Category: Uncategorized

Perfect Love puts us at Odds with the World

Being a people lover is quite different than being a people pleaser. Truly loving others with our eyes set on things eternal, usually puts us squarely at odds with the “mine”, “right now”, “my way”, perspective of so many. To please them would be to applaud their captivity,  their sickness,  their death,  their destruction – and that is not love at all. Perfect love earns us a place on the cross of persecution.

—-

How can we who love Christ please the reprobate and rebellious, who know nothing of the ways of eternity and life  – who believe their lives are short and tedious, and that there is no antidote, no remedy,  for death. They don’t believe that any man has returned from the grave. They just expect their body to return to ashes and their spirit to vanish like the wind. They expect no one to remember them and for their life to have no eternal consequence. So they say to themselves, let’s enjoy the good things, let’s fill ourselves with expensive drinks and drugs and delicious food. Let’s leave the sounds of our raucous partying everywhere we go, because this is our only inheritance, our only treasure,  our only purpose in this life. And let’s stand and mock and test these foolish righteous men,  and let’s take advantage of the poor,  and the simple,  and the old,  and the orphan, and the widow.

And we will lie in wait for the righteous man,  we will do our best to trouble him,  because his cleanliness, his humility, his love and service to the undeserving and weak is a putrid stench in our nostrils, it is a blinding light that burns our stinging eyes. If such a man is as wise as he believes himself,  and if his God is as faithful as He professes Him to be,  and if this “child of God” is not just a Fatherless fool,  then let’s see his God save him. We hate his life because it is not like ours, his ways are so different than ours that it is hard for us to even watch him as his life seems to be intent on reproving and condemning us without ever speaking a word against us.

We can tell from his life that it is clear to him that we are counterfeits, so let’s test him by setting ourselves in opposition to him,  let’s despise and torture him,  let’s spread lies and rumors about him, let’s test and prove this meekness and patience that he professes to value so highly. If he thinks that a shameful death is,  by his own words, something to be respected – let’s show him our respect for him clearly and openly in the public square, in the courts of man’s justice that we have bought with our silver and gold.

Vindicate me? What does that even mean?

Vindicate me, O God,
And plead my cause against an ungodly nation;
Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!
Psalms 43:1 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.43.1.NKJV

“Vindicate me”. I don’t use that kind of language very often. So I wanted to understand better what that meant.

The Hebrew is:
שָׁפַט

shaphat [shä·fat]
– to judge, govern, vindicate, punish
– to act as law-giver or judge or governor
– to rule, govern, judge
– to decide controversy
– to execute judgment
– discriminating
– vindicating
– condemning and punishing

Yes, God is the judge of all.

And He is the defender of His children, those who choose to follow Him, those who choose to yield to His will, those who believe Him.

His goal is not just to deliver us from the punishment. His goal is to deliver us from our old man to the new man. His goal is to reconcile us to be more like Christ. It is right now less about where you will get to spend eternity (even though that is of ultimate importance) – but it is right now about Him delivering us from the traps, the temptations,  the evil, and yes, from ourselves. 

We ask Him now,  while there is opportunity for us to live,  learn,  change,  and shine – to judge us and teach us what chains in our lives need to be cast off and what sin and death needs to be cut out and healed by His Holy Spirit. We are no longer satisfied being filled up by the things of this world, its pleasures,  its enticements, its delicacies, its intoxicating spirits – but we long for that Spirit of Truth and clarity and purpose and direction and eternal value to fill us completely.

Yes, there is a prince of this world and an enemy that surrounds us. We are familiar with those old ways that we walked ourselves. We are familiar with those demons that used to have access to our lives as they hope wrap their chains around us and hold us captive to those old ways.  But we do not have to yield to them any longer. We can choose to walk in a spirit of love, of power, and of self control through believing and following Jesus Christ our Savior and example, and we can refuse to walk in the weakness of this flesh. Because He is greater than the one that is in this world. In fact,  He must increase as we decrease.

So let’s say goodbye to that old man. Let’s cry out to the Lord and ask Him to vindicate us, to judge us,  to discipline us,  to correct us,  to guide us, and to teach us His ways – so that we can know a life delivered – not just delivered from consequences,  but delivered indeed. Not just talking about freedom from sin,  but free indeed. In deed. In our actions,  not just our words.

Happy Love Day!

Judas, not Iscariot, asked Him, Lord, how is it that You will reveal Yourself [make Yourself real] to us and not to the world? Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him. Anyone who does not [really] love Me does not observe and obey My teaching. And the teaching which you hear and heed is not Mine, but [comes] from the Father Who sent Me.
John 14:22-24 AMP
http://bible.com/8/jhn.14.22-24.AMP

When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do–with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs. Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep. He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.
John 21:15-17 AMP
http://bible.com/8/jhn.21.15-17.AMP

I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].
John 13:34-35 AMP
http://bible.com/8/jhn.13.34-35.AMP

EVERYONE WHO believes (adheres to, trusts, and relies on the fact) that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) is a born-again child of God; and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him (His offspring). By this we come to know (recognize and understand) that we love the children of God: when we love God and obey His commands (orders, charges)–[when we keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and His teaching]. For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous). For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.
1 John 5:1-4 AMP
http://bible.com/8/1jn.5.1-4.AMP

Thank you, Daddy

This morning, as I picked my daughter up from spending the night with my parents, I had a moment to encourage my daughter about shopping  for something for her mother for valentine’s day as opposed to going to the mall to get something for her. My moment of encouragement was received as correction and we dealt with a mini breakdown of tears as she worked through the contrasting messages of generosity and selfishness in her head and heart that are hard even for us adults.

As I tried to console her and realized that it was just going to take time, my parents watched on – knowing from experience raising me the challenge that this posed to me. And as I reflected on it later (after having confirmed that her outburst was guilt/conviction and not just trying to manipulate me into getting her way) – I wondered how often my heavenly Father has seen me mess up,  has corrected me,  and was ready for us to learn and move forward instead of wallowing in guilt and shame.

With my daughter,  I want her to learn the lessons and start applying them effectively in her life,  because they are valuable and will protect her and others from pain and consequence and trouble. I don’t want her just to accept the correction, get emotional,  and then return to her same mistakes over and over again. I want her to learn and grow. But even if she doesn’t get it the first time, I love her and want her to learn. If all I have ever gotten is her temporary remorse,  but no lasting change,  I still hold out hope for her to finally learn and change – and her crying and suffering the consequences hurts me,  because I want to see her delivered from the traps and troubles.

Isn’t this how our heavenly Father is towards us as well? How often have we made it about emotional responses and apologies and sacrifices lifted up to Him – when He really just wants us to learn and change – to believe and follow?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  –Matthew 6:26

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?  And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.  In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.  –Matthew 18:12-14

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.  Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.  –Luke 6:35-36

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom”.  –Luke 12:32

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”  –John 14:1-2

“No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.  — John 16:27

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  — Romans 8:15-16

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”  — Matthew 7:9-11

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!  –1 John 3:1

And what is the message all of these verses are hammering into our hearts?

You have a daddy who loves you.
He is strong enough to protect you.
He is engaged enough to teach you.
He is tender enough to hug you.
He is alive enough to play with you.

And the Number One verse regarding the love of the Father is this amazing truth–  no matter how far you have wondered, you can still come home! 

Regarding the prodigal son, Jesus tells us:

“When he came to his senses, he said… “I will set out and go back to my father”  –Luke 15:17

Sometimes the best activity is quiet rest

No amount of our own hustle and bustle of activity can make up for a lack of God’s involvement in our lives.

EXCEPT THE Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain. [Ps. 121:1, 3, 5.] It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of [anxious] toil–for He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep.
Psalm 127:1-2 AMP
http://bible.com/8/psa.127.1-2.AMP

Last night, after we had opened in prayer in the cell block, there was still a lot of background noise and opposition surrounding us in the tier – even as many sat at the tables in the middle of the floor with us. My flesh would have had me stand up proudly and speak loudly to draw attention to the Word that was about to be shared, but instead the Spirit guided me to ask if we could have all who were at the table take a moment to pray for the Lord to bring us expectantly into His presence to receive a word, to heal our ears and hearts, and to come and bring the touch that we each needed.

As we sat there, first in quiet just at the table (in individual, silent prayer), still hearing the opposition at the far reaches of the cell block, as we claimed this place for His holy use and for His Holy Spirit to come, complete silence fell upon the whole cell block, and even upon our thoughts and our souls. We felt the touch of that peace that passes all understanding. And as we swam in the undeniable moment of the Spirit falling on that place, I knew that my words would be cheap and unable to compare to His glory, and I said this quietly in the shared silence with the men astound me as we asked God to bring His message through all of us. And He sure did, through a message that passed from one vessel to the next instead of just one single messenger.

You see, there’s a voice, a presence, a Holy Spirit that is greater than our gifts of gab or our abilities to be generous and kind and compassionate and caring. And He’s the one that we need leading our gatherings if we aren’t satisfied with the drone of religious tradition and activity. No amount of personal skill, or trained practices, or personal zeal, or rambunctious activity can make up for a lack of the presence of God’s Holy Spirit moving amongst a group of people genuinely seeking Him expectantly. And no lack of those abilities in us can hinder Him from showing up and having His way in the hearts of those who know that they need to know Him even closer and personally.

When was the last time that you allowed yourself to become quiet and just rest in the Lord? Working for the Lord and is amazing when we understand that it is a blessing and an opportunity to serve, but when we find ourselves running around in anxious activity – it’s time to remember to rest in His promises. That does not mean to take or hand from the plow, to stop, or to turn back – but to appreciate and enjoy the change that we are getting to be a part of. See the work that He is doing around you, friend, and know how blessed and highly favored and valuable and precious you are in the eyes of the Lord.

I tried being quiet

I have tried being quiet and not talking about God. I tried to not share truth that might cause conviction or offense in others, because I didn’t want to be judgemental. But a fire burned inside me and I could not hold it in any longer. And I realized that speaking out against sin is not the same as speaking out against people.

You see, many who are in traps have foolishly begun to associate themselves with the trap instead of recognizing their true identity in Christ. Didn’t I used to cling so firmly to the ways of the world that I defended and justified the very things that held me captive?

I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.” I was mute with silence, I held my peace even from good; And my sorrow was stirred up. My heart was hot within me; While I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue: “ Lord , make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah

Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them.

“And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.
Psalms 39:1-7 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.39.1-7.NKJV

I wonder what we might each be clinging to and justifying in our lives today that we need to be freed from? What things are not reflecting the glory of God? What things are still in our lives that might cause another to stumble?

Yes, all three gospels warn us about the dangers of hypocrisy, of leading others into sin, of continuing to walk in sin and not repentance, of not warning and rebuking our brothers who are trappedinsin, and of not forgiving those who have repented who may have offended us when they were still in sin.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
“If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.  And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.
Matthew 18:6-9 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/mat.18.6-9.NKJV

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.  If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—  where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—  where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’ And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire—  where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’
Mark 9:42-48 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/mrk.9.42-48.NKJV

Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!  It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.  Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you,  rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.  And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
Luke 17:1-4 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/luk.17.1-4.NKJV

We do not cause someone to stumble into more sin by calling sin out for what it is. We do not help someone avoid a trap by refusing to talk about the trap standing directly in their path. If I speak a warning about a trap by speaking the truth of the Word of God and it is offensive to someone because they still love the trap,  they are not offended at me, but are convicted by the very Word of God.

However, if someone is standing on their own opinion (or sharing the traditions of other men), walking and teaching in opposition to the truth of the Word of God, and offering a different gospel than the whole Word of God, something that teaches the lawlessness of a life not fully surrendered to Christ,  not walking the narrow path, not bearing our cross for others, not dying daily to Christ, not living by the Spirit instead of the flesh, not forgiving those who have repented –  that would truly be a fearful place, to be serving the darkness and baiting the trap instead of sharing the light.

There is one who gathers sinners for their final destination,  but that is not the Lord that I serve. My Lord and Savior,  Jesus Christ, delivers sinners to repentance. That enemy of truth would love to leave out repentance and righteousness and replace it with lawlessness. Know the master you serve.

If the message you hear from others leaves out repentance, ask yourselves why that is the case. If your new age Bible translation leaves out repentance,  ask yourselves why that is the case.

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Matthew 9:13 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/mat.9.13.NKJV

When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Mark 2:17 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/mrk.2.17.NKJV

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Luke 5:32 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/luk.5.32.NKJV

Please don’t just head off merrily into destruction.

There is a way that  seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 16:25 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/pro.16.25.NKJV

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/mat.7.13-14.NKJV

Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Matthew 7:22-23 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/mat.7.22-23.NKJV

But you and I, friend, we are not practicing lawlessness, we are turning away from the flesh and walking in the Holy Spirit, we are seeking the righteousness of a pure heart washed by the blood of the Lamb, we are sharing the testimony of our lives as a living sacrifice, and we are not in love with our lives and the ways of this world – we have found Hope in our one true love, Christ.

Receiving starts with giving, and is poured out in measure

There are humbling lessons to be learned in considering the poor, in helping those in need,  in giving up the world’s goods that we have gathered around ourselves.

Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, And he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed. I said, “ Lord , be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.”
Psalms 41:1-4 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.41.1-4.NKJV

Proverbs 19:17 ESV
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Deuteronomy 15:11 ESV
For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’

1 John 3:17 ESV
But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?

I wonder how many pairs of pants I have folded and unused at any one moment, or how many shirts or jackets or pairs of socks? And what about the toys and gadgets and things that I’ve accumulated on shelves and in drawers that might sit unused until my body returns to the grave and someone has to sort through the accumulated trash of my life. I wonder how much of this clutter that might testify against my clinging to worldly wants and the security and comfort of things – should instead be a blessing to others?

And even that perspective, once I’ve walked in it for a while begins to shame me, because I realize that I have grown used to the pride of helping others while holding back the best for myself – just giving the leftovers, the unused, the unwanted to others,  and thinking foolishly that I’ve done something grand and benevolent. Oh, how deep my vanity can run, Lord.

When I realize that I am bringing into your house the things that are less than my best, I am humbled and ashamed, Lord. Help me to bring my best into your house. Teach me to give sacrificially of my stuff,  of my time, of my life – so that I can know  and experience the riches of your glory now – an, abundant life,  filled not with wealth or things, but surrounded by an outpouring of your love.

And along with the physical needs of those in this world, aren’t there also so many in spiritual need? Don’t these lessons about how little we usually care about the physical needs of others betray the truth about our heart when it comes to the state of others’ eternal souls? Oh, how can we stand and praise the Lord so vigorously in the closed doors of the assembly just to later spit in the face of His beloved children by leaving them hurt and bleeding and dying in the ditch of this life because we are not fully committed to giving our best,  indeed surrendering our whole life, following in His footsteps?

Lord, remind me that it isn’t about waiting one day to meet you in heaven, but to be alive today, bringing you into this world. Remind me that you gave your best for me,  and that I am meant to follow in your footsteps. Remind me that it isn’t about inviting people to come experience a religious ceremony and tradition – but it’s about being the church, bringing Christ out into the world to meet Him at the well even when they aren’t seeking Him.  Remind me that we are saved by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimonies, and that we share unashamedly with others because we have little concern for our short lives other than to worship Him in Sprout and Truth.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Revelation 12:11 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/rev.12.11.NKJV

Help me,  Lord.
Deliver me,  Lord.
Preserve me,  Lord.
Strengthen me, Lord.
Sustain me,  Lord.
Be merciful to me, Lord.
Heal me, Lord.
I have sinned and fallen short of your glory, but you call me precious,  and honored in your sight, and loved, Lord.

Receiving the Best

The best things to be desired, aren’t things at all.

So many times, the things that we choose, the things that we desire, aren’t good for us at all. It may be that beautiful man or woman that stirs our passions,  but whose ways will lead us down a path of harmful lust instead of faithful and dedicated love. It may be that high paying opportunity that will ask us to compromise our integrity, to take advantage of others, or sacrifice what is truly best for us and our family. It might be that new, shiny thing in the store that leads us to sell ourselves into the bondage of debt. The desires of our own hearts can get us into trouble when we are left solely to our own foolish decisions, when we don’t seek wise advice.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
I Samuel 16:7 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.16.7.NKJV

As men and women,  we are very good at using our physical senses to measure someone by what we can see. We might look at a strong young man standing beside one in a wheelchair and immediately decide which one will be the most help to us. We may look at the successful businessman beside the penniless homeless person and make the same quick decision about which one has the most wisdom and understanding to offer us. We might look at those in the spotlight with so many followers on TV and around the world who talk so much and so often about God – compared to that faithful servant who follows faithfully the word of God,  trusting in the Lord,  committing their way to His teachings, and hating every wrong path who is quick to listen and slow to speak – and from the outside, we might easily be fooled about who is truly a faithful servant of God. 

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Matthew 7:21-29 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/mat.7.21-29.NKJV

The Lord isn’t interested in who puts on the best show for others. The Lord isn’t interested in our visibility or position or title or honor amongst men – He’s interested in our heart,  our desire for His ways to be our ways.

Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
Trust in the Lord , and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord ,
Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
Psalms 37:1-6 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.37.1-6.NKJV

The line “He shall give you the desires of your heart” should be a great warning for those who desire anything more than Christ. If you desire wealth and prosperity, and you have let your own selfish ambition become an idol in your life – it should be a fearful thing knowing that the Lord will allow you to be handed over to receive your greatest desire instead of Christ. If you desire fleshly passions and delights for your body, and you have let your own lusts and sensuality become an idol in your life – it should be a fearful thing knowing that the Lord will allow you to be handed over to receive your greatest desire instead of Christ. If you desire recognition and honor amongst men, and you have let your pride and selfishness become an idol in your life – it should be a fearful thing knowing that the Lord will allow you to be handed over to receive your desire instead of Christ. If you desire to be a great preacher, teacher, healer, apostle,  evangelist, pastor, missionary, theologian, a “great example to others”,  and you have let claiming ownership of good works as your own strength become an idol in your life – it should be a fearful thing knowing that the Lord will allow you to be handed over to receive your desire instead of Christ.

But if your heart is humble, abandoned,  surrendered,  given up to follow Christ,  no matter the cost – what a prize we have to receive if we have set our desires on the only prize worth having!

How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
I have sworn and confirmed
That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
I am afflicted very much;
Revive me, O Lord ,
according to Your word.
Accept, I pray,
the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord ,
And teach me Your judgments.
My life is continually in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.
Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever,
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, to the very end.
Psalms 119:103-112 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.119.103-112.NKJV

Powerless or Limitless?

Grace realized makes you whole, a new creation, in communion with the living God,  being changed to be more like Christ, turning away from the things of this world and seeking blessings eternal – with a healthy fear of God and love for others. Grace realized says, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
– Luke 22:42 NKJV

However, the message of grace perverted and twisted by those enemies of truth leaves its victims still trapped in their sin and dead inside – still chasing after wealth, status, honor and the pleasures of this world – with no fear of eternal consequences – with no fear of God and a love of self. That enemy of truth says,  “Do what you will, shall be the whole of the law.”

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 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 1:3-4 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/jud.1.3-4.NKJV

There are people teaching two different messages at the core of you listen closely. One teaches a relationship with Christ who lives in you – a Holy Spirit that gives you power,  love and self control to be delivered from your old life. The other explains away their darkness and depravity by blaspheming the Holy Spirit as being powerless to deliver them into a new life as the light of the world and salt of the earth. There is a fundamental and important difference in these two messages. Mark 3 and Matthew 22 both describe the only unpardonable sin as “blaspheming the Holy Spirit”. And isn’t that the very basis of Faith, our believing that we can be washed clean and made whole – believing not in concept or philosophy,  but in the reality of a changed life?

His grace is sufficient to change you. It’s whole purpose is to change you. For His Kingdom to be come, for His will to be done, in your life. Religion is powerless, but the hand of God upon your life is limitless.

let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:10-12 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/act.4.10-12.NKJV

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gal.2.20.NKJV

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
I Peter 1:13-19 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1pe.1.13-19.NKJV

And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
Romans 6:13 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/rom.6.13.NKJV

When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Mark 8:34-38 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/mrk.8.34-38.NKJV

Wickedness is an Easy Path, Righteousness is a High Mountain

Listen to the ways of the wicked:

An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked:
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
For he flatters himself in his own eyes,
When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates.
The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit;
He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
He devises wickedness on his bed;
He sets himself in a way that  is not good;
He does not abhor evil.
Psalms 36:1-4 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.36.1-4.NKJV

Hear the end of the unrighteous – either in eternal separation and no participation in the Kingdom of God,  but another destination –  or in the washing,  sanctification, and justification provided by Jesus Christ:

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
I Corinthians 6:9-11 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1co.6.9-11.NKJV

One path is destruction, the other is salvation. It is the difficult way that we choose:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/mat.7.13-14.NKJV

He not only gives us mercy,  but teaches us faithfulness and righteousness so that we are preserved at the time of judgement if we walk this narrow path and do not turn back. We have no more interest in the ways of the wicked. These things that the wicked participate in,  we cast down and instead find our nourishment and contentment and security in God:

Your mercy, O Lord , is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord , You preserve man and beast.
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
Let not the foot of pride come against me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away. There the workers of iniquity have fallen; They have been cast down and are not able to rise.
Psalms 36:5-12 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.36.5-12.NKJV

Set our eyes upon the high mountain of your blameless life, Lord. Establish our feet along this narrow path. Teach us your ways,  Oh Lord. Do not let us be satisfied in the milk of hope and forgiveness – but teach us to eat upon the bread of faithfulness and deliverance and repentance and righteousness – and guide us in sharing the blood of the Lamb that is evident and undeniable in the meat of a life of loving and serving others humbly, gently, kindly,  and patiently. This is not a mountain that we can climb by our own strength or we will fall in pride like the tower of Babel. But when we have you,  alive in us, in communion with us as we walk in your Spirit and not in the flesh – all things are possible. Draw us ever closer into your presence,  Lord. It is our place of refuge and strength.