The Body

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Today’s Workout

You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.

So glorify God in your body.

Believers, it is prudent for us to ask each other, “Do you believe that you were bought with a price?”

And, “If you do believe, do you think that grace was bought cheaply or at a high cost?”

Too many times we treat grace is if it was cheap or common, just because we believe that we’ve received it as a free gift. But we have to ask ourselves that if grace is misunderstood, if it is tossed aside in favor of so many temptations of this world, can we say that we’ve ever really known grace? Just because someone holds up fools gold and proclaims “I’m rich” doesn’t mean that the rock in their hands is worth anything. Hebrews 12:15 warns us about falling short of the grace of God, and so many passages throughout the Bible make it clear who “shall NOT inherit the Kingdom of God”. Romans 6, Ephesians 2, and Colossians 2 all contrast being dead in sin to being alive in Christ for those who are bought with a price and who glorify God.

So the question I ask is, “Is your body a temple of the Holy Spirit that lives and abides within you?”

Can you show me? Have you shown me in your life today? With how you have treated others? With how you have handled stress and challenges and temptations? With how the Holy Spirit has manifest itself through your life as opposed to you just walking in the flesh like you did before?

If you haven’t, do you want to? Or are you satisfied with some concept of “cheap grace” and a “heaven ticket” that allows you to remain your own? Are you satisfied with glorifying your own self and your own passions and desires instead of glorifying God? Is the freedom that you really desire a “freedom from God, godliness, and rightousness” and a “freedom to sin and self fulfillment”?

There is a much better way. The “One Way”.

Make Him your master today. Accept His Lordship over your life. Repent from your ways and turn to Him, believe Him, and you too can be a dead vessel raised to new life.

You too can be the BODY OF CHRIST – the true church that is made up of children of God – not a building or denomination or gathering of dead, religious people.

One

John 17:20-26

²⁰ “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, ²¹ that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² The glory that you have given me I have given to them,that they may be one even as we are one, ²³ I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. ²⁴ Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. ²⁵ O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. ²⁶ I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Today’s Workout

The phrase “that they may become perfectly one” speaks to the unity of the believers as the body of Christ and the unity of believers with God. So the question begs asking of ourselves, “Is my life in unity with God?”

I think that if anyone immediately answers boldly, “Yes, I am one with God” – they might have more to fear than even the lost sinner. If there is no tension pressing them to examine themselves and identify those areas where they fall short of the glory of God so they might come to the foot of the cross with a humble and repentant heart – we might have to ask them whether or not it is their faith or their pride that is strong.

Yes, Christ has made known to us not only the name of God, but the perfect example of His righteousness. And His righteousness looks quite different to us than the judgmental, religious, ritualistic, and hypocritical self righteousness of the proud and the wise. His righteousness shines so brightly against the contrast of our imperfect lives that we are humbled by the opportunity of being called Children of God. If we have anything to boast of, it is Christ alone, not our own works, words, actions, or victories. Because what victory is there to be had that is not built upon the foundation of Christ the cornerstone?

So like Paul, I don’t yet claim to have yet achieved it, but I press on towards the upward goal of following in the footsteps of my Christ. I do not oppose you friend, because you are not my enemy. Just because you see me standing firm against sin, doesn’t mean that I stand against you, friend. I too know the battle that rages between flesh and spirit. I too know the temptations that are common to all men. I don’t stand as a perfect example for you to follow, but I follow the one who is. And we each have this same opportunity.

And do you know that as we follow our master, we become more like him? Those who follow another master into destruction, their deceit, wickedness, selfishness, and pride – it grows up and chokes the joy out of their lives – and it tries to choke the life out of those around them. They are diseased trees bearing deadly fruit into this world. But you who follow the good shepherd who lays down His life for the flock – His love, His spirit, His very nature comes and abides in you and remains – and that love infiltrates the darkness of this world and overcomes it.

Examine your life. Not so that you can become either proud or guilt stricken, but so that you can realize your need for the grace that this Good News of Jesus Christ offers those who would humbly see themselves in their fallen condition, and who would submit themselves in faith to be raised to new life, to follow a new master, to live free from sin – not free to sin.

We are not dogs who return to their own vomit. We are not slaves to sin. We are free indeed – not by our own strength, but by the grace of God. We do not walk alone. We are one with Him, and He is one with us.

“Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” – Revelation 22:15

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Galatians 5:19-21

Galatians 5:22-26

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with itspassions and desires.

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

I can’t hear you?!!

​Shout with joy to the Lord , all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! 

He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Psalms 100:1‭-‬5 NLT

One of You is a Devil

​Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”

John 6:70 NKJV
If an apostle chosen and identified by Christ himself was a devil – how many moreso who have given themselves titles and received such titles from men?
Especially amongst men who divide themselves and honor men not God by saying we follow “Peter”, or “Pope”, or “Luther”, or the “Baptist”, or any name other than the name above all names – are you seeking to honor men, or do you seek to honor God?
Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.

I Corinthians 1:12‭-‬15 NKJV
This world is filled with deceit, division, and darkness, but we do not cower in the corner with our little flame of truth. 
I encourage you to read Matthew 5, 2 Peter 2 and Jude 1 if you disagree with anything I share here, friend. 
If someone’s “light” leaves you seeking prosperity in this life more than righteousness – if it leaves you justifying your remaining in your sinful ways,  I encourage you to make sure that you know the difference between the blind leading the blind along the broad path that leads to destruction and those who know,  love, serve,  and remain living in Christ, not just in word but in deed. 
Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord , And their works are in the dark; They say, “Who sees us?” and, “Who knows us?” – Isaiah 29:15 NKJV
“The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.” – Isaiah 9:2 NKJV
“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. “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! “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. – Matthew 6:19‭-‬24 NKJV
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See below a related article “A Tragic End for Judas”

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A Tragic End for Judas
“When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind…saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood’” (vv. 3–4).  
– Matthew 27:1–10

All four Evangelists describe Judas as a traitor when he first appears on the scene in the Gospels (Matt. 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:16; John 6:71). On the other hand, Peter is not defined by his betrayal of Jesus in denying the Savior three times. Since Peter repented and was restored (John 21:15–19), he is remembered as the rock, not primarily as the denier of Christ. Yet Judas never turned from his sin and bears the shame of his deed forever.
Matthew’s juxtaposition of Peter’s denial and Judas’ death invites us to compare the state of their souls. Like Peter, Judas is remorseful after the fact, changing his mind about the wisdom of his deed after seeing Jesus condemned (Matt. 27:3–4). Unlike Peter, Judas does not feel the “godly grief” of repentance (2 Cor. 7:10). The Greek verb for Judas’ change of mind (Matt. 27:3) is not the one normally used for repentance. Moreover, Judas does not really try to stop what he has started and will not testify of Christ’s innocence before Pilate. John Calvin writes, “True repentance is displeasure at sin, arising out of fear and reverence for God, and producing, at the same time, a love and desire of righteousness.” Were Judas repentant, justice and righteousness would move him to intervene on Jesus’ behalf. Godly sorrow leads people to run to God, but Judas’ despair makes him run into the arms of death (v. 5).
Once more, the Jewish leaders care more about the minutiae of ceremonial regulation than the greater sin of killing an innocent man (see Amos 5:21–24). They use the blood money paid to Judas to buy a place to bury Gentiles (Matt. 27:6–8), thereby fulfilling prophecy (vv. 9–10). The text Matthew cites seems to be a paraphrase of Jeremiah 19:1–14 and Zechariah 11. Both prophets allude to Israel’s rejecting the shepherds God sent to them and the destruction that results. For centuries the Almighty sent His prophets to shepherd His people, but His people rejected them and the destruction of exile occurred. Now with the condemnation of Jesus to death, the leaders have rejected the “Shepherd and Overseer” of their souls (1 Peter 2:25), and they make themselves even more worthy of God’s wrath than their ancestors.
Coram Deo
Matthew Henry comments, “Some have said, that Judas sinned more in despairing of the mercy of God, than in betraying his Master’s blood.” Neither Judas’ betrayal nor his suicide is the unforgiveable sin, only his refusal to seek the grace of Christ. Peter and Judas both committed heinous transgressions, but Peter found restoration when he repented. Today let us repent of our sins and turn to Jesus, knowing that He offers pardon to all those who trust Him alone.
Passages for Further Study
2 Chronicles 7:14 

Psalm 7:12–13

Luke 11:29–32

2 Peter 3:9

The Beauty of the Trials

We are still living without septic and without power service. Thank you,  Jesus! This has been a wonderful experience for us.
What is amazing is that at one extreme,  there are people who look at us as if we are fools and ask,  “Why would you ever choose to live like that? ” And at the other extreme,  there are people that stand here looking at where we are and say, “Man, you are living the dream. I’d love to one day have something like this!” 
Yes, these are both actual statements made by people around us about the exact same situation. Two quite different perspectives. 
Yes, this life has surrounded us with friends in all kinds of different lifestyles and circumstances – but this is not about our circumstances,  because in this life there will always be some that will have more than us and some that will have less. In this life, there will always be those that understand us and those who do not. In this life, there will always be those who encourage us and those who will seek to tear us down. 
All of this has and is bringing our family closer together than we’ve been in the past. And it is bringing us closer to a life where we pray for and try to help both of these groups of people in our daily lives. 
There are many people who have a lot of things,  but have little compassion and love and generosity towards those in need. We hope that we might share love and that they might be humbled when their visibility into our decisions about living this way by choice highlight so many that lI’ve in more challenging situations not by their own choice. 
There are many who have a lot of compassion and mercy and generosity towards others that have very little themselves to show for it. We hope that we might share work and meals and help with their needs as we can or connect them with those who have the resources to help fill their needs. 
With all of this being said, today I am praying that Duke Power provide us with the power that we have been going without. The Lord has continued to provide for us and we’ve found ways to make this work. But the generator that we’ve been running on non-stop for weeks now is not meant for this type of constant service.  And the money spent on enough gas and propane daily to keep it running has been a wonderful testimony to our trusting in the Lord to provide and His being faithful and true to meet our needs. 
But I know and trust that it is time for us to bring quiet again to these rolling hills instead of the roar of this generator that has been our announcement to our new neighbors that we now live here. We are ready to be a blessing and not a nuisance to our neighbors, we are ready for this process of building to begin,  we are ready. And we know the Lord’s answerve is “Yes”. And we have been satisfied that the Lord’s answer had been “but not yet” up to this point. And we are confident that His timing is best. 
I’m just telling you,  friends,  that I am praying for God to move in a mighty way and make it clear to us today His purpose and will for this land in serving His Kingdom. No matter the answer or direction, Lord, no matter our understanding, Lord, set our feet form upon your path,  and make it a clear and evident testimony today,  that as for me and my house,  we will serve the Lord.

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

James 4:1‭-‬3 NLT

Is our perspective “Scarcely Saved”, or “Entitled”

​For the time has  come  for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it  begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to  Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

I Peter 4:17‭-‬19 NKJV

Has someone or something convinced you that you will escape judgement – that you will never see the consequences of your wicked decisions and actions? 

Many inmates in jails and prisons today thought that they could do as they please and “get away with it”. Many people burdened with deeply rooted problems within their marriages and relationships thought that they could “get away with it”. Many people suffering in the clutches of addiction thought they could “get away with it”.
The short sighted perspective of “I’ll get away with it” leads many into destruction – and I’m not just talking about a “some day at judgement” kind of destruction,  but a destruction in the here and now of the life of abundance and joy and blessing that we could be.
I promise you that if you take the attitude of “I can get away with it” – if you take the attitude of “His grace is sufficient” to justify something that you are deciding to remain involved in that you know is wrong – you do have much to fear. 

So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Genesis 4:6‭-‬7 NKJV

I know the attitude of being “entitled to salvation” because someone sold me on the idea that a one time sinner’s prayer was enough to make my sinful life “invisible to God”. It’s sad to me that so many are veiled by this evil lie. It’s sad to me that so many are seeking a covering to protect them from the consequences of their continued lives of open rebellion against God’s way – instead of seeking an annointing of His presence in their lives to deliver them into a new kind of living. 

Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

John 8:34‭-‬36 NKJV

It isn’t sad because I’m standing on high looking down on them for being so foolish. It is sad because I have been there myself and when I was, I was missing out on the amazing life that the Lord had in store for me. And when I let myself slip back into that mindset,  even if only for a short while, it seems to result in missed opportunities or unwanted consequences. 
But isn’t that what an “entitled” mindset produces? When it is all about “what I deserve” or “what I can get away with” or “what X owes me” – doesn’t that just wreak of pride, selfishness, of a carnal mind?  Isn’t this the mark of Cain, the mark of the fallen, blind, lost man, who doesn’t know God or His ways at all? 
And isn’t this clear from his perspective when we talk about sin and righteousness and judgement? Doesn’t his countenance fall, and doesn’t he become angry because he knows that he is not accepted? Doesn’t he start to argue that the law is not fair or just – that it must be changed, updated,  to more closely reflect what is acceptable to man – instead of man seeking to be changed, renewed,  redeemed into what is acceptable to God.
Judgement is coming. Church, you will be first. 
But the grateful man, the penitent man,  the broken hearted and humble man accepts that He has nothing of true value to offer a Lord. He acknowledges that God’s way is right and just,  and that He will follow in faith. 
When you read the instruction and guidance of the Bible – do you seek ways to excuse your life still not lining up? Are do you want to see correction, change,  and growth where His way is your way? 
Do you believe a great price was paid for you at Calvary? Does that produce grattitude in your heart? Or have you grown cools and had your heart grown hard? Do you know the warm touch of the Saviors hand upon your head as you kneel humbly at His feet? Or do you long for a touch,  a word, a breath of new life into your weary soul? 

Some battles offer no chance of victory

There is no victory in battling with fools.

Those people who clearly prove themselves as either imbeciles or antagonists in your life, Christian, do not let them steal your joy. Forgive them. Do your best to help them if possible,  but if they engage you for battle,  lift your sheld of faith and not your sword to meet their advances,  and they will do you know harm. 

A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes. He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his  own feet and drinks violence. Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools. Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool. Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools. The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages. As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There  is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 26:3‭-‬12 NKJV

Rest Here

​And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Matthew 8:20 NKJV

Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” 

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it. ” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” 

Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously. Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”

Genesis 28:10‭-‬22 NKJV

Lay your head upon our house,  Lord. Come and abide with us,  and we will find joy in a life of close friendship and communion with the Lord. We are the little flock that you love,  favour,  and bless. We will honor you with our lives, trusting in your way,  following your precepts, demonstrating that we believe and have a grateful respect and awe in your love, mercy, honor, power, and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.

Luke 24:28‭-‬29 NKJV