hballinger1 Comment

Crazy? Yes. Foolish? No.

Faith. Crazy faith.

When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.
Luke 18:22-23 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.18.22-23.NLT

Crazy faith is the demonstration of a changed heart.

When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
Luke 19:5-10 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.19.5-10.NLT

Zacchaeus loved money more than he loved people. The evidence of this truth about his heart was that he cheated others so that he could have more money. He was a swindler. He didn’t break into people’s houses or take their things,  but he was shrewd and unfair, a liar and an opportunist who took advantage of his position of authority to build up his own wealth by taking it from others. And that is all wealth is – either giving or receiving and then either pulling it up to rust or using it for His glory and the service unto others. The danger in piling up wealth and treasures is that there is someone else who could be touched and their need could be met and we might be the very vessels who are meant to bring the love of Christ by offering them relief from their oppression.

You see, Zacchaeus didn’t understand his responsibility towards his fellow man before he walked with Christ. Zacchaeus was only worried about himself when he was lost. But Jesus Christ touched his life,  and a transformation occurred within his heart. When Zacchaeus laid his hands on true,  crazy faith in the Lord,  it rocked his world. Walls fell down that he had built around his heart and the things that he once clung to and protected,  he was ready to get it out of his life,  because he knew both the sinful dishonesty that it represented, and he knew that he had deprived others through his actions. And he did not repay them just what he “owed” to be just. Nor did he repay them double the original amount which could be considered “restitution”. No, he repaid them for times as much as a c demonstration of His new love. Then he gave half his wealth to the poor.

Now here is the important point. If he had just been touched by guilt or shame, he might have given the amount or double the amount. But his grattitude for what he received from Christ that day in his forgiveness and salvation – His realizing the value of what He had received in Christ compared to the relative worthlessness of his wealth and possessions – it led him to demonstrate some crazy faith.

What would people around you say if you all of a sudden started giving back love to the people you have cheated and hurt in the past? What would people around you say if you started loving those who you used to consider and treat like your enemies? What would people say if you started giving open handedly to the poor and to those in need who could never repay you. The world would either think you a fool or know you to be touched by Christ.

They might see the testimony of your life as a living sacrifice of grattitude towards the loving and merciful Good that lifted you up out of your empty life of only serving yourself. They might catch a glimpse of Christ who lives in you.

And this is crazy faith,  not that we follow some list of rules to prove to others that we are good people – but that we are so overwhelmed that God would accept us as His even when we know ourselvescas sinners, that we don’t care what people will think or say about us, we just want to share the Love of Christ with them.

And when this is the state of our hearts,  when we have been touched by the healing power of Christ,  when He comes and lives in us and through us in our daily walk, we might not yet be perfected,  but we will be recognized by the world as a peculiar people. The world will know that there is something different about our relationship and our closeness with the Lord. It will be undeniable.

Crazy faith tells us to do things the world will see as foolish.

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”
So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.
But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.
As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord .”
1 Corinthians 1:18-31 NLT
http://bible.com/116/1co.1.18-31.NLT

So today,  I ask you,  friends. Has the Lord touched your life yet? Do you know his overwhelming grace? Is your life a demonstration of your crazy faith? Have you reached that humbled place where you are amazed and grateful for the forgiveness that He has extended to you? Have you reached that amazing place where you realize that his amazing grace is available to save another filthy wretch like yourself just by their hearing the message and coming into contact with the Christ who lives in you? Are you alive with Christ?

Examine yourself. Realize the gift that has been given. Know the price that has been paid for you. Admit your unworthiness to receive such honor and glory from the Lord your God, but c trust that He knows better than you the value and purpose of your life in His Kingdom. And walk in the authority that He extends to you as a child of God,  not so that you walk proudly as a king,  nor knowledgeable as a teacher,  but as a humble servant to others and as a wise, anointed vessel of His love.

Be crazy in love with Christ today,  my friends, for this truly is the blessed life.

hballingerLeave a comment

Blessed

The word “blessed” is used 82 times in the new testament. Would you be surprised to know that not once is it discussing wealth or physical prosperity?

“Blessed are  the poor in spirit, for  theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  
“Blessed are  those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  
“Blessed are the  meek, for they  shall inherit the earth.  
“Blessed are those who hunger and  thirst  for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.  
“Blessed are  the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.  
“Blessed are  the pure in heart, for  they shall see God.  
“Blessed are  the peacemakers, for  they shall be called  sons  of God.  
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for  theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely  on my account.
Matthew 5:3-11 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mat.5.3-11.ESV

And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
Matthew 11:6 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mat.11.6.ESV

Yes, Jesus turns the teachings of the world on its head when it comes to blessings, because He is more interested in opening or eyes to see past the veil of this temporary physical existence and its comforts and pleasures that we can choose to buy and lavish upon ourselves. He wants our eyes to be open to the treasure of having Him in our life,  the treasure of saying “you can have all this world,  give me Jesus”.

“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
http://bible.com/59/mat.6.19-21.ESV

His teachings tell us to be more focused on helping those in need, and less in building up our own empire our wealth.

Luke 12:33 ESV
Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.

In fact, He warns us that our lavish living will testify against the true desires of our hearts.

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.
James 5:1-6 ESV
http://bible.com/59/jas.5.1-6.ESV

Ezekiel 16:49-50 ESV
Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it.

Because how many look to their choice of mammon as their god, seeking personal prosperity and wealth and honor for themselves and moral compromise and unfaithfulness – not looking to the one true God who tells us to love God with our everything,  to acknowledge that everything is His and that we are merely stewards of what we have been entrusted to manage responsibly, to love and serve others giving to the needy with an open hand,  and lending to anyone who asks. But instead, we cling to our idols and we know little of the truly blessed life, because we are trading it for pieces of silver.

So we should ask ourselves,  are we seeking a blessed life of service unto the Lord and unto others, our does our heart desire something else? Are we content with Jesus Christ as our portion and trust that our needs are met, or do we desire to be rich and prosperous in this life?

1 Timothy 6:7-10 ESV
For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Hebrews 13:5 ESV
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Matthew 6:24 ESV
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Proverbs 11:28 ESV
Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.

So we should examine ourselves and ask what do I truly desire most? And if it is not Christ,  if it is not living and serving God,  if it is not laying down our lives for one another – then we should repent,  we should call upon the mercies and grace of our loving c Father to forgive us,  and we should all that He change our cold hearts and that He alone should be our desire and our portion.

Or if we have no interest in picking up our cross to bear it and only have interest in claiming His name with our lips but denying Him in our actions – we should be turned away now into the darkness and be made aware of the desperate state of our wicked and rebellious hearts – so that we might count the cost of being a disciple of Christ and choose today to serve the Lord.

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord . And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord , choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord .”
Joshua 24:14-15 ESV
http://bible.com/59/jos.24.14-15.ESV

Lord, strengthen us so that our choice to serve you does not testify against us. Let it be your grace and power that establishes our steps. You are Faithful and true,  Lord. Let your Holy Spirit overcome our lives and let us resist evil and resist not your divine will and purpose for our lives.

But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord , for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.” And the people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the Lord .” Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord , to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord , the God of Israel.” And the people said to Joshua, “The Lord our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey.” So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and put in place statutes and rules for them at Shechem. And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. And he took a large stone and set it up there under the terebinth that was by the sanctuary of the Lord . And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the Lord that he spoke to us. Therefore it shall be a witness against you, lest you deal falsely with your God.” So Joshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance.
Joshua 24:19-28 ESV
http://bible.com/59/jos.24.19-28.ESV

Let us decide now what our inheritance will be – an eternity of hell traded for some silver coins and a bowl of soup – or an eternity walking with Christ who lives in us even today. Let us not seek to gain the world,  but to gain Christ. Whether we give our receive,  whether we live our die, let us count it all for loss of it is not in Christ.

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.  For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?  For what can a man give in return for his soul?  For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Mark 8:34-38 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mrk.8.34-38.ESV

And let’s not do this out of sacrifice or obligation as if we were trying to earn our seat at the table – but let’s understand the grattitude that comes from being a free child of God, saved by the blood of the Lamb and reconciled to a life eternal with our Heavenly Father, trusting that He has prepared a seat for us at His table but testing ourselves to prove ourselves His.

Colossians 3:17 ESV
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

hballingerLeave a comment

What God wants

“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.  The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer : ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!  I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’  I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 18:10-14 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.18.10-14.NLT

Will we choose to humble ourselves?

Or will we find ourselves humbled?

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited?  The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests.  For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward.  Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.  Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”
Luke 14:7-14 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.14.7-14.NLT

Let us come before God in the right position of heart,  humble.

You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Psalms 51:16-17 NLT
http://bible.com/116/psa.51.16-17.NLT

I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:6 NLT
http://bible.com/116/hos.6.6.NLT

hballingerLeave a comment

The Kingdom of God. NOW, in YOU

One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs.  You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you. ”
Luke 17:20-21 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.17.20-21.NLT

When examining your life, are you aware of the Holy Spirit’s work within your life, and around you touching the lives of others?

Much of the work of the Kingdom of God is not miraculous signs and wonders. Much of the work is only evident in the change occurring inside hearts and lives that takes time to be seen – just like a seed planted in the soil that will one day grow into a large,  fruit bearing tree.

But the Kingdom of God is either come in your life and you are flowing with the life giving waters of the Holy Spirit alive in you as a new creation – or you are dead. Yes, a physical body can be up and walking around and participating in this physical world, but if there has been no death of the old nature and birth of a new,  Christ nature – then those persons are like lifeless zombies or robots,  there is no real life in them.

You see,  we don’t have to wait until death to experience and participate in the Kingdom of God. This Jesus thing isn’t about buying a ticket that you have to wait until death to ride on the train. No, this Christian walk is about His Kingdom come to earth in your life today – that His will be done through you today – that His imprint, His mark upon your life, His Holy Spirit alive in you,  shine through the darkness of this world like a great light on a hill. You are His messenger, you are His ambassador,  you are part of His royal priesthood,  you are a son or daughter of God.

And you must choose to believe what is true about you and learn to ignore those attacks by the enemy who want you to be weak in faith – because you have a purpose. Until His triumphant return is complete and the world is reconciled fully into His final judgement, or until you are absent from the body and return into His presence, You are His Kingdom come on earth, You are part of the living body of Christ at work in this physical world.

The Kingdom of God is already among you. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Do you not feel His voice urging you even now at this moment? Do you not feel the touch of His hand upon your life? Do you not see the opportunities before you to demonstrate His love in the challenges that today and overcome them through faith?

I pray that we will all have healthy spiritual eyes to discern the challenges and trials of our day and see them overcome by our faithfulness – resulting in an outpouring of love, joy,  peace,  patience,  kindness,  goodness, self control, and hope.

I pray that we will believe who Christ tells us that we are,  and that we will be truly alive today,  and that we will be equipped with this new heart and with this Word of God written upon the tablets of our hearts – so that His Kingdom will be manifest through the body of His church today – so that His will is done today and not our own.

I pray that we will experience the change in this world that comes when people can see past the veil of c religious practice and lay hands upon the very presence of the living God and changing them from the inside out,  touching their lives with the very imprint of his Holy Spirit as He reforms us into His own likeness,  as we are transformed to become more like our teacher.

I pray that we will be redeemed into His holy ministry of the reconciliation of this world into His grace for, His glory and honor.

I pray that we would all know Him as our Heavenly Father.
I pray that we would all begin to grasp the holiness of His name,  of His being,  of His nature.
I pray that we would all choose to participate in His Kingdom work come to earth in the work of his humble and faithful servants.
I pray that we would all follow His will and not our own,  for His purpose and design is to prosper us and lift us up and to provide for us a greater and more perfect life eternal.
I pray that we would trust Him to provide for all of our needs,  so that we will be open handed to all those in need and want.
I pray that we will all both receive forgiveness and extend forgiveness,  for the Lord seeks mercy in our hearts and not just sacrifice in our deeds.
I pray that we will all know personally the touch of His power and glory and honor as His Kingdom work is evident in us today as well as for all eternity.
Amen.

hballingerLeave a comment

Come, drink, and live

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:1-2 ESV
http://bible.com/59/rev.22.1-2.ESV

The life giving waters flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. Jesus talks of these living waters,  telling us that once we drink of the living waters,  we will thirst no more.

John 4:14 ESV
But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

And not only are we, able to stand beside the river of living waters and drink from them,  we are able to tap into the living waters and flow with living waters ourselves.

John 7:38 ESV
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

This living water is the very Spirit of God,  the Holy Spirit, that we become aware of,  that we are able to communicate with even more closely and directly as we continue seeking and growing in our faith. The living waters are the anointing of the Spirit of the Lord upon our lives, changing us, and molding us,  and guiding us,  and teaching us – once we are surrendered to Christ,  once we believe,  once we are decided to follow His will and purpose, not just our own.

It is when we grow thirsty in life that we begin to understand our need for these living waters. It is when we are trapped in darkness that we begin to understand our need for light. It is when we are broken that we understand our need for healing to take place within our lives. So we are never “too far from God” to come to Him. He has never left our side,  even though we were unaware of His presence. He is no closer or further away from you than the great saints and His rain falls upon the parched and dry earth the same as it does on the fertile forests – for all life depends on life giving water and a forest was once empty land before life first sprung forth.

Isaiah 44:3 ESV
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.

Christ calls out to us,  making us aware that He has the very life giving water that we need to nourish our soul and provide healing to our body,  mind,  and soul. So we have no excuse for remaining thirsty when the water is available for us to come and drink.

John 7:37 ESV
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.

This living water,  He gives to us without payment,  it is a gift, and we cannot work to earn it, nor does it once received allow us to remain the same.

Revelation 21:6 ESV
And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.

The Lord asks two things of his people, to love Him and to love one another. Jesus Christ explained that, all of the law and words of the prophets grow from this central truth,  that all of it points to this central relationship between ourselves and the living God. That He is available to us to see His face,  to hear His voice,  to walk with Him, to experience life with Him.

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
Revelation 22:4 ESV
http://bible.com/59/rev.22.4.ESV

“Blessed are  the pure in heart, for  they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mat.5.8.ESV

John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

But the problem is that we ignore the voice and we have continued our lives chosing evil instead.

Revelation 2:4
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.  For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.  But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
John 3:19-21 ESV
http://bible.com/59/jhn.3.19-21.ESV

We have chosen darkness over light, and we have chosen to value things and self more than God.

Jeremiah 2:13 ESV
For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.

It is never too late to turn to Him,  to seek Him, to drink of the living waters. To be washed in the blood of the Lamb,  and to know both salvation and the hand of the Lord upon your life, friend. We, the believers, the bride of Christ,  are inviting you to come,  drink of the waters.

Revelation 22:17 ESV
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Isaiah 12:3 ESV
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Revelation 7:16-17 ESV
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Isaiah 58:11 ESV
And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 41:17-18 ESV
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

Isaiah 55:1-2 ESV
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

Come, drink.

And live.

hballinger2 Comments

Judge? No. Rebuke? Yes. Forgive? ALWAYS!

When someone repeats their past mistakes and hurts us again and again, our tendency is to no longer forgive them – because we listen to the voice that tells us we must protect ourselves from them.

So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.  Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”
Luke 17:3-4 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.17.3-4.NLT

We are to be a voice of encouragement and accountability into the lives of other believers. If we choose to stop being that voice in their lives because we have grown weary, either from the repeated pain or from the hopeless feeling that they refuse to change, then we are choosing the path of last resistance, the broad path that is easy and is chosen by many.

That path offers less testing and proving through the faith that refines us. In fact,  the resulting lack of exercise and testing of out hearts results in the love of many waxing cold. It is not healthy, in fact,  it is quite dangerous for us to turn to the cold, exacting,  judgemental nature of a legalistic and religious person who measures and judges people and offers sacrifices at their altar of religion,  but who produces no love in their life and in the lives of others. Yes, Jesus tells us to even love our enemies, so we do not have the excuse of someone being our enemy to release us from the obligation of loving and forgiving them.

And fellow believers need accountability, they need a gentle rebuke when gentleness is called for,  and they need a more clear and direct rebuke when their rebellion puts them in the path of death – but it must always be done from the stance of love,  with the intent of encouraging them towards repentance,  and the hope of seeing them restored.

Even though there are many unfaithful who would claim the name of Jesus Christ today falsely, by cling to the promise of grace and forgiveness while ignoring repentance and following Christ – that doesn’t mean that we are to be silent and let them continue blindly into the darkness. The same ones who respond,  “You can’t judge me. You aren’t perfect either.” As they cling boldly to their sin with no fear of God whatsoever are the blind that need the healing touch of the truth. And that is exactly what a rebuke is – it is speaking truth into the life of someone who is confused,  misled,  lost,  and struggling – it is done in love to provide assistance and guidance in hopes they will step back onto the narrow path.

But broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many will refuse to follow the path with their actions even though they will try to claim Him with their words. But it is our hearts that are weighed,  my friends.

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.
Matthew 7:21 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.7.21.NLT

‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Matthew 15:8 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.15.8.NLT

People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.
Proverbs 21:2-3 NLT
http://bible.com/116/pro.21.2-3.NLT

Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Matthew 9:13 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.9.13.NLT

Show mercy,  friends – for that is where Christ is found,  that is where His love is demonstrated, and that is how your life can be used as a vessel of His glorious grace.

Find mercy and love for those who persecute you and you will soar like on the wings of eagles where their actions can no longer touch or harm you in the places that matter. For we are temporary residents of this foreign land,  and we return to our home eternal soon enough. What can mere men take from us that we are not willing to give in exchange for our eternal life with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior?

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.  And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?  For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.
Matthew 16:24-27 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.16.24-27.NLT

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

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A scary prayer? Or blessed assurance?

“Lord, if we need anything to further your ministry and to serve you,  provide all of it,  along with the responsible hearts to manage it effectively for your glory and honor. Bless us and give us increase in all areas of our lives that can be used to lift up your name – our love for you, our love and service unto others, our wisdom and understanding, our testimony, our spiritual gifts, our exercising your authority upon this earth, our health, our families, our homes, our food, our property, our very breathe within our bodies. It is all yours not truly ours, only lent to us for your purpose, and with it comes a responsibility to be a good steward. But if we are going to use it to glorify ourselves or anything other than your name, take it all from us, and instead give us yourself. Take it all if you must. Let your will be done, not ours. Amen.”

Continue reading “A scary prayer? Or blessed assurance?” →