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

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

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.

hballingerLeave a comment

Only a few?

Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?”
He replied, “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.  When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
Luke 13:23-25 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.13.23-25.NLT

The way of religion promises “say this sinner’s prayer and join our group and be once saved always saved for all of eternity” to earn your way out of Hell. The way of religion sells daily practice of rituals and repeated sacrifices at the altar to earn your way into heaven. The way of religion sells a country club membership to complacency and prosperity and moral compromise while telling you that there is no work to be done because you already have grace,  just send your money to buy your way into heaven. And many will fall to the evils of religion because their hearts have grown cold and they have no desire or love for God that compares to their love for themselves, nor love for their brothers and sisters – even though they know in their hearts that He expects us to be doers of the Word and to bear the burdens of one another in love and service unto Him.

Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’  And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.’
Luke 13:26-27 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.13.26-27.NLT

He first tells us, there is work to be done. Then He tells those who do evil to get, away from Him. Yes,  the Lord offers forgiveness and mercy and grace – but not so that we can return to the slop with the pigs.

Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
John 8:10-11 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jhn.8.10-11.NLT

He tells us,  take up our cross,  follow, Him,  repent,  learn from the forgiveness that we have received,  be healed and delivered from our old lives – “Go,  and sin no more.”

There are many who will become angry over this verse from the Bible, as they cling to their sins and they shrink back from grace,  holding tightly onto their flesh while afraid to let go and cling to the life that is available to them in Christ. They will say, but no one can walk without sin but Christ. And I tell you that it is true that any man who says that He has no sin is a liar – because we each have a past,  a life of walking in the flesh. But Christ bids us to come to Him,  to have faith in Him,  and to walk in the Holy Spirit in the kind of Godly love that fulfills the law. To those who find conviction in this message, these words do not come to condemn you,  but to make you aware that you were already condemned and that each must be born again in Christ in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven,  you must be a new creation,  set apart from the world, no longer clinging to the ways of the flesh,  but running to God.

Because if we love God with each of our thoughts,  our words,  and our actions,  then how can we defile Him or choose to not bring Him honor and glory – unless we find it true that we do not love God quite as much as ourselves – unless we find that we have been practicing empty religion with no real relationship with God – unless we find that we are removed from His presence and not even knocking. We are either in,  or we are out. We are either loving and serving and participating in the celebration of His Kingdom, or we are outside and need a way in. Let’s not wait too long and find the door locked,  my friends.

And if we love our brother and sisters with each of our thoughts, words,  and actions, how can I choose to stumble them with the pitiful example of an unfaithful testimony while claiming the name of Christ and continuing in my sin? How can I lie to my brother? Steal from my brother? Gossip about my brother? Curse my brother? Withhold good from my brother when I am able to help? Isn’t it because many have no Christ alive in them even though they would lay claim to His name?

“Son of man, your people talk about you in their houses and whisper about you at the doors. They say to each other, ‘Come on, let’s go hear the prophet tell us what the Lord is saying!’ So my people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money. You are very entertaining to them, like someone who sings love songs with a beautiful voice or plays fine music on an instrument. They hear what you say, but they don’t act on it! But when all these terrible things happen to them—as they certainly will—then they will know a prophet has been among them.”
Ezekiel 33:30-33 NLT
http://bible.com/116/ezk.33.30-33.NLT

I plead with you,  friends. Seek the Kingdom of God while there is still time. Equip yourselves for the work that He has laid out before you. He has a prose for your life and it does not have to be destruction and fire and gnashing of teeth – unless that is what you choose.

What do you choose today,  friend?

Are you running the good race to prove yourself faithful? Are you fighting the good fight?

Let’s remember the words of Paul to Timothy and let’s work to make them our own –

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 NLT
http://bible.com/116/2ti.4.6-8.NLT

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Mine, Mine, Mine

The world tells us about its riches,  it’s wealth,  it’s pleasures – and entices us to purchase them for ourselves, to pile them up for ourselves, to take comfort in them.

Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
Luke 12:15 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.12.15.NLT

Continue reading “Mine, Mine, Mine” →

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You are valuable

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Luke 12:7 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.12.7.NLT

You are valuable to God.

Just think about that for a moment.  The creator of all things, the God of the universe values you and has created you for a purpose. The universe is not filled with examples of chaos and randomness, but it is designed with a beautiful order and complexity,  with each component playing it’s part in the greater whole. If we examine with a microscope,  we find a world of particles and order and logical design where every part has a purpose and where they work together in unity.

Even the world around us,  and not just the Word of God points us to the undeniable conclusion that there is a design,  a plan,  an order for everything. And we should understand that in that plan,  we have a purpose,  we have a value to the creator. In fact, He loves us enough to make us self aware,  capable of thought,  capable of choice,  capable of deciding whether or not to praise and honor Him. Isn’t that amazing that we as humans are able to reflect upon ourselves and upon the greater things of life and are not beings wired only for the simple purposes of living,  reproducing,  and dying? Isn’t it wonderful that these physical bodies hold something oh so much more valuable?

When a loved one takes their last breath, it is not their physical body that we value. It is not their physical presence of their body that we miss,  but the ability to interact with that soul,  that life,  that thing of value that was carried around in their earth bound vessel. Yes,  we know the part that God values,  because we can see the value ourselves. We can know the difference between the valuable eternal soul and the perishable physical body.

So we schools know where those things truly valuable exist,  and they are not in this physical body or in the things that tickle and please it – but in the things that are pleasing to our soul,  the things that nourish our eternal spiritual nature,  not our temporary, carnal,  flesh nature.

So why do we find ourselves worrying more over the things of this physical world – what we will eat,  what we will wear, where we will sleep?  When we should know that these things are temporary and not nearly as important as those things eternal. Why do we let ourselves become distracted by our senses of touch,  taste,  smell, hearing and seeing in the physical – and forget that we have a more important spiritual component of our lives that allows for a connection to the one true God that is far more important.

If you have not yet received the gift of the Holy Spirit annointing upon your life,  I encourage you to ask, seek, and knock at the gate in prayer until your eye is opened to see and your ears are restored to hearing the voice of your Lord and Savior,  the Good Shepherd, the Word of God, Jesus Christ who sits in the authority of God the Father Almighty,  and who lives in those of us who are Chosen as Sons and Daughters of God.

You see,  you have a value that far surpasses your title, or your possessions,  or your wealth,  or your beauty, or your knowledge,  or your strength – for all of those things will pass away and your body will be c returned to the ground to root and decay upon your death. And if all you have done during your brief time in this physical body is to feed the desires of your flesh,  to fulfill the urges and fancies of this temporary physical body – what good will that serve your eternal soul?

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
Matthew 16:26 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.16.26.NLT

So I encourage you to understand what is valuable and eternal,  friend. Know your value, know your purpose. Learn to love God and love each other. Choose to walk with Him today.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 8:28 ESV
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Proverbs 16:9 ESV
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Acts 26:16 ESV
But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,

John 15:16 ESV
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Matthew 28:19 ESV
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Ephesians 1:11 ESV
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 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.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Let this be our testimony –

“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food.
Job 23:10-12 NLT
http://bible.com/116/job.23.10-12.NLT

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Got Power?

Whether a lamp glows because of fire or electricity, it has a source of power that is creating the light.

“No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness.  Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.  If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”
Luke 11:33-36 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.11.33-36.NLT

Continue reading “Got Power?” →

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Actively working, or resting in opposition

“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.
Luke 11:23 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.11.23.NLT

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This passage, from Luke 11:14-28 is talking about two things. First,  it is confirming that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and is working against evil,  because there were those who would twist the truth to the point of accusing Him to be the enemy of God. This is the same anti-Christ spirit we are warned of that does not acknowledge that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh and is from God.

By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
I John 4:2-3 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1jn.4.2-3.NKJV

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Second, it is teaching us that if we are not actively working with Christ,  then we are in opposition to God’s will. We reach have an active purpose and a calling in His Kingdom. We are each called to belief and action.

Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;  they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”  So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]]
Mark 16:14-20 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mrk.16.14-20.ESV

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Jesus found them reclining and rebuked them for their inaction and their lack of belief,  their lack of faith. If He appeared to you today,  would He find you reclining? Would He find you in lack of faith? Would He find you proclaiming the gospel to the whole world? Would He find you active and alive in good works being done to bring honor and glory to His name?

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mat.5.14-16.ESV

image

I encourage you to life,  friends. I encourage you to action. I pray that my encouragement,  or even my words of correction of that is needed in your life will be received as a valuable message from Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior – rather than you find yourself dead and lacking the very Holy Spirit that brings life.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:14-17 ESV
http://bible.com/59/jas.2.14-17.ESV

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Would He have a rebuke for you,  or would He welcome you as His good and faithful servant?

I encourage you today into action. Be blessed as Jesus explains in the end of this passage in Luke 11 that we began examining –

But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Luke 11:28 ESV
http://bible.com/59/luk.11.28.ESV

The blessings are in serving and loving others. Don’t miss out on the blessings,  friends,  thinking that you’ve bought your ticket to heaven and your salvation is complete. Test yourself and prove yourself worthy.

Live a life that brings honor and glory to His name. And do it under the power and authority of Christ who lives in you, not just under your own striving for rewards or titles or self exaltation.

Choose today to serve God even more committed than you have before, and not just in words,  but in actions.

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.
1 John 3:16-19 NLT
http://bible.com/116/1jn.3.16-19.NLT

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I have dealt with depression in my life.  It is in depression that I feel like it is me against the world – or probably more accurately,  I feel like the world is against me. It used to affect my ability to hold down a job or live a “normal” life. But now I realize that my depression stemmed from vanity and self, from separating myself from others and from God’s love and mercy and forgiveness – and it was aggravated further by my self medicating with the escapes of alcohol,  drugs, sex, etc.

Depression is a twisting of the truth by that spiritual enemy. And during the dark wandering years of my twenties, depression led to all kinds of things, including attempted suicide, drugs,  and criminal activity. But the Lord had work in store for me,  and he is now using even the dark world that my youth took me into,  and He is turning all of that to a good purpose.

You see, now I get to go each week and spend time with young men in jail and share the gospel with them and study together with them, and at times provide personal counselling. And even though my life is quite removed from their world at this season of my life,  we have walked similar paths. Before, I was walking purely for self,  now I am working for God’s purpose,  for His Kingdom work to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Now,  I’m looking for more workers,  wherever they can be found – in the workplace, on the Internet, in the streets, in the churches, in the jail cells, in the hospitals, in the bars,  restaurants,  or wherever I go. And I just don’t have time to stay depressed anymore,  there is too much work at hand.

These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.
Luke 10:2 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.10.2.NLT

The fields are everywhere we walk,  friends. And our job is not to burn down the fields trying to set fire to the weeds, it is to share the Love of Christ with others,  so that we will find unity with other believers in truth,  and so that we will walk together in repentance holding each other accountable to this goal of Christ’s righteousness lived out as a testimony of His touch upon our lives.

It isn’t so that I can LOOK humble or righteous to others in order to be recognized or honored – but so that they can see Christ in me and so that they can see His righteousness IS a part of me and that He deserves the honor and praise and glory. Because the bright shining appearance of “perfection” doesn’t draw sinners to the light, it can actually push others away when they feel that they are “not worthy” of coming into our fellowship. But the verbal testimony of our own imperfections, and how Christ has and is touching our lives – that coupled with the clear and evident testimony of our actions demonstrating a life changed and dedicated to working for the Lord – that is the full testimony of a humble and faithful servant that can do great c work for the Lord.

And it only takes two things –
1) acknowledging that you fall short of the glory of God and that you needed Jesus Christ as your Savior, as your example of the truth,  the life, and the way, to bring you into humble fellowship with God’s will and purpose for your life today
2) dedicating yourself to the purpose of walking it out,  following in His footsteps,  sharing the truth,  the life,  and the way with others in a born again,  renewed life serving as a faithful citizen of God’s Kingdom of workers/servants/witnesses

But let’s not stop there in case we might still fall into an us against the world mentality. Let’s pray the prayer of a righteous man,  of a repentant person who is resisting evil, avoiding temptation,  and not participating in sin. Let’s pray the prayer of a humble Child of God who needs His Father’s guidance and power and authority and assistance to see the day’s tasks accomplished. And let’s use this prayer to ask for more workers,  more laborers in the Lord’s work today – because we aren’t meant to go at this life alone.

And the very workers we are praying for are the very citizens of the Kingdom that we need to realize to find unity. And they are the very souls that we need around us to experience the beauty of fellowship. So let’s ask the Lord to rain down laborers upon us within this earthly life, drawing more near with his soft,  still call to the work at hand – and let’s realize that we are the ones sent to deliver His message and His loving touch.

I send you forth as sheep amongst the wolves, you workers of God,  you Children of the one true God,  you saints in the royal priesthood of our Lord – make disciples of the nations,  baptize in His name,  and bring honor and glory to His name by the love and service and example that your life offers as a living testimony today.

Live like Christ if you love my Christ.

If you do not yet Love my Christ,  I pray you will find Him through conviction and surrender,  because the workers are few and the harvest is great.

If you do not yet serve my Christ daily,  I pray that you examine yourself and that you will find Him through conviction and surrender,  because the workers are few and the harvest is great.

Your work is needed today,  friends. There are lost. There are hurting. There are hungry. There are needy. There is oppression. There is injustice. Be the body of Christ that fills the need and that resists the enemy and that lives and serves your fellow man.

Don’t just LOOK like a Christian,
Don’t just SOUND like a Christian,
BE like Christ.

hballingerLeave a comment

The Betrayer

Jesus tells us to take up our cross and follow Him.

He tells us to not look back,  and to follow Him with complete abandon.

He tells us to love our enemies.

He tells us to see past the false security of personal wealth and to consider everything that we have to be His to be shared with those around us who have needs instead of stock piling things and wealth for ourselves.

He tells us to trust in Him alone for our security.

He tells us to “Go and sin no more”.

He tells us to love others, to preach this gospel to the ends of the earth, to make disciples, and to baptize in His name.

He doesn’t say that it is easy, but He does say that His burden is light, He tells us to count the cost, and if we value His Kingdom,  if we value Him above all other things that might stand as idols between us and the Lord – we will forsake all things for Him.

“Listen to me and remember what I say. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies.”
Luke 9:44 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.9.44.NLT

How many times have I betrayed Christ into the hands of His enemies with the sins of my life?

How many sins have I placed upon Him at the cross?

How many stripes within His flesh were because of the works of my iniquities and disobedience and rebellion against the will of God?

How many of the thorns upon His head were the pains of my thoughts,  words,  and actions in opposition to a just and righteous God who created me in His image to bring honor and glory to His name?

How many strikes of the hammer upon the nails were from my selfish pride and vanity?

Oh,  Lord,  I have failed you miserably with the example of my life. I look upon your perfection and your glory and I see all the more in my own life that needs the healing that your touch alone can restore and redeem to righteousness. As I draw closer to understanding the beauty of your grace,  I am overwhelmed by the inadequacy of my own works and words and thoughts and shortcomings. I am humbled by the magnitude of evidence pulled against me by the accuser,  Lord. By all rights and accounts, I have betrayed you into the hands of your enemy,  Oh Lord,  and my very soul,  my heart inside my body cries out, “Let it not be so that I would be the betrayer of my love, my bridegroom,  my Savior,  my Lord”. But my own words now only testify to what you,  Lord already know to be true. My life is far from perfection, it is worthless beside the glory of your example. So I am thankful for grace,  for your tender mercies Lord. Keep me here, faithfully in your presence. Let me not escape your presence. Let me cling to the hem of your garment, let my tears wash your feet, and let me kiss them,  Oh Lord. Lead me in your ways along this narrow path – I have counted the cost c and the world has nothing to offer me if I can’t have you,  Lord. But you ARE mine,  and I AM yours. Take my hand,  beloved,  and walk with me in eternity.