hballingerLeave a comment

Freedom from…

Do we really believe that there is good and evil? 

Do we really believe that God is Almighty, Holy, righteous and perfect, and that there is another that represents and encourages and fosters the oppositeam of that? 

Do we believe there is a broad way and a narrow way? 

Do we really believe that Jesus is the perfect, blameless, spotless lamb that was sacrificed on our behalf, and raised from the dead in order that we might be reconciled back to a right relationship with God?

I surely hope so!

So when we talk of “Freedom” – what is it that we want to be free from?

Do we see the very idea of serving God and loving others as burdensome, as costly, as too much of a sacrifice to  HAVE TO PAY?

Would we be happier with a concept of FREEDOM FROM GOD so that we can do workout the guilt and shame — while also doing wit out any conviction against the sin that we truly love? 

Or do we trust that our greatest joy is found in the fulfilled promise of FREEDOM FROM SIN AND DEATH?

I say this because if we in fact love our sin more than we love our God — if we in fact, love the broad way of the world more than we love the narrow way of following in His footsteps, love swimming in our own opinions, feelings, desires and pride instead of following in His will — would we rather arrive at the destination of what our heart truly desires without any pesky meddling from those sounding the alarms? 

I’m not being you to change, friend, because if you are just led by your emotional response to the fearful truth about the state of your heart — no matter how hard your striving under your own power to climb your way out, you will just continue reaping corruption and pulling down condemnation upon yourself. You can’t win your soul. You can’t earn your way. 

But you can be born again. 

And I’m not talking about learning how to act religious or to grit your teeth and fight for a reward in heaven. 

No, I’m talking about having your eyes, ears, and heart healed to receive truth in love. I’m talking about hearing that the Word of God says, “Thou shalt…” and you are free to pursue His will. I’m talking about hearing that the Word of God says, “Though shall not…” and you are free to turn away from the unacceptable, to look past the barely acceptable, to push through what is good,  and to press on towards what is perfect! 

But if this sounds burdensome, if this sounds like a raw deal to have to give up the world, and sin,  and temptation, and self pride, and self will – then maybe this life truly is a shadow of what is to come? 

If we hear the Word of God and it doesn’t sound like the voice of our living Father’s instruction and correction and guidance – maybe it’s because there is still a different father that we are serving. 

Shouldn’t we ask ourselves? 

What do you really want to be free from? Is it freedom from God’s call on your life to be holy and set apart as a people serving Him, bearing the burdens of others, turning away from sin and wickedness, so that His will might be done in your life even today because you are a vessel of His Holy Spirit alive and abiding?

Or is it freedom from the traps, the tricks, the deceit, the confusion,  the misdirection, the darkness, the evil, the wickedness, the perversion, the destruction, the pain, and the weight of your sin? 

The LORD, our God, says, “Come”. He says, “Who the son sets free is free indeed!”

Do you know this freedom? 

Do you want it?

Draw close to the LORD and He will draw close to you. Believe and live. You are forgiven, go and sin no more. Amen.

hballingerLeave a comment

Morning Light

Like the sun showing itself victorious over the darkness as it rises in the morning, the Word of God shines hope into the start of our day:

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. 

Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.  

Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord ! I have fled to you for refuge.  

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! 

Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!  

For your name’s sake, O Lord , preserve my life! 

In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!  

And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.

Psalms 143:8‭-‬12 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; 

his mercies never come to an end; 

 they are new every morning; 

great is your faithfulness. 

 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Lamentations 3:22‭-‬24 ESV

hballingerLeave a comment

A New Day

TRUTH: The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord ; be assured, he will not go unpunished. – Proverbs 16:4‭-‬5 ESV [LORD, forgive our pride and our arrogance at times. Forgive our choosing our own foolish ways instead of your wise way. Forgive us for examining others instead of ourselves and for comparing ourselves with others instead of with your perfect example that we are given to take up our cross and follow. Amen.]

HOPE: By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. – Proverbs 16:6 ESV

[LORD, it is your steadfast love and faithfulness that has saved us, not any works of our own that we could take credit for – only that you have shown us our sin and the wages of death that we deserve for our rebellion and wickedness.  You have revealed through your awesome,  holy, and righteous perfection how far away our lives have stayed incomparison so that through godly fear we understand our desperate need for forgiveness, salvation, renewal, and guidance to live in a new way. This is our HOPE, that you will come and live in us and change us and guide us in a new way. Help us turn away from evil and turn to you – as an abiding perspective of repentance in our lives. Amen.]


FAITH: When a man’s ways please the Lord , he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.  Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.  The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.  Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord . – Proverbs 16:7‭-‬8‭, ‬17‭, ‬20 ESV

[LORD, instruct us and guide our desires, our thoughts, our words, and our actions to be led by your Holy Spirit as we are instructed in walking in your spirit of righteousness and love. Convict us against sin so that we might resist the wiles of the enemy, and the temptations of the world, and the desires of our eyes and flesh, and the pride that waits in the shadows for an opportunity to rise up. Teach us to be at peace with, and to forgive, and to even pray for those who would make themselves our enemies. Teach us to be content in whatever we have and wherever you have us, as we learn to trust in you for our everything. Teach us to discern the difference between good, acceptable, and perfect and help us to find,  enter,  and walk the narrow path to the end, preserving our life and our joy from being stolen away by that hidden enemy whose fingerprints and stench are heavy upon the darkness of this fallen world. Show us your will, and lead us in it, so that our trust in you bears witness in our lives of our blessed assurance, of our being born again, of our being alive in Christ. Amen]


LOVE: Commit your work to the Lord , and your plans will be established.  Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.  How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. – Proverbs 16:3‭, ‬13‭-‬13‭, ‬16 ESV 

[LORD, you have taught us. Your Word is written upon our hearts. You will not let it be stolen away, but you have planted a seed in our hearts that you are watering and shining your light upon to bring the increase. Let everything we do be committed to the LORD. Set our eyes firmly upon you and establish our steps. Refine our lives so that the fruit of your Holy Spirit is found on our branch. Tie your colt to your choice branch, those who know, who believe, who trust,  who understand that you do not just call us slave or servant or friend,  but beloved. Let this understanding permeate into every area and every moment of our lives. Amen.]

hballingerLeave a comment

Lazy, Greedy, or Wise?

A lazy man craves nothing

and gets it.

 

garfieldlazy_2816

A greedy man craves a whole lot of nothing,

receives it, and still has no treasure at all.

 

But a wise man has been taught

the difference between treasure and trash.

“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.” – Proverbs 13:4‭, ‬7‭‭, ‬18 ESV
http://bible.com/59/pro.13.4-18.ESV

hballingerLeave a comment

Listen

​Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words.  When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. – Ecclesiastes 5:1‭-‬7 ESV


Open our ears. 

Soften our hearts. 

Still our tongues.

Free us from our pride.

Let our worship, our praise, our service be focused on you and you alone, in awe and wonder before the one holy, righteous, almighty God.

Please, LORD, have mercy on us,  your servants. Come and lead us in your way, by the power of Christ alive in us. Have your way as we step into the light, not shrinking back, but learning to discern your will, renew our minds, resist evil, and live as new creations. Amen.

hballingerLeave a comment

Shabbat Shalom

Matthew 5:18 and Exodus 20:8-11 have me contemplating what my life will look like following sundown tonight until sundown tomorrow.

Even more importantly, Isaiah 58 has me contemplating what His Word proves is the “rest” that is “keeping it holy”.

Sabbath Rest:

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” – Matthew 5:17-20

“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.” – Exodus 20:8-11
“Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast.
Shout aloud! Don’t be timid.
Tell my people Israel of their sins!
Yet they act so pious!
They come to the Temple every day
and seem delighted to learn all about me.
They act like a righteous nation
that would never abandon the laws of its God.
They ask me to take action on their behalf,
pretending they want to be near me.
‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.
‘Why aren’t you impressed?
We have been very hard on ourselves,
and you don’t even notice it!’
“I will tell you why!” I respond.
“It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves.
Even while you fast,
you keep oppressing your workers.
What good is fasting
when you keep on fighting and quarreling?
This kind of fasting
will never get you anywhere with me.
You humble yourselves
by going through the motions of penance,
bowing your heads
like reeds bending in the wind.
You dress in burlap
and cover yourselves with ashes.
Is this what you call fasting?
Do you really think this will please the lord?
 
“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
 
“Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.
Then when you call, the LORD will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
The LORD will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes.
 
“Keep the Sabbath day holy.
Don’t pursue your own interests on that day,
but enjoy the Sabbath
and speak of it with delight as the lord’s holy day.
Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,
and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.
Then the LORD will be your delight.
I will give you great honor
and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.
I, the lord, have spoken!” – Isaiah 58:1-14

shabbat-shalom

 

Shabbat (/ʃəˈbɑːt/; Hebrew: שַׁבָּת‎‎ [ʃa’bat], “rest” or “cessation”) or Shabbos ([‘ʃa.bəs], Yiddish: שבת‎) or the Sabbath is Judaism‘s day of rest and seventh day of the week, on which religious Jews and certain Christians (such as Seventh-day Adventists and Seventh Day Baptists) remember the Biblical creation of the heavens and the earth in six days and the Exodus of the Hebrews, and look forward to a future Messianic Age. Shabbat observance entails refraining from work activities, often with great rigor, and engaging in restful activities to honor the day. Judaism’s traditional position is that unbroken seventh-day Shabbat originated among the Jewish people, as their first and most sacred institution, though some suggest other origins. Variations upon Shabbat are widespread in Judaism and, with adaptations, throughout the Abrahamic and many other religions.

According to halakha (Jewish religious law), Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until the appearance of three stars in the sky on Saturday night.[1] Shabbat is ushered in by lighting candles and reciting a blessing. Traditionally, three festive meals are eaten: in the evening, in the early afternoon, and late in the afternoon. The evening meal typically begins with a blessing called kiddush and another blessing recited over two loaves of challah. Shabbat is closed the following evening with a havdalah blessing. Shabbat is a festive day when Jews exercise their freedom from the regular labors of everyday life. It offers an opportunity to contemplate the spiritual aspects of life and to spend time with family.

 

Biblical Sabbath is a weekly day of rest or time of worship. It is observed differently in Judaism and Christianity and informs a similar occasion in several other faiths. Though many viewpoints and definitions have arisen over the millennia, most originate in the same textual tradition of “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy“.

Observation and remembrance of Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments (the fourth in the original Jewish, the Eastern Orthodox, and most Protestant traditions, the third in Roman Catholic and Lutheran traditions), sometimes referred to individually as the Sabbath Commandment. Most people who observe Biblical Sabbath regard it as having been instituted as a perpetual covenant for the people of Israel (Ex. 31:13-17, Ex. 23:12, Deut. 5:13-14), a rule that also applies to proselytes, and a sign respecting two events: the seventh day, during which God rested after having completed Creation in six days (Gen. 2:2-3, Ex. 20:8-11), and God’s deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt (Deut. 5:12-15).

 

hballingerLeave a comment

Don’t Withhold

​When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. – Genesis 50:15‭-‬21 ESV
Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.  You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.  Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”  And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” – Luke 7:44‭-‬48 ESV
Pray then like this:  “Our Father in heaven,  hallowed be  your name.    Your kingdom come,  your will be done,   on earth as it is in heaven.   Give us  this day our daily bread,    and forgive us our debts,  as we also have forgiven our debtors.   And  lead us not into temptation,  but  deliver us from  evil.    For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,  but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. – Matthew 6:9‭-‬15 ESV

hballingerLeave a comment

Sow the Good Seed

​

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. – Galatians 6:7‭-‬10 ESV


Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. – James 4:7‭-‬8 ESV

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, 

nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;  

but his delight is in the law of the Lord , 

and on his law he meditates day and night.  

He is like a tree planted by streams of water 

that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. 

In all that he does, he prospers.  

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.  

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;  

for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalms 1:1‭-‬6 ESV

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. – James 1:22 ESV


LORD, empower us by your Holy Spirit to receive your Truth and see it grow up –from a Hope that it might “some day come” — to an active and abiding Faith that is seeing sin overcome in our lives to meditate upon, believe, and obey your commandments — an obedience that is not just to the letter of the law, but that teaches for that higher bar of the very Love and presence of Christ abiding in our lives as LORD over our thoughts, words, and actions. Do not let our own opinions, feelings, desires or pride rule our day, but let us die to self and walk as new creations, as more than conquerors, as ambassadors of the Way, as light set upon a hill, as a holy people set apart for your purpose and calling. Make clear to us, reveal to us that your way is, and was, and always will be and that your voice and truth has not changed. Confirm to us that your whole Word is valuable and precious and that we do not pick and choose what suits our self, but we are to submit ourselves to and believe and understand the sweet, precious, and powerful nature of this Word of God that is sharper than any sword, and that cuts to the heart of the matter so we might find repentance and life abundant in Christ. And may it all be for your glory and honor, today and forevermore. Amen. 

hballingerLeave a comment

Steadfast

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:2-4

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

Psalm 112:7

He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.

Steadfast. Unwavering. Disciplined. Devoted. Loyal.
LORD, thank you for YOUR steadfast love. Thank you that YOU are served, loyal, and unwavering in YOUR love for us. We are shamed, even humiliated by the strength of your example beside the weakness of our own — if we are courageous enough to examine ourselves closely, truthfully, and honestly. We fall short and we are not the perfect ones yet that you have promised you are reconciling us to be. But we are following you, LORD. So we are no longer little unsturdy babes who cannot walk upright at all. Teach us your way, LORD. Come live in us so that we can say with confidence, “It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Show your steadfast love, your holiness, the very fruit of your nature in the life song that we live today and forevermore, as a testimony of your glory and honor and favor and mercy towards your children. Amen.

hballingerLeave a comment

When the Opportunity Comes…

​

How many of us might dare to dream big dreams?
How many of those same courageous dreamers retreat into fear when the very thing we have wished for stands face to face before us as reality? 
God has sent you into this world, children, with a purpose and calling. In fact, you have thought about it. You have even prayed about it. You have longed for it. You know this is true.
And I tell you, truly, truly — the Kingdom of God is at hand, children of God. Today is not only the day of salvation, but it is the day of awakening, the day of revival, the day of faith realized in the substance of your life. 
Or for the children of disobedience it is yet another day of death — of emptiness and worthless chasing after things of no lasting value or fulfillment. 
Child of God, hear the call! 
Remember your purpose! 
If you will cower down, let it only be so that you might die to your flesh, pick up your cross, and walk alive in Spirit and Truth, resting in His promises, and abiding in His will. 
For the flesh may be weak, but the Spirit is strong — and if you are indeed born again — if you are indeed free — if Christ indeed is alive in you, there is a world that needs to hear, see, and believe this Good News of Christ. 
“Certainly, He will be with thee.”
“Say to them, I AM hath sent me unto you.”
Whether they call you a liar, or see the Truth — His Word goes forth by His messengers… Go!