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Some Favorite Verses

Some of my favorite verses:

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
 – Philippians 3:14 NKJV

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord , choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of 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 24:15 NKJV

Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
 – Luke 3:7‭-‬9 NKJV

“The  Spirit of the Lord  is  upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to  the  poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to  the  captives And recovery of sight to  the  blind, To  set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord .” – Luke 4:18‭-‬19 NKJV

For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” – II Peter 2:21‭-‬22 NKJV

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. – I John 1:6‭-‬10 NKJV

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. – I John 2:3‭-‬6 NKJV

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. – James 5:19‭-‬20 NKJV

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. – I John 3:4‭-‬9 NKJV

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. – James 1:27 NKJV

For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. – James 2:13 NKJV

For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. – James 3:16‭-‬18 NKJV

You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. – James 4:3‭-‬4 NKJV

Not a Super Villain

They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

John 18:40 ESV

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10:9‭-‬10 ESV

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

1 John 3:16 ESV

The enemy doesn’t need you to be super villain level evil to be serving his purposes best – no, that would be too obvious. But if the enemy could get you to divide up your life into just enough good to keep you respectable and productive and controllable for his purposes,  that’s wonderful for his purposes. Because if you are outright evil, even the world will reject to and want you put away to protect itself from you until there is a greater perceived threat to their lives.

The scariest agent of the enemy is a respectable, hard working man who is honored by his fellow man because he is able to keep his evil controlled enough to function within society, but still bubbling up enough to taint and influence those around him. Someone happy and satisfied with their continued sinful life, and who others can be happy and satisfied with being around their sin as well. Not all of the “shall not inherit the Kingdom of God” promises are things that are repulsive to the world,  some are very attractive to the worldly to share together in and even celebrate together.

Yes, many addicts aren’t striving for deliverance from their addiction, because honestly – they still love the addiction. They just want to learn to control it enough to be “functional”, they aren’t ready to give it up. Unfortunately, recovered addicts will tell you that is not recovery, that is just prolonging another destructive interruption to their lives once the addiction gets out of control again. Only when someone is truly ready to be free,  when they are ready to walk away completely from their addiction and not keep it closer by for a rainy day, will they know freedom.

The same is true of sin, of the sinner who is tired of the consequences of their bad choices,  but who really isn’t yet interested in a life lived God’s way – and this can be a great tool of the enemy to trick and trap people into settling for a false “good” instead of seeking and finding the one, true “great”.

The enemy doesn’t offer us super villain level evil as his plan for our lives. The enemy offers “good” when we are meant for “great”. The enemy offers us a little less sin than before,  while Christ tells us that if He had set us free,  we are free indeed. The enemy wants us clinging to sin and death loosely enough that we might even deny that we are still hanging on to it – but Christ wants us clinging to Him with every fiber of our being.

Much of the “churched” world is quite happy living a religious life of tithing a little piece of their money and time to a far off God, so they can live life “their way” far from God the rest of the week. “Good men” are satisfied dividing their time between rest, family, God, and work.

But “great men”, the kind of men that shake up the world and scare us – those holy fools, those dedicated vessels, this followers of Christ – they interrupt the comfort and security and complacency towards God in this world and they cause disruption to the status quo. They say,  “It is all His! Every penny, every breath, every word, every deed – Let it all be for His glory and honor!”

Do we realize that the scariest thing to the world wasn’t Barabus, the super villain? It was Christ and his disciples who truly wanted to live and teach a godly life of repentance, mercy, grace, discipleship, and sanctification – of love as defined by God, not man. It was a message of complete surrender and complete deliverance. It was a message so divisive and so salty that men were persecuted and killed by a world that found their actions even more convicting and repulsive and disruptive than a villain – because it shines light on the darkness and sin in the heart of men who are happy to keep their sin just under the surface. It shines light on the need for real change in our hearts – for real change in our lives. Not just playtime religion to keep people out of trouble and under control now – but a real life alive with Christ to keep them out of judgement and death and destruction for eternity.

When was the last time that our level of dedication to the Lord made the world around us uncomfortable? When was the last time that our example of sacrificial love touched someone deeply? When was the last time that our stepping out in such a leap of faith, only for the Lord to catch us, left people surprised and amazed?

When was the last time that we kicked over the tables of the religious and asked hard questions about why so much “praise and worship” looks more like Amos 5:18-6:7 & Isaiah 58:1-5 instead of like Romans 12:1, Isaiah 58:6-12, and Matthew 25:31-40?

When was the last time we looked someone deep into their eyes and asked,  “Do you love Jesus?” and anything less than a fire in their heart, smile on their facee, and passion in their words didn’t leave us heart broken that they might only know ABOUT Jesus,  but not really know Him (Matthew 7:21-23)?

When was the last time we truly cared?

Have we ever really cared about God and not just about what we thought He could give us?

Have we wanted to be the blessing more than we’ve wanted to be the blessed?

No, we cannot work ourselves into heaven, because we all fall short of the glory of God, and our works are filthy rags – but we also have to ask, if His work is being done in my life, is my faith and His Holy Spirit alive in me producing any fruit?

We don’t buy a heaven ticket with a sinner’s prayer or a water baptism, Christian, or Church membership, that is the type of empty religious sacrifice Jesus turned over tables over. We must be born again.

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.  Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.  So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3‭-‬8 NLT

If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.  He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:13‭-‬17 NLT

Godliness as a means of gain?

useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means  of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

I Timothy 6:5 NKJV

Yes, there are many who would rather use the idea of religion as a means to gain all the things of this world that their carnal hearts desire. There are those who seek religion as a means to get the prosperity, security, health, wealth, success – all temporal things that appeal to the carnal nature. 

And we are to withdraw ourselves from such deceitful (or deceived) people, because they do not desire the blessings of the one true God nor do they serve Him, they have a different master that they serve.

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,

I Timothy 6:3 NKJV

Yes, those who are ashamed of the Word of God, those who hate the truth,  and who would rather fashion God in their own image to suit their own opinions and desires – those who have no interest in Godliness and who actually hate the instruction of God because they love another master – their doctrine is not in accord with godliness. They allow lasciviousness within their midst because they love wickedness, not God.

For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude 1:4 NKJV

Anyone who tells you that you can say a sinner’s prayer, pay a tithe, read your Bible, join a church and remain comfortable continuing to live a life of “adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness” – we have to ask ourselves if they are liars,  serving the enemy – because the Word of God tells us “that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds  of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

I Timothy 6:6‭-‬10 NKJV

Yes, seeing the huge followings of false teachers who have bought into this profitable scheme – selling the promises of prosperity and open forgiveness for those happy to remain in their sin while lying about their love for God with their mouths. These men make merchandise of the people who don’t really love God and do not want to serve God. Isn’t it clear that so many have strayed from the faith in their greediness, when we are told to be content with food and clothing, with our needs having been met – instead of chasing after the “wants” of this world.

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Romans 16:17‭-‬18 NKJV

Yes, there is a vast difference between the gospel of the Word of God and what most hirelings are selling to their great congregations of followers.

Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that  they  are  the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is  their belly, and whose glory is in their shame— who set their mind on earthly things.

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Philippians 3:17‭-‬21 NKJV

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

II Peter 2:19‭-‬22 NKJV

Helpful words

​The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep. But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out. That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. – Ecclesiastes 12:11‭-‬14 NLT

Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. – Romans 14:12‭-‬13 NLT

So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. – 2 Corinthians 5:9‭-‬11 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. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. – Romans 12:1‭-‬3 NLT

Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.” And again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise; he knows they are worthless.” – 1 Corinthians 3:10‭-‬20 NLT

To seven, or even to eight

Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth. – Ecclesiastes 11:2 NKJV

Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth. – Ecclesiastes 11:2 ESV

But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead. – Ecclesiastes 11:2 NLT

Interesting, right? I thought that for a verse about dividing out portions, it might be a good time to divide a verse out in multiple translations for a discussion. 

I believe that looking at some commentaries on this unfamiliar phrase “to seven, or even to eight” should shed some light.

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) To seven, and also to eight.—Quite similar forms of expression occur in Job 5:19; Proverbs 30:21; Amos 1:3; Micah 5:4. The numbers seven and eight are used indefinitely in the advice to multiply our modes of exertion, ignorant as we are which may miscarry.

So let’s look at the verses referenced:

From six disasters he will rescue you; even in the seventh, he will keep you from evil. – Job 5:19 NLT

There are three things that make the earth tremble— no, four it cannot endure: – Proverbs 30:21 NLT

Thus says the Lord : “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing sledges of iron. – Amos 1:3 ESV

And he shall be their peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men; – Micah 5:5 ESV

SIDE NOTE: Pretty cool that in Micah the scripture is alluding to shepherds and princes, saviors and lords, huh?

And I found it odd that a verse that immediately came to mind in this same train of thought that Ellicott is mentioning was not included, so I’ll add it here.

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him:  haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,  a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. – Proverbs 6:16‭-‬19 ESV

And Benson has a great commentary on this — even though his language might be a barrier for us to easily read and understand because of his old English style. (But doesn’t this illustrate one of our points this morning as we compare translations, I think?)

Benson Commentary

Ecclesiastes 11:2. Give a portion to seven — A part of thy estate or provisions. He alludes to the ancient custom, whereby the master of the feast distributed several parts to each guest, and withal sent portions to the poor. And also to eight — To as many as thou art able. For thou knowest not what evil shall be, &c. — Great calamities may come, whereby thou mayest be brought to poverty, and so disabled from doing good. And moreover thou mayest possibly hereafter need the charity of others, which thou wilt have good reason to expect, through the powerful providence of God disposing men’s hearts to pity and help thee, if thou hast been kind and merciful to others; whereas, on the contrary, they can expect no mercy from God or men, who have showed no mercy to others.

So Benson essentially reveals to us that this phrase of speech “to seven, or even to eight” alludes to distributing 6 parts to those close to us (personal intimate relations like family and guests & those whom we owe loyalty, allegiance,  or obligation), another part (7) to the poor and needy, and an “extra good measure” to all those we are able to help. We see that this is in His commentary about a merciful yet pragmatic approach of handling our resources. 

As Christians,  as believers,  as followers of Christ, we can participate in this certain practice of sevens – we can divide out our time, our days, our wealth, and have a certain allotment and allocation and pouring out into others in these 15% (7 equal parts) certain guidelines/guardrails when we feel convicted that our lives are not for ourselves but are meant to pour out into others and strive to leave this place better after we are gone. We can also prepare for that uncertainty of the eights – not knowing what lies ahead for us, but helping others as much as we can, willing with that “extra portion” to all who we are able to help,  that is done not or if obligation or ritual, but as a hospitable and loving way of life — and in doing so,  if evil befalls us, we might find someone in turn that will show mercy to us as well. This eighth portion isn’t a formula, it is uncertain like the wind or like smoke that we cannot grasp in our hands or control with our strength or our minds – but it is a flow that we can align ourselves in and participate in willingly and generously, led by the very Holy Spirit that orchestrates all things for the good of those called according to His purpose. 

Preparing for Success

​If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success. – Ecclesiastes 10:10 NKJV
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. – Proverbs 27:17 ESV
Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion, for I will make your horn iron, and I will make your hoofs bronze; you shall beat in pieces many peoples; and shall devote their gain to the Lord , their wealth to the Lord of the whole earth. – Micah 4:13 ESV
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.  Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.  – Hebrews 6:1‭-‬12 ESV
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. – Acts 17:11 ESV

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.  Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12:3‭-‬21 ESV

True Story

True story.

*The names and specifics have been changed to protect all of us.*
Setting: 

I’m newly on fire for God a few years ago and called into a peculiar life of evangelism and discipleship that I didn’t even yet understand. I have my Bible in hand and I’m walking in a downtown area in blue jeans and tshirt, right amongst the crowds of people, bars, and clubs on a busy Friday night.
The story unfolds….
I walk up to a finely dressed and respectable looking gentleman,  and I ask one question, “Do you know Jesus?”
Being well prepared (in his own mind) with the proper response that he elected should free him from this situation — he replies, “Yes, I do. We attend _______________. Thank you very much.” And he begins to walk away.
But with complete sincerity, I reply,  “Thank goodness! I’m just now starting to find out about Him. Please,  can you tell me more about him?”
To which a white look came across his face and a stupor came to his eyes that I was completely not prepared for. And he stared at me with mouth opened in silence,  not knowing whether to flee or to fight,  I believe. He stammered a bit,  wondering what he might say to get away…
So in an effort to help him,  I assured him that I didn’t expect that he know everything that I needed to understand, but that “maybe we could talk about what I have learned so far and you could help me put….”
And he simply turned his back on me and walked away. 
He walked away…
Walked sway from a hungry young believer who just wanted to know more about Christ, and yes, who was going about his own evangelism in quite a peculiar and uncomfortable way. *Don’t be too hard on him quite yet, though.*
It wasn’t easy for me to put myself out there, asking in this way — revealing to self proclaimed “Christians” a clear and present opportunity to share the gospel and to draw close to the LORD together. I really was hungry for more of this Jesus, and not the dead,  carefully timed and orchestrated theology,  but I wanted to hear testimonies,  I wanted to know if it was real – if it was any different than Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny and so many lis and confusion the world sells us in pretty little holidays and getting cards. 
But because it wasn’t comfortably confined within the compartmentalized walls of a Sunday morning religious ceremony, no one would even discuss the topic with me. And I was interested in the Truth on the street,  what was really happening in people’s lives – not what was wrapped up in the pretty paper of church clothes and prepared words like another holiday getting card. I wanted the Truth! 
I even reached out to area churches and ministers at the time that didn’t know me from Adam, and who probably thought me crazy for my questions about this upside down kingdom that Jesus seemed to be revealing in His Word.
In fact, this was true, time after time — I was avoided like a man with leprosy because I was asking uncomfortable questions — because I wasn’t remaining within the confines of the entrenched practices and customs and traditions — 
But,  do you know — out of everyone that I approached — the ones who actually responded and sat down with me and talked with me about God — can you guess who it might have been? Maybe a pastor? Maybe a grandpa elder in the church? No, not them.
It was two homeless men near the soup kitchen. One of which I have seen battle his way for over three years with addiction and issues that at first I don’t know if he even wanted to be free from — but who today is focused, renewed, delivered, and 90 days clean — sharing the good news online regularly with others by sharing his Bible studies live. 
I say this because what would you say if I walked up to you and asked you about Jesus? Would you ramble off some story you’ve heard about Easter? Or is He close and personal to you so that you can share a testimony of what He IS DOING in your life right now? Would there be excitement or fear in that question being posed to you? 
I encourage you, if you call yourself a Christian, to ask yourself – how am I living out the call to share the Good News and to make disciples? What is God doing today in you and through you? And if you find yourself pale and bloodless,  not sure if you should flee or fight,  don’t do either of those — fall dead at the foot of the cross, give your life over to Him,  and say, “Send me, LORD, I will go” and hold on for the ride of your life! 

​Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. – Ecclesiastes 9:18 ESV

Warfare is necessary when sufficient preparations have not been taken to maintain peace. But even when we prepare ourselves, the influence of sin in this fallen world will not allow us this life completely free from battle — unless in fact, we are the unresisting sinner participating willingly in the destruction. 

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” – Matthew 10:34 ESV

So in the end, wisdom is greater — even greater than war, even greater than peace.

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.  So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:11‭-‬13 ESV

Who you are isn’t defined by how you are treated by others. 

In the world, in the workplace, in our relationships — these days we can be treated as if we are evil when we stand firm for what is right. Refuse to participate in fraudulent or deceitful or unfair activities that your coworkers choose because they are seemingly profitable for the moment — and you might quickly be branded as the problem in the room. Offer suggestions that might lead to improvements and you might be branded as over bearing or a know it all purely because of people’s resistance to change and their unwillingness to consider something new unless it can be spun as being “their idea” and not your own. But do not give up hope. Don’t seek the honor or approval of men, but fear God and do what is right – God in heaven sees everything and all things that are hidden will be brought to light.

​And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless! – Ecclesiastes 8:14 NLT

When people curse you and hate you for doing what is right, when they try to undermine you and spread lies about you and damage your reputation in am effort to lift themselves up by pushing others down, forgive them and pray for them. There may have been a time that you did the same yourself. Don’t deny them the very love and forgiveness you seek for yourself – it may be your example of undeserved love in return for their evil towards you that makes them consider the cross and repent.

What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. – Isaiah 5:20 NLT

Battles for the Married

Married couples, 

Do you want to know victory?

Fight your battles back to back, not facing each other. Even better, take this stance and renew your invitation of the LORD God Almighty into your married life — as a strong, binding reminder of your covenant  and His power.

Let’s look at today’s scripture and then dig in together:

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. – Ecclesiastes 4:9‭-‬12 NLT

How many of us are foolishly standing alone, facing others with our unreasonable expectations of their meeting “our standards”? How many of us use this very thing as the basis for justifying our own falling short of how we know we should be serving and loving one another? 
You see, many of us are confused about who the enemy really is. Many of us would rather battle against the person we see in front of us  — who can take all of our pouring out of the stress, anxiety, bitterness, unforgiveness, etc that we have let pile up inside of us — instead of standing together,  back to back,  against the one pouring all of that filth into us in the first place. 
But we have to open our eyes to what really needs to be seen. We must see with discerning eyes what is really taking place in the heart and where the real battle is being waged. We must see that the enemy is not our spouse, but the enemy is the one who would tear down, steal and destroy if we would allow it. 
And this destruction isn’t possible where there is the triple-braided cord. Defeat doesn’t come easy when a victorious couple is back to back against the real enemy. But divided and alone — opposing one another — confused about who the real enemy is — proudly standing upon our expectations of “what I deserve” and “what they should be doing” — that’s exactly where the real enemy wants us standing. 
I pray that we don’t hear this warning from Ecclesiastes as a heartfelt reminder of our wedding ceremony nearly as much as we hear it as a wake up call for the battle that lies ahead. Not as a frightening and  foreboding expectation of defeat, but as a promise of victory when we recognize the true enemy and prepare ourselves — as a call to arms for those who will be bound together as one in Christ in Spirit and in Truth.

So do not deny Truth. Do not walk according to the lies of the enemy. See the Truth in the Word of God, and choose today who you will resist,  who you will follow, who is your friend and who is your enemy. Amen.