The Criteria For Obedience Is Trust - Not Understanding

“Which of you, if your 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

Understanding is not a pre-condition for God’s expectation that we obey Him.  There is something called Root-cause analysis that is intended to ferret out the true source of a particular problem.  One method is called the 5-Whys.  No – not 5 Guys, the 5-Whys.  You keep asking why to every answer to why until you get to the root cause.

Perhaps you remember the saying, “For the want of a nail a shoe was lost, for the want of a shoe a horse was lost, for the want of a horse a king was lost, for the want of a king a kingdom was lost.”  The root cause of losing the kingdom was the loss of a nail in the horse’s shoe. Well, we ask “why” of God often as a pre-condition for obeying Him.  I remember my Uncle Don telling me that when I was a young child I was always asking "why". Uncle Don was a pretty smart guy - he worked with Werner Von Braun in a missile program in Huntsville, AL. Have your children ever challenged you as their parent with “Why”?  “Because I said so!” was often my answer.  Implicit in the response was the message - I am looking out for your best interest whether you believe or like it. In a great respect that should be sufficient with God. We understand His nature.  We understand that there are things that we don’t know, we don’t know.  We do know that God sees from beginning to end.  

The question Jesus asked in Matthew 7 had to do with praying to God, but the expectation is the same.  God will do what is best for us and what will bring glory to Him as we obey Him.  It is critical that you know it is God.  If it is in His Word, we must embrace the fact that His Word is Truth (John 17:17), no matter how you may feel about it or want it to be different.  Of course, you must be a Christian to know His voice (John 10:27)  But, more than that your heart must be right. A "right heart" is a result of submitting your life to the Spirit of God.  Ignoring God and going your own way is not good, in fact, it’s sin.  (James 4:17) “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”

“Yes Lord, yes.  I will trust you and obey.  Yes Lord yes, to your will and to your way.  When your Spirit speaks to me, with my whole heart I’ll agree. And I will answer Yes, Lord .. .Yes!”  But friend, don’t stop with Yes … James reminds us that faith without works (stepping out in obedience by faith) is dead.  – of no practical value. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones." - Proverbs 3:5-8

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

How To Experience Joy Every Day

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace" - Philippians 1:2-7

Recall that Paul was in prison when he wrote to the Church in Philippi, but he knew who he was in spite of where he was. I recall a volunteer asking me, while we stood in the midst of the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi, "Do you like being here?" They were going to be with us for a week. We were in Mississippi helping with the recovery for 5 years. I thought about the question for a moment and then answered, "Actually, I love being here. There is nothing better than being in the center of God's will, geography has nothing to do with it!" That was not false bravado, an attempt to impress the volunteer with my spirituality . As the "Duke" - John Wayne - would say "That's not brag, just fact!"

So how do we find joy in spite of what the day brings? Let's reconsider Paul's letter to the Philippians. I will use what I call the 6 - RU's.

1. RU a recipient of God's grace? Have you been saved by grace through faith. A child of God. If not, the joy I am referring to is out of reach for you.

2. RU a servant of Jesus Christ? A bond servant, meaning that you are an obedient servant by choice - your following Jesus is not an imposition on your will but it is your passion.

3. RU thankful? Not for the circumstances - like being called to leave your job, sell your home, live in an RV that is in the middle of a disaster area. But thankful for your relationship as a child of God. Not taking God for granted but acknowledging His great gift and lovingkindness.

4. RU content with where God has you? Meaning, you are not like Lot's wife who looked back with longing at the place that God said to leave but are forward with an expectation of what God was going to do through your obedience.

5. RU full of love for God and others? 

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40

6. RU fruitful? I am talking about Spiritual fruit -  Fruit that is manifested in your life in spite of the circumstances you face, not because of them.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:22-25

Well .... RU?

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Listening Is Not Enough

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." - James 1:22-25

My wife and I spent the weekend in East Texas visiting our 3 granddaughters, their husbands and their children - our great grandchildren - at least some of them. We have eight grandchildren and eleven great grand children and saw 3 and 5, respectfully, this weekend.

We were so blessed to see all of them. Watching the dynamics of the parents and children, I was reminded of why parents should have children when they are young - Abraham and Sarah must have had a time of it! But I was also reminded of James 1:22-25.  The parents were even tempered, at least while we were there ;)  The children listened to their parents - but very often did not heed their words. They would go right back to what they had been doing before their parents spoke to them. It was not that they did not understand what they were told - they just didn't always do what they were told to do. And that reminded me of James 1:22-25.

As Christians - or as children of God - we are told by our Father how we should behave - what we should do. We hear the Word preached - we read the Word in the Bible, but like the man looking in the mirror or our great grandchildren - we see to immediately forget what we heard or read.

We are hearers and readers only. Forgetting that the "doer" will be blessed in the doing or in their obedience. 

"And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams." - 1 Samuel 15:22

"For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I [King David] would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." - Psalm 51:6-17

"Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great." - Luke 6:46-49

The inescapable conclusion is that if you fail to do but merely listen the problem is that you don't love God enough. Now we don't want to hear that for certain. But the fact of the matter is that we have not yielded our hearts fully to God and want to do what we want to do. Just like our great grand children.  

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Total Surrender

Oswald Chambers asked this rhetorical question, “Am I building up the body of Christ, or am I only concerned about my own personal development? The essential thing is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ— “. . . that I may know Him. . .”  To fulfill God’s perfect design for me requires my total surrender— complete abandonment of myself to Him. Whenever I only want things for myself, the relationship is distorted. My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace, Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God.”

Total surrender to God is a recurring theme in the Bible ... The fact that it is presented to us so many times might lead you to believe that there is a reason for the emphasis.  The fact is, the entire Bible was written for us ... it is God ‘breathed’ and has at least three purposes … for the Father’s glory .. the revelation of His Son … and for our good. As Jesus demonstrated His submission to the Father in the garden before His crucifixion - "let your will not my will be done"- so must we be.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” - 2 Timothy 3:16  

We know that the Bible can be read by people who are not Christians. Although they can understand the words, they cannot understand the spiritual truth behind those words. We also know that the Bible can be read by Christians who do understand the spiritual truth behind the words but choose not to obey what they know to be true and right.  

All Christians must be reminded that we need to … we must …. be surrendered to God's will. 

“I [Paul] appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:1-2

That means each of us picking up our cross .. committed to the idea that it is .. not my will but His will … and following in Jesus steps. Jesus said “if you have seen Me you have seen the Father” (John 14:9) Can people say that about you? If they have seen you they have seen Jesus, who, in turn, is a reflection of the Father?  (John 17:20-23)

Total surrender is not just so we can live our lives in an easier way.  It is to show the world Jesus … 

“Now when they [rulers and elders and scribes] saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. - Acts 4:13

The first sentence in the book “The Purpose Driven Life” says ‘It’s not about me [or you]’.  You must understand that this life we live is by faith and for a purpose greater than ourselves.  It requires total surrender .. total trust in God … walking by faith and not by sight. Being doers and not hearers only and so deceiving yourself into thinking that reading the Bible and going to church is what our new life in Christ is all about. (James 1:22)

Let Jesus shine through you today … Give it up and bring glory to God.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Are You Leaning Forward In The Foxhole?

"Anything that does not strengthen me morally is the enemy of virtue within me. Whether I overcome, thereby producing virtue, depends on the level of moral excellence in my life. But we must fight to be moral. Morality does not happen by accident; moral virtue is acquired. And spiritually it is also the same. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation . . .” (John 16:33). This means that anything which is not spiritual leads to my downfall. Jesus went on to say, “. . . but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” I must learn to fight against and overcome the things that come against me, and in that way produce the balance of holiness. Then it becomes a delight to meet opposition. Holiness is the balance between my nature and the law of God as expressed in Jesus Christ." - Oswald Chambers

Have you thought about living the Christian life as a battle?  It is you know.  

 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." - Ephesians 6:11-13 

 We must be disciplined like a soldier to live this new life in Christ … 

“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.  And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” - 2 Timothy 2:3-5 

Holiness does not just happen.  Walking after the Spirit and not yielding to the flesh is intentional.  In the Army they say that “you fight the way you train” meaning that if you don’t prepare yourself for battle, you will not do well when the battle comes.

Ephesians goes on to talk about the weapons that the Lord has provided … 

"Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--" - Ephesians 6:14-18 

Don’t be caught sleeping on duty.  Another saying is that we should be “leaning forward in the foxhole”.  The picture is a soldier leaning forward with his chest against the front of the foxhole. His weapon locked and loaded. His eyes scanning the distance, alert for the enemy. That means be ready every day, every hour, every minute. His battle buddy is next to him - they have each other's backs. Do you have someone like that in your life? That just reminded me of a song .. “If we ever needed the Lord before .. we sure do need Him now and we need Him every day and every hour.”

So Christian, my encouragement to you for today, and every day,  is  …  

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” - 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Why Did My Church Treat Me That Way?

The local church is supposed to be a haven - that is not a typo meaning "heaven" but a haven of rest from the world.  A safe place where Christians, the Church, gather together. A place where you can be vulnerable and find compassion and encouragement. That is certainly the Lord’s intent.  But there is a glitch – it’s called people. 

The local church can only function as it was intended when the people in the local church are saved by faith and are being led by the Spirit.  But there are a number of variables in this equation. 

First.  Not all the people who attend a local church are Christians.  You can’t necessarily know them by looking at them.  Or perhaps even talking with them.  They may be faithful attenders.  Even tithers. They may be involved on Sunday school or small groups.  Keith Green, a Christian singer, said that being in a church building doesn’t make you a Christian any more than being in McDonalds makes you a hamburger.  The church building is not what makes the Church the Church. Faith in Jesus and obedience to the will of God does that. 

So, if you approach someone at church and expect them to act as a person of faith when they are not, you will be disappointed .. and most likely disillusioned.  It is like when I go to Home Depot and ask someone wearing an orange Home Depot vest a question about a tool or product in the store. They may not have a clue, but they do have a vest!  And yes, I am disillusioned with Home Depot.  And I have adjusted my expectations accordingly. One day another customer asked me what the best paint was for an exterior door. I told him that I didn't work there and he replied, "I know that is why I asked YOU!" Point made.

Second.  Not every Christian attending the church is walking in obedience by faith.  There are many Christians, always have been, that are not growing in their faith.  They are so immersed in the world and the things of the world, they are indistinguishable from the those that are lost and headed for hell.  Expecting spiritual help from them is like one teenager telling another teenager “I will be there for you.”  What does that mean? One drowning person telling another drowning person, “I will be there for you.” They might as well say, I saw you were drowning and thought you might like some company! If a Christian is living a carnal life, they have nothing Spiritual to offer you.  Don’t be surprised when you ask for a fish and they give you a stone.  It is the best they have to offer.

Years ago, during a men’s prayer meeting I was leading, I encouraged them men to be open about their lives and pray for one another – a Biblical mandate. 

“Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results.” - James 5:16

One of the men said “No way! If I do that I will hear what I said from somebody that is not in this room!” And sadly, that may not be too far from the truth.  Not everyone in the room was a Christian walking in obedience to the Spirit.

Third.  There is always the possibility that you are the problem.  I know that is a stretch.  But if you are dealing with the consequence of your sin and you have not repented, then you are part of the problem.  Jesus said 

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.” - Matthew 7:3-5

Often times we are not looking for spiritual solutions but merely relief from the consequences of our sin. When we don’t get it, we blame others – even the local church.

The bottom line.  Very often we look to the church for solutions when we should be looking to the Church.  Do you see the distinction?  In the case of the conversation I recently had, the person affected was questioning their faith and God because of how the church had responded to them.  I quote this verse often – 

“God is the God of all comfort who comforts us in our afflictions so we might comfort others with the same comfort we, ourselves, have received.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

That is the Church in action. Use discernment when you seek help from the Christian community. Don’t misjudge or condemn the local Church by seeking comfort from those who are incapable if giving it.  And make certain your heart is right before God when you do.   

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Personal Price Of Salvation

"Then the king [David] said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24

The Lord told David to erect an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. Araunah wanted to give it to David. King David understood that to live for and glorify God meant that we must decrease so God can increase. That we must count the cost. In Romans 12 Paul said that we must offer ourselves as living sacrifices because it is only reasonable in light of what God, through Jesus, has done for us. That we should not be conformed to this world - which is to say that life of the natural man or woman is about accumulation and self gratification. - But once we are born again, we should be transformed - where our minds, our ways, and our passions are refocused from that which the world craves toward God - and in so doing prove or demonstrate that which is the good and perfect will of God.

Think about the apostles. Jesus challenged them to leave their natural lives behind and follow Him. Even Paul, when he was still known as Saul, who knew he was doing that which was affirmed by the religious elite and assumed therefore his life must be pleasing to Jehovah God discovered that he was, in fact, persecuting the Messiah - the very one all of Israel - in all generations - eagerly awaited. When he understood that - he abandoned what he had invested his life in - to follow Jesus. Saul was given a new name - Paul - just like Abram to Abraham - Simon to Peter - Jacob to Israel. 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Being a Christian means more than merely having a different attitude. It means having a new life - a new perspective on what is right and good. Your life that was natural and hell bound is now spiritual and heaven bound.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." - Matthew 16:24

So the question for each of us is "Am I - are you - willing to pay the price that God demands?" What is that you ask? Total devotion to Him. A life abandoned to doing the will of God. That does not necessarily mean that you must quit your job or sell you house - but it could. Although come to think of it, that is what God called us to do. But, it does mean that you must be willing to say "yes" to God when He speaks. I am thinking about some verses in a few songs that are not sung much anymore. 

Jesus paid it all - All to Him I owe.

I have decided to follow Jesus - no turning back. The world behind me, the cross before me.

Almost persuaded - almost but lost.

All to Jesus I surrender. All to Him I freely give. I will ever love and trust Him. In His presence daily live. I surrender all. All To Jesus I surrender.

Amazing grace how sweet the sound. I once was lost but now and found. Was blind but now I see.

Do you see? Do you understand the new life you have been given? Do you embrace that?

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." = 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

What To Do When You Can’t Get Along With Someone

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” - Romans 12:18

Is there someone who just does not like you? There can be a number of reasons for the conflict.  It may be something you did or didn’t do. It may be personality, or something more nefarious like race or geographic origin, jealousy and envy or it may be you’re a Yankee or not from Texas? So what are you supposed to do about it Christian?   

Have you ever said “that is their problem”?  Just distanced yourself from the issue.  Like an ostrich with its head in the sand.  The problem does not go away, you just don’t have to look at it. Well, the Bible is pretty clear.

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” - Hebrews 12:14

You must make the effort to be reconciled. Seek to be at peace with them. And if you are rebuffed in your attempt? You move on with your life.  Broken relationships are not like broken bones. They may not mend, ever.  You might wish they would, but the fact is that a restored relationship is dependent upon both parties. But for your part don’t allow bitterness to take root, but let forgiveness abound instead. 

Peter asked Jesus about being willing to forgiveness - given there is repentance on the part of the one who has given offense. 

“Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” - Matthew 18:21-22

Jesus proceeded to tell the parable about the unforgiving servant.  He had been forgiven much but refused to forgive others in the same way.  

"But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt." - Matthew 18:28-30

Notice the offender sought forgiveness.  When that happens, we must be ready to give it. This isn’t about a restored relationship but a repentant heart.  Repentance is a necessary first step for forgiveness and restoration.  Be careful, receiving someone when they have not repented is a sure-fire recipe for more brokenness.  Like the Father of the prodigal son – you may be waiting – watching – hoping that the relationship will be restored on day.  Your heart may hurt – especially if it involves a family member.  Turn to the Father – the God of all comfort. And let the love of God, the fruit of the Spirit rule in your heart. Restored trust is another matter. Trust is an easy thing to lose and a hard thing to get back - being trustworthy must be proven - not just promised.

 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." Love never fails.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

God's Call Requires More Strength And Ability Than you Have

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” - Ephesians 2:8-10

I believe that I have a very clear understanding of what God wants me to do, and I am doing it.  But there is this issue of faith, or lack of it, that will raise its head every now and again.  Maybe make you question if you are doing the right thing. Like Adam in the Garden when Satan asked him, "Did God really say?" It is important that you are able to discern when it is the Spirit and when it is the flesh speaking. Let me explain.  

It is clear that God has me, actually Martie and me to be correct, helping those who cannot help themselves. For the past 20 years. In particular, recently He has made me very aware of the plight of widows.  James 1:27 says “religion is expressed in its purest sense when we help widows and orphans in their affliction” (paraphrased by me).  

What God calls us to do is always spiritual - God-dependent. Do you remember the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18? Right after that victory, Elijah was exhausted and even ran for his life in fear.  How did that happen. He lost focus on the fact that it was God and not him. We have been privileged to have seen the mighty hand of God at work.  In my experience, when you are anointed by the Spirit of God for a particular work and that work is accomplished to and for the glory of God, you will be physically and emotionally exhausted at the end.  You will have a supernatural ability in the midst of the work, but afterwards, you become very aware of your weakness in light of Jesus’ strength. 

"And He [Jesus] said to me [Paul], “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 

I recently read a post on Facebook about people who have suffered the loss of a loved one and the thought came to me.  “What good do you think you can possibly do in light of what others are doing? What local churches are doing? Who do you think you are?”  

Have you every wondered that in the light of God’s call on your life? The truth is, what God calls you to do is between you and God.  It has nothing to do with what He has called others to do. The temptation is to take your eyes off of Jesus and focus on other things, other people. If you do, you will immediately start to sink.  That is what happened to me this morning. On the face of it, it seems improbable or perhaps even impossible.  I mean how can you go from standing boldly for God at one minute and doubting that what you are doing is right the next. 

“It’s not by strength or by power but by my Spirit says the Lord God of Hosts.” - Zechariah 4:6

As Jesus followers we all live with this tension between the Spirit and the flesh. Proverbs 3:5-6 says trust God and not yourself. If you are using the world and trust in yourself to do what God has clearly called you to do, you will fail. You can’t do it.  Don’t compare yourself to others when considering your God-given purpose.  God will always ask you to do what is not humanly possible.  You will always need the power of the Spirit to do it.  And when the task is accomplished, you will feel just a little bit, or even a lot, of the weight of what you have just done. And it will exhaust you.  Maybe even make you fearful or doubtful.  When that happens … praise the Lord and be humbled that He would use a sinner like you for His eternal purposes.  Amazing! 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Having The Faith To Believe, But Still Having Doubts

"Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" - Mark 9:24

Up front – Some may think that devotions should be short.  A few sentences.  I write what the Lord lays on my heart.  Sometimes, like today, it can be lengthy.  No apologies, just know that is not likely to change.  

Do you ever have doubts? Join the club friend. I was talking with someone the other day.  The matter was concerning what seemed to be the imminent death of a loved one.  He said, “I sure hope that when I die, I find out this (meaning my hope in heaven) is really true.” 

Have you ever had that thought?  His statement set me back for a second.  I never thought of him as having any doubts about his faith, but there it was. The stress of the death or grave illness of someone you care about seems to have the effect of removing inhibitions from people.  Those situations reveal things that they typically keep hidden, and you wonder “Where did that come from?” or “I had no idea they felt that way!”  But to the point …

We are on a journey of faith – like in Pilgrim’s Progress.  We are jars of clay, formed from dust.  There is something called the Law of Thermodynamics, actually there are 4 laws, like Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion, except different. “Energy cannot be created or destroyed. In other words, in a closed system, the total amount of energy that can be taken out of the system will be equal to the total amount of energy that was put into the system.” 

That might be why people think that they can be reincarnated.  If you leave this form, you will “pop-up” in another form.  Zero sum.  Whatever is taken away is put back in.  (Hang with me, I am almost finished with the physics lesson!!!) My point is that these “laws” are nothing more than man’s observation of God’s creation.  The truth is that God can do what He wants to do, whenever He wants to do it.  He operates on an eternal clock and we operate on seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years. Hey, we do the best we can. Here is the problem. If we try to figure God out on our own, we are doomed to failure.  

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” - Isaiah 55:8-9

You, with your mortal natural mind, cannot figure God out.  

“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” - 1 Corinthians 2:14

You see, in order to not have doubts, you must see the world as God does, and you can only do that by the power of God’s Spirit in you.  We are given an account of a young boy being healed by Jesus.  The boy was apparently beyond human help.  

“So He (Jesus) asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You (Jesus) can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" - Mark 9:21-25

All of us face impossible situations. Situations that challenge the promises of God and our faith. Hebrews 11:1 says that Faith is about things hoped for and not seen.  If you want to strengthen your faith you can do two things.  First, be reminded of when God showed up in impossible circumstances and second, keep your heart and mind fixed on Jesus.  If you don’t do that you will suffer spiritual atrophy and when that happens you will be plagued by doubt. 

“Trust in the Lord in all your ways and not your own mental capacity.” - Proverbs 3:5-6

In one of the Indiana Jones movies, Indy was confronted by a huge man with a huge sword.  Then Indy remembered that he was carrying a gun, so he shot the man with the sword. Well, in a way, Indy is me and you. Faced with impossible circumstances, we must remember that we are “packing”.  We have the Holy Spirit in us .. the Creator God is on our side .. and He is faithful to His promises. You can believe that! 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Finding Joy Through Trust Not Determination

"And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.” ... Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the Lord. So Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.” Then the Lord said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.” So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace." - Judges 6:16,22-24

The pastor at the church we attend preached a sermon entitled "Declaring Our Faith Before Our Circumstances Change". He used Gideon as an example. God told Gideon that God's presence was with him, His promises are enough, and His peace is enough. 

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1

It is in Hebrews 11 that we are reminded again of Gideon's faith. The same faith that we are encouraged to have. Faith that comes from our focus on God and not on our circumstances. It is one thing to trust that something WILL happen after it HAS happened. That is not faith. It is another to trust that something WILL before something happens. That is faith. Be careful that you don't place your trust in the world and its happenings. But trust in God no matter what happens.

I was watching the "25 best singers on America's Got Talent" on YouTube the other day. No commercials :) There was a young woman contestant who sang a song she composed "It's OK".  She looked emaciated and, initially, I thought she might be anorexic. It turned out she was in a fierce battle with stage 4 cancer.  Before she sang, she said something that I wanted to remember so I paused the TV and went to my computer to write it down - she said "You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore before you decide to be happy" 

I agreed but would substitute "find joy by trusting in the Lord" for "decide to be happy". The reason is that joy is a fruit of the spirit and is found through a close and abiding relationship with the Father. The fruit of the spirit is independent of what happens or may happen to us. We have joy because of the Father whose presence is with us. Whose promises are enough. Whose peace is enough.

The woman passed away from her cancer before the season she appeared in ended. She didn't talk about faith or God. Leaving people to think that all we need do to overcome adversity is we just decide to be happy. But I suspect that the woman, if she was without faith, may have resolved herself to an early death - but happy? Only she knows but I suspect without faith - probably not.

Some thoughts from Psalms

"Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth." Psalm 26:2-3

"Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings." - Psalm 61:1-4

"Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him..... He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." - Psalm 62:1-2,6-8

Maybe you can think of more verses that remind us of God's faithfulness. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Letting The Repentance Process Run Its Course

Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation… —2 Corinthians 7:10

“Conviction of sin is one of the most uncommon things that ever happens to a person. It is the beginning of an understanding of God. Jesus Christ said that when the Holy Spirit came He would convict people of sin (see John 16:8). And when the Holy Spirit stirs a person’s conscience and brings him into the presence of God, it is not that person’s relationship with others that bothers him but his relationship with God— 

“Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight…” - Psalm 51:4

The wonders of conviction of sin, forgiveness, and holiness are so interwoven that it is only the forgiven person who is truly holy. He proves he is forgiven by being the opposite of what he was previously, by the grace of God. Repentance always brings a person to the point of saying, “I have sinned.” The foundation of Christianity is repentance. If you ever cease to understand the value of repentance, you allow yourself to remain in sin. Examine yourself to see if you have forgotten how to be truly repentant.” - Oswald Chambers

Being forgiven or forgiving others is a supernatural act. But there is a progression that leads to forgiveness.  As Christians we sin.  We come under conviction. That conviction produces godly sorrow which leads to repentance. Repentance leads to forgiveness and restoration.  Think about that.  Granting forgiveness without repentance is called enabling.  Even though you will be tempted, don't give someone a "pass" because you feel sorry for them.  That means you don’t love them enough to get them to the point of repentance which brings healing and restoration.  

Think about the parable of the prodigal son. (Luke 15:11-32)  What is the remarkable point of that story?  God is the “father” and we are the “wayward son”.  The father loved the son, but did not go after the son to convince him to come home. The father waited for the son to be convicted, to repent of his sin and return to the father seeking forgiveness.  The son did not even imagine that he would be restored as a son.  The best he hoped for was to be treated like a hired hand.  An evidence of a broken and humble heart.  Every day, the father looked to the hills in the hope that his son would repent one day and return.  He loved his son.  He loved him enough to let the process take its course … even though the father hated what his son was going through.  The father knew that until his son’s heart was changed, there could be no restoration.

That is true for us as well.  We are commanded to forgive, but we must be careful that the forgiveness is not misapplied … and abused.  That means we must exercise spiritual discernment and emotional restraint.  We must be ready to forgive, as we have been forgiven. 

"be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32

But remember, forgiveness comes after repentance and not before. Very often we want our relationship restored at all costs so we choose to ignore the sin. We love our children even when they sin - but that does not mean we embrace their sin - we must allow the "repentance process" to run its course. Don't let the cart of forgiveness get in front of the horse named repentance. No matter what your emotions say. The only way that you can do that is to keep your eyes fixed on the Lord.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone