This past weekend was an amazing weekend.  Pat and I went on a bit of a road trip and I got to take some nice photos.  But all through the weekend even into this morning, I was reminded of the need to stand on the Word of God.  It is not enough to simply read it, but we must believe it to be the only absolute truth.   We must internalize it and trust in its truth enough that we obey the precepts found in it.

I read this blog by Bob Russel “Is Your Faith Strong Enough” this morning that said in the early 1970’s  a Gallup poll said 40% of people believed the Bible was the literal Word of God.  A recent Gallup poll showed that number had dropped to 28% and among 18-29 year old people the percentage was down to 12%.  These numbers are heartbreaking.

Now they do not say in that poll, but I would almost bet that 18-29 year old people were in the 20-25% range.  I am not certain, but I am pretty sure I was in that boat in my youth.  I believed in God, but I did not really know Him or His Word.  He was more there for when I got old.  I was so foolish.  It took a pretty significant jolt to change my mind, and I am thankful because those changes put me in a place to be ready to receive what God had for me this weekend.

Friday Night

July 3, 2016, my daughter Caroline and my now son-in-law Phil, were baptized and married on the same day.  It was amazing and almost more than I could handle.  It has led to a lot of discussions.  Friday she sent me a link to some YouTube videos on end times.  She asked me to watch them and let her know what I thought.  So I watched them Saturday morning.

Saturday Morning

Early Saturday I watched them all and I sent a text to her with a couple scriptures and my opinion.  The thing is that the videos and the discussion we had all rested in the scriptures.  I shared with Caroline and Phil Mark 13 and Matthew 24.

Without God’s Word, I would not have had an answer.  Sure I could have called someone else and asked them, but then I become a parrot and if I am asked any other questions I am stuck.  If my hope really rests in Christ Jesus so do my answers.  I am not an expert in the scriptures.  I do still ask for help, but the help I ask for is finding the answer in God’s Word or finding understanding in His Word.

Reflections

Saturday morning reminded me of this hunger I have for the Word.  It is a bit strange to some I guess.  I want to share my testimony, so I do.  That raises questions so I search the Word for answers  which I am compelled to share which drives me to search His Word for more answers that I might grow to know God better and share the Gospel.

It is kind of like the like the back of a shampoo bottle.  Wash, rinse and repeat, except with God’s Word it is Share, Study and Repeat.

Sunday

Sunday was an amazing day as always.  Terry’s sermon at Ninevah Christian Church was amazing.  If you get a chance you should give it a listen.  It will be on YouTube mid-week the week of June 12.  I will add a link to this blog post when it is available.  It was amazing.  It really got me thinking and reinforced the importance of being in prayerful study of God’s Word.

Pat and I talked about how powerful God’s Word is in our life and the importance of prayerful study and obedience.  We were both just thankful for all God was doing in our lives and all He showed us every day.

This Morning

This morning the flood gates opened and all the thoughts came together.  I read the blog by Bob Russel “Is Your Faith Strong Enough” and reflected on Terry’s sermon.  Both Terry and Bob Russel spoke of the strength of our faith using the 29 Coptic Christians killed recently for their faith recently.  That alone gave me a cold chill and reminded me of the power of the Holy Spirit.

I also reflected on a sermon by Charles Spurgeon and the devotional for today by Oswald Chambers in Utmost for His Highest as well as my discussion with Caroline and Phil.

I reflected on the scriptures that I was led to this morning.

John 10:25-30

The sermon I listened to was based on John 10:27-30 I went to the beginning of the passage where Jesus answered the doubting Jews that asked Him to tell them plainly if He was the Christ.

John 10:25-30 (ESV) ²⁵ Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, ²⁶ but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. ²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”

I look at that passage and my heart melts with a joy and peace when I read, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” How would I know His voice if not for His Holy Word?  How could I be sure of what I heard if I did not search the scriptures for myself and test everything against them?  That thought led me back to something I shared with Caroline and Phil.

Mark 13:21-23

In Mark 13 Jesus speaks of the last days and in 21-23 I am reminded of the importance of drawing near to Him through His Word so I will not be deceived.

Mark 13:21-23 (ESV) ²¹ And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. ²² For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. ²³ But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

I cannot help but be reminded of John 1:1-5, 14

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… ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

How can we possibly know God well enough to trust and obey Him without grasping John 1 and thirsting for the knowledge of Jesus contained throughout the Scriptures?  To know Him is to love Him.  To love Him is to desire to know Him more and to strive to serve and obey Him.

Closing

The last thing I read this morning was “My Utmost for His Highest“, by Oswald Chambers.  Today’s devotional was “Getting There“.  The part that struck me was near the end and I think it kind of put a bow on my thoughts for today.

“You say it would be all right if God saved you and took you straight to heaven. That is exactly what He will do! And not only do we make our home with Him, but Jesus said of His Father and Himself, “…We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23). Put no conditions on your life— let Jesus be everything to you, and He will take you home with Him not only for a day, but for eternity.”

What an amazing promise.  But how would I know if I were not in His Word for myself?  I could go a lifetime and I may never hear my preacher preach this verse, not because he doesn’t, but because I do not hear it.

John 14:23 (ESV) ²³ Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

What a tragedy that would be to not grasp this passage fully for myself.  The thought of that makes my heart ache.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me Lord that I might always thirst and hunger for your Word.  Let me never grow weary of its lessons.  Lord help me share your Gospel boldly in all I do and never shrink back.  Please strengthen me with your Holy Spirit and the power of Your Word.

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!

 

This week I have had this one thought on my mind and came from this movie we watched last Wednesday.  The movie is called, The Resurrection of Gavin Stone , I talked about it earlier this week when I talked about the rich young man that walked away from Jesus. In the movie, the actor playing Jesus said something like, “please don’t go…” and I know that is not in the text, but it touched my heart.

That short line in the script made me think about all those friends I knew that seemed to turn and walk away unwilling to give up that one thing they thought was more important to them.  After all, hey have plenty of time to get right with God. They were doing just fine.

I was pondering all these things this morning and I read the devotional for today in, My Utmost for His Highest: Quality Paperback Edition , By Oswald Chambers.  It was about asking and receiving or not receiving.

“Then What’s Next to Do”

I found this one section that struck me and it kind of got my thoughts kick started down this path this morning.

“Everyone who asks receives….” This does not mean that you will not get if you do not ask, but it means that until you come to the point of asking, you will not receive from God (see Matthew 5:45). To be able to receive means that you have to come into the relationship of a child of God, and then you comprehend and appreciate mentally, morally, and with spiritual understanding, that these things come from God.

This is such a simple truth.  It is like the sun shines on us in the daytime even if it is cloudy and we cannot see it.  We know it is there, but do we realize all that we gain from the sun.

Matthew 5:45

Matthew 5:45 is in the middle of the instruction by Christ Jesus to love your enemies.  I have read it to many times to count.  But this morning I took it a bit more to heart.

Matthew 5:45 (ESV) ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

I looked at that verse and read over it several times.  It took a while to sink in really, but I realized everything that comes to everyone on this planet we call earth comes from God.  The difference from the believer and the unbeliever is the believer knows that all of it comes from God and the non-believer thinks it comes from his effort or because they have been victimized somehow.

“Then What’s Next to Do” Revisited

I reread Chamber’s devotional. 

“Everyone who asks receives….” This does not mean that you will not get if you do not ask, but it means that until you come to the point of asking, you will not receive from God (see Matthew 5:45). To be able to receive means that you have to come into the relationship of a child of God, and then you comprehend and appreciate mentally, morally, and with spiritual understanding, that these things come from God.

I spent some time thinking about that last sentence and the whole thing about comprehending and appreciating mentally, morally and with spiritual understanding and I thought of the parables in Matthew about Heaven.

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

I started with this parable of the hidden treasure and this morning it made more sense than before.  I cannot explain why.

Matthew 13:44 (ESV) The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Than the parable of the pearl.

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

Matthew 13:45-46 (ESV) The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, ⁴⁶ who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

We search for this thing that fills the emptiness in our hearts and when we find the only thing that will fill it completely, Jesus Christ, we will give up everything to have him.  I understand why Jesus used two examples; I think he could have used a hundred, because there is nothing to compare to life with God.  It is beyond our ability to grasp fully.

Mark 10:21-23

I think of the two parables and it leads me back to Mark 10:21-23 when Jesus answers the young man and then turns to his disciples.

²¹ And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ²² Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

²³ And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

I do not know.  It just may be me, but I feel a sadness in Jesus’ voice when he says all this.  He loves this young man, but he knows his heart, and as he is telling him this he knows how he is going to respond, and I think of these two parables and just want to say, “please, don’t go.  You do not know what Jesus has for you… please.”

Thoughts

My heart sometimes aches because I wish that I could find the words that would convince everyone of the truth of God’s Word.  I would like to shake it into to them.

But then I look at what Jesus did with the wealthy young man.  Who knows how long that young man had been following Jesus.  Who knows how much he had heard.  He had heard enough that he felt Jesus had the answer he needed, but it was not what it wasn’t what he wanted to here.

See to do that would have meant he would have really had to trust and believe that Jesus was who he said He was.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your guiding light.  Thank you for your hope and understanding.  I pray Lord that you might fill my heart with love and patience and the words to share Your Word and Your message as you would have me do, in love and with patience.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Last Wednesday night my wife Pat and I went and watched a movie at church, “The Resurrection of Gavin Stone”.  I do not want to spoil the movie, but near the end, there is this discussion of the Jesus’ encounter with the ‘Rich Young Ruler’ and ever since that has been on my mind.  It caused me to question why the young man chose to walk away; was it his wealth, fear, pride, or something else.

I read both the account in Matthew and in Mark.  In the first verses, I noticed something that I had overlooked before.

Matthew 19:16 (ESV) ¹⁶ And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

Mark 10:17 (ESV) ¹⁷ And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

This young man believed in eternal life… the resurrection of the dead, but he was not sure of the recipe or necessary piece of the law so he asked Jesus because he had come to believe that he knew the answer.

Jesus Response

Now Jesus replied to the young man first asking him why he called him good and then giving him instruction on the actions he must take.  The responses are very much the same but I like the one in Mark 10 the best.

¹⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” ²⁰ And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” ²¹ And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

I read this and I thought about that movie and I thought about some conversations I have had with Pat and others in the past week and I rethought what that young man was holding onto.

The Young Man Walked Away Disheartened

I thought about the possessions that Jesus told him to sell and give to the poor and assumed that he was a rich young man; maybe even a ruler.  Matthew 19:22 says he had great possessions.

 ²² When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

This young man walked away showing what he trusted in.  He feared to surrender control of his life to anyone else other than himself.  He clung to the “things” that he felt assured his security.  His trust rested in himself.  He loved God, but he was not ready to surrender control to him.

Reflection

I thought about that a lot the past few days.  I thought a lot about the young man’s”possessions” and how important they were to him.  I thought a lot about the disciple’s response when Jesus spoke of the plight of a rich man.  I like the way Matthew recorded it.

²³ And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁵ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

It is so easy to look at the world like the disciples did.  We look and see the physical or financial blessings.  We look at the education and the skills that one might have.  It is easy to say, boy they are so blessed…

Conversely it is easy to look at a poor family that is struggling or in poor health or driving a beater of a car or not wearing the nicest cloths and think, boy they have a rough life with no thought of blessing from God.  That made me think of the parable of “The Widows Offering” in Mark 12:41-44

“The Widows Offering” in Mark 12:41-44

This passage reminded me of the truth of God’s provision.

Mark 12:41-44 (ESV) The Widow’s Offering

⁴¹ And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. ⁴² And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. ⁴³ And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. ⁴⁴ For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

I thought about this woman and the trust that she had in God and where the young man had placed his trust and my heart ached for the young man and for myself.  For him because he had been given so much but still did not know where it came from nor trusted that God would always care for him.  For myself, because of every time that I worried about anything.

This woman gave everything she had to God.  Yes, a penny reflected all she had, but she gave her everything trusting that God would provide.  And I allow myself to worry about stuff.  I just want to shout out WHY??? But then I read on and both Mark and Matthew talk about how I can overcome this attitude.

Mark 10:23-27

Jesus tells of the difficulty of entering heaven for a wealthy man.

²³ And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴ And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

He explains that the only way is with God.  We cannot work our way into heaven.  I look at this and I think of the rich young man and the widow and I see that what I must do is put all my trust, my everything, in Jesus.  He has provided for me and there is nothing I can do to “get into heaven”.  That is a gift from God. I am reminded of Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2:4-10

Paul explains the gift of salvation and the love of God.  We cannot earn it.  It is a gift freely given.

Ephesians 2:4-10 (ESV) 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.

How wonderful it is to know that the creator of the universe loved me enough to save me when I was in the midst of my sin, not because of anything I did, but because of His love, grace and mercy, and that gift is available to us all.  This reminds me of a passage in Hebrews my preacher Terry Cooper used a lot when he taught a study on that book.

Closing Thoughts

Terry spoke of our need to cling to our faith and confidence in God.  He tied the close of Hebrews 10 to the beginning of Hebrews 11.

Hebrews 10:35 – 11:3 (ESV) ³⁵ Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. ³⁶ For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. ³⁷ For,

“Yet a little while,
and the coming one will come and will not delay;
³⁸ but my righteous one shall live by faith,
and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him.”
³⁹But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

¹ Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ² For by it the people of old received their commendation. ³ By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

I think of this passage and the young man and widow women.  One had faith in his abilities, and the other in God’s.  One shrunk back and the other, despite her difficult plight in the eyes of the world, did not.  I pray that I might not shrink back; that I might hold on to my confidence and faith.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your Holy Word and the lessons you reveal as I need them.  I pray father that I might hold fast to your teachings and not shrink back in times of trials Lord.  Give me the strength to leave my all to you.  Help me, that I might present my body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you, as an act of spiritual worship, and not conform to this world but be transformed by a renewal of my mind through Your Holy Word.

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!

 

I woke up this morning in a bit of a fog.  Yesterday was an emotional day.  Memorial day weekend is always an emotional weekend for me, and this year I was unable to participate as much as usual, and I think that made it a bit more difficult.  I think of the price paid by the young men and women that have died defending this country and my freedom.  I cannot help but look at what Christ Jesus did for me to save my life from sin and death!

The price paid by the Son of God was His death, burial, and resurrection.  My heart breaks because we so often forget the price of our freedom, both physically and spatially.   It is easy to take both for granted because we have this adversary that tries to distract us with more “important” things in hopes of stealing our focus from God to ourselves.  Then this morning I saw this quote, and I thought of Romans 12:1-2

Romans 12:1-2

The quote speaks of ships and water.  Romans speaks of worship and protecting our mind.  Just like a boat can sink if the water leaks in so can we sink if we allow the distractions of the world to leak in.

I love Romans 12:1-2.  It is often a part of my morning prayers.

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) ¹ I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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.

As I read that I think of what a gift that is to be able to present myself before Him as spiritual worship and with the strength of the Holy Spirit guard my mind against the lies of the adversary that I might not sink.  It takes me to 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-22

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

Paul gives us a list of tools to help us conform with Romans 12:1-2.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (ESV) ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies, ²¹ but test everything; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

As I walk through the world every day the adversary tries, with his lies, to set my priorities.  He tries to numb me to the price that has been paid for my freedom.  He tries to turn my focus from Jesus and things above to only things that I can see, and he uses his whole tool box of lies to do it.  Not only does Paul warn us but so does Peter in 1Peter 5

1 Peter 5:6-11

He reminds us to humble ourselves before the lord and warns us of the adversary.

 1 Peter 5:6-11 (ESV) ⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ⁷ casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. ⁸ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰ And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ¹¹ To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

What power there is in this passage, but we are not alone in our struggle nor our salvation.  We have our hope in Christ Jesus, and He has overcome the adversary.   As I ponder that a bit it takes me back to the original lie that got me started this morning.  It is a passage in Romans 12 as well.

Romans 12:9-21

In my ESV translation, this passage is titled “Marks of a True Christian.”

Romans 12:9-21 (ESV) ⁹ Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹ Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I love this passage, and it reminds me of the love I am to share.

Closing

As I reflect on all these passages, I do not want to be distracted.  I do not want my ship to sink.  I want to hold fast to what is good and abhor all that is evil.  The only way I know to do that is to keep the armor of God on my person.  How it shines is less important than how well I use it.

Prayer

Father, help me that I may present my body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You, as my spiritual worship. ² Help me not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of my mind, that by testing I may discern what is the Your will, and what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Thank you, Lord in the name of your blessed son Jesus Christ, Amen!

 

Last night I had a discussion with an old friend about a mutual friend with some recent health issues.  My brother asked for prayer for our old friend for healing.  As we talked via text, I thought of two books of the Bible Ephesians 2 and Romans 8 that I shared with him.

I prayed last night and this morning for my friends healing and peace.  I also read the two books I recommended and listened to sermon on Ephesians 2:7. After the sermon, I just took some time to think about the last few years and God in my life.  I have been disabled almost three years now.  I had not looked back at my E-Journal in a long time, so I just started scrolling back.

I was surprised to see that I had started saving my writings August 1, 2015.  I clicked on August 25, 2015, and just read it.  I was a lot more concise in the beginning.  I had had a setback in that week.  I remembered it as quickly as I read it. I had to have another MRI.

Philippians 1:6

I had written about healing in my circumstance.  I was coming to terms with all the prayers that had been said for me, and I realized some things that morning that I hold on to every day.  Philippians 1:6 is one of my favorite verses, (if you can have a favorite).

Philippians 1:6 (ESV) ⁶ And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

As I read this passage, I think regardless of the condition of my flesh God continues to work a good work in me.  I read on in Philippians 1, stopping at verses 18-21

Philippians 1:18-21

As I read this passage, I was comforted and thought of life and healing.  I thought where Paul was.  He was sure that at some point the Romans would kill him, but he did not fear or worry he knew that no matter which way things went God was in control and He would serve Him and praise Him here or there.

Philippians 1:18-21 (ESV) 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.

I am sure that all the churches that knew of Paul’s incarceration prayed for his release, and he knew that God would assure his deliverance because of the prayers and the “help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ”(v19b). 

Reflections on Healing Prayer

I meditated on those passages in Philippians 1 and thought about Paul spoke of deliverance.  He was talking about freedom from the prison, but he also spoke of life and death and the difference between the two for someone born again.

I thought about my old friend.  I thought of all the people I have been asked to pray for, and I thought about all the cherished prayers that have been prayed for me.  I thought of all God does for me and us all that believe, and I came to this passage in Romans 8.

Romans 8:31-32 (ESV) ³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

I realized that morning in 2015 that I was healed and that God had and did answer all the prayers prayed for me.  I did not always understand the answer, but I knew that if I needed to understand that answer, I would know it either in this life or when I get home.   That was for God to reveal and for me to be patient and wait on the Lord.

Patience – Romans 8:23-25

I thought about Romans 8:23-25 and thought about all believers and all our circumstances and all the prayers we pray, and I am thankful for the hope I have in Jesus Christ and the promise of redemption that He has given me.  That lead me to Romans 8:23-28

Romans 8:23-25 (ESV) ²³ And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

That is it, isn’t it?  Our hope is in Christ Jesus.  He gave His life for our redemption.

The Gift of Healing – By Grace Through Faith Ephesians 2:1-10

That brings me to Ephesians 2.  To me, this is the healing that I needed the most.  It assures eternal life rather than death in my sin, and I did nothing to earn it.  It was a gift.

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.

What joy there is in that I partake in a living healing every day through Christ Jesus.  Some circumstances are difficult.  Some are not, but regardless He is with me through them all.

Closing

I am so thankful for prayer and I give thanks for the opportunity to pray for others and, like Paul, in Philippians 1:18-19, I know that they bear good fruit “for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance” (Phil 1:19).

As I was writing this, I got another request for prayer, and I am humbled by God’s timing.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the gift of prayer.  I praise you and give you thanks for all your provision.  Father, I know that you answer our prayers and You know our needs even when we do not.

Today Lord I ask for healing for my old friend and that you might grant Him peace in your comfort.  I also pray for my friends traveling and those that lead my home church.  Father, I pray for all that believe that we might hold fast to you in all circumstances.

Thank you, Lord, for your grace and mercy.  Thank you for the hope we have in your Son Jesus Christ, and it is in His name that I pray, Amen!

 

This morning Pat is sick with some kind of bug, and I am just not quite with it, so we have opted to stay home from church.  She does not want to share the bug, and I just am struggling today, so I listened to a sermon by Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones where he contrasts the Holy Spirit vs. the Flesh.

I must say I have come to enjoy his sermons almost as much as my preacher Terry Cooper’s sermons.   This morning impacted me because it kind of dovetailed with the thoughts Pat and I discussed while watching a program the other night.

The program had the church as the evil force, rigid and devoid of compassion.  The humanist approach was compassionate and loving.  The same story told a thousand times.  I could not help but think of the closing verse of Judges.

Judges 21:25 (ESV) ²⁵ In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

As I thought of the show last night, I thought of how easy it is to be deceived if I let my guard down.  How selfish my human nature can be.  But this morning I was reminded of the gift I have received in the new covenant through Jesus.

Romans 7:4-6

Dr. Lloyd-Jones began his sermon discussing the gift of the Spirit in us.  He began with Romans 7:6, but I looked a bit earlier to get some context and started with verse 4.

Romans 7:4-6 (ESV) ⁴ Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. ⁵ For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. ⁶ But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

I mulled over this passage as I listened to the sermon in the background.  I kind of lost track of his preaching as I considered his opening remarks and considered the Spirit in me.  The wonder of that gift.  Then I heard Dr. Lloyd-Jones mention a new heart, and that got me digging in the Word.

A New Covenant/ A New Heart

He spoke of the new covenant and how the Word would be written on our hearts, and I looked at Isaiah 59:21, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8:10, Hebrews 10:15-18, Ezekiel 11:19-20, and I stopped at Ezekiel 36:25-27 where I saw Jesus.

Ezekiel 36:25-27 (ESV) ²⁵ I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. ²⁶ And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

This promise that God spoke through Ezekiel, He repeated through His Son to Nicodemus in John 3

John 3:5-6 (ESV) “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

As I pondered these passages and the gift I have received through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ my attention returned to the sermon as Dr. Lloyd-Jones mentioned 2 Corinthians.

The Guidance of the Holy Spirit

I listened as he quoted 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV) ¹⁴ For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; ¹⁵ and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Now I muddled over that passage for a long time and read it over and over.  The more I read it, the more joy I experienced.  The world thinks Christians are mindless robots following a charismatic preacher crazed with selfish desires led by a god that wants to control us, but it is so far from the truth in these two verses.  “For the love of Christ controls us,” WHY? “because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; ¹⁵ and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”

2 Corinthians 3:18

Jones then referenced 2 Corinthians 3:18. I read it.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) ¹⁸ And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

I look at this passage and think of the work that the Lord is doing in me:  changing me from the inside out.  Giving me strength that I do not have alone.

Then he quoted 2 Timothy 1:7

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) ⁷ for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Just think about that for a moment.  First the words of 2 Corinthians than the emphasis of 2Timothy.  Just think of the power of God who is in me against the challenges of this world.  I am never alone.  The Holy Spirit is with me always.

As I think about the passage in Timothy, Jones quotes the book of Philippians.

Philippians 2:12-13

 

Jones quotes chapter 2 verses 12-13, and I heard something I had overlooked before, and it was so powerful to me.

Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV) ¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

I had come to understand the part about working out my own salvation and knew no one could do it for me nor could I do it for anyone else, but I had not tied the obedience to that process.  I read the fear and trembling part and the need to grow closer to God through prayer and the Word, but I had not grasped that He was doing the work in me for His good pleasure and my part of that was obedience to Him as my Lord.

Closing Thoughts

I am so thankful for God’s patience and understanding. Father, I praise you for your everything.  Lord, I am saddened by the constant lies of this world when they try to depict God and all Christians as oppressors.

As I considered these things, I thought about how easy it is to slip into selfish efforts to be relevant.  It is my nature to want to be liked.  But Jesus said the world would hate those who love Him.  Just like they hated Him, and I do love Him.

Now I cannot change people, but God’s Word Never comes back empty.  So, I will keep on sharing the beauty of God’s creation in my photos and the Love and Beauty of God’s Word sharing what I learn each day.

Prayer

Father, help me always remember the power of You in me.  Lord thank you for the words and thoughts you give me to share, and Father thank you for helping me step out and share them.

Lord, I pray that I might always place you first in my heart.  When I fall, short I thank you for the gifts of grace and repentance.  Thank you for all things in Jesus name, Amen.