointing for their lives or whether they resist it is not our responsibility. We do not have to subtract from the Word to make them comfortable, nor do we have to add to the Word to scare them. We simply need to continue growing and learning and walking and sharing openly – letting the Truth do the work – letting the Holy Spirit have His way.

As you share the Good News, as you share your testimony,  worry less about the perceived effectiveness or ineffectiveness of your “winning souls” and focus more on your expressing the peace, joy, and gratitude that is in your heart for what He had done for you. Being a witness is less about you, it is even less about them, and it is most about God. Praise His name today with your life, with your words, with your actions, and sow the seed of Godly love everywhere you can as you walk through this day.

Amen.

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Teaching is correction

This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.
Isaiah 48:17 NLT

He teaches us what is good for us.

But how many of us ignore the truth and value of the Word of God and seek to fit parts of His instruction into how we want to live our own lives? When something from God doesn’t align with what we want, are we submitting and yielding ourselves to His guidance, or justifying why we are allowed to do it or own way?

If we are choosing something different than He teaches is good, can we say that He is the Lord OUR God – or just acknowledge that He is God while confirming by our lives that we have not accepted His Lordship willingly?

Stubborn, rebellious animals that we are sometimes – I’m thankful that we have a shepherd that corrects the ones that He loves.

How can someone say they are a student if they do not accept correction? Doesn’t a teacher teach by instructing students in the correct way? Doesn’t learning involve change?

Too many today seek a once a week, feel good, recharge of their emotions – gathering for an entertaining and uplifting social event to get them through another week. But how many seek correction, learning, conviction against their worldly ways,  and instruction in leading a godly life, set apart from the ways of the world?

Lord, help us.

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Trust in His Victory

I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”
1 Samuel 17:35‭-‬37 NLT

[Trust in the Lord, testify with your life, step out in faith and let His power be demonstrated. ]

“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin ? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.  And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Matthew 10:28‭-‬31 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.10.28-31.NLT

[You are unique and precious to the Kingdom of God, believer. You are beloved by God so much that He came in the flesh as Jesus Christ to die on the cross for you. You have a particular purpose and mission in your life to demonstrate His love, His nature,  His spiritual fruit, to a world in need of spiritual nourishment and healing. YOU have an opportunity today to serve Him,  not out of religious obligation, but out of personal grattitude because of grace.  ]

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.
2 Timothy 1:6‭-‬11 NLT

[Yes, if we are going to boast in anything, it should be in the gift of grace that we have received, the Holy Spirit that strengthens us and guides us and inductees us and empowers us to see sin and death conquered under the foot of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. ]

At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God. ” Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.”  He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.
John 6:66‭-‬71 NLT

[We choose. Do we stay with Him, or turn away. Do we follow in His footsteps, or do we serve another master? Are we interested in the prizes that have no lasting value, or are we satisfied with Christ as our portion and prize? Will we trade in our inheritance for some silver coins or a bowl of soup? ]