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Christ in You

Water and the Word

 

 

This morning I am still in Colossians.  This time it is chapter 1 and just a bit of chapter 2.  I read a devotional by Oswald Chambers from his book “Utmost for His Highest,” Prayer in the Father’s Honor, for August 8th and it touched my heart.  It reminded me of the joy and privilege of prayer.

The verse that brought me back to Colossians was Colossians 1:24 that Chambers referenced near the end of his devotional.  It was part of a series of questions posed by Oswald Chambers in the closing paragraph of his devotional.

“Is the Son of God praying in me, bringing honor to the Father, or am I dictating my demands to Him? Is He ministering in me as He did in the time of His manhood here on earth? Is God’s Son in me going through His passion, suffering so that His own purposes might be fulfilled? The more a person knows of the inner life of God’s most mature saints, the more he sees what God’s purpose really is: to “…fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ…” (Colossians 1:24). And when we think of what it takes to “fill up,” there is always something yet to be done.”  From <https://utmost.org/>

I read that, and I had to go back to Colossians.  The things that Chambers was saying.  Who is really in charge in my life?  Have I fully surrendered to the indwelling Holy Spirit? Am I listening or simply dictating a list in my prayers?

Colossians 1:15-20 The Preeminence of Christ

Once back in Colossians I went to chapter 1 verse 15 and read thru 20.  I love this passage.  As I read it, I thought of the opening of the Book of John and Genesis where Jesus and His glory are described.

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV) The Preeminence of Christ

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Paul has already given the Gospel to the Colossians, but because of others trying to deceive them he is reminding them of His wonder and Glory and the gift that they have in him, but he does not stop there.  He goes on to remind them of how far they have come in verses 21-23.

Colossians 1:21-23

He reminds them that they were alienated and hostile to God but were reconciled.

Colossians 1:21-23 (ESV) 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Paul reminds them that his task was to bring them the Gospel and their task is to believe and hold fast to that which they have learned.

Colossians 1:24-29 Paul’s Ministry to the Church

I continued in Colossians 1:24-29 thinking about was Oswald Chambers had said… “there is always more to be done.  I read Paul’s job.  He was to preach.  That was what he proclaimed.

Colossians 1:24-29 (ESV) Paul’s Ministry to the Church

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

It was clear that he was talking about himself, but something kept nagging at me.  It was a passage about imitating Paul, but I could not pull it back, so I googled it.  It was 1 Corinthians 11:1 so I looked it up and read a bit in 1 Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 10:31 – 11:1

The passage that got my attention was 1 Corinthians 10:31-11-1.  It spoke of my role of imitating Paul.

1 Corinthians 10:31 – 11:1 (ESV) 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

The thing that got me about this passage was that Paul did all things to the glory of God. His goal was that they may be saved.   He explained his example was Jesus and ours should be the same through his example.  We all need to share this wonderful news that we have been given.  Now we are not all Paul, but neither were the people of Corinth or Colossi, but all that received the message, in their way, could share it.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 One Body with Many Members

As I read through 1 Corinthians, I could not stop thinking about this charge to be imitators of Paul.  Then I came to chapter 12:12-13 and I paused here for a while.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV) 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

I read this passage over and over.  There is one church and one Holy Spirit and all who believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died for my sins and was raised from the dead, and sits at the right hand of the Father…

3 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

The indwelling Holy Spirit of Jesus, our Helper, will guide and direct us to bring glory to the Father if we listen and obey.

Closing Thoughts

I look at all these scriptures and the questions raised by Oswald Chambers devotional, and it all is very humbling.  Christ promised the Holy Spirit would come and explained it in Acts of the Apostles. But for us to be effective we must listen and obey.  I know there are times when I am unwilling to relinquish control, and I dictate demands more than listening for direction.  This occurs most often when facing a challenge or conflict, but Jesus told us in Luke and elsewhere that we need not worry.

 Luke 12:11-12 (ESV) 11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

I know this passage is true.  I know the Holy Spirit had given me words to say when I had no idea what to say.  I need only to listen and obey rather than dictate.  The same is true of sharing the Gospel.  If I listen the Holy Spirit will guide me through what may seem awkward and uncomfortable at first but, He who is in me REALLY is bigger than he who is in the world.  I can trust Him… I MUST trust Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me those times when my pride gets in the way of my prays and my ears closed and my will takes center stage.  Forgive me for assuming that I know what I need Father.

Lord, I thank you for your patience with me and your gift of repentance and grace.  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for guiding me through the Word to reveal what I need each day.

I pray Lord that today my actions and thought might bring glory to Your Name, and it is in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, that I pray, Amen!

Let the Peace that Comes from Christ Rule in your Hearts

The Wonder of It All

This week has been a bit hectic, but I have had these thoughts in my head since Thursday out of Colossians. It is Colossians 3:15. The thoughts deal with Christ Jesus ruling my heart.

Colossians 3:15 (ESV) 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Frankly, this thought is with me a lot; not in so many words, but always in concept.  I am often, if not always thinking about the indwelling Spirit.  When I look at this verse, I realize this is the foundation of my new life.

I was called, and I accepted Jesus as my savior and redeemer as well as my ruler and king. I was called to the body of the church, His children, of whom He is the head, and I am thankful.

As I thought about this over the last couple days, I stayed mostly in Colossians but bounced back and forth mostly working through Paul’s letter.  I began with Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV).

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV)

Verses 12 – 14 take my breath away.  They remind me that I am a child of God and I should, as such, operate in love.

Colossians 3:12-14 (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.

I cannot help but be drawn back to John 13:34-35 when I read this.  Christ very succinctly said the same thing.

 John 13:34-35 (ESV) 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

God wanted us to live in harmony with one another; to love one another.  It was not just to make our lives better, which it is certain to do, but to brighten our light to the world.

Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV)

I went on from to verse 14 – 17 and was lifted by the passage.

Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV)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.

Paul reminds us that all our actions should be done, “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” We should consider no other way of doing anything. How are we to do that?  That makes me think of Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 (ESV) 2 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.

The Holy Spirit through Paul tells us.  I go a bit further in Colossians and Paul defines how our household is to run.

Colossians 3:18 – 4:1 Rules for Christian Households

I read this so many times, and all I thought of was the husband, wife, and children.  I could not relate to the bond servants and the masters, but if you have a job, you have a boss.  You may be a boss.  If you have your own business, your customer is your boss.

As I considered this passage it applies to my life as much today as it did then.  I may no longer work, but I did, and I still go places like restaurants and doctors’ offices where I am served.

Colossians 3:18 – 4:1 (ESV) Rules for Christian Households

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

1 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

The family is the same now as it was.  Paul offers great council.  As for the bondservants and others; there are a lot of people that fill service rolls from employees to waiters and everyone in between.  All deserve fair treatment, no matter who is having a bad day.

Reflections

I look back at these verses and this great council, and the first thing I see is all the times I fell short, and all the times that I am sure I will fall short again.  That is why that nourishing that new heart and the new man that we are is so important.  Un-nourished that heart can wither like an unwatered flower.

Closing Thoughts

As I close this writing, there are two passages in Colossians that come to mind.  The first is in chapter 2

Colossians 2:6-10 (ESV) 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

This passage reminds me to hold fast always to the Lord and remember I must take care not to be deceived.  To do this, I must know Gods Word and trust in the guidance of the indwelling Spirit remembering Romans 12:2

The other passage is in Colossians 4

Colossians 4:2-6 (ESV) 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, also pray for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

I love this passage.  Verse two is pray.  Verse 3 and 4 pray for Paul, so he is effective.  I pray for others that they may be effective.  Verse 5 is to walk in wisdom in the world, and 6 let your speech be gracious, seasoned with salt, so you may know how to answer each person.

I am so thankful for God’s Word.  I could not move without it anymore.  I wonder how I ever did.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for your sound counsel through your Word by the hand of the Holy Spirit.  Thank you for giving me understanding that I could not have without you.

I pray Lord that today and every day I might remember this council and show it in how I treat others and speak to those I meet that do not know you.

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!

 

 

Remember This

The Morning Light

 

This morning I ended up in 2nd

Peter prompted by a K-Love verse.  I guess it was only fitting since I last wrote from 1st Peter.  As I am writing, I cannot remember the specific verse, but as I worked my way through the book this morning, I could not help but notice Peter’s desire for us to remember all things that he and others had taught.

2 Peter 3:1-2 (ESV) 1 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles

God knows how easy it is for us to lose focus and once that happens, it is easy for us to forget.  Once we begin to forget the little details it is easier to be deceived and fall victim to the adversary that roams around.  Ok, maybe I shouldn’t speak for everyone.  I will simply say my memory is kind of weak, and I need to stay in the Word and stay focused to be sure I can remember what is important.

But that aside, I started reading chapter one from the introduction.

2 Peter 1

To be honest, in the epistles, the first couple verses in the letter are kind of boiler plate to me.  The writer introduces himself and lists his credentials.  I often skim over them.  But this morning I could not do that.  I would try to move on, and the Holy Spirit would just nudge me a bit to go back and reread that intro.

2 Peter 1:1-2 (ESV) 1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

I had to read it several times, but as thick as I was, I finally got it.  Peter explained who he was but defined his audience very specifically.

“To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”

What a powerful comment to make about your audience.  “To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours;” and how did it happen, “by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” And after that Peter explains a wonderful gift.

2 Peter 1:3-4

He reminds us of what God gave us through His divine power.  It is a gift that we should always remember, but in this busy world of distractions, we can lose sight.

2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV) 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

Reflection

Now reading that I thought, “How could I not always remember something like that?” But as I pondered on it a while I realized that it is easy in this world of constant distractions it is easy to get caught up in things that cause our focus to shift.  It does not have to be a bad thing.  It could very well be a good thing where we are in service to God, but so busy we haven’t the time to talk to Him or study His Word.

I know I had gotten there when I was so intent on getting something done for the Lord I took control of the situation rather than asking Him to guide me.  It had happened before I knew it and it was like God just let me go, and the Holy Spirit nudged me gently, then not so gently, and finally with enough force to get my attention at which point I was thankful for both grace and repentance.  I am also thankful for the patience that God has with me, and the wisdom He shares through His Word.

2 Peter 1:5-11

I read a bit further and got to one of my favorite passages and one that I do not practice enough.  Peter gives us a list of things that, because of verses 3 and 4 we need to make every effort to do these.

2 Peter 1:5-11 (ESV) 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Peter gives this list of actions as supplements to our faith.  He lists these, and they are so important that he promises that He will remind us of them as long as he is alive.

2 Peter 1:12-15

I love how he closes this thought.  In verses 12-15.

2 Peter 1:12-15 (ESV) 12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

These actions were so important that Peter put it in his second letter and, knowing his time was short, he promised to remind them and us so that we will be able to recall them.  They are things that we should remember.  If you think about them for just a moment, you can see how important they are for us all.  This passage reminds me of John 13:34-35

John 13:34-35 (ESV) 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I get cold chills when I think of how the Holy Spirit works in us.  How He reveals that passage just when you need it.  It fills my heart with joy to know the love we are to have for one another as children of God, and it takes me to the last of chapter 1.

2 Peter 1:16-18

After the encouraging and guiding words Peter explains the basis of his faith.  He explains the difference between the Christian faith and other false religions.

2 Peter 1:16-18 (ESV) 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

The Apostles were eyewitnesses.  They saw with their own eyes and heard with their ears all that they spoke of, and they too had the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide and direct them.

Closing Thoughts

I read all this and the rest of the book, but chapter 1 just touched my heart with this need to be diligent in all things to remember what is truly important.  I was taken with Peters emphasis on promising to “stir up” the believers with the actions to supplement their faith, now our faith.

The place to stir that up is in God’s Word, and in the body of the Church.  As I meditated on these things I thought again of two passages; one from 1 Peter and the other from John.  Both had to do with our faith versus the faith of the disciples.

1 Peter 1:8-9 (ESV) 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

John 20:29 (ESV) 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

I used to think that those guys had an advantage over me because they walked with Jesus, but I do not think so anymore.  Do not get me wrong, I long for the day that I can see Him face to face, but until then I have a relationship that they could not have while Jesus lived.    I am reminded of John 16 when Jesus explains His leaving and the coming of the “Helper, ” and I am thankful.

I remember when Peter wrote this letter he did so with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit and he felt we needed to know how important it was to remember these things and encourage each other.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your Holy Word, Holy Spirit thank you for your guidance and insight that opens our eyes to the Holy Word of God.

I am left breathless when I meditate on these words and prayerfully study so that I might remember them always and that they may be engraved on my heart.

Thank You, Father, and it is in the name of your blessed Son Jesus Christ that I pray, Amen!

Honor

The Majesty of God’s Creation

The last few days have been a bit hectic but the best kind of hectic.  I had to take the Jeep to the shop.  The AC went out but I had time to pray and I had time to study a bit before we had to go.  I started in 1 Peter 3:15; a single verse that lead to a study of honor that I continued through this morning. This honor was for others, not my own honor or pride.  It was a study in humble service.

1 Peter 3:15 is one of those verses that the adversary used in my past to frighten me.  It is a simple verse but he used it to introduce doubt.

 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV) 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

For a long time, this passage was used to seal my lips, but the Holy Spirit has broken them free through the Word.  I no longer fear this passage.  He who is in me is bigger and stronger than who is in the world.

As I looked at the Passage more closely I noticed in the beginning “in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy”, and the end “yet do it with gentleness and respect,”  so I did what I do when I study; I started reading the passages that precede the starting point and follow it.

Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake

I went back to 1 Peter 3:8 and read to verse 15 and this passage is powerful it speaks to unit and brotherly love; a tender heart and a humble mind.

1 Peter 3:8-14 (ESV) 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For

“Whoever desires to love life

and see good days,

let him keep his tongue from evil

and his lips from speaking deceit;

11 let him turn away from evil and do good;

let him seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

This passage is so powerful and full of promise.  There is simple guidance as to good behavior in seeking God but there is this one thing that bugged me.  The word that started the passage, “Finally”.  If there is a finally there had to be more so I moved further back in the book of 1 Peter.  The search took me back to chapter 1.

Born Again to a Living Hope

After the greeting Peter defined who we are in Christ Jesus.  What we gain through our faith in the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

 1 Peter 1:3-9 (ESV) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

I get cold chills when I read verses 8 and 9

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

What a gift.  What joy that brings to me.  I am overwhelmed by it all and it is so easy to stop here and just revel in these verses, but there is more.  This is just the beginning.  I moved forward now beginning in verse 13

Called to be Holy

This blessed call for us to be holy as Christ Jesus is holy.  Set apart for His purpose in accordance with His will not our own.

1 Peter 1:13-16 (ESV) 13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

 

I moved a bit further and came to verse 22.

1 Peter 1:22-25 (ESV) 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for

“All flesh is like grass

and all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers,

and the flower falls,

25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

As I read this passage and reread it I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving that I first heard this Word and have it that I can study and grow closer to God through it every day! I am filled with a joy that engulfs my heart.  But it does not stop there.  Peter goes on to discuss submission to authority For Jesus sake.

Submission to Authority

Peter speaks of submission to authority for only one reason; to honor God.

1 Peter 2:13-17 (ESV) 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

He goes on to speak of servants honoring their masters; good or bad.  I know when  I was working I had some good and bad bosses and in my youth honor was not a word I used to describe my behavior, and that is regrettable, because our goal should be to model our lives after Jesus and he did not return evil for evil.

Chapter 2 ends with a reminder that we once strayed but now we have returned to the Shepherd and he transitions to Husbands and Wives.

Wives

He begins here counseling the wives but closes with the husbands.  I think the counsel to the wives shows the

great power they can have with a heart like Jesus.  They can turn an unbelieving man to Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 3:1-4 (ESV) 1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

I love this whole passage, but especially the verse 4.  That is the true beauty of a woman.  That is what draws the true love of a man.  The same part that God loves.  “but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”(vs 4). (emphasis added)

That warms my heart and reminds me of the beauty and wonder of my Pat.  Her beauty is beyond words for me.  It simply melts my heart.

Husband

Peter does not neglect husbands in this discussion of honor.  He reminds us that both husbands and wives are heirs together.

1 Peter 3:7 (ESV) 7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Peter is brief, but what he says to the husband is powerful.  “live with your wives in an understanding way.”  Show honor to them as well.  If you disrespect your wives it will hinder your prayers; to obstruct the path of our prayers.

I struggled with the word hinder, but then I read Psalm 66 after reading K-Loves verse of the day.

Psalms 66:16-19 (ESV) 16 Come and hear, all you who fear God,

and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

17 I cried to him with my mouth,

and high praise was on my tongue.

18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,

the Lord would not have listened.

19 But truly God has listened;

he has attended to the voice of my prayer

If I do not honor my wife I am cherishing iniquity in my heart.  That is a sad thing to consider.  If I neglect my wife I am cherishing iniquity. If I cherish iniquity I will hinder my prayers.

Closing Thoughts

I reread these passages and the guidance the Holy Spirit gave us through Peter.  As I reflected on it and considered Psalm 66 this wave came over me.  When I get angry with a person that is in authority over me and disrespect them or if I dishonor them I cherished iniquity in my heart.  If I do not honor my wife with understanding, I cherished iniquity in my heart. That is not my desire.  Mine is to worship and praise God in spite of what may come.

1 Peter 4:1-2 (ESV) 1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

I know I fall short every day.  But each day I gain strength from He who lives in me and each day is better than the last most of the time.  Every day I learn more and Every day I learn more places I fall short, but I am thankful for grace and the gift of repentance.  The more I learn the more I see the more I am thankful for repentance and grace.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  I am filled with joy at His presence and the wisdom He shares with me.  Thank you for revealing the places I fall short Lord.  Forgive me and help me to continue to grow that I may be more like Your Son Jesus.

In His name, I pray, Amen.

 

 

“Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You”

Precious Treasure

I started this blog post on Monday.   Sometimes it can be a bit of a struggle; not the study or the writing but getting out ahead of God.  I can read a passage and become so excited that I become distracted formulating the blog as I study and miss something important. My biggest concern is to get caught up in my thoughts and miss the main point.  So, I decided to slow down a bit and listen to the Word.  I started in 1 Timothy and thing that caught my eye was talk of a good deposit.

I like the book of 1 Timothy.  I ended up reading through all of it. and coming to a passage that touched my heart at the end of the letter.  It is 1 Timothy 6:20-21. It is a very powerful passage, so powerful that Paul restates it in his second letter to Timothy – 2 Timothy 1:13-14.  Both passages spoke of a deposit entrusted to Timothy; to all that believe.

1 Timothy 6:20-21 (ESV) 20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.

2 Timothy 1:13-14 (ESV) 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

I read these passages and I went back to the beginning of 1 Timothy and just read through it again.  There are a lot of great teachings in this book but as I read it that piece about the deposit held my focus.

Warning Against False Teachers

When Paul left he urged Timothy to stay in Ephesus and make sure that no false doctrine was taught to the people.  Paul reaffirmed for Timothy proper teaching and what happened with false teaching.

1 Timothy 1:3-7 (ESV) 3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. 

These false teachers talk about things they do not understand and lead people away from the truth of salvation by heaping tasks upon them rather than teaching faith and living and worshiping in the Spirit. 

You know that there are so many places to get information about our Christian faith if you are not grounded in God’s word you can be deceived.  Just watching television, you can see a person with a ton of letters after their name professing their high education making “confident assertions” about our faith and they are completely incorrect. But the only way to know of their lie is to know to test it against God’s Word.

After that warning, Paul reminds Timothy why Jesus came.

Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners

Paul, spoke of His unworthiness and using his example as confirmation that Jesus came into the world to save sinners.  Not cleaned and polished sinners living in accordance with the law.  There were no minimum or maximum conditions to be saved.  He came to save sinners.  All we must do is believe in Jesus for eternal life.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 (ESV) 12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul is a good example to show us that all of us, regardless of our past have hope in Jesus Christ.  Our list of specific grievances may differ, but ultimately, they are all sin.  And Jesus came to save Sinners.  I read this and went back and read John 3 just because.  I also looked at the cross references in these passages and spent some time in Romans 3.

I read through the chapter but focused on the section with the heading, “The Righteousness of God Through Faith.”

The Righteousness of God Through Faith

This passage contains one of the verses that helps me stay grounded –  “all fall short.”  The passage is lengthy, but it is worthwhile.

Romans 3:19-20 (ESV) 19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Through the law comes only knowledge of sin.  None of us can be justified by it.  We only come to realize the depth of our sin. But salvation comes by faith through Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:21-26 (ESV) 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Christ gave up His life for us.  No one could have put Him on that cross had He not been willing to go and obedient to the Father.  He shed His blood as a free gift to pay my debt.  I cannot boast, because it was a gift, not anything I did, except to believe.

Romans 3:27-28 (ESV) 27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

I read that passage and I am filled with a feeling of thanksgiving and humility.  Words fail me when I consider all this.  God’s plan required the blood of His Son Jesus to save me.  I am overwhelmed at the price Jesus paid willingly for me.

Reflections

I looked back through these passages and finished reading 1 Timothy again this morning.  Paul gives much instruction for the Church and he warns again about false teachers and the need for Timothy to “Fight the Good Fight.”

As I reflected on all the misconceptions, half-truths and outright lies or deceptions about Jesus all I could do was think of how important knowing His Word is.  We know the deceiver.  Peter defined him well.

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

When I think of sober minded I think of a mind led by the Holy Spirit nourished by the Word of God.

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

We must fight the good fight of faith.  But to do that we must flee the selfish things of the world and its deceptions and false teachings.  Paul is such a man of passion when he writes.  I like this passage that he uses to close this letter to Timothy.

1 Timothy 6:11-16 (ESV) 11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

He warns Timothy to flee from its traps.  Instead, pursue righteousness.   “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses(vs.12).”

Closing Thoughts

Paul tells Timothy and he tells us to fight the good fight of faith.  We must not let false teachers twist the truth of God’s Word.  The only way I know to do that is to prayerfully study God’s Word and discuss it openly with fellow believers.  I am very thankful to belong to a church that believes the Bible is the only source of absolute truth from beginning to end.

And that faith we hold on to we must guard.  I will close with the passage that started this.

1 Timothy 6:20-21 (ESV) 20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for all that you have given me.  Thank you for this precious gift of faith and hope and the promise of eternal life through your Son Jesus Christ.  I pray Father for wisdom to guard this precious gift and hold it always in my heart.

Thank you, Lord, for Your Holy Word.  The true source of understanding.  In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!

 

 

 

The Day of the Lord Will Come

The Path

You know I often have trouble with focus.  Bright light and a lot of movement will cause me a bit of grief as well.  Both things can make reading difficult and both often contribute to headaches that can be very distracting, but there is one thing that these circumstances will not change; a need to be in God’s Word.  Today that began with 2 Peter.

In very few words Peter spoke of the coming of the Lord.  He warned of what to expect.

2 Peter 3:3-4 (ESV) 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”

Peter also explains that there is a reason for everything in God’s plan.

2 Peter 3:8-9 (ESV) 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

But how can we know this if we do not seek the truth for ourselves.?It is not enough to listen to someone else or even read a book relying on someone else’s interpretation.  We must spend time in the word.

This really hit home for me a week or so ago.  I was having a discussion with my daughter, and Peter reminded me of this in chapter 3 of his second letter today as well.

Communication

A couple weeks ago Caroline and I were discussing something serious, (I cannot remember exactly the topic today, but it was important then), and I replied to something she said.  When I finished I asked her what she thought I said and she answered.  I explained that was not my intent, and tried again with a similar result.  The third time we were successful.

Now Caroline and I got 3 chances to complete the communication.  But think of your favorite preacher on Sunday.  He may repeat important stuff a couple times, but you may get distracted by a cough or a sneeze or a baby and you cannot raise your hand and ask him to clarify his point.  You cannot say “Hey preacher, is this what you meant?” But if you are in the Word you can go home and work it out by yourself or with your spouse or with a friend or two.

If you have a group to get together with you can discuss the things you stumble over in your personal study.  The Word tells us that we are better off with more than ourselves.

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.

I also like Peter’s example in Chapter 3.

Understand so You are not Deceived

I like, beginning in verse 15 where Peter speaks of Paul’s writings and cautions the importance in growing in the knowledge of God.

2 Peter 3:15-18 (ESV) And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

 

This is the close to his letter.  The last thing he leaves us with. He adds credence to Paul’s equivalent to scriptures of other apostles and the old testament and cautions how important it is to understand these things about God so others cannot deceive you.

How can we serve God if we do not know Him well enough to discern truth from deception?

Do Not be Deceived

As I considered that this morning I got pulled into several passages that gave warning.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (ESV) 18 “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, 20 that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Jude 1:17-23 (ESV) 17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Ephesians 6:10-12 (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.

What awesome power we have in God’s Word.

Closing Thoughts

I am so thankful that despite everything the Holy Spirit gives me a desire to be in the Word.  He fills me with a need to study and to share.  The strange thing that still amazes me is that I often start with one thought and finish in a place that I did not intend.  Today was one of those days.

I am so thankful for all that Christ Jesus did for me.  His love and mercy blows my mind.  Every day I am surprised by something new.  Today I know this.

The Word of God and prayer are like living water and oxygen.  I need both to live.  Take either away for too long and the first thing that sets in is confusion.  The second is a desperation for anything to fill the void left by their absence.  It requires diligence.  I need more than one gallon a week  of water and though I cannot see it I need oxygen every moment of the day.

I give thanks to God for all His provision including this desire to know Him and draw near to Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Holy Word.  Father thank you for filling my heart with a desire to be near you and providing the path to achieve that.  Father I pray that that those who struggle or are being deceived might call on you today that they too might be lead out of darkness into the light.  In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Jars Of Clay

The Start of the Day

This morning I was praying and the power of the Word of God and the gift of the Holy Spirit were in my thoughts I was thinking about how God fills us with His Spirit and Word and I thought of Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana turning water into wine, (John 2:1-11).  But what I focused on was the jars of clay and the process Jesus went through to make that wine.

He filled these clay jars that held 20-30 gallons each with water, all the way to the brim.  Then he asked one of the servants to take it to the master of the wedding who tasted it and took it to the bride groom.  The master of the wedding told the bride groom that most served the best wine first, but he had chosen to “save the best until now.”

I read this miracle and all I saw was the coming of the new covenant promised in Jeremiah.  Christ Jesus filling our jars of clay with the living water of this new covenant.

Turning from God – Jeremiah 2

I went to Jeremiah and read two passages.  First where God declared that Israel had turned from Him in Jeremiah 2

Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV) 13 for my people have committed two evils:

they have forsaken me,

the fountain of living waters,

and hewed out cisterns for themselves,

broken cisterns that can hold no water.

They had turned from God and built these leaky cisterns to hold things of the world that could never be filled and turned from the fountains of living water that would never leave them thirsting for anything.

Trusting in the Flesh or the Living Water of God – Jeremiah 17

Then I went to Jeremiah 17 and Jeremiah contrasted the sin of Judah to the man who trusted in the Lord.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 (ESV) 5 Thus says the Lord:

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man

and makes flesh his strength,

whose heart turns away from the Lord.

6 He is like a shrub in the desert,

and shall not see any good come.

He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,

in an uninhabited salt land.

7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

whose trust is the Lord.

8 He is like a tree planted by water,

that sends out its roots by the stream,

and does not fear when heat comes,

for its leaves remain green,

and is not anxious in the year of drought,

for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

What a contrast there is when we cling to the life-giving water of God.  Then I went to Jeremiah 31 where I saw this miracle most clearly.

Jeremiah 31:31-34

I thought of the first thing Jesus said when His mother asked Him to solve the problem of the wine.  ” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” But he did as she asked. He honored her and he gave a foreshadowing of what was prophesied by through Jeremiah in chapter 31.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 (ESV) The New Covenant

31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

For me the water He filled these clay jars with was His living water; His law, written on my heart.  From it came the sweetest wine; the promise of eternal life.

Reflections

When I read this miracle in John 2, I see the great work that Jesus does with the water being turned to wine in these clay jars.  He fills us with this living water and changes us from the inside out.  In a moment, we are transformed from the people Jeremiah speaks of in Jeremiah 17:5-6   “5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.” To the people of the new covenant that he speaks of in Jeremiah 31:31-34 in the section above.

John 7:37-39

I cannot help but turn to John 7:37-39 and reread what Jesus said about living water and the Holy Spirit and think of the water to wine

John 7:37-39 (ESV) 37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

What a glorious gift we have if we believe in Jesus, the Son of God.  He will change us from the inside out and the Holy Spirit will dwell in our hearts.

Closing Thoughts

There are so many places in the Word where God speaks of the work being done in us.  I know when I was saved the change was instant.  The growth has been slow and steady but I see Jesus and the Holy Spirits work in God’s Word everywhere, and me, I am a simple jar of clay being molded into shape by the potter’s hands.

I think about Jesus changing that water to wine, and you know I had always passed over it and given it only passing weight.  But think about it. How many folks do you know that can do that?  And as quickly as He changed that water in that clay jar to wine he can change a heart of stone to one of flesh and make it a throne room for the Holy Spirit!  It takes only the faith of a child and a willing heart to believe in Jesus.  Repentance and Baptism come out of an overpowering desire to obey.  But that water to wine thing is something that I cannot grasp.  I simply trust in my God, the Creator of all things.

Prayer

Oh, Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word.  Thank you, the nourishment it brings to my spirit, like “fountains of living water.”  Lord, thank you for letting me see Your wonder on every page.  Thank You for letting me see Your love and Your glory.

Father, help me that I might not turn either to the left or right but keep my eyes firmly focused on you, in the name of your precious Son Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!

Keeping Hydrated

Photos by Dan Dunnum

You know for me the whole Word of God is living water.  Like the 8 glasses of regular water, I need to keep my body hydrated every day, I need God’s Word every day to keep my spirit hydrated.  When your body gets dehydrated it is clear.  You get leg cramps and you can feel bad.  But when your spirit gets dehydrated it is subtler.

When I was a kid I was never dehydrated.  Everybody had a garden hose and if you got thirsty you got a drink.  As an adult, I got busy and found I did not take time for a drink of water and I got a lot of cramps.

The same was true of my spirit.  I knew who God was but I had gone so long without the Word I no longer realized I was thirsty.  I had found other things in the world to fill that thirst.  That is the bad thing about dehydration you can go so long that you do not realize you are thirsty until you are in trouble.

Thankfully the body sends me cramps that are horrible to remind me that I am not getting enough water, and because of the prayers of my parents, grandparent, wife, and others that I do not know the Holy Spirit reminded me at 52 years of age that I was thirsty for something more.  Now I stay hydrated.  Now with a prick at my heart, the Holy Spirit reminds me when my spirit needs the nourishment of Living Water, and quite frankly, like the leg cramps, I try to avoid that prick to the heart by staying in prayer and in Gods Word to stay hydrated.  I do not enjoy the pain of  dehydration; body or spirit.

Hydrate My Spirit – Isaiah 44

I thought about this stuff this morning and I went to the Word.  I first came to a passage in John, but I will get to that later.  Cross references in John took me to Isaiah.  The first was chapter 44.

I read this passage and was just moved.

Isaiah 44:3-5 (ESV) 3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land,

and streams on the dry ground;

I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring,

and my blessing on your descendants.

4 They shall spring up among the grass

like willows by flowing streams.

5 This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s,’

another will call on the name of Jacob,

and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’

and name himself by the name of Israel.”

Those first two verses reminded me that the land was cursed with the fall as well as we were, and God promises to pour out water on the land and His Spirit on Jacob’s offspring, and they shall shoot up like “willows by flowing streams.”  God equates the nourishment that we gain from the Holy Spirit to be like what the land gains from flowing water.  What a promise.  From chapter 44 I went to 55.

Hear that Your Soul May Live Isaiah 55:1-4

“Hear that your soul may live” (vs 3).  Just think about that for a second.  How can we hear this and not thirst for His Word?  He offers us life in every word.  I do not know about you but that blows my mind in just those few words then I read the rest of the passage.

Isaiah 55:1-3 (ESV) 1 “Come, everyone who thirsts,

come to the waters;

and he who has no money,

come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without price.

2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,

and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,

and delight yourselves in rich food.

3 Incline your ear, and come to me;

hear, that your soul may live;

and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,

my steadfast, sure love for David.

You know I have read this passage over and over.  Isaiah is one of my favorite books.  But this had not stuck with me until today.  Now I think about these words.  Why do we chase after the things of the World that do not satisfy when God offers the Word that assures life?  I get goose bumps as I ponder this.  He will give us life if we will believe in His Son; listen and obey. He will guide and strengthen us with living water.

The Lord Will Guide You Isaiah 58:11

The last passage from Isaiah is 58:11

Isaiah 58:11 (ESV) 11 And the Lord will guide you continually

and satisfy your desire in scorched places

and make your bones strong;

and you shall be like a watered garden,

like a spring of water,

whose waters do not fail.

He is with us always and He guides us and nourishes us with springs of water that will not fail.  I am so thankful for His Word and the gift I have of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  We need only believe in His Son.

Closing Thoughts

I look back at all these passages this morning and I am humbled by the gifts that God has given me.  I started in John this morning and the whole thing got rolling with John 7:37-39.  Jesus was at the Feast of Booths

John 7:37-39 (ESV) 37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

In this moment, He explained that if we believed in Him we would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit promised in the scriptures, that would nourish our spirits and, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Why would we not want to drink up all that He offers us so that we might allow His living water to flow from us?

Prayer

Father, I pray Lord that I might always hold fast to your word and listen diligently for Your guidance and understanding.  Lord, I pray that I never go so long without Your Word that my thirst draws me to things of the world for satisfaction.  Let me always hold fast to you in prayer and study and it active sharing of my faith.  In Jesus name, I pray.  Amen.

 

Seek the Things That are Above

The Narrow Path

Over the weekend I was taken with a verse in Colossians that I received as the “Encouraging Word from K-Love Radio.  They come in an email every morning and I always read them as kind of a jump start to my morning that morning it caused me to seek after more than just that short verse in Colossians.

Colossians 3:1 (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.

I lingered in Colossians around this verse through this morning, along with some other passages, and just meditated on the whole concept of to “seek things that are above.”

The first thing I did was get a few the details around verse one so I read on in Chapter 3.

Colossians 3:1-4

I read through verse 4 and could hear the passion of Paul as he wrote.  He holds nothing back in his words.  The power of the Holy Spirit fills his heart and he shares the teachings of Christ Jesus with such passion.

Colossians 3:1-4 (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. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

It amazes me when I look at this passage.  In the first to verses Paul tells us to seek things that are above and repeats it telling us to set our minds on things that are above.  In the second verse, He even reminds me not to focus on things that are on earth and in the next two verses he tells us why.  I cannot help but think of Matthew 6:33

Matthew 6:33 (ESV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:25-34 Do Not Be Anxious

I read these passages and I am reminded that God is in control and ultimately, He does care for us, but it requires a level of trust and reliance that is unnatural; it is supernatural.  It also calls us to be in a relationship with God in prayer and study where we learn to listen and obey.  This passage in Matthew is true, but only if you believe it and trust that God will keep His promise. 

Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV) Do Not Be Anxious

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

I like how Jesus closes this passage in verse 34.  He does not promise it will be easy.  He simply says do not be anxious.

Thoughts and Reflections

I thought a lot about these passages and the goal of both was to seek first the Kingdom of God.  Christ went so far as to say that our worries should not be on the things of this world for God will provide all that we need IF we seek first the Kingdom of God.  To me this is not a gospel of prosperity but I am reminded of Proverbs 30:8-9

Proverbs 30:8-9 (ESV)

8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that is needful for me,
9 lest I be full and deny you
and say, “Who is the Lord?”
or lest I be poor and steal
and profane the name of my God.

And Philippians 4

Philippians 4:12-13 (ESV) 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

God puts before us a means to care for our families.  It is not always easy, and there are still consequences that come with our own decisions.  The thing I know is that I know He is helping me get through the consequences of my bad decisions, and I know that I grow stronger because of the counsel and discipline of God.

What’s Next

The first part of this scripture in Colossians was powerful.  But I went on deeper in to chapter 3.  In verse 4 Paul reminds us that Christ Jesus is our life and he sets a very powerful direction for those who believe 1-4.

Colossians 3:5-17 (ESV) 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

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.

This passage just fills my heart with joy.  Paul is repeating Jesus’ teaching of seek first the Kingdom of God, and explains changes that will have on our hearts and then he reminds us in verse 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.”

That really does mean everything.  If you read the rest of Colossians 3 Paul gets specific.

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV) 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Closing Thoughts

There is so much to these passages.  I am always overwhelmed by the Love that God shares through His Word.  My heart aches for those who miss the joy that comes from time spent in prayer and in the Word of God.

I used to think that God was a god of rules and regulations.  Now I know that He loves me and all He has ever wanted is me close to Him.  I am often drawn to Matthew 11:28-30

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.”

I am Thankful.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for this day.  Thank you, Lord, for reminding me of where my focus should be and giving me the strength to stand in this world of distractions.  I pray Lord that my eyes may always be focused on the things above and when they wander Father, You will set my eye on what it right and true.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

“Every Word That Comes From the Mouth of God”

John 1:1-5

Do you ever hit those times where you just struggle to focus and cannot seem to gather your thoughts?  You just seem to stumble through stuff.  That has been me for the past few weeks. That does not mean I am not inspired by the Word of God, but there has been something missing and I could not seem to find it.  So I continued to pray and wait on the Lord.

I went to Church and was moved by each sermon.  I studied and prayed, but something seemed to elude me, and even today I do not know what it was.  I just kept doing what God had asked me to do and waited expectantly, and God was faithful in a discussion with friends Tuesday evening.

I had discussed God’s Word with some friends Tuesday night and yesterday I woke and I prayed over what we had discussed and I asked for understanding and guidance.  I had really been impacted by our discussion and I prayed just for understanding and an hour or so after my prayer and study time I received a notification on my cell phone.

Notification

Yeah, I know you are probably going WHAT?!?!  A notification on his PHONE?!?!?!? Please bear with me a bit.  The notification was a YouTube video.  I get notifications from a channel on YouTube called “I’ll be Honest” and they are sermons or short clips from some leaders I like.  Yesterday it was Paul Washer and the Sermon was “How to Abide in Christ”.

This sermon was an hour and forty-four minutes long and when I first saw that I balked a bit.  I was not sure I was up to watching a sermon twice as long as Terry’s but the Spirit kept nudging not so gently to watch it, so I did.

Paul Washer

I do not know if you have ever listened to Paul Washer or not but he is about as subtle as a hay fork and about as likely to draw blood if you are not careful.  He is about as direct as an oncoming train, but I do like him because of his passion for the Lord and this sermon was no exception.  Even if a bit hard on the toes at times it was exactly what I needed.  The Lord helped me see some things differently than I had before and tied them back to my studies and Terry and Will’s teachings as well.  It really pierced my heart.

The Sermon and What Hit Me Hardest

Paul spoke of many things in ways I had not considered before.  He touched on prayer and how to pray.  The act of praying without ceasing, and on Matthew 4:4.  Matthew 4:4 was what had the largest impact.  It was Jesus’ response to satan in the wilderness.

Matthew 4:4 (ESV) 4 But he answered, “It is written,” ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

There was much more in this video, and all of it touched me but the Lord used this passage to pull me out of the spot I was in, and I am thankful for His patience, grace, and forgiveness.  Just think about that exchange Jesus and satan.

Matthew 4:4

Matthew 4:4 is Jesus’ response to the devil when he makes his first effort to tempt Christ Jesus.

Matthew 4:3 (ESV) 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”

But Christ did not respond relying on his own strength, He drew on the strength of the Holy Word.

Matthew 4:4 (ESV) 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

He quoted from part of the Old Testament: 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.

I love this passage.  The Son of God did not speak on His own when confronted by the adversary, but with the full power of the Word of God.  I get goose bumps when I think of that.  I often talk about the power of God’s Word and the need to put on the Full Armor, but yesterday the Holy Spirit revealed something more through this passage.

Thoughts and Reflection

Paul Washer said something that shook me.  He said most people hear that passage but do not really believe it, and yes, that caused me to pause.  He went on to explain that we think we do, but we do so many things every day without first conferring with God or reflecting on the direction in His Word.  I had to think about it for a minute and ask myself, do I really live “by every word that comes from the mouth of God?” I believe the power of God’s Word, but do I truly rely on every word that comes from His mouth to live my life.

Paul gave several examples, and I thought of several others,  but the one that struck me regarded marriage. If you are married, do you study everything in the Word that God teaches about marriage to assure that your marriage is lived in accordance with His Word?  He is the author of marriage.  Shouldn’t we be living our marriage as He has defined it?

As I considered this and meditated on the passages that I was led to, I developed a new appreciation for the Word, and I have to admit I was humbled and repentant.  I have for a long time believed that It was my sword and shield, but today I realized it is my life’s blood.  Living water that I cannot live without in a way I had not realized before.

Thoughts

The Word is Jesus.  God explains it through John in chapter one of his Gospel.

John 1:1-5 (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. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

It is God Breathed for teaching us and more.  Just look at 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

And He is the Living Water.  Only by believing in Jesus can we be saved.  And what joy we can gain by knowing Him through His Word guided by His Holy Spirit.

John 4:13-14 (ESV) 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Closing

I cannot fully grasp all this yet.  It really impacted me.  There is so much yet that I need to get my arms around, but I feel the Lord has turned on the light in another section of this path I am walking on and I will continue to pray and study His Word and now apply really apply Matthew 4:4.  I give thanks for the gift of grace and repentance.  I give thanks for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to open my eyes when I am to blind to see.  I praise God for His patience with me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Holy Word.  Thank you for your Spirit to guide me in my life.  I am overwhelmed by every new turn or revelation.  Help me, Lord, that I might live a life totally dependent on You and Your Holy Word.

In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!

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