Category: Uncategorized

It’s Training Day

We can all appreciate the benefits of eating right, exercising regularly, and sleeping adequately.

“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
1 Timothy 4:8 NLT
http://bible.com/116/1ti.4.8.NLT

Training our bodies provides us with physical health,  which is good. We also need to train ourselves spiritual so that we are spiritually healthy,  which is godliness, righteousness.

If we are training to become physically fit, it helps if we know the different exercises to keep our bodies in shape. Knowing the right exercise regiment is extremely valuable in helping us reach our physical training goals. We also should know the value of God’s word for our own spiritual training.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple; 
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes; 
the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether. 
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward. 
Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord , my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:7-14 ESV
http://bible.com/59/psa.19.7-14.ESV

My dad is an Ironman, a triathlete who has trained and completed events that involve a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon 26.2-mile run, raced in that order and without a break. He didn’t just decide on a Monday to compete in an Ironman competition and then participate in it that weekend,  he trained diligently for it. In fact, once he set his focus on that goal,  he found a personal trainer that could take his exercise regiment and fine tune it into his greatest opportunity for reaching his goal successfully.

We should have the same focus and determination of we have a spiritual goal and destination that we are seeking to reach. Paul in Philippians tells us that we are in a race and that there is a destination – that we are in the midst of this process – that we are being called by God to turn and run to Him.

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3:12-14 NLT
http://bible.com/116/php.3.12-14.NLT

And we are promised a personal trainer for our spiritual goals:

Acts 2:38 ESV
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

John 14:15-17 ESV
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
John 14:26 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jhn.14.26.NLT

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
Romans 8:26 NLT
http://bible.com/116/rom.8.26.NLT

Isaiah 11:2 ESV
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

So someone might ask, how do I get this personal trainer?

Ask.

Luke 11:13 ESV
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Know what you will receive.

Acts 1:8 ESV
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

1 Corinthians 2:13 ESV
And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

Romans 15:13 ESV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

And this change, this birth of new life within you, this decrease of your old nature and an increase of His nature overcoming your life – it is described by Jesus as being 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
http://bible.com/116/jhn.3.3-8.NLT

And if we are born again,  He lives in us.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT
http://bible.com/116/1co.6.19-20.NLT

So this is our goal,  to be alive in Christ,  not dead in sin.

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:20-23 NLT
http://bible.com/116/rom.6.20-23.NLT

Are you listening to someone who tells you that you are free from the obligation to do right? Do you not see that the Word of God calls this type of person a slave to sin? There are many false teachers who see playing religion as a means of gaining money,  power and authority over others by making false promises and selling lasciviousness for a pocket full of silver.

I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. So I want to remind you, though you already know these things, that Jesus first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later he destroyed those who did not remain faithful. And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment. And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment. In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings.  But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses’ body.) But these people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction. What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion. When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots. They are like wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their shameful deeds. They are like wandering stars, doomed forever to blackest darkness. Enoch, who lived in the seventh generation after Adam, prophesied about these people. He said, “Listen! The Lord is coming with countless thousands of his holy ones to execute judgment on the people of the world. He will convict every person of all the ungodly things they have done and for all the insults that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want.
Jude 1:4-16 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jud.1.4-16.NLT

Don’t rely on a man as your teacher,  get into the previous and valuable Word of God, listen to your one true teacher, Christ the Messiah, the Holy Spirit that lives in you,  and test everything against the Word of God.

And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah.  The greatest among you must be a servant.  But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Matthew 23:10-12 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.23.10-12.NLT

For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.
Colossians 1:27 NLT
http://bible.com/116/col.1.27.NLT

Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.
1 John 4:1 NLT
http://bible.com/116/1jn.4.1.NLT

Does that sound like work? Does that sound like training? Would you be happier with a destination that is easy and broad?

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.  But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
Matthew 7:13-14 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.7.13-14.NLT

Is your destination worth training for? Is it valuable in your eyes? What do you desire?

May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.
Psalms 20:4 NLT
http://bible.com/116/psa.20.4.NLT

The world has a tale to tell…

We all know the saying that “a picture is worth a thousand words”.

And isn’t this true of the beautiful creation that surrounds us? Can’t we grasp just a faint bit of the awe and wonder for the creator by seeing the beauty of His creation? Doesn’t this world itself demonstrate to us both the beauty and warmth of the light in contrast to the cold, separation of the darkness?

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.
Psalms 19:1-6 NLT
http://bible.com/116/psa.19.1-6.NLT

Isn’t it so true that an example live out in front of us speaks louder to our hearts than words or instruction spoken to us?

So it shouldn’t be a surprise to us that God reveals Himself in the creation itself. It shouldn’t surprise us that His best way for instructing us want just a written set of laws,  but to come in the flesh and walk it out as an example of what the law alone never quite demonstrated in words. And it shouldn’t surprise us that it is not quite as important that we know how to talk about Jesus as it is that the example of our life’s actions demonstrate Him to others.

God has made a home in His children for the Holy Spirit to dwell. And if we are His, if we have this annointing of the very nature of Christ alive in us, shouldn’t it burst forth from us bearing the fruit of His nature into our lives each day?

Ephesians 5:18 tells us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. And it doesn’t mean to just be filled once. It doesn’t mean that we are to be a glass of still,  stagnant water – but that we should constantly be flowing and stirring within these living waters. And doesn’t that have an impact on more than just our words? Doesn’t that have an impact on more than just a few hours of our life that we “tithe” to God? Doesn’t it make us an athlete eager to train and prepare and run this race to the finish?

If we are rising up from death and running our course through this life, how could our life not be a picture that speaks a thousand words through our actions?

Have you been trying to run under your own power,  friend?

Yes, this is our prideful nature to strive in hopes of earning credit or favor or reward so that we might boast about ourselves – but that is the very flesh that we are escaping as He becomes greater and we become less. Let go of that old man and His ways, friend.

Know the eternal treasures like hope, faith,  love,  joy,  peace,  patience, kindness,  gentleness,  goodness,  faithfulness, and self-control. Know those eternal treasures that only the Lord God Almighty can offer you, and understand the foolishness of trading eternal blessings for those temporary things the world calls blessings.

What do you want your life to be filled with, friend?

What story do you want the motion picture of your life to tell the world?

What do you truly desire most in your life?

Where is your life taking you?

You might as well be honest with yourself and figure out the answer today, friend – rather than reaching the end of your race and being surprised by where your life has taken you.

Are you wandering around aimlessly, or do you have a clear direction and focus and purpose?

We don’t have to have it all figured out,  but we do need to decide on our final destination and start taking steps in that direction.

Will you walk with me,  friend?
Are you going my way?
Can we blaze a trail together?
Could the light from the actions of our lives together shine brightly across the sky of this life – demonstrating the path to the only final destination worth reaching?

Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Then isn’t a life example walking in the Spirit instead of the flesh worth so much more than words?

Filled with…

Aren’t we filled with joy this morning?

Aren’t we excited to tell others about what He has done for us?

Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!
Psalms 126:3 NLT
http://bible.com/116/psa.126.3.NLT

Hasn’t He done amazing things for you, too?

He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me.
Psalms 18:16-17 NLT
http://bible.com/116/psa.18.16-17.NLT

Can’t we see the difference in our lives?

Aren’t we filled with joy?

Don’t we remember the cords of death that once wrapped around our necks?

The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. But in my distress I cried out to the Lord ; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.
Psalms 18:4-6 NLT
http://bible.com/116/psa.18.4-6.NLT

He has heard our cries and He has delivered us from death. We have so much to be grateful for.

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:8-20 NLT
http://bible.com/116/eph.5.8-20.NLT

Or maybe everything that I’m talking about seems foreign and far away and unbelievable?

Maybe you are seeking,  but you have not yet found an answer to your persistent knocking at the door of the Lord?

Or maybe you are curious, but not so much as to actually seek the Lord with an open mind and surrendered heart?

My hope is that He will draw you closer,  friend. My hope is that you will know Him who loves you. He is not far away,  friend. Listen for His still,  quiet voice, and hear Him calling you. He does want you to come home. He does want you to wake up. He does want to draw you closer.

Come,  enter through the narrow gate,  and walk this narrow path with us – and sing His praises today of an abundant life, filled with His presence.

For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.
John 6:44 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jhn.6.44.NLT

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jhn.14.6.NLT

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.7.7-8.NLT

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.  And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.  All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.  But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. ”
John 3:16-21 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jhn.3.16-21.NLT

Yes, I was once cute…

There was a time in my life that the girls thought that I was cute.

And for a while that was very important to me. So I paid attention to their cues,  their coy openings for my advances,  and I played the part giving those puppy dog eyes to open doors that were better left closed.

And there was drama and there were consequences from my fluttering around from blossom to blossom like a busy bee, but at the time I was intoxicated by the pollen, as I gathered up the treasure of my conquests.

That was what my foolish heart desired above pretty much everything else. Yes, the Lord made my flesh, as a man, to appreciate the enticements of a woman. And in my foolishness and in my pride,  I looked not just at the enticements of A WOMAN, but I was hungry and thirsty for more,  more,  more. I heard that voice telling me,  “if one is good, two is better – and why stop at two, the world is your playground.” Yes,  I got very familiar with that voice, that spirit that urged me on deeper and deeper into the trap – luring me with that bait that was so difficult for me to resist.

And what did this chase after lustful things do to my perception of the world? I didn’t care about marriages touched with the stain of adultery by my playtime. I didn’t care about purity lost at the hand of my own enticements. I didn’t care about whether they liked or even knew who I was. I was living out a Limp Bizkit song,  testifying what I was doing it all for.

You see,  I was trying to fill a void of rejection from earlier in my life. And not just one rejection,  but a series of rejections, of betrayals,  of the pain from a broken heart tossed in the blender. So I turned my back on the idea of love being faithful and true,  because so many proved to me that it just wasn’t so – by the way their empty hearts had left me abandoned.

I realized that the ones with the cold detached hearts didn’t seem to be the ones getting hurt,  but they were the ones either avoiding the hurt or dishing it out – and that seemed on the surface to be much easier, much safer, so much less… messy.

But I didn’t realize that the most painful injuries run deep like a dagger into our heart, doing long lasting damage, but may only leave a small puncture wound visible – while a rug burn or rash may be more visible and evident and widespread,  but it will be over soon enough after it scabs and heals.

And this direction in my life led into a world of darkness – into a world of partying, drunkenness, immorality, drugs, criminal activity, jealousy,  drama,  quarrels,  fights, pornography, and all kinds of things that I’m surprised to have escaped. If I was a betting man, I would have expected the house to win – I would have expected the prince of this age to keep me as a general in his army leading more and more into the darkness alongside me like I always had before by my foolish example.

But I was offered another job. I was offered a position in another house. And even though it is a position as a lowly servant,  washing the feet of those who might decide to enter this narrow gate into my new master’s house – it’s the best job available. Even though it isn’t the loud, visible, big house on the street corner with the big parking lot and the broad door open for everyone to come in and join the loud, racous party – it’s the best job available. Even though it doesn’t fill my pockets with silver and gold and prosperity and wealth and the treasures of this world – it’s the best job available.

Because that other house is on fire. And I’m standing at my narrow gate,  warning others to come away from the fire, to not go in, but they are distracted by the loud music and celebration near the entrance to that other house – unaware that it hides the sounds of the screams of those already trapped inside and burning in the fire. They won’t listen to my “foolish warnings”. Like me when I was blind to the truth, they pile in,  wave after wave,  like goats to the slaughter.

And I cannot look down on them,  because I once was blind as well. I can’t call them any more of a fool than I have been myself. But that won’t stop me from trying to tell them there is a better way,  from hoping their eyes will become open to the destruction that lies just inside that other door.

My hope is that the Lord who was merciful towards me might make His grace known to them,  that He might draw them near just as He has been merciful towards me. I know that there is a job available,  because we need more laborers. We need more who are willing to sound the alarm and plead with those heading off into destruction.

But why would they listen? Because we have Good News. There is love that doesn’t abandon us even though we have abandoned Him. There is an example shown to us of God’s amazing and sacrificial and faithful and true love towards us in the life of Jesus Christ.

That emptiness that we’ve tried to fill with all the wrong things that just don’t fit right and that left us still lacking – there is something that fills it perfectly and fully. We are made to be vessels of the Holy Spirit of God, of Christ who lives in us. So is it any surprise if we believe this, that nothing else could ever adequately fill that aching void in our heart?

We choose each day how we fill the void. And the Bible tells us that we can either fill our lives with sin,  with things that are desires of the flesh for the enticements of this world – or we can choose to walk in the Spirit of God,  bearing fruit like love,  joy,  peace,  patience,  kindness,  goodness,  faithfulness,  and self-control. And couldn’t our lives handle more fruit? Couldn’t the world us more of this type of fruit that nourishes the soul?

We aren’t too be like zombies,  like the walking dead,  hungry for “just a little more flesh”!

Wake up. Let Him breathe new life into the dying, decaying flesh suit that you are walking around in.

Come, let me wash your feet,  friend,  so that you might enter into this narrow gate and follow this narrow path up to the big house of the master who invites you into an abundant life.

Adoption, Baptism

For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God.
Romans 8:15-16 AMP
http://bible.com/8/rom.8.15-16.AMP

John the Baptist taught a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And confessing their sins,  they were baptized by him in the Jordan river. And this was his message –

I have baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
Mark 1:8 AMP
http://bible.com/8/mrk.1.8.AMP

At some point, our level of interest in God has to reach past just looking for forgiveness for our sins,  past a fear of the punishment of hell – and it has to grow into a life of actually wanting to be like Jesus. It has to shift past our concern only for ourselves, and shift into a perspective of wanting others to know and see Christ who lives in us.

At some point, our Spirit must be focused more on being like His Spirit – using the word freedom as a promise that we can be more like Him, instead of as an excuse for why we are still chasing after those old ways.

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Amos 3:3 KJV
http://bible.com/1/amo.3.3.KJV

Just as John was to make people ready to receive Jesus,  his baptism was to make them aware of their need to be washed clean from their sin. But it is Jesus whose baptism is by the outpouring of His divine nature into us that generates the new creation.

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Matthew 3:11 KJV
http://bible.com/1/mat.3.11.KJV

John’s message was to prepare men’s hearts so they would recognize and understand their need for something greater than their own strength and knowledge and striving.

Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb again and be born? Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. [Ezek. 36:25-27.]

What is born of [from] the flesh is flesh [of the physical is physical]; and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not [do not be surprised, astonished] at My telling you, You must all be born anew (from above).

The wind blows (breathes) where it wills; and though you hear its sound, yet you neither know where it comes from nor where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.

Nicodemus answered by asking, How can all this be possible? Jesus replied, Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet do not know nor understand these things? [Are they strange to you?] I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, We speak only of what we know [we know absolutely what we are talking about]; we have actually seen what we are testifying to [we were eyewitnesses of it]. And still you do not receive our testimony [you reject and refuse our evidence–that of Myself and of all those who are born of the Spirit].

If I have told you of things that happen right here on the earth and yet none of you believes Me, how can you believe (trust Me, adhere to Me, rely on Me) if I tell you of heavenly things?
John 3:3-12 AMP
http://bible.com/8/jhn.3.3-12.AMP

And this Holy Spirit that we receive is one of power,  love,  and self-control, so if we have received it,  and if we say that we have Christ alive in us, and we say that He is teaching us and guiding us,  shouldn’t we be walking in His ways instead of getting caught up in confirming to the old ways of our worldly lives? But so many have noliving,  burning love for Him. So many have little interest in a relationship, a daily walk, with God – especially if it requires that our spirit be yielded to and in agreement with His.

So many have the perspective of trying to use God when we feel He is convenient or necessary in our lives – keeping Him just far enough away so that we can serve our true master,  while keeping God in our contact list “just in case”. God doesn’t want to just be your bail bondsman. He wants to live in you and touch lives through you. He has a greater purpose and direction for your life.

But we have to let Him in. We have to decide to immerse ourselves in His Word,  His teachings,  His guidance,  His presence in our lives – not just immerse ourselves under some water and think that’s the end of the journey.  He has more for you,  friend.

Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also. Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that. Brethren, together follow my example and observe those who live after the pattern we have set for you.

For there are many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, who walk (live) as enemies of the cross of Christ (the Anointed One). They are doomed and their fate is eternal misery (perdition); their god is their stomach (their appetites, their sensuality) and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their party.

But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await [the coming of] the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] Savior, Who will transform and fashion anew the body of our humiliation to conform to and be like the body of His glory and majesty, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself.
Philippians 3:12-21 AMP
http://bible.com/8/php.3.12-21.AMP

Jan 15, 2016 – Dinner on Fridays

Psalm 9
English Standard Version (ESV)

I Will Recount Your Wonderful Deeds
To the choirmaster: according to Muth-labben. A Psalm of David.

1 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

3 When my enemies turn back,
they stumble and perish before your presence.
4 For you have maintained my just cause;
you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.

5 You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish;
you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6 The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins;
their cities you rooted out;
the very memory of them has perished.

7 But the Lord sits enthroned forever;
he has established his throne for justice,
8 and he judges the world with righteousness;
he judges the peoples with uprightness.

9 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

11 Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion!
Tell among the peoples his deeds!
12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;
he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

13 Be gracious to me, O Lord!
See my affliction from those who hate me,
O you who lift me up from the gates of death,
14 that I may recount all your praises,
that in the gates of the daughter of Zion
I may rejoice in your salvation.

15 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;
in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught.
16 The Lord has made himself known; he has executed judgment;
the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion.

Selah

17 The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.

18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.
19 Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail;
let the nations be judged before you!
20 Put them in fear, O Lord!
Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah

The verses in Psalm 9 tell us about:

1-2: How believers behave
3-4: How enemies behave
5-6: What enemies face
7-8: His Judgement
9-10: His Mercy
11-14: Believers’ response to His mercy
15-17: Warning to the wicked
18-20: Where Wisdom is found

Questions

What do believers do? (Psalm 9:1-2, 10, 11, 14) (1 Chronicles 29:10-20) ( Colossians 3:17) (1Thessalonians 5:18) (1 Peter 2:9)

What are believers lives filled with? (Psalm 9:2) (Hebrews 13:15) (1 Peter 1:3, 2:5) (Ephesians 5:19)

What do enemies do? (Psalm 9:3, 13, 16, 17, 19) (1 John 3:6) (Phillipians 2:15) (Matthew 24:10-13) (2 Timothy 3:1-9)

How does God judge? (Psalm 9:4-5, 7-8, 16, 19) (2 Timothy 2:19) (Romans 6:23) (Psalm 37:27-29)

What is in store for the enemies?  ( Psalm 9:5-6, 16-17, 20) (Matthew 25:46) (Revelation 21:8) (2 Thessalonians 1:9) (Psalm 145:20) (Hebrews 10:26-31)

What is His throne established for? (Psalm 9:7) ( Revelation 20:11-15) (Hebrews 9:27)

What does He judge people with?  (Psalm 9:7-8) (Ecclesiastes 12:14) (Deuteronomy 32:4) (John 12:48) (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) (Galatians 5:19-21) (Jude 1:7)

Who receives God’s mercy? ( Psalm 9:9-10, 12) (1 Corinthians 6:11) (Matthew 5:7) (Luke 6:36) (James 2:13) (Hebrews 4:16)

How do believers respond to receiving His mercy? ( Psalm 9:11, 14) (Colossians 3:12) (1 Peter 1:3) (Luke 6:37) (James 2:12-13)

What is in store for the wicked? ( Psalm 9:16-17) (Romans 1:18-2:9) (Revelations 21:8)

Where can we find Hope?  (Psalm 9:18-20) (Romans 2:10-16) (Jeremiah 29:11) (Romans 5:2-5) (Psalm 39:7) (Isaiah 41:10) (Romans 8:24) (Ezekiel 18)

Would you trade Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty for Hope, Faith, and Love?

Wisdom, Strength and Beauty.

These are characteristics of men and women that are valued,  advertised,  bought and sold for a price. A man can buy himself wisdom from a university,  or from becoming an apprentice in his trade or craft – by offering money,  or time in servitude, or loyalty and honor. A man can buy himself strength in exercise and training regiments or in the many contrived and created potions of the amazing advances in medical science which continue to manipulate with greater and greater precision the resources of this world to the benefit of those that can afford it. We can buy ourselves beauty in the expensive garments and coverings and scents that we mask ourselves in, or under the hand of the knife that cuts and alters our bodies under the skillful hand of those trained in such things.

You see,  all of these three (Wisdom, Strength,  and Beauty) come at a price, and all of the three are but temporary and do not last. Have you not seen a man old in his years that was once bright and brilliant and firm of mind,  but whose mind is now but a shadow of what was before? Have you not seen that same man old in his years who is weak and feeble and no longer firm of body and the strength that he once possessed? And whether it is easier to discuss as an old man or as a woman,  does experience not confirm for you that beauty disappears with age?

But in all these things, we have been speaking of outward things, of things of the physical world, of this of the flesh. And since the flesh just like this temporary world has its eventual end, it should not surprise is that these things are temporary when we are speaking from a purely human perspective.  But what if instead, we decided to speak of these same things from a spiritual and God centered perspective?

Hope, Faith, and Love.

If I decide to talk about spiritual wisdom, and enlightenment about heavenly things and the ways of God,  I cannot learn these things through the normal ways of education and study. This type of illumination, when true and not falsified, is given by God. It is revealed, not learned, because these things are of the Spirit and the heart and not of the mind. So this heavenly Wisdom is found in Hope, not in our own striving or studying. And it is the type of wisdom that God can impart just as powerfully to the simpleton as to the learned, proving that He is not a resource of titles or positions or persons. In fact, it is the fear of God when found, that demonstrates to us or need for such spiritual wisdom and guidance. And it is His response to our asking, knocking and seeking that unveils us to His truths.

And if I am talking about spiritual strength, it is clear that this is Faith in God, because without his ordain in it and allowing it,  I have no spiritual power or authority over things in that realm of existence. In fact,  even to perceive and discern the goings on of the spiritual from just the visible  evidence in the world around us requires a great deal of faith – as we dismiss the concepts of irrefutable logical progression and cause and effect and open our minds to the possibilities of miracles,  signs, wonders and influences outside of our comfortable control.

And finally,  if we are talking of inward beauty,  spiritual beauty,  we must be talking about love – that pure, undefiled measure of love that is full of things like joy,  peace, patience,  kindness,  gentleness,  goodness,  faithfulness,  and self-control.

And can’t we agree that when comparing the parallels between the temporary and physical nature of the first three to the eternal and spiritual nature of the other three that it becomes quickly evident which set is more valuable? Or do you believe that I’ve made a leap in logic in assuming that the spiritual is eternal?

Yes, this could be an argument in and of itself but do you not agree that Hope does not weaken with age but that those who have caught hold of hope and faith in their lives, that it is the very thing they grasp hold of most firmly at the end and that provides them a peace and readiness to move on to what lies ahead? And can we agree that the love that is poured out of these people’s words,  actions,  and service to others lives on after them as it is planned and grows and continues spreading as a result of their life’s example?

Then I wonder how often we decide to chase after the lesser, temporary things of this world, while giving up on the greater blessings? I wonder how often we are more interested in those things that we can strive for and buy for ourselves? I wonder how often we short change ourselves by settling for something less than the gifts and blessings and riches of God’s glory that He has in store for His children.

So let’s trade in our Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty – for His Hope, Faith, and Love.

God bless,  dear friends.

Seeking evidence or having faith

Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
John 20:29 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jhn.20.29.NLT

Do we believe without seeing proof?

Matthew 16:4
Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away.

Are we seeking after miraculous signs and wonders and the demonstrated physical evidence of measurable results?

Revelation 16:14 ESV
For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.

Do we realize that signs and wonders are not necessity evidence of true prophets or of teachers of truth?

Matthew 24:24 ESV
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Shouldn’t we examine the fruit as signs of the motives of those practicing signs and wonders to see if they are living lawlessly, being aware of any evidence that their activity is of Satan?

2 Thessalonians 2:9 ESV
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,

Can’t we see that seeking the supernatural isn’t necessarily seeking the will of the one true God?

Can’t we see that seeking spiritual things isn’t necessarily seeking a restored relationship with the one true God?

Unity within the body of believers and avoiding the foolish controversies over the traditions and dogma of men is good,  but there is no unity between light and darkness,  there is no unity between truth and lies.

A “Christian” that is not at war against sin, darkness and the evil principalities of this world – can they make their claims by name alone?

“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.  You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.  A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.  So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.  Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. “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.  On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’  But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
Matthew 7:15-23 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.7.15-23.NLT

Follow our example

Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.
Philippians 3:17 NLT
http://bible.com/116/php.3.17.NLT

Will others around you look more like Christ by imitating you, by following in the footsteps of your life?

This question might either humble you by the lack of Christ’s power in your daily walk – or it might humble you in fear that you might judge others by considering more of yourself than you really are. However, if it immediately instills confidence in you about your spiritual state in comparison to others, I hope that there is a measure of humility paired with that boldness or you might be in pride, friend. This is the self examination that this verse leads me to initially.

To understand why I say that, it’s important to look at the surrounding verses, not just use cookie cutter verses to support our own opinions and desires and agendas. Even the devil tried to twist single verses of scripture to justify following His own purposes:

and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ ” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’ ”
Matthew 4:6-7 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mat.4.6-7.NLT

You see, the whole of scripture is where truth is found,  because the Word of God is truth. We are told to use the Word of God to test all spirits,  to examine all thoughts, tovtake them captive and to guard or hearts. The one truth, the one way,  the one life – found in Jesus Christ – is the life that is not in conflict with even a single verse of the Scripture.  And that is the example that we are to press in to follow. We might not yet be perfected,  but that is our aim and our goal.

When taking Paul’s bold statement of “follow our example” within the context of Paul’s message, we can understand that it is part of a message that is both humble and bold. You see,  Paul has just acknowledged that he doesn’t value his own efforts and that he doesn’t claim to have yet reached his goal,  but that he is striving and pressing on towards it. And it is this attitude of desperate pursuit of the Lord, it is this attitude of following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ that he is encouraging us to imitate. He is not saying “measure yourselves by my stack of evidence”, he is saying “measure yourself by Christ’s example, find yourself not yet a completed work,  and keep drawing closer to the Lord’s will until you are fully reconciled to be like your teacher” – because that is what I am doing.

Just before Paul’s statement encouraging them to follow his example,  Paul says:

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3:8-14 NLT
http://bible.com/116/php.3.8-14.NLT

He isn’t speaking from a place of pride in himself. He is talking from a place of awe and wonder over this example laid out for us in Christ Jesus, God come in the flesh to bring light to a world of darkness.  He is talking from a place of faith where he sees the power of Christ changing his own life to be more Christ-like as he follows in His footsteps. He is testifying that He is a new creation in Christ. And he knows this because of the change in his life, because he is no longer participating in lawlessness,  he is no longer a slave to sin, He is a believer, follower, friend, and lover of God. And this has a marked effect on a life. The Holy Spirit is one of power,  love and self-control – which is quite different from the ways of the flesh and sin.

May your life be surrendered to the will and purpose of God, and to following in His footsteps, and to being and example and not a stumbling block to others – may you be the imperfect but striving church, alive and growing – so that you can say “follow our example”. Amen.