Author: hballinger

COVID-19 on April 15, 2020

As I sit working from home for part of the fifth week in a row, I am encouraged by a lot that I see happening around us — people helping each other, people encouraging one another, etc. Yes, there are also people that are being led around by their fear — hoarding things, grumbling loudly, casting blame in every direction they can, seeking to manipulate others for their own political or personal agendas, seeking to leverage their authority to oppress others, etc. — but I can see the roses amongst the thorns. We can really tell a lot about what a person’s life is founded upon when challenges set in.

I’m also encouraged by the recent data showing that the number of new confirmed cases per day is apparently on a down trend (Source: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html ):

As an American who is interested in how our leadership is handling this pandemic, and as I realize that the USA has the highest total number of confirmed cases, I know that we can’t blindly compare:

• the number of cases/deaths in a large country like the US where there is much more transportation and everyday free movement between cities and states and where testing is widely available and encouraged
• to a smaller country that is more isolated and remote with little testing widely available
• without taking into account the population.

When looking at the top 10 most affected countries, the US has the highest jump in confirmed cases (seen in green below):

However, when we take into account the population of the various countries, we are not one of the highest in number of deaths per population. Obviously, I’m not celebrating that other countries have a higher or lower death rate per population, and I’m not on some US specific agenda. I would love to see everyone have as low as possible death rate across the entire world — but the only data we have on something new like this is to make comparisons:

I’m encouraged that our efforts as a nation of Social Distancing and then Staying at Home over these past 5 weeks have the statistics at least indicating that we may have flattened the curve. I’m encouraged that the case statistics are now on what appears to be a down trend:

While these trends encourage me that our efforts are having an impact, every number on this graph for the deaths in the US is a real person — with even more people around them that their death has impacted in some way:

I realize that even still today, there are many who are mad and disgrunted about the shutdowns and inconveniences. I realize that there are even still today people who want to blame all of this on conspiracies, etc. and who deny that it was ever something we even needed to address. For some, even after it takes the life of someone close to them, they may still not be able to accept the interruptions and inconveniences they have undergone as being helpful to protect others — as a reasonable and worthy sacrifice on behalf of their fellow man. But I say, even if it were contrived, and even if we are to be wronged by someone — isn’t it better to accept being wronged for the benefit of others?

I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 6:7 in this instance. I really like both the KJV and Good News translations of this verse from the original Greek:

Original Greek: ἤδη μὲν οὖν ὅλως ἥττημα ἐν ὑμῖν ἐστιν ὅτι κρίματα ἔχετε μεθ᾽ ἑαυτῶν δια τί οὐχὶ μᾶλλον ἀδικεῖσθε; δια τί οὐχὶ μᾶλλον ἀποστερεῖσθε;

KJV: Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?

GN: The very fact that you have legal disputes among yourselves shows that you have failed completely. Would it not be better for you to be wronged? Would it not be better for you to be robbed?

And I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 as well:

Original Greek:  Ἡ ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ χρηστεύεται ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ ζηλοῖ ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ περπερεύεται οὐ φυσιοῦται  Ἡ ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ χρηστεύεται ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ ζηλοῖ ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ περπερεύεται οὐ φυσιοῦται

KJV: Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

NLT: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

Lord, help us and guide us in these times to follow in your footsteps, to walk with you, to trust in you, and to not let fear, anxiety, or the challenges of the day gain a foothold in our lives. You are greater, and you are faithful and true to the end. Amen.

Question about Modesty

I’m going to give you some scriptures to consider… broken up into what I would consider:

• Milk – easy to consume (foundational)
• Bread – must be washed down with milk (learning/ construction)
• Meat – must be chewed on, meditated upon, takes time (polishing)

First, let’s talk quickly about perspective — whether I’m in a mindset of “can I do this or that” or I’m in a mindset of “what glorifies God, benefits the Kingdom of God, and doesn’t stumble others”. This is the milk.

If we can’t stomach this “milk” scripture first and have a right perspective to begin with, we may not be mature enough to receive the “bread” scriptures I’ll share below specifically about modesty without considering the scripture as “burdensome legal obligation keeping us from what we want to do” instead of “helpful godly instruction that glorifies God, furthers the Kingdom, and doesn’t stumble others”. Because if we are still focused on “I”, we need a lot more nursing life from Christ and our old life of sin and selfishness dying away.

Remember, the “milk” will wash down all of the bread so that we dont choke on it (not leaving any out or changing it, put potting right or perspective to receive it):

You say, “I am allowed to do anything” —but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
1 Corinthians 10:23‭-‬24 NLT

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:1‭-‬2 NLT

You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead. Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:12‭-‬20 NLT

If the perspective is wrong and we are only thinking about ourselves, the next scripture will only seem burdensome legal obligation and not joyful instruction in godliness. But with Christ as our guide, we can reach conviction and repentance instead of remaining in rebellion, condemnation, or shame.

In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands.
1 Peter 3:1‭-‬5 NLT

In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do. Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.
1 Timothy 2:8‭-‬15 NLT

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
Galatians 5:16‭-‬26 NLT

As you can see above, a person in the wrong mindset and perspective of “self” could either read the above and say, “How dare they judge me or tell me what to do!” Or say, “Look how godly I am because I already do these things!” And both those responses from the heart would reveal the same sin of pridefulness. This is why I must also include meat to be considered for part of the meal if you long to grow to be a mature Child of God, loving others, and walking with God in light and not in darkness:

Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.” But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.
Galatians 2:16‭-‬21 NLT

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “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 like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. 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 18:9‭-‬14 NLT

When we can receive all of this joyfully, and can be eager for all of this to be true in our lives and in our hearts and in our thoughts — and when we are not adding to it, subtracting from it, or wagging our finger at others about it, but are humble before God and seeing Him actively make it so in us as He leads us along this narrow path — then we will know that He is God and that He will finish the work He has started in us. Amen.

Old Man Wrigley on a Maundy Thursday

The song “Believe” made popular by Brooks & Dunn talks about a young man’s life influenced by an older man’s faith. This older man is called Old Man Wrigley in the song. Give the song a listen, and pay attention to the lyrics:

Hearing my mom Jean Edge Ballinger read daily devotionals to my grandmother in the next room while I’m working from home reminds me that being an Old Man Wrigley has nothing to do with age, or position in life — just that strong pull of faith, of gratitude for what was laid down on Good Friday and raised back up on Easter Sunday, and an eager willingness to share honestly with others the reason for our hope.

I have plenty of pastor friends, and most of them look at the Old Man Wrigleys of this world with more awe and respect than they do the crowd gatherers. And some Old Man Wrigleys have such a clear and understandable reason for their hope that crowds gather very regularly to listen to them, not just on a front porch.

You might see Old Man Wrigley on a front porch, or an old man taking a boy fishing, a step parent adopting a child to love as their own, or a neighbor spending time with you, or a loved one taking care of a family member, or a preacher sharing the Good News, or a recovered addict helping run a shelter, or a business leader teaching and mentoring other professionals — but look past the veil of this world, and you might just catch a glimpse of Jesus and His disciples washing feet.

Maundy Thursday is a remembrance that some Christians practice in remembrance of the night before He went to the cross. The key with Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, Christmas, or even weekly church gatherings isn’t about carrying on the consistent religious tradition of such things — but that we actually remember and appreciate and “worship in spirit and truth” our Savior and Lord.

On the text, we see that Jesus first demonstrated by His actions the principal of living service to others:

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
John 13:3‭-‬17 ESV

Then after He had demonstrated with His actions, He told His disciples what to do:

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:31‭-‬35 ESV

Believers, we must be like Jesus and like Old Man Wrigley, letting our lives’ actions speak so loudly of the gospel that others might ask us, “How are you like this?” Or “Why do you believe?” Because this is real faith that they can see and discern is quite different and peculiar from the self-righteous and from the hypocritically religious and from the lost clearly trapped in sin and pride and selfishness. Because you can tell a child all day what to do with your words, but if you don’t first instruct them with your actions and your example, it is futile.

…you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
1 Peter 3:15‭-‬16 NLT

Opportunity Walks Alongside Challenge

John Maxwell had this quote to share today on his Minute with Maxwell:

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” –Chuck Swindoll

Every opportunity comes from a challenge. How we perceive a situation or circumstances can either blind us to the opportunity in hopelessness, or it can set our eyes upon God’s promises and His ability to accomplish mighty and amazing things even in seemingly impossible situations.

Yes, our own strength and ability had limits. You are wise to not expect that you could overcome everything that you face on your own. But what is impossible for man is possible for the Almighty.

What does scripture tell us?

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. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord ; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. Behold, I make of you a threshing sledge, new, sharp, and having teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and crush them, and you shall make the hills like chaff; you shall winnow them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the tempest shall scatter them. And you shall rejoice in the Lord ; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory. 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.
Isaiah 41:10‭-‬17 ESV

The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Exodus 15:2 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2‭-‬4 ESV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalms 23:1‭-‬6 ESV

Lord, may we trust in you fully. Trust in your faithfulness. Trust in your plan. Trust in YOU. Amen.

Breathe

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 33:4 ESV

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.
1 Corinthians 6:19‭-‬20 ESV

Michael W. Smith released “Breathe” in 2001 that was written by songwriters Liam Howe, Tahliah Barnett, and Timmaz Zolleyn. With lyrics like “I’m desperate for you”, “Your holy presence living in me”, and “Your very word spoken to me” — it’s clear that this song is about something much deeper than church attendance, quoting scripture and following a moral compass for day to day living.

This song is about intimacy with God. It is about an abiding relationship that generates a fire in our bones and a thirst for closeness with our bridegroom, Christ Jesus.

That might sound very odd and peculiar to both the rigid religious practitioner and the wild lost rebel, but that is what sets The Way apart from “religions”. Others might choose wise men with wise words and advice that are long ago dead and turned to lifeless dust in the ground — but our Lord not only overcame death and sin and rose again in both body and spirit — He lives in us. Not just metaphorically in our memories (like a lost friend or relative), but truly as a companion, teacher, and a close friend.

I don’t ask you to join my religious organization. I don’t ask you to send your money. I don’t ask you to abide by my guidelines. I don’t even ask you to call me teacher. I’m telling you about THE TEACHER that you can know for yourself personally and closely and intimately. I’m telling you about a breath of life that can be breathed into you by Almighty God to bring you into a life abundant with the fruit of His Spirit that tastes of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. I’m telling you about a miracle where men and women are born again to lives of purpose, of service, of building up and encouraging others instead of tearing them down — and a life free from shame and guilt and treating their own selves down anymore.

Yes, it sounds crazy at face value. What’s the angle? Where’s the catch? What is this fool trying to sell me? What is He going to ask me to do?

It is free. Free free free free.

I know you hear that from commercials and advertisements these days and or is always a lie and a marketing attempt to eventually separate you from your money or your time.

I’m not here to convince you. I’m just here to tell you that it is true. I know what Jesus has done for me, and I just have to celebrate and praise Him for it. I know some might hear and believe and be changed, and I know that some will refuse, and that’s between you and God.

I just have to praise and worship, and if you want to listen, sing along, or join me in worship — deep, personal intimate worship of the Lord God Almighty who is worthy of praise and honor and glory — you choose to do what you are drawn to do. God bless you and yours, and glory be to God! Amen!

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God : Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Ezekiel 37:9‭-‬10 ESV

Have we been “Free Fallin”?

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:24‭-‬27 ESV

Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne wrote “Free Fallin'” in two days to go onto Tom Petty’s debut album Full Moon Fever, that was released in 1989. The song is full of references to areas of Los Angeles, California — so it is fitting that one of my favorite singing buddies from California would be a great choice to collaborate with on this cover, James Pittman.

I think that it’s an especially interesting song lyrically — in that even though it describes the “bad boy” and the “good girl” in the song — Petty tells when asked about the song’s development and meaning — that it isn’t about a certain person or story per se, but was written about what he saw along his commute every day.

In this time while most people’s “normal lives” have been changed and impacted, one of the greatest benefits to this situation is that “normal life” has been interrupted for most of us. And we might each benefit from having time to pause and ponder and appreciate so many “common blessings” that we encounter regularly every day.

I wonder how many of us can admit that at times we are just “free falling” through the days — without real intention or purpose or appreciation — just “making it through”. I also wonder if circumstances like we are seeing around us today might give us a more clear and present opportunity to be aware of this.

I wonder how many of us in our complacency and our “free fallin'” might have broken the hearts and dreams of those around us — not even consciously or maliciously or intentionally — but by our indifference and lack of encouraging, lifting up, and supporting those around us? I can at times be overly critical and set high expectations on those around me and hurt them unintentionally just by my attitude and perspective towards them. But when I contemplate such shortcomings, and I pray about them, and when I am purposeful and conscious of those old traps instead of just free falling through my life — I might find myself willing to be the brokenhearted good girl instead.

The good girl loves. Do you hear that in the lyrics? Repeatedly it tells us she LOVES. She loves Jesus. She loves America too. And horses. And her boyfriend too. She loves. Isn’t that the key difference?

I hope someone might enjoy this cover. It isn’t for money or profit, because I’m just a bad boy trying to be more like that good girl who is in love with Jesus and America. I’m not a professional or trained singer or artist or entertainer. If I’m anything by name or title, I’m a Follower of The Way and a Student of the Word. I’m lucky enough to have been awakened from my free fall through life by an encounter with Jesus Christ that changed my whole life. And now that I’m awake, I’m just like a voice crying out and singing out through the night — trying to lift up the name of Jesus and see who else is waking up from that free falling. Yes, we are look more like the bad boy if we are honest with ourselves — but what a wonderful thought that we have a hope for something that is completely different.

God bless you to be a blessing to those around you. Amen!

Poses No Threat?

This picture seemed immediately to me to be a commentary on the Coronavirus. There are plenty of people griping and complaining about the inconveniences. And plenty of people ignoring requests and recommendations by government officials. Plenty of people wearing thin foil hats and crying out “conspiracy” and doing everything they can to resist whatever is recommended as the safe and reasonable thing to do. I’ve even seen “church people” talking bad about “How some churches are closing their doors!” Or about “The government can’t close our churches, that’s unconstitutional!” And it’s always from the standpoint of “my rights” and “what I want”.

I can tell you that attitude isn’t fruit of the Holy Spirit:

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NLT

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1 Corinthians 13:4‭-‬7 NLT

Shouldn’t we ask ourselves before spewing out grumbling and complaining and bitterness where that is all coming from? Is it that our words are in agreement with the Word of God that I posted above that clearly define the spirit of God and the fruit that it produces? Or could it be that — instead of trusting God — we have come into agreement with the Accuser, that enemy of God, and that our grumbling and complaining against others is actually our complaining against God?

It’s a pretty important question — where your attitude, your mood, your perspective, your “spirit” is sourced from. And we should all take the time to ask whether the fountain welling up inside us is fresh, nourishing water that brings life to those around us — or whether it is bitter and poisonous and deadly.

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door! For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
James 5:7‭-‬11 NLT

See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:15‭-‬18 NLT

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord , my rock and my redeemer.
Psalms 19:14 NLT

Lord, help us to be mindful of what seed is being sown by our words and whether we are speaking life or speaking death. Help us to not only be willing to suffer for our own eventual gain, because even wicked and greedy investors know how to make a small sacrifice in the short term for a large personal gain later! But Lord, give us a heart that is willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of others. Give us a heart to avoid things and actions and words that might be a hindrance to others. Help us to avoid sinfulness and temptation, not because our own wickedness or righteousness in itself has any bearing on our own salvation/damnation or reward/punishment — but because our example might either lift up or tear down our brothers and sisters. You did not die on the cross for your own gain, because you are God and have need of nothing. You suffered and died for our benefit. Help us to follow in this way, Lord. Amen.

I Say This Because…

As you read the next verse,  expect it to provoke a reaction in your heart and mind:

I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Jude 1:4 NLT

Did you:

A) Defiantly get offended that something written so long ago by self-righteous hypocrites has anything to say about what is moral or immoral today

B) Proudly think to yourself, “Yeah, THOSE PEOPLE….” and immediately build a list of people in your mind whose sins you know fit this verse

C) Fearfully consider your own sinfulness and imperfections and wonder if your own giving in to temptation is any reflection of your having either fully accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior truly in your heart — or if those things might be evidence that you have said “Christian things” with your mouth but denied Him in your heart and need to repent and turn back to Him

D) Humbly realize your own perfections and shortcomings that you deal with daily,  but confidently and boldly stand on the truth that we must be “Holy as He is holy” and trust God to make this true in every area of our lives by His power, not just by our own efforts

Or maybe you have a different reaction, or even a combination of the above. The first word in each of those choices tells you what perspective those are coming from. Our “perspective”, “mood”, “spirit”, or whatever you would like to call it for the sake of this discussion is going to greatly influence how you “receive” the communication of this verse. And knowing your own state of mind is valuable.

I’m asking you right now to essentially step outside of your privileged biases and circumstances and mood — and to consider what “flavored” your reading of the scripture. Consider how much defiance, or pride,  or fear,  or humility may have played into how you received the message. And if you understand what I’m saying about how that might influence your perspective — can you accept that there are many other perspectives, moods, biases,  or spirits “whispering in your ear” while you read or hear or see something that might influence how you “receive” things from the world around you?

Be honest with yourself.

Are you defiant and quick to be offended by things around you? Quick to either dismiss or attack or grumble about anything that doesn’t fit “your way”?

Do you have high expectations of what other people “should” be or do? Are you critical and judgemental of others?

Does fear have influence on your decisions? Do you face the unknown by making great preparations, stockpiling, and anxiously contemplating what “might” happen and “what dangers lie ahead”?

Do you have a right balance of humility about your own abilities, even while trusting fully ands boldly in God’s promises?

All of us at different times might be in these different places, so don’t consider this a time to retreat in shame because you aren’t where you think I’m telling you that you “should be”. We are where God has us right now for a reason. The question is, are you taking the time to look at yourself “spiritually” to know where you are? If you are in a defiant, proud, fearful, humble, or other place/mood/Spirit/perspective — do you know this and consider this when facing messages that are coming to you through TV, radio, Internet, friends, coworkers, etc.? Can you see how this might “flavor” and bias not only your receipt of the message, but your response/reaction?

So here is our opportunity. I used our reaction to the verse to show us something hopefully deep and introspective about the verse and how we received it. Which in turn showed us something that we might be mindful about in our day to day activities. This can be a helpful exercise to better receive, respond and react wisely. However, this verse is not primarily about YOU.

No, the wisdom and insight that we are touching upon from just a piece of this verse is chock full and overflowing in the Word of God, because it is all central to revealing God and His ways to us. This verse is not about you are me, but is about Him.

The verse is about “God’s marvelous grace”. This message of Jesus Christ has been sent to us all, clear and perfect and beautiful and wise and helpful and full of love. But perspective/mood/spirit can either serve as blinders, as a veil, as a twisted and warped glass through which to receive the message — or healthy eyes and ears and heart to see, hear, and understand. This verse is about His grace being the substantive Truth, the One Way, One Truth, One Life that IS, regardless of the opinions, perspectives, or biases of people.

That Truth of His grace is not malleable into whatever people want to twist it into. It is not a respecter of our personal perspective, mood, or bias. We cannot twist it around to fit us, we are either torn down and rebuilt to confirm to it by falling upon the rock in repentance, or one day that rock will eventually fall upon us. That may sound like a hard or harsh truth if you aren’t ready to hear that, but nonetheless, it is true.

If you consider yourself a Christian, it is important to consider reading the book of Jude, even the whole Bible and consider whether you will let it change you to be more conformed to the image of Christ — or whether you have chosen that this verse IS about you and isn’t about Christ. There are only two characters in this verse — hell bound sinners, and Christ Jesus. May we find Him and His grace while there is still time. Amen.

On Time? Or Too Late?

Two passages caught my eye tonight. One from the old testament and one from the new. And I have marked in bold the verse in each that I found critical to my contemplation tonight:

“Then you answered me, ‘We have sinned against the Lord . We ourselves will go up and fight, just as the Lord our God commanded us.’ And every one of you fastened on his weapons of war and thought it easy to go up into the hill country. And the Lord said to me, ‘Say to them, Do not go up or fight, for I am not in your midst, lest you be defeated before your enemies.’ So I spoke to you, and you would not listen; but you rebelled against the command of the Lord and presumptuously went up into the hill country. Then the Amorites who lived in that hill country came out against you and chased you as bees do and beat you down in Seir as far as Hormah. And you returned and wept before the Lord , but the Lord did not listen to your voice or give ear to you.
Deuteronomy 1:41‭-‬45 ESV

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.
Mark 11:12‭-‬14 ESV

In the passage in Deuteronomy, we see that even though they “wept before the Lord” that the Lord didn’t listen. And we see that when the Lord found the fig tree with no figs that He cursed it.

These two passages immediately bring to mind the passage in Hebrews 12 about Esau:

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
Hebrews 12:14‭-‬17 ESV

And this passage from Isaiah:

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
Isaiah 55:6 NLT

What a fearful thought, to be “too late” — to not be prepared and ready when the time comes. Just consider the imagery in Matthew 25 on this topic:

“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
Matthew 25:1‭-‬13 NLT

I have a large cross that I carried walking the roads on several Good Fridays years ago that simply reads in blood red letters “ARE U READY” on a black cross that I would strap to my back and carry across town. It sits at the end of my driveway so that passersby might see it and contemplate the importance of NOW of TODAY.

I wonder how many days I ignore that message on the cross as I pass by it because I have become familiar with it sitting at the end of my driveway?

I wonder how many of us Christians have become shamefully ignorant of the importance of today’s opportunities to live in fear and trembling and awe and wonder of our mighty God who saves?

“ARE U READY” I should ask myself!!!

We should each ask ourselves what have I done purposefully and intentionally and sacrificial and joyful today that glorified and lifted up the name of Jesus so that He might draw all to Himself?

The beauty is that we have the opportunity right now to confess our sins, to believe upon Jesus Christ who not only died on the cross, but rose from the dead and sits at the right hand of God offering us mercy, forgiveness, and renewal to follow in The Way and to be conformed to the image and nature and character of God by ther power of the Holy Spirit!

Lord, light that fire in our hearts that you will never let go out. Overcome our shortcomings by the all sufficient power of the Blood of the Lamb. Finish this mighty work you have started in us, and prove yourself and the power of your name by leading us along the path that has our anointing oil overflowing and the fruit of your Holy Spirit rose ands abundant in the branches of our lives. Amen.

Share What You Have

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16 ESV

I want to look at the statement “Share What You Have” today. I try through my website, YouTube, and other channels to share what I have. At times, the enemy will try to discourage me from sharing by telling me it isn’t good enough, etc. Sometimes it comes through discouraging comments made by others about what I am doing, and sometimes it is just thoughts that come to mind.

But I’m learning to be content with “sharing what I have”. Whether it is the little bit of cash left in my wallet when a deaf man approaches me in a parking lot — or whether it is sharing what insight I can glean from the scriptures for application in my own life — or whether it is sharing heartfelt worship in song — I can only bring what I have to offer. And the truth is that the most spotless sacrifice I could ever try and lift up is never going to be as perfect as the Lamb of God, as Jesus Christ on the cross for you and me.

The point in all of this is that we shouldn’t be discouraged by our best not being as good or as polished as what someone else might lift up. We can’t let comparison hinder us from “sharing what we have”. Earlier this week, the neighbors were over and the kids were playing in the back yard while us parents chatted. And my grandmother who has Alzheimers and lives with us came outside to spend some time on the back porch with us. She gave each of the three children a quarter and a dime. And even though the children knew that it might not buy them much, that didn’t matter at all in that moment. This sweet gesture from a sweet woman that at times battles against the negative thoughts of dementia “shared what she had” and it was a beautiful moment.

Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
Mark 12:41‭-‬44 NLT

There are people in the world that need different things. Some need food. Some need shelter and clothing. Some need help through their grieving. Some need encouragement in the midst of their hopelessness. Some need an outpouring of undeserved love to rescue them from their bitterness and unforgiveness. There are all kinds of things people need. And our choices, what we will do and say today will influence their lives.

No, we don’t always get this right. And no, we don’t always realize the impact of our either “sharing what we have” or “withholding it” (for whatever reason our minds have justified to us) has on the environment around us. But our willingness or unwillingness doesn’t even just change or environment — but it either softens our hardens our own heart towards the spirit of God — towards love for our fellow man.

This week I have watched people reacting to the Coronavirus in very different ways. Some people have been hoarding for themselves, and grumbling and complaining about the inconvenience to themselves of precautions being taken to protect the weak. While some people have looked at the precautions from a perspective of willing and eager sacrifice on the chance that it might help the weak and the vulnerable. And I have faced the decisions myself — do I buy more toilet paper than we need or just buy the one pack we actually need. Can I offer help to families who might struggle tho make ends meet as businesses and schools close, etc. Will I see things as “us vs them” or as “we” and will I “share what I have” willingly and eagerly — and out of love not pity or “proud charity”.

Lord, help us all in these areas.