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Humility

God’s Wonder

This morning as I woke and cleared the cobwebs from my head there were a lot of things just bouncing around in there.  It was kind of like a crowd trying to get out of a single exit pushing and shoving a bit until the strongest thought finally edged out the others.

It started with pride, trust, faith, hope and finally, humility edged all the others out.  It was the stronger thought this morning.  A bunch of thoughts made that possible today, but the strongest was the way the Lord put all of them together for me.  He began when the cloud was the thickest, and my vision was so impaired that I could barely see at all.  He led me to the devotional, “Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers for today.

“Building on Atonement”

The base scripture for today’s devotional was Romans 6:13

Romans 6:13 (ESV)

13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

Chambers only used the last half of the verse about righteousness, but I included the whole verse.  The part of the devotional that started clearing this fog this morning was the beginning.

“I cannot save and sanctify myself; I cannot make atonement for sin; I cannot redeem the world; I cannot right what is wrong, purify what is impure, or make holy what is unholy. That is all the sovereign work of God. Do I have faith in what Jesus Christ has done?”

What an amazing thing God has done for me.  There is nothing I could do to save myself that was God who did that

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

“Building on Atonement (part 2)”

Chambers went on to share the two key details that lead me to humility this morning.

“The greatest need we have is not to do things but to believe things. The redemption of Christ is not an experience, it is the great act of God which He has performed through Christ, and I have to build my faith on it. If I construct my faith on my own experience, I produce the most unscriptural kind of life— an isolated life, with my eyes focused solely on my own holiness. Beware of that human holiness that is not based on the atonement of the Lord. It has no value for anything except a life of isolation— it is useless to God and a nuisance to man.”

I read this passage from his writing and thought how easy it is to get caught up in my own deeds and neglect to give God the glory.  Without what He did for me I would be lost.  I am reminded of two passages in John.

John 6:44 (ESV)

44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

John 14:6 (ESV)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

I look at these passages, and I cannot help but see that It is not what I do or how much I do it is what I believe and to whom belongs the glory.

Reflections

I let these thoughts kind of ramble around in my head for a while, and all I could do was humbly pray a prayer of thanksgiving, praising God for all that He has done and continues to do.  I prayed a prayer of thanks for the fire that he stokes in me with His word.  I thanked Him for Loving me when I was submerged in sin.  Loving me enough to call me out of the darkness into the light.  Loving me enough to replace my heart of stone with a heart of flesh and take up residence there.

He showed me through His word that humility and love were the way to live rather than pride.  And humility did not stifle boldness.  I ended up in Philippians.

Philippians 2:1-11

As I mentioned, in the beginning, there were a lot of thoughts battling for attention this morning and humility won.  Oswald Chambers kind of lead the way but Philippians 2 opened the gate for humility.  Verses 2-11 discuss “Christ’s Example of Humility,” and that, along with all that God had placed on my heart in prayer and study, just brought it together for me.

Philippians 2:1-11 (ESV) Christ’s Example of Humility

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I read this passage and contemplate Christ Jesus example and how can there be any room for pride in my life.  How can there be any room for selfishness or greed?  Just to think about this and I struggle to even grasp it all. What an amazing passage to define humility.

Closing Thoughts

I look back at all this and reread the sources that the Holy Spirit placed in my path this morning, and I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving.  I am reminded that Jesus died for me and He saved me while I was in my sin, and I realize God was in the middle of it from the beginning with John 6:44 and 14:6 and then I think of Ephesians 2:10 and realize I am the workmanship of God.

The other piece of this humility is obedience, and I cannot demonstrate my humility if I am not obedient.  To be obedient, I need to trust completely in God and step forward every day on only what He gives me.

That is not always easy, and I would be lying if I said I was always obedient and I am thankful that when I rebel God has given me the gift of repentance and grace.  Through these and with the help of the Holy Spirit I can correct my course.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Holy Word and the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us through the fog into the light every day.  Lord, I pray you above all things.  You are King of King and Lord of Lords, and I am thankful that you called me out of my sin and showed me the light.  Lord, I pray that you might give all of us a hunger for Your Word and Prayer that we may listen and obey and share your word boldly, counting others more significant than ourselves.  In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!

 

Perfecter of Our Faith

The Light of God’s Word

 

In the past week, I got stuck in Hebrews 12 mostly.  The heading of that chapter in my ESV translation is “Jesus, Founder, and Perfecter of Our Faith.”  If you are familiar with the book of Hebrews Chapter 11 is the chapter that goes through the great examples of the faith beginning with Abel.  All that were famous for their faith and suffered and died for it.

When I read chapter 11, I am lifted with hope and thankfulness.  The last two verses prepare me for chapter 12.  It is like a little passage that reminds me of the great gift I have in Christ Jesus… in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 11:39-40 (ESV)

39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

What did He provide for us that He did not provide for all these great people of the faith like Abraham and Rahab and Moses and Jacob.  What was it?  It was Jesus!

Chapter 12 – Jesus, Founder, and Perfecter of the Faith

With the heading of chapter 12, my question is answered.  We have Jesus.  As I consider that I am filled with a calmness that comes only from the Holy Spirit who resides in me; who resides in all who are born again.  I paused just for a moment before I began reading to meditate on Jesus and what He has done for us all.  I was reminded of Philippians.

Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

I read that and then began Hebrews 12

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflections

Christ Jesus humbled himself for us and emptied Himself of all the power He had as God and became a man that He might experience my life and worse even to the point of death on the cross.

The part in Hebrews 12:1 that gets to me is that I am surrounded by this group of witnesses that did not have the gift yet their faith endured.  I have this great gift how can I not set aside every sin that weighs me down and run the race set before me.  He gave me the opportunity to come to him repent and turn from those sins, and by His grace, I am forgiven.

What a gift I have received.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

He has done so much for me; for us all.  He is not a sometimes God, or the guy you call when things get tough.  He is the deepest of God’s that rejoices in our victories and comforts in our sorrows, and when necessary He will discipline and correct us because of His love for us.

Do Not Grow Weary

I considered all those things this morning and continued with 3-17 in Hebrews 12.  Verses 3-6 humbled me.

Hebrews 12:3-6 (ESV)

3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,

nor be weary when reproved by him.

6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

and chastises every son whom he receives.”

Christ Jesus endured brutal torture even to dying on a cross that we might be received as sons and daughters of the most High God.  That we may not grow weary or fainthearted, but recognize that as sons and daughters God will reprove and discipline those he loves and receives.  Verses 3-6 are so powerful.  The writer is telling us not to take them lightly but to take them for what they are for God only disciplines those he loves.

Hebrews 12:7-11

God disciplines His children.  Christ died for all but not all accepted Him as their Lord and Savior.  Not all were born again.  But those that received him became children of God

John 1:10-13 (ESV)

10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

To those who became children of God they too are disciplined as children.

Hebrews 12:7-11 (ESV)

7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Let’s just say I was a challenge to my parents.  I never cared much for discipline.  I was all about the rebellion but never cared for the consequences.  That has changed for me now.  I know that if I fall short and my Heavenly Father corrects me It is going to benefit me.  Even the most difficult things strengthen me.  I am reminded every day that I am a child of God.

 Romans 8:28 (ESV)

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.   

Hebrews 12:12-17

I think of God and all His provision, including discipline, and I think of Romans 8:28 and all things working together for my good and it takes me to these verses in Hebrews.

 Hebrews 12:12-17 (ESV)

12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

In all those previous verses God reminds us of our gifts and His part in our lives that charges us to live a peaceful life and watch out for each other.  Work together to achieve holiness and let no root of bitterness spring up and cause trouble and he uses the example of Esau.

Reflections

I look back on all that God promised and the great gift we received through His Son Jesus Christ, and I am left all but breathless.  Why do you suppose God reminds us in so many ways throughout His Word of His gifts and Promises?  Why do you suppose He explains everything in such detail through His prophets and apostles?   I think because He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He helps us in our weakness.  I like Romans 8:25-27 as an explanation.

Romans 8:25-27 (ESV)

25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

As I reflect on that and the close of chapter 12 in Hebrews I take great comfort in God’s Word.

Closing Thoughts

The heading of verses 18-29 of Hebrew 12 is “Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken.”  I read that passage, and I am filled with confidence and hope in all that He shares in His Word, and I am reminded of WHO the Word is.

John 1:1-3 (ESV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

The Word is God. It is living and in the Word, I can find confidence and understanding if I will prayerfully study with a humble heart.  Without the Word of God, my holy armor will be weakened against the adversary.  It is my sword and my solid foundation.  If I do not know it in times of peace how can I wield it in times of trouble?  I know that the adversary knows it.  He used it against Jesus in the wilderness.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank you for this Holy Word.  Your lesson for me today gives me strength and confidence and fuels my hunger for Your Word.  Oh Father, help me stay focused so that I do not grow weary.  Help me stay humble in your eyes and hungry always for an understanding of Your Word that I might grow closer to you.  Lord Give me a boldness that I might share your Gospel with others and not hold back.  “…for, (You), God gave us a spirit, not of fear but power and love and self-control.”(2 Timothy 1:7).  Lord, I thank you, and I praise you for all things, and I pray all this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, Amen!

 

Cultivating Godliness

The Light of God’s Love

Yesterday morning I woke and I started a devotional that I felt sure was something that I needed to write.  It was one of those cloudy mornings where I had struggled to wake and to get a clear head, but I was rolling on certain that I needed to write this devotional.  But I was wrong about everything, but the title and I replaced it as well.

This morning I am reminded of my friend Ray and his dad Elmer.  There was this old Chevy that had broken down, and we hooked a chain to it and drug it to Ray’s house and started to work on fixing the car.  Elmer came down and gave us some sage advice.  He said, “I see what’s wrong with this old car.” in a kind of soft, gravelly voice. He said, “Take the wing nut off the air cleaner.” so we did.  “Now roll that piece of junk out of here and get something that runs and go buy a new wingnut and throw that thing away too.”

That is the way that God directed me this morning.  He stopped me yesterday before I got too far and told me to roll that piece of junk out of here and get a new title for it.  See if you notice in the first paragraph there were a lot of “I” statements.  That was the problem.  This morning was different.  This morning it is all about God, and I do not know how it started other than throwing out yesterday’s focus.

Love

As I prayed this morning and I consider everything it was impacted by God’s love, mercy, and grace.

First his Love.  I love what it says in 1John4

1 John 4:19 (ESV)

19 We love because he first loved us. 

What a wonderful verse.  Had God not loved us how would we even know how to love.  I also enjoy the verses that precede this one.

1 John 4:16-18 (ESV)

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

What power there is in this passage.  There is no fear in love.  If we still have fear our love has not yet been perfected.  These thoughts led me to mercy and grace

Grace and Mercy

I thought of all the times God has shown me mercy and saved me from myself.  There are far too many to list, and thankfully I am not that man anymore but a new creature in Christ Jesus.

I thought of several verses.  One out of the Beatitudes in Matthew and one out of Luke.

Matthew 5:7 (ESV)

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Luke 6:36 (ESV)

36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Then a passage in Colossians.

Colossians 3:12-17

Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV)

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Doesn’t that fill your heart with joy and thanksgiving?  God wants so much for us and desires that we not get caught up in squabbles but be patient and loving toward one another.  Just think how patient he is with us.  That leads me to two passages in Ephesians.

Ephesians 4:29 – 5:2

Ephesians 4:29 – 5:2 (ESV)

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Walk in Love

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Again, the Lord reminds us through Paul to love one another and be civil toward one another.  “And walk in love, as Christ loved us” as our example.

I cannot help but to be humbled by these things and reminded of every cross thought or word I have had for a brother or sister in Christ.  There is no place for such a thing whether you act on it or not especially when you consider Ephesians 2.

Ephesians 2:1-10

Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Reflections

I look back at all these passages and think how blessed we are.  If we truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God and have repented of our sins and if we have truly been born again how could we not desire to cultivate Godliness in our own lives.

Wouldn’t we strive to put aside petty arguments and focus on love for one another?  Half the time the person we are upset with does not even realize it and we are the only ones that suffer.  Isn’t it better to set it aside and show grace as God has shown us?

Sometimes the hurt or frustration is too deep to discuss.  When I am at that point I pray for the person I am frustrated with, and I do not pray to change them into a “good” person.  I pray that God might bless them and show them mercy.  I look at Matthew 5:43-48 and pray that way, and it works as sure as the rain bringing flowers in the spring. I have witnessed it.

Closing

I am overwhelmed by how God can change my direction in a moment.  He will use anything at his disposal.  Yesterday, Pat’s boss called her on the way to work and told her to take the day off.  That was a wonderful way to change my direction.

He let me get started yesterday and let me run with my thoughts just long enough so that I could see my error.  That is so awesome.  A lesson and correction wrapped in a wonderful time with my sweet Pat.

What an awesome God we serve.  The more he reveals to me through his Word the hungrier I am to know Him more.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for teaching me what it means to truly love, and thank you for continuing to teach me every time I open your Holy Word.  Father, I pray that this hunger might spread throughout the church. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen!

 

 

Trust the Lord

Over the last blog post or two, I have talked about putting my trust in the Lord and being obedient.  I also talk a lot about being in the Word of God and testing everything against the Word.  But if I do not do those things myself I am not truthful with God or anyone else.  So, I had this one issue that I was dealing with, and I thought I was done with it.  But God knew it was still troubling me.  He knew that it hurt to decide as I did, even though I had decided in keeping with His will and His Word.

Apparently, God knew more than I did because as my morning started my first attempts at prayer were jumbled but after some time, they became clearer.  I gave thanks, and I prayed for those in need, and a posting by a friend came to mind, and I prayed that as well; it was Psalm 139

Psalms 139 (ESV)23-24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!

I read that prayed that passage and paused my prayers and I read some devotionals.

I read two more devotionals and resumed my prayers, and my thoughts and prayers returned to the issue that I had felt I had resolved, but evidently, God did not agree because it came flooding back from a completely different perspective.  I had prayed, and He had revealed the answers in His Word. Evidently, I did not go deep enough to put my mind to rest the first time.  The issue has to do with where my focus should be.  On my past or my future.

The Past

The reason for the focus on the past was a study to look back and see where I had been and how my past had affected my attitudes.  I considered the study, but something about it bugged me so I went to God in prayer about it and he revealed to me in some scriptures that it was not where I should focus my energy.  I needed to be looking forward to what the Holy Spirit had planned for me, so I opted not to do the study.  Philippians 3:13 -14 was what got my attention.

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)

13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 God just poked me in the ribs with this passage.  But evidently, I was still struggling with my decision, because for me it was not easy.  I love the guys I am meeting with and hated to miss out on any discussion.  So, I found my prayers going over this plowed ground and this morning God gave me more and reminded me to trust him when He tells me something.  The answer came in more scriptures when I did a topical search.  First, it was Colossians

Colossians

I went to the third chapter and began at the first verse.

Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV)

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

I read that passage a couple of times and it was clear that my past had died when I gave my life to Christ Jesus.  I had repented, and I had made peace with God.  From here I went to Hebrews and there I was startled a bit.

Hebrews

Specifically, I went to Hebrews 12 which follow the “Faith” chapter where the author outlines all the great people of the faith and verses 1 and 2 are pretty piercing.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

  1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

I read this, and I was humbled.  Evidently, the decision I had made not to participate was more difficult than I had realized.   But when the Lord showed me this passage I was less troubled.

Closing Thoughts

It was difficult to make that decision.  My wife Pat was a great help and encouragement as well.  She helped reinforce the scriptures.  Everyone in the group was supportive, but it was still tough, and as I reflect on the last few days, I did question whether my decision was sound.      But the thing is every time I turned toward my own understanding the Holy Spirit turned me back.  Sometimes he used Pat or sometimes he just used a phrase, but he kept me focused. And rather than allowing this doubt to fester the Lord pushed me deeper into His Word.

He once again proved to me Matthew 7:7-8

Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

The exciting thing for me is so often the prayer is where I pose my questions, and the Word of God is where I find my answers.  I cannot speak to why I am the only one that was led in this direction.  But I trust God, and I know He has a plan for each of us.  Sometimes they are different.  But never stop taking your troubles to God.  He will put you at ease.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your constant grace and teaching through Your Word and prayer.  Thank you for teaching me not to settle for partial answers but to pursue a fuller understanding.  You, Lord, are an awesome God, and I am thankful for the gift of Grace and Repentance.   In Jesus name, I give thanks and praise, Amen!

Believe, Trust and Obey

Light Overcomes Darkness

You know that the word believe is a verb.  In my ESV translation, the word is used 155 times.  Obey is a verb as well.  But it is used only 116 times in my translation.  In a nutshell, when the Lord God reveals an answer to you in His Word or by other means He expects that we will hear it and obey it; particularly if it is something, on which, we have asked for guidance.  To ignore it or not to act on it as directed would be to doubt and be disobedient.

I sometimes struggle with both doubt and disobedience as well as listening.  Sometimes even asking.  And these are serious flaws that I work on daily.  First, I must remember that nothing is too small for God and nothing is too large.  Second, if I take something to Him, He will answer in His time.  My job is to wait patiently for the answer and obey when it comes.

When I think of these things, I often think of Saul and David.  These guys were the first two Kings of Israel, and both had their struggles, but it is how they handled them that set them apart.  Saul seemed more connected to the world as time went on and David was more connected to God.

Both men sinned, but each responded differently.

Saul

The sin that stands out for me with Saul is in 1 Samuel 15.  Saul is told to annihilate the Amalekites and take no spoils but kill everything.  Instead, he saves the best of the animals and does not kill Agag.  The Lord is angered and goes to Samuel and tells him to handle things with Saul.  Samuel goes to Saul and in a nutshell asked him why he disobeyed God and Saul lied and made excuses. In 1 Samuel 15:19-23 for not obeying the Word of God and claimed what he did was to honor Him with the sacrifice of the captured spoils.  He did not say why he saved Agag.

When Samuel said the Lord had rejected him as king, then he panicked and said he had sinned because he feared the people.  He threw it all away over his pride.  He would not sacrifice his popularity by obeying God.

David

David was made King while Saul was still on the thrown and he was a humble man but as he takes the Thrown he too sins.  He falls for another man’s wife in 2 Samuel 11 and has her husband Uriah killed in battle so he can take her as his wife.

He is so blinded by his selfishness God sends the prophet Nathan to tell him of his error in 2Samuel 12 and once he gets it, he falls on his face in repentance.  He turns to God and repents in Psalms 6;32;38;39;40; and 51.  The child dies, and David does not mourn. At the end of 2Samuel 12, he makes a powerful statement.

2 Samuel 12:22-23 (ESV)

“While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”

Reflection

Now as I said in the beginning when I receive an answer from God there only two choices obey or disobey.  The former will lead to much better results, but it may hurt feelings or upset others.  The latter may appease men, but who are we here to serve men or God?

When we do make the wrong choice, we have two choices to correct it.  Own the sin and repent before God or blame others for scaring us more than God.

I prefer to own it as David did.  A man that God called, “A man after God’s own Heart.”  Blaming others did not work so well for Saul.

Prayer

Father, thank you for waking me up with your Holy Word this week and putting me back on the path in keeping with Your will.  Lord forgive me for allowing myself to be swayed from your plans and falling into my own choices.  I love you Lord, and I do not always understand the “why” or where for of your plans but I know that your plan is always what is best for me.  I thank you Lord and pray all this in the name of your Blessed Son, Jesus Christ, Amen!

 

The Truth Will Set You Free

Beauty of God’s Plan

This morning I bounced around a bit as I woke.  I read some of my devotionals – Tozer, Chan, Chambers and mixed in with that God’s Word and the first passage that struck me this morning was John 8:31-32 which speaks to the truth setting you free.

John 8:31-32 (ESV)

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

You must abide in God’s Word to know the truth, but with that truth, you are set free; but free from what.

Well if you go just a bit further in John 8 Jesus tells us.

John 8:34-36 (ESV)

34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

As I continued studying and praying this morning things just seemed to open for me.  I went from the Word to “The Book of Mysteries,” by Jonathan Chan and read day 17.  I had not looked at it in a few days but I was just compelled to give it a look and the title of day 17 was “How to Alter Your Past.”

How to Alter Your Past

The author uses the example of soaking a white cord in the red die for several days to assure that every fiber is exposed to the red dye.  He then asks how you might turn it back to white as snow and the answer was that he could not.  The only way to return it to white is to change the past, and no one here can do that.  Like the cord, sin is described as scarlet red, and they cannot change they are sins because they are done and part of the past.  The only one who can change the past is God.  By the blood of Christ, he removes the stain of sin.

Reflection

I thought about that devotional and several scriptures that were referenced with it.  The first was Isaiah 1:18

Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)

18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:

though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool.

Then there was 2 Corinthians 5:21.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

And finally, 1 John 1:8-9

1 John 1:8-9 (ESV)

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I look at these passages, and I am so thankful.  I consider my reckless life I lived, and I am thankful for His grace and mercy and the gift of repentance as well.  I think of my past, and I am glad that I can still visit, but I no longer am a resident.

Memories

It made me think of those not so distant days when I first came to the Lord. I could still ride that big ole scooter of mine with the ape hangers and loud pipes, and I would tell Pat, my wife I was going to follow the headlight around for a while.  I would pull out on the road and just roll.

I would set the big twin on about 60-65, and she would just sing with a low rumble that always set me at ease, and I would pray.

Me and that bike knew each other well, and I knew while I was praying God was with me and I just rumbled down the road hashing over my rebellious past.

I would just dump my bucket to God.  Before long I found myself singing this song.  I still sing it sometimes, and I am listening to it as I write this section.  It is by “Big Daddy Weave.”

“Redeemed”

As that old scooter kept time rumblin’ down the back roads, these lyrics ran through my head.  It would start slow, and it was not always in the writing flow, but it always seemed to start with the first verse, and sometimes I was not even conscious of it.

“Seems like all I can see was the struggle

Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past

Bound up in shackles of all my failures

Wondering how long is this gonna last

Then You look at this prisoner and say to me “son

Stop fighting a fight that’s already been won”

Before long I would realize I was singing the chorus repeatedly and this weight would lift, and I would almost feel like I was flying, (might have been going a bit fast on the bike but I mean getting air).

“I am redeemed, You set me free.”

I did not sing the whole chorus.  Just this one line over and over.  I knew whatever I had struggled with was forgiven and I was redeemed.    He had turned that crimson stain white as snow, and it was no more.

2 Corinthians 5:21

I am brought back to this verse in 2Corinthians.  I do not know how but I am elated and humbled in the same moment.  I am facing down yet prepared for flight.  What an awesome God we serve.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

As I read this, I am drawn to Philippians 2.

Philippians 2:5-9 (ESV)

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9

Closing Thoughts

As I pray my way through this writing this morning I am overcome by the love of God.  What I read this morning is not new to me.  I have read it before, but His Word is alive, and it kindles in me a fire that is the Holy Spirit in me.  I am humbled to tears and filled with joy that I cannot contain.  I have been set free.

Prayer

Father, thank you.  It seems so small this phrase, thank you, but you know how big it is in my heart. All other words are small compared to it.  Lord this morning I pray that your Word might spread like a raging fire in a heavy wind and ignite a fire in us all.  Lord, I pray that you might place people in our paths that need to hear your Gospel and I pray you fill our hearts with the words to share what they need.  In Jesus name, I pray Amen!

With All My Heart

The Might and Glory of God

 

 

In the last little while, I have been struggling with a few things and not sure how to handle them.  The issues have been heavy on my heart, and I probably should have asked for prayer, but instead, I chose to discuss them with my wife Pat, and we prayed about them.

They were not physical ailments they were questions and propositions I faced that troubled me and made me uncomfortable.   In my mind, they were foundational questions, and I was uncertain which way to go with them, and I need to work them out with the Lord, so I prayed, and I listened.

In the last three or four days, the answers started coming from so many places.  One came from a friend, and I am sure they did not realize it. One from my daughter.  One talking with Pat and all were confirmed by the Word.

The last was yesterday at the Avenues for Women Banquet.  Pat had one unfilled seat left and at 5:30 or so one of our guests said she was bringing an extra person with her.  Now you could call that coincidence, but I have long since decided that “coincidence” is not in the Christian dictionary.  There is no such word.  God has a purpose for everything, and we occasionally are surprised by how they unfold, but what the world calls a coincidence is simply a “God Surprise.”

Reminder

What I was reminded by the past few weeks is that when I have these problems, and I am distracted by an issue, I need to give it to God and trust Him with all my heart.  I was reminded of Philippians 4:5b-7

Philippians 4:5-7 (ESV)

The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I was praying, and I was making my concerns known to God, but there was still a part of me that was getting anxious about the issues that were troubling me.

Trusting Him

As the time went on, I am not sure if I started letting go of my concerns or if God just started giving me little glimpses of the answer in my studies or the things around me. But slowly the things that seemed so hard to see became much clearer, and I was able to get my head around it.  This morning as I reflected on it I realized that it all came down to trusting God and listening to the Holy Spirit as I faced any issue and I just got hit with a few scriptures and searched for a few more.

Proverbs 3:5-8

The first that came to mind was the title of the post today, but I could not remember where it was so I did a little search on Google and found the verse, and I could not stop with only that one verse I read the whole passage.

Proverbs 3:5-8 (ESV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

8 It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

I read that passage over and over, and you know I had not remembered verse 8 before.  It lifted my heart as I thought of it this morning. Trusting in the Lord is healing to your flesh and refreshing to your bones.

Letting go of the stress in your life and trusting God is healing and refreshing.  Just think about that for a moment and let it soak in.  As I think of that, I am taken straight to Matthew.

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

What strength there is in the Lord.  What hope we have in Him, but I could not stop there.  I went to John and then Romans and finished in Revelation.

John 14:1

I love the book of John, and this is one of the few single verses I chose.  I usually go for passages, but this one just fits.

John 14:1 (ESV)

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

To believe in Him is to believe in His promises and to believe in his promises is to know that we can trust him.  What more can be said?  Than Romans was a single verse as well.

Romans 15:13

We have this gift of the indwelling Spirit, and with Him, we have hope on which we can rely.  It fills me with a joy that is achieved no other way.

Romans 15:13 (ESV)

13 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.

What a wonderful blessing it is to be filled with the Holy Spirit and the joy and peace that comes in believing if we will just allow it to happen rather than allow the adversary to convince us that we need to get in the middle of things and work them out on our own.

Our hope rests in God, and so does our peace, and our understanding, when we trust in Him.

Finally, I ended up in Revelation.

Revelation 21:3-7

Chapter 21 begins with John seeing the coming of a new heaven and a new earth.  But this passage and another came up in a search I did on trust, and it just seemed the place to close.

Revelation 21:3-7 (ESV)

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

As I read this passage, I thought. “If I believe this and I can trust God to deliver my salvation, why do I struggle with the small things that seem to derail me.”

Closing Thoughts

If I trust God in all these things that he has shown me in the Word, especially the promise of chapter 21 in Revelation how can I doubt that He has my back in the little things.

My prayers should house my passion about any issue.  God should hear it all.  I should hold back nothing from Him, but sometimes I do.  It is like with our earthly friends or father or spouse; we do not want to expose our weakness to them.  But God already knows, and he is patient.  He knows me better than I know myself.  When I finally give in, He shows me the answer.  He is faithful.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your patience with me.  Forgive me for being slow to let go of the things that trouble me.  Father thank you for your promises and faithfulness and forgive me for my moments of doubt. I am thankful for your grace and mercy, and I pray all in Jesus name. Amen!

 

Deep Faith

Hebrews 11 is always the faith Chapter.  The writer of that letter details each great believer and their demonstration of faith.  There is no question that their faith is above reproach but there are two more that have always struck me and for what some may call strange reasons.  These men are Paul and Peter.

Both demonstrated great faith at many times but two things strike me, and it is specific times they were in prison.  I doubt that many of you have been in jail, but I am sure that at one time or another you have been in trouble with your folks or someone at work or a friend or family member. Whatever that situation might have been you probably lost a little sleep over it if not a lot of sleep wrestling with a solution; I know I have.  But Paul and Peter did not seem to struggle.

Instead of struggling, Peter slept like he was dead and Paul wrote four letters of encouragement that have been documented in the Bible.  To me, these two men demonstrate faith in a way that encourages me.  Look at what Peter does.

Acts 12: 1-5

I have always heard that the only man that can sleep in jail is a guilty man.  Well, Peter showed me that a truly innocent man with unwavering faith could also sleep in jail.  James had just been killed, and Peter was imprisoned.

Acts 12:1-5 (ESV)

1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

He was delivered over to 4 squads of soldiers, and it was Harrods intent to hold him until after Passover and then kill him as he had killed James.  This situation had the whole church on their knees praying for Peter.

Acts 12:6-11

Now the part that amazes me is while he was imprisoned the guards are so fearful that he might escape they chain him up with two guards.  They are all three bound together, and an angel shows up to save Peter.  The thing that gets me is the seeming trouble that the angel has waking Peter.

Acts 12:6-11 (ESV)

6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.

Excluding the two guards waking Peter reminded me of waking my son and daughter when they were in High School.  Once they started moving, I had to tell them every step to take.

Acts 12:9 (ESV)

8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”

Even as Peter was lead out of prison, it seemed a dream to him.  He did not realize it was real until he was outside, and then it was a struggle.

Reflections

This guy was preparing to be executed in a day or two, and he slept with no fear.  How is that possible unless you have total faith in God.  Peter trusted Jesus Christ.  He knew that he would live or die and either was fine with him.  He was no crazy man.  He believed and put all his faith in God.  He did not have to say anything for me to get it.  That sound sleep told me everything.  He was content.  He was not alone in this faith.  Paul was the same.

Paul’s Faith

Paul demonstrated his great faith as well in every trial he endured.  But for me, the best example is his “Prison Letters.”  Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon while he was imprisoned, and every one of them is filled with encouragement and guidance.  I love all of them, and as I read them I can see the love in his heart and the joy leaping off the page as I go through each passage.

He never wavers in his faith or hope for the churches that he began praying for them always.  One of my favorite passages in his prison letters is in Philippians 1.

 Philippians 1:18-26

In this passage, Paul is discussing his life and whether he might live or die.  He speaks of the prayers of the Philippians and the help of the Spirit of Jesus is his deliverance.

Philippians 1:18-26 (ESV) To Live Is Christ

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

For him it is all about service and his trust is completely in Jesus.  He does not waver.  He holds fast.

Reflections

Both these men had such great faith just as the ones in Hebrews 11 and just like those people in 11 they were human.  No different than you or I in our basic makeup.  Their faith is within our grasp.  It is not so far that we cannot reach or so difficult that we cannot achieve it.  God has put it within our grasp.  All we need do is repent of our sins, believe in His Son and be baptized.

Romans 10:9-13 (ESV)

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

When we deeply commit to these things God kindles a fire in us that cannot be quenched.   Life does not get easier.  But you are not alone the Holy Spirit is with you.  Over time your passion for the world is replaced by the passion for God and His Holy Word and fear is replaced with Joy.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV)

6 For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

I think of this passage and realize that our faith is not one of fear.  But of power and love and self-control.  A flame that we must fan, and what better way to fan that flame than with God’s Word and Prayer!

Prayer

Father.  Thank you for the examples of true faith in you.  Thank you, Lord, for giving us people to see that have the same struggle as we do yet still cling to Jesus.  Thank you for your Word and the hunger you have placed in my heart for it.  I am humbled, and I pray all this in Jesus name. Amen!

Ps.

As I was finishing this up, I received word that I lost a dear friend last night.  He had fought the good fight and was a believer.  He had been a good friend to me these past few years, and I will miss him, but I know that his passing is our loss and his gain.

 

 

Prayer for all the Saints

Glory of God

You know I talk a lot about prayer and our need for prayerful study of God’s Word.  Well, the last few days I have had a few issues that I have really struggled with in my prayer life and even this morning it was a struggle.  I prayed for these folks and I prayed for guidance.  But in it all I still was struggling.

I kind of have this order after I pray that I go through email and check out devotionals I receive and clean up the junk email and do a cursory review of a couple sites and then I get into my study.  Today.  That email review turned up a sermon by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Praying for all the saints.  I fired up the YouTube video and I listened to it as I read some of my other study text, but before long I was listening to the sermon and following it in my Bible.  It centered around Ephesians 6:18-20

As I listened I began to think about the content of chapter 6 from beginning to end.  I also thought about how often God told us to put others before ourselves and this whole struggle I was beginning to change.  I started with Ephesians 6:10

Ephesians 6:10-13

I read verses 10 through 13 and looked at what God was revealing through Paul.  It was some pretty powerful stuff.  It did not say anything about standing alone or relying on my own strength.  He said, “be strong in the Lord.”  I had to read the passage a few times.

Ephesians 6:10-13 (ESV)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 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 firm.

Now reading that over and over I see the use of “you” a lot and I do take this as a personal note and command but I must remember that Paul was speaking to the Church at Ephesus; one body with many members.  For the Church to stand against the onslaught of the adversary each member of the body had to put on this armor of God.  I read through the description of the Armor and came to verses 18-20

Ephesians 6:18-20 (ESV)

I read verses 18 through 20 and meditated on what Dr. Lloyd-Jones had said and I was struck by something I had not considered before.  This passage is very powerful.

Ephesians 6:18-20 (ESV)

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

As I read this passage I realized that this prayer was not about me, but this prayer was for strength for the body of the Church to stand against the adversary.  We put on that whole armor of God and we pray, not only for ourselves but all the saints, and not only the saints, but for Paul.

Reflections

I pondered these prayers and got thinking that Paul was not a good speaker.  He was kind of clumsy so he asked the Ephesians for help that he might preach the Gospel boldly, and the prayers were answered in Ephesus.  In Act 20 Paul speaks of his preaching to the elders in Ephesus.

Acts 20:19-27 (ESV)

19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

In this section of Acts as he speaks to the Elders he warns that they must keep a close eye on the flock for wolves will come to destroy them and as I read this warning I was drawn back to Ephesians 6:18

 

Other Prayers

 

How could I know anything without God’s Word?  Which step would I take first?  Which way would I turn?  But with it, the Word is a lamp to my feet.  All through the Word God encourages us to pray for each other, and not only those in trials but all members of the body that they may stand strong.

I think of James

James 5:16 (ESV)

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

I think of Daniel 9 and his prayer for Israel, a prayer of repentance and a prayer for forgiveness.  It was so powerful the angel Gabriel brought his answer.

I think of John 17 when Jesus was about to be crucified and he prayed for Israel and for all of us that believe.

Closing Thoughts

One thing that has been gnawing at me as I considered this is Chapter 42 in Job.  Job repents and at the direction of God, prays for his friends and they are forgiven and he is restored.  The Lord revealed everyone’s needs in this chapter and the result.  What an example that is.

The part that gets me is God through Paul asks us to pray for all saints, our brothers, and sisters in Christ.  We do not know each one need but based on the example of Job we can see what happens when a repentant man prays for his friends, and James reminds us in James 5:16 above

I am overwhelmed as I meditate on this and see how God works through these prayers for both those that are praying and those that are prayed for.  It is like a bond or strong cord uniting us with God and His purpose.

Prayer

Father, help me pray with boldness for all my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Let my prayers in the Spirit be focused on your desires for the body of the Church and strengthen us all to truly stand united against the adversary.

Lord fill our preacher’s hearts with the boldness that they teach the whole Word of God leaving nothing out and please fill our hearts with the courage to do the same when we share the Gospel with others.

All this I pray in the name of your blessed Son, Jesus Christ, Amen!

Consider This

My Focus

The events of the past few weeks have forced me to consider the state of things in my life and my faith, and what I contribute to the body of the church as well as the world around me.   I have looked at a lot of passages and said a lot of prayers and struggled with doubts and fears as well as joy and wonder.

This morning I was reading 1 Thessalonians.  As I read the letter from Paul, I got caught up in how he seemed to feel about the Church at Thessalonica.  He was concerned that they might fall victim to the adversary and he sent Timothy to check on them.  He was elated when he got the good report.  As I consider this first letter, I started thinking of all the letters of the new testament and why they were written.

Each carried a message that the church needed to hear.  The thing that they all share is that the letter was written because the Apostle was elsewhere, and though he wanted to be with the congregation having trouble, he could not, so he wrote a letter instead, and the more I read these letters and other books the more I realize that the answers to all the questions that matter are found here in God’s Word if I will listen.

When I pray and am bewildered by whatever issue might come up, I find in time God will guide me to an answer in His Word.  God’s Word is unchanging.  It is constant, but the Holy Spirit reveals something new to me every time I open the Book.

 Deliverance

The adversary tries to convince us we are alone and that no one has faced the trials that we have faced, and though they may be the most painful we have ever endured, we are not alone.  There are others that have had that same pain and that same trial, and God has or is getting them through it.

How do I know?  I turn to God’s Word for deliverance from my pain and fear.  I read Psalm 18 when God delivered David from the hand of Saul.  I read the 23 Psalm and take comfort in knowing that in all circumstances God is with me.  I read Psalm 121 and remember from where my help comes.  I read Acts two and remembered the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit that guides me and teaches me the Word of God and helps me face trials and temptations.

Temptations

I know that the enemy twist and turns the truth to deceive me into believing a lie for the truth and the truth for a lie.  He tries to keep me focused on myself so that I lose sight of the things of Heaven and my Lord and Savior.  But I have the Word of God to strengthen me.  No temptation is so strong that I cannot overcome it.

How do I know?  First Paul told me in 1 Corinthians.  I think this is my favorite verse about temptation.  But this is not the only place we are warned.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Just in the new testament, the word temptation is used 14 times, and the most striking is the temptations of Christ.  What gets me is what He used in His defense.  What was it?  He used the Word of God, and the devil left Him.

What an amazing testimony to the power of God’s Word.  Jesus did not rely on His strength but the strength of God in His time of temptation and deliverance.

Being Ready

I cannot help but think of all the things that are happening in this world and not think about the importance of being ready.   I instantly am reminded of the master leaving his managers in charge of his home while he was away.  I looked this morning at Luke 12:35-48, Matthew 24:43-51 and Mark 13:32-37.  In all passages, Jesus warned to stay awake.

There is a passage in Deuteronomy 8 that Jesus quoted while he was tempted by the adversary in the wilderness.  It is Deuteronomy 8:3

Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV)

 3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Now Jesus only quoted the second half of this verse, but as I looked at this morning, I remembered something a preacher said comparing manna to the Word.

Daily Manna

This preacher talked about how God only provided enough Manna to feed each Israelite what he would need for the day.  In fact, in Exodus 16:4 God was specific as to how to gather it.

  Exodus 16:4-5 (ESV)

4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”

This guy compared the Word, and our need for it, to Manna.  He said you need it every day.  You cannot gather enough for a week on Sunday and expect it to last.  It will spoil.  You need to study it every day.

Now I do not think my preacher’s sermons spoil over time, but they can fade a bit.  For me, it is like the boiler on a steam engine.  There is no way I can fill the fire box with enough coal to keep the train running for a week.  The fire will either go out or get so hot it blows the boiler.  I need to keep the fire steady.  I need to stoke the fire regularly.

For those who have NO idea what I just said.  I need to keep the battery in my phone charged without over charging it…

Closing Thoughts

God gave us this wonderful Bible and revealed Himself in it if we will PRAYFULLY study it daily.  I ask the Holy Spirit every day to help me as I open the Word of God that I might see what I need for the day and He always opens my eyes to see.  I may not grasp it at the moment, but it will be there when I need it.

I also know I am not alone in this study.  I have my wife and my Church family, Preachers and Friends that I can go to if I struggle with something or just do not get it.  But to ask for help, I must be willing to humble myself and ask.  I love Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 because for a long time I was too proud to walk with anyone, let alone ask for help.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV)

9 Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

God built His Church with people as the body and Christ Jesus as the head.  We need God’s Word that we might know Him and we need each other to walk together toward home.

You know in the cord spoken of in Ecclesiastes one of them is always Jesus.

Matthew 18:20 (ESV)

20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

He gives us the unstoppable strength.

Prayer

Lord, just thank you for this day and the hope that fills my heart.  Father, I pray you might use me as you choose today.  I know that you are our King and Lord and with you all things are possible.

Father, I pray for those in harm’s way whether it be storm or fire or battle and I ask that you be with them.  I pray for those struggling with health issues.  I also lift up those who love you and worship you Lord and pray you give them strength and confidence to face whatever may come and to be a voice for you in this dark world and I pray all this in Jesus name! Amen.

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