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Reflection

Reflecting the Light of the Son

This morning was a day of reflection.  You know, for me, the best day of the week and the most difficult is Sunday.  On Sunday morning I have an opportunity to join with my Church family to worship and praise God.  I am given an opportunity to listen to my preacher share the Good News of Jesus Christ whether from the old testament or the new.  But as wonderful as Sundays are they are also my most difficult.

The noise, whether it be the praise band or the sermon, can sometimes be overpowering.  The emotion of the process is as draining as leaving your lights on in the parking lot only to find a dead battery that is too dead to start the car.

I am not complaining, on the contrary, I need that time together with other believers to praise and worship my God.  I also need the sermon.  It is like that blast of starter fluid on a charcoal grill…  The flame in my heart burns bright and hot, but that lighter fluid will not sustain me.  It is just the boost that I need to help keep everything moving.  I am reminded of Hebrews 10:19-25, ‘The Full Assurance of Faith’ is the title in my translation.

Hebrews 10:19-22

I look at verses 19-22 and I am reminded of the gift given to me through Christ Jesus.  He paid my fine and took on my sin… He died for me, but overcame death and is now my great high priest.

“19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

These words are so powerful.  They remind me of a price paid that I should not… no… must not take for granted.  Jesus died for me and rose on the third day overcoming death.  He endured things that I cannot fathom that my sins might be forgiven.

Look at verse 22

“22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

As I ponder these words I am overwhelmed…

“Let us draw near with full assurance of faith.”…  I cannot do this halfway.  I must operate in full assurance of my faith.  I must hold fast…

Hebrews 10:23

I look at verse 23 and God through the author reminds me to hold fast…  Hold fast to my confession of my hope…

“23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. “

What a blessing.  What a gift.  Why would I not hold fast because I know that God is faithful? And I cannot simply rest on that understanding.  I must also consider those around me and my example…  I need to remember we all need encouragement…  and that brings me to verses 24-25

Hebrews 10:24-25

God knows my heart and he knows I cannot do this on my own.  He placed me in a church family, not just for my own needs but for the things I might bring to others to encourage and stir them up.  I love this reminder in 24-25.

24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV)

Verse 24-25 reminds me of my own weakness.   My own down days when it is hard to get started.  When my spirit is weak and I need encouragement and prayer.  I am reminded of my needs, but at the same time, I am reminded of the needs of others.

Reflections

I am reminded of a simple thing a friend did for me one Sunday when I was really down.  I had kind of gotten frustrated with things.  I am not sure what anymore, but I have not forgotten what they said as we walked from the basement sanctuary to our car.

What he said is not important, but the encouragement it gave me and my wife Pat, cannot be measured.  I doubt the person realized what he had done and I am sure that he does not remember doing it, but it changed my walk that day.

I am not a source of light.  My light comes from the Holy Spirit.  I simply reflect it like the moon reflects the light of the sun.

Closing

My hope is that I reflect the Light of Jesus in everything I do.  I pray that I might encourage those around me like they encourage me.

I will not neglect to meet together.  It is such a blessing.  It is such a joy.  And who knows something I say may help someone else…  I know the reverse happens every time I meet with believers.

Prayer

Heavenly Father.  I pray that you might give me the strength to hold fast to my faith at all times.  I pray that I may reflect the light of Jesus to all those I come in contact with.

Father, I pray for my church family as well that they might know your love and your peace and be an encouragement to one another.  That we might “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works”.  Thank you, Father, for all your provision.

In Jesus name, I pray,

Amen!

Wait on the Lord

Clarity of God’s Truth

I know that there are times when I will get anxious about things; not as much as I used to but more than I should.  This morning doing a Bible study I do with a small group of men I came to this thought “Wait on the Lord”

It is not the kind of waiting that Pat does for me when I am having a rough day…  but to wait patiently for His direction.

The study I was doing directed me to read and comment on Psalm 131 as part of understanding God’s character.

Psalm 131

Psalms 131 (ESV) I Have Calmed and Quieted My Soul
A Song of Ascents. Of David.

1 O LORD, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the LORD
from this time forth and forevermore.

I looked over that Psalm for some time thinking about what it said to me and verse 2 just resonated for me.

2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

A calm spirit that places all its hope in the Lord is what David is talking about.  I had to consider my own as I read this… am I calm.  Am I content.  Then Psalm 130 caught my eye.  The Title of that Is “Wait on the Lord”

Psalm 130

I was taken by verses 5 and 6 in this Psalm.

 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.

The direction God offers through David is so comforting.  I am humbled by the words.  Just looking at verse 5 is so powerful…

5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;

It is not just to wait, but to wait in His Word and the hope that feeds my soul.  And I wait more than a watchman waiting for the dawn.

For me waiting has something that I did well, but with the strokes and other issues, I have had to learn to wait.  I have had to learn not to get out in front of God with MY plans, but follow Him and wait for the plans He has for me to unfold.   I am reminded of Philippians 4:5-7

Philippians 4:5-7

 “The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:5-7 (ESV)

This is it for me.  It is not always easy to do.  My nature is to do something… anything…  But that is not God’s desire for me.  Instead, His desire is that I take EVERYTHING to Him, including my trust, and He will give me peace…  “7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (verse 7)

You know I just think about that prayerfully and the promise of this passage comes true… not because I struggle, but because I surrender my will to God’s will and I trust in His sovereignty over all things.

Wait

I am reminded of a quote by Henry Blackaby from his Bible Study, “Experiencing God“.  This was one of the first studies that my Preacher, Terry Cooper, recommended to me.

In it Blackaby was talking about patience and waiting on God… and I think of this every time I start to get impatient and just want to do something… Blackaby gave some very sound advice.

“Don’t just do something… stand there”. 

 The exact opposite of what I grew up being told…  I was convinced that I must be doing something always…  but truly what I need is to wait on the Lord.

Romans 12:1-2

I thought of Romans 12:1-2 as I considered this waiting thing…

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.

I pray this passage a lot.  But as I thought of it in the context of these other verses and the idea that I must wait on the Lord I found new meaning.  This world is a world of action driven by the hearts of men.  That is not God’s desire for me.  He desires my soul commitment to His ways.

How do I do that?  I do what he directs through Paul in verse 1.

“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.”

God also desires that I not conform to this world…  and I do that by living verse 2.

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.

Final Thoughts

As I consider all these blessings that God shared with me this morning through prayer and His word I have one last passage… and it is one of my favorites.

 25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 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.” Matthew 11:25-30 (ESV)

I love 25-27 as Jesus gives glory and thanksgiving to His Father.  He never takes only gives and receives.  He never gets ahead of His Father always glorifying Him…  then in verses 28-30, He reminds me to do the same…

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.”

Closing

I look at all this and I see the desire of God to take the lead in my life.  To guide me and direct me.  To show me the path that he has laid out for me.  I am humbled.  All the lies of the world are set aside by the truth of God’s Word.  My direction is to follow Him.

There is just one more passage…

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? Matthew 16:24-26 (ESV)

Prayer

Father God, thank you for your Holy Word.
Father, thank you for your Holy Spirit so that He might teach me through your word.

Lord, I pray today that I may wait on you. Father, That I might not get out ahead of your plan but follow you.

Lord, you know the plans you have for me and I am filled with Thanksgiving.

In Jesus name, I pray,
Amen

Trust in Him

 

Trust in Him

In the past year, I have found it more and more difficult to wake with a clear head and the focus that I once had.  I struggle sometimes just to focus on a thought and work my way through it.  The best analogy that I can come up with is driving through a heavy fog to get to work.  I cannot see clearly, but I know that if I push myself to focus and not go to fast I will get to my destination.  Sometimes I slow to a crawl, but I keep moving forward.  After all, I did need to get to work.  I have to trust my headlights.  Well, that is how many of my mornings are just to be able to pray and study God’s Word, but I must trust in God to get me to my destination.

For me, I really need to do my prayer and study in the morning.  It sets my mood and tone for the day.  It is what sets my focus.  But sometimes the fog is so thick a big cup of coffee does not seem to help.  Shaking my head like a dog does not help.  But I have found prayer and searching for God’s influences will clear my mind and if I seek him I can hear Him.  I can listen to Jesus.

How I Work Through the Fog

Some mornings I will listen to a sermon because I cannot focus to read.  Sometimes I will jump from verse to verse I receive in email or see on Facebook, and in time the fog begins to lift.  Maybe I will go from 5 feet of visibility to 10 feet of visibility and 10 will change to 20 etc. etc.  Eventually, my head will clear to the point that I can read more than a verse and listen to someone preach and hear what they are saying.

The thing about all this is that it is not my sole effort that accomplishes this task.  I do not clear my mind on my own.  It is Jesus…  It is the Holy Spirit in me who helps me…  That help is there and all that I need to do is ask for His help and mean it…  I need to trust that He will help me and He will.  My head may still feel like soup.  It may still ache, but the Holy Spirit answers my Prayers and strengthens my focus so that I can put my eyes on the things of Heaven.

Sometimes it is so difficult that I just want to lay my head on my desk and think of nothing.  But I know that if I will make the effort and call on my father to strengthen me He will.  Not simply by what is written on my pages of my Bible, but because Jesus has shown me that those words are alive and the promises are true and IF I will trust in Him he will not forsake me.  Today I started in Psalm 9:9-10

Psalms 9:9-10 (ESV)

 9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

What a wonderful promise in this passage, but it requires something from me…  I must put my trust in Him.  God is my stronghold, I must trust and know that is true.  If not, they are just words on a page.  If I am struggling I must know that he will clear my mind and help me find the true path that He desires for me.  It is not always an easy task, but I am not alone if I will call on Him and trust in Him…  I must step forward and ask when all I want to do is say that it is too hard this morning.  I just want to turn off my mind.

That poke in my heart that; that gentle discipline pushed me to read Psalm 146.

Psalms 146

I read Psalm 146 but I was Struck by verses 5-10

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
7 who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets the prisoners free;
8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the sojourners;
he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
10 The LORD will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!

I read this section more than once.  When I read verse 8 God touched my heart with a thought that I had not considered before.

“8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.”

When I read this I thought this Psalm speaks of physical needs being met, but It is not limited to that…  It is spiritual needs that He speaks of.  He opens my eyes to see Him…  He lifts up those who humble themselves before Him and confess their sins.  He loves those who are righteous…

This morning the Holy Spirit opened my eyes and humbled me.  These physical ailments, as real as they are, cannot keep me from Jesus if I will trust in Him and call on Him in my troubles.

Hope and Strength in the Lord

You know these struggles have always been a part of my day… even before the health issues.  Some mornings I woke and just did not want to study God’s Word.  I was ok with prayin’ as long it is not too long…  But what I learned is that if I would work past doing what I do not want to do I will be strengthened.

This morning as I fought through this fog the Lord opened my eyes.  He gave me clarity.  My head still hurts, but that is ok…  because the Holy Spirit gave me what I needed to reach out to him…  and I am thankful.

This fog does not always constrain me, but when it does IF I will not give up and IF I will reach out to Him He will clear my path…  and I am thankful.

 An Additional Thought

I want to mention one other thing that I did this morning…  A friend shared a sermon on Facebook.  I was compelled to listen to the it on YouTube.  The sermon was by Paul Washer.  The title was, “We Have Forgotten that the Way is Narrow”.  Paul Washer’s presents a powerful sermon on Matthew 7:13-14

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

As he preached this sermon one of the big points he made was that Jesus was speaking to his followers and He was saying that not all who follow Him will find the narrow path.  Many will miss it.  That is a hard truth.  But as I listened to that and I considered the verses I had read earlier this morning and I was reminded that in them too was the need to reach out to God and live in accordance to His will.

Washer posed a question and I will paraphrase it here.  “How do you know Jesus was speaking to those who were following Him?”  He answered his own question with Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV).

Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

In my mind this is one of the most sobering passages in the Bible.  I shudder at the thought.  As I read this passage I am reminded of my need is not only to know Jesus, but that He must know me and I must seek Him with my whole heart and live my life in obedient service to him.

It is not enough to just go to church or teach Sunday School or go on a mission.  The list of physical activities is endless.  Struggles will come and go.  Temptations will work to steer me from the path, but God will not forsake me…  and I must not turn from him.

Calling on Him

As I pondered all this I remembered what Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well.

John 4:23-24 (ESV) 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

My desire is to worship Him and to praise Him.  My hope is in His Word.  God is faithful and true.  He keeps His promises.  He disciplines those whom He loves.  He answers our prayers.  He knows me better than I know myself and He gives me grace.  If I will listen to the Holy Spirit, He will break my heart for those things I do which breaks His.  I have the gift of repentance that may confess my sins to Him and by His grace I am forgiven.  How glorious a gift this is?  What is a greater love than this?

If I will listen to the Holy Spirit, He will break my heart for those things I do which break His.  I have the gift of repentance that may confess my sins to Him and by His grace, I am forgiven.  How glorious a gift this is…  What greater love is there than this.

Closing

I look back on my life and I am thankful for so many things that they could never be listed out.  I think the thing that holds all those blessings together for me is that God is my Hope and salvation.  Words cannot describe my love or thankfulness for Him.  I pray that I might listen and obey.

Prayer

Father, please help me that I might not sway from the path you have for me.
Father, Help me that I might cling to the teachings of your Word and not be swayed by the world around me.

Father, I thank you for all you do and I pray that I might hold fast to your teachings, listen to your commands and obey.

Praise be to you God, in the name of your blessed Son, My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen

 

 

 

God’s Path Always…

God is the Light of my Path

 

 

I will never cease to be amazed by the Holy Spirits connection to me.  He knows my needs before I do.  He is in me and places before me the very things that I need to choose the correct path and find encouragement in Him.

 

 

This has been an interesting week.  There have been some challenges, many of which are the kind that is difficult for me since the strokes.  But as I prayed this morning God turned me to two things:

And in both, I found peace and comfort as I prayerfully reviewed each.

Oswald Chambers ‘Utmost for His Highest’

Chambers spoke of perfecting our holiness in the fear of God.  His reference verse was 2 Corinthians 7:1

“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body[a] and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”

The promises he speaks of… the reason that we must cleanse ourselves is spelled out in Chapter 6.  And what awesome promises they are…

2Corrinthians 6:16-18

2 Corinthians 6:16-18 (ESV)

For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore go out from their midst,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
then I will welcome you,
18 and I will be a father to you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.”

What an awesome thought that is…  What a wonderful reminder of who I am.  I was bought at a price and that gave the indwelling Holy Spirit right to my mill.  Not that I am a robot, but a willing servant.

Live in Agreement with God

Chambers gave an excellent explanation of that surrender…

“Christ never spoke of His right to Himself, but always maintained an inner vigilance to submit His spirit continually to His Father. I also have the responsibility to keep my spirit in agreement with His Spirit. And when I do, Jesus gradually lifts me up to the level where He lived— a level of perfect submission to His Father’s will— where I pay no attention to anything else. Am I perfecting this kind of holiness in the fear of God? Is God having His way with me, and are people beginning to see God in my life more and more?” March 18, ‘Utmost for His Highest’, buy Oswald Chambers

My goal is to trust in Jesus and live in agreement with the Holy Spirit.  What a wonderful example we have in Jesus.  What good questions he asks…

  • Is God having His way with me?
  • are people beginning to see God in my life more and more?

Am I reflecting Christ Jesus in my behavior or am I still conforming to this world?

My Strength

But none of this can I do on my own.  I am a slave to Jesus and in my weakness, He is strong….

As I pondered this devotional this morning a daily verse I read reminded me where my strength comes from… and I read Psalm 62… what reassurance He brings me.

Psalm 62

1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Those Opening verses touch my heart.   Regardless of my circumstances, God is with me and He is my salvation.  I am overwhelmed by His love.

 

Like I said in the beginning…  This has been a difficult week for me…  but I read through this and consider all Oswald Chambers had said and come to the close of Psalm 62

11 Once God has spoken;

twice have I heard this:

that power belongs to God,

12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.

For you will render to a man

according to his work.

Conclusion

What comfort I have in Jesus.  I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit and His constant guidance and direction.  I am so thankful that He opens my eyes and ears to take in all that he has for me.

Verse 11 of Psalm 62 gives me goosebumps as I read it and think of how the morning unfolded.

11 Once God has spoken;

twice have I heard this:

that power belongs to God,

And then verse 12

12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.

Our Hope is in the Lord and He is with us in all circumstances.  There is no fear in faith…  just a tighter grip on Jesus.

Prayer

Lord thank you for your steadfast love and grace.  Thank you, Father, for the gift of prayer and repentance.  Thank you for allowing me to bring all my challenges to you.

Thanks, be to you for all you have done and will do.  Thank you for your guidance and strength in all things.

In Jesus name, Amen

 

 

Paul’s Example

Beauty in All Circumstances

 

This morning I had a tough time setting my mind on a study.  I prayed and asked for guidance and I opened my electronic bible and my notes from my electronic journal and when I looked at the list of notes February 3, 2016, was at the top and I looked it over.  In it, I found my encouragement.  I was not sure where to start, but as I read it I saw the example of Paul and his faith, joy, and contentment.

 

 

These notes set my sites on Philippians 3 and 4 as well as Acts 28 and in addition to the notes I had John 3:16 on my mind since that was the date yesterday.  I began with John 3:16

John 3:16-21

I looked at John 3:16 but could not stop there.  I read John 3:16-21 (ESV).  It is such a powerful passage.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

How amazing this is.  All of us remember verse 16… some may also know 17 by heart.  But what got me this morning was 18-20 and what is in the hearts of those that do not believe.

18 … but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

How sad this is…  but not just sad…  angry.  For those that hate the light, it is not enough to ignore it.  They are compelled to try and destroy it… Why? “lest his works should be exposed” (verse 20b).

The Light

When I look at that explanation of how people have and will respond to Jesus and His plan for salvation and I am filled with a mix of emotions…  First I am saddened that so many refuse to hear it.  So many are angered to the point of hatred.  But then I am filled with joy at the thought for those who believed enough to face all that and not share a message of doom and gloom nor threat or fear, but a message of Love and Joy.  This, despite their circumstances.

Acts 28

I went to Acts 28 when Paul was imprisoned in Rome.  Basically, he hits the town and he reaches out to the Jews there and tells them of his plight and they agree that they would like to hear “with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” Acts 28:22 (ESV).  So, they arrange a time to meet with Paul.

Paul conveys his experience in Acts 28: 24-28

24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

It had to be heartbreaking for him to see the responses…  Certainly, he was thankful for the ones that received it.  But so many did not.

We get bummed out when one person does not like what we must say.  Paul stood on the Word regardless… strength by his faith and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 3:17-4:1

I then went to Philippians 4.  Now I love this book as well as all the prison epistles that Paul wrote.  Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon were written while Paul was in prison.  All the letters are filled with guidance and encouragement, love and concern for the churches.  I love this transition from chapter 3 to 4

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

  1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

It is a plea to those who believe but struggle against all who hate the light.  Paul is saddened to tears for the lost but he holds fast to Jesus and encourages those who believe not to give up.  I love how Paul does not dwell on the challenges but pushes through to his foundation in Christ.

Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)

Verses 4-7 in Philippians 4 remind me of what my focus should be.

Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Paul reminds me that I am not alone.  God answers my prayers and with his answers comes peace that surpasses understanding and that will guard my heart and mind in Jesus…

Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)

He goes on to offer more encouragement and directs our focus to those things that will keep us focused on Christ and bring us peace.

Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV) 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

It requires focus and attention…  especially in difficult times.  Paul then speaks of contentment and peace.

Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV)

He speaks of how many had helped him.  But he wants us to know that he is not in need… but contentment.

Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV) 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 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.

I pray that I might always hold onto this secret of contentment.  I am not ever alone but always with Christ Jesus, my strength.

Closing

I look at all these passages and reflect on Paul’s stand on the Word of God and I pray that I too might follow his example.  My circumstances are different than his, but none the less they sometimes can be difficult…  But If I keep these words in my heart and remember all that God reveals in His Word, I too can stand.

It is like Paul said in Philippians 4:9

“9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

What Joy there is in that knowledge.

Prayer

Heavenly Father strengthen me through Your Word, Guided by the Holy Spirit.
Help me to follow the example of Paul, who faced all circumstances trusting in Jesus.
Let me not lose hope and patience.
Let me not forget…

“9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me(Paul)—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Thank you, Lord,
In Jesus name, I pray, Amen

God and His Wisdom and Patience

The Light of God’s Love

This morning is a jumble of thoughts and scriptures and a couple devotionals by A.W. Tozer from his book ‘Tozer on Christian Leadership’.  As I read the importance of knowing God kept pressing on my heart.

Tozer inferred in his devotional that we focus more on the promises of God than we do know Him and his verse was in Isaiah 40.  It is such a powerful passage that I cannot simply pull out any one verse.  I would encourage you to read it.  It is short…  In it God reminded me who he is, was and will continue to be.

The next devotional referenced 1 Kings 3 and I started in the first verse and read through the 15th.  As I read it my mind reeled back to those first months of my walk.  It was in July, but I cannot remember the year right now.  We had joined the Church in April and I got baptized in May…  Terry, my preacher, had counseled me to study God’s Word and Encouraged me to use a Bible Study by Henry Blackaby, ‘Experiencing God’ as a tool to help me.

I was really struggling. There were several attempts made to meet with Terry to get some answers to my questions but we were both so busy we could not find a time that worked. I have to say I was getting frustrated and felt a bit lost and confused, but it was no one’s fault.  It was just life.

I continued to study and pray…  I hit this wall.  By then I was in 1Kings.  I moved into chapter 3.  The title was ‘Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom’.  I came to verse 5-9

1Kings 3:5-9 (ESV)

“5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

When I came to this passage I prayed, not in any organized fashion, but more a cry…  Lord help me find wisdom in Your Word.  I was at a loss and I was feeling very alone.

I was kind of a wreck that morning.

1 Kings 10-12

I went on to read verses 10-12a as I prayed…

“10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word.”

I read those words and stopped…  a bit freaked out by them.  In the middle of verse 12, I was just was overwhelmed.  God told me that He would give me discernment of good and evil, but how could I possibly manage that…  that was too much.  So the Spirit prompted me to read further, and I read the rest of verse 12…

Verse 12

I read the second half of verse 12 and frankly,

was relieved…

“Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.”

As I read that I had this relief because I knew that Solomon was unique.  None would compare to him.  And I had this calmness that settled in and I knew that God would give me what I needed when I needed it.  Just enough…

This morning as I relay this experience I am reminded of a passage in Proverbs that required some help from Google.

Proverbs 30:7-9 Brings Peace

“7 Two things I ask of you;
deny them not to me before I die:
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.”

That was the prayer that God answered for me that morning. I did not know it at the time but that was my prayer.  This morning as I reflect on it I am humbled once again at the grace of my Mighty God!!! King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Realization

That morning I realized that the reason that I could not schedule a meeting with my preacher Terry was because it was not part of God’s plan for me yet…  He wanted me to seek HIS council.   He wanted me to know the side of Him that He knew that I needed before I went anywhere else.

Insight – Loneliness and Restoration

God led me to some amazing passages this morning and as I look at them considering the memory He took me through in 1Kings 3 I am amazed at the passages that were also in this study.  First Psalm 13

 

Psalms 13 (ESV)

1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.

As I read this I see in it that path that I was on in those months leading up to July.  But I kept pushing only by the hunger that God had given me to know Him.  And like the end of this Psalm.  He was faithful.

Insight #2 – God’s Steadfast Love

Than Psalms 86:5

“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.”

He was forgiving.  He was steadfast.  He never abandoned on the contrary He held me close until I was ready for the next step…

Closing

Reflecting on all these things this morning I am reminded by the power and patience of God.  He knows me better than I know myself.  I must not forget that he will never forsake me nor hold anything from me that I need; including discipline or correction.

Oh, and about the wall between me and Terry…  God took that down as soon as I stopped struggling and listened to Him.  It was amazing how easy it was to reach Terry after that.

Prayer

Lord God thank you for giving me the strength to not give up on you.  To hold fast and trust in your will.  Lord my prayer is that you might strengthen all your children to cling to you even when we do not know the path we are on.

I know Lord that your path is true Lord I pray this morning Roman 8:28

 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen

Post Script…

I think there is one thing that I must add this morning.  That is to mention my wife and partner Pat Dunnum.  She is a wonderful woman of God.  Her love and encouragement are so important.  I love her dearly and thank God for her.  Her patience with me in the wilder days and her subtle suggestions helped me see that path God had for us both.  She never gives up on me.   I thank God for her every day!!!

I pray that I might be the encouragement to her that she is to me!

 

Yield

Yielding to the Light

My study and subsequent writing do not really follow a predefined path.  I pray for guidance and understanding and I just follow where it leads.  Often, I will start in one direction and end on another.  This morning I started with Ephesians and end up on yielding… yield to myself or to God.

The direction turned to a devotional in  'Utmost for His Highest' by Oswald Chambers for March 14.  The title is Yielding.  His reference verse was Romans 6:16

 

 

Romans 6:16

16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16 (ESV)

Now that is a powerful verse.  If you read it and do not take pause to examine where you fall you might want to read it again.  Until this morning I had always considered it as a decision as to who to follow.  But Chambers caused me to look at it differently.

I had always seen this as a conscious decision.  I would choose one or the other.  But in Chamber’s devotional he points out that it is much more subtle.

Rich Young Ruler

I had always thought of the Rich Young Ruler when I thought of 6:16. The young man that chose his wealth over following Christ.  He was sad, but he chose.  The parable is in Mark 10:17-27

 

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?” 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.” 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!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is[a] 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,[b] “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.”

As I read this passage I saw it a bit differently after considering Romans 6:16 and Oswald Chambers devotional.

Change

Oswald Chambers makes a point with Romans 6:16

16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16 (ESV)

It is a choice, but often it is a choice that comes from yielding to a temptation rather than a conscious decision to rebel.  I looked up the word yield in the dictionary.  It is one of those words we know more from traffic signs than behavior.  Here is the definition…

Yield –  give way to arguments, demands, or pressure.

Yielding

As I think about that this morning I am reminded of Ephesians 6:10-12

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.

This is a battle we are fighting.  There are forces that work to try and make us yield to our selfish nature instead of the love and grace offered my Christ Jesus.  But ultimately it is a choice.

Oswald Chambers Take

I like the introduction to the March 14 Devotional

“The first thing I must be willing to admit when I begin to examine what controls and dominates me is that I am the one responsible for having yielded myself to whatever it may be. If I am a slave to myself, I am to blame because somewhere in the past I yielded to myself. Likewise, if I obey God I do so because at some point in my life I yielded myself to Him.”

I read this and I thought of this tug of war that I played as a child…  Two sides pulling on a rope and the one who pulls the other across the line wins…

Tug-of-War

I thought about this battle.  Then I remembered who is on my team… Jesus.  If I will turn to Him I cannot lose the battle.  Only when my focus becomes internal…  Only when my sight is on my circumstances rather than Christ Jesus am I likely to yield.  That takes me back to Ephesians 6 and my need to acknowledge who is on the other side of the rope.  The reality is that I cannot win without Jesus.  I will yield to whatever the temptation without Him.

Closing Thoughts

My preacher, Terry Cooper, has said many times that the first step is to acknowledge the war.  That is so true.  This is a matter of life and death.  Keeping this in mind, I like what Chambers said as he closed out the devotional…

 

“When you yield to something, you will soon realize the tremendous control it has over you. Even though you say, “Oh, I can give up that habit whenever I like,” you will know you can’t. You will find that the habit absolutely dominates you because you willingly yielded to it.”

 

Until we accept this truth…  We will be like that rich young man who chose His wealth over Jesus.  We have that same choice every day.  We are attacked by insecurities and temptations.  Alone we will yield to what comes naturally.   The thing to remember is what Jesus told his disciples in Mark 10:27

 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

You would not go to a gunfight with a knife… Why would you go to a spiritual battle without Jesus?

Prayer.

Father, please give me strength to hold fast to you in the challenges of this life.
Lord, you have promised to give me strength. You are my fortress.
Let me not neglect your council.
Let me not face anything without first bringing it to you.
For without you, I am lost but with you, I am saved.

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!!!

Other Scripter References

Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18

Reassurance

Light through the Mire of Life

I do not post on Sundays because it is just too much for me to do along with worship at my Church, but I do a bit of study before we leave and I was in Colossians 3:1-11 (ESV).  The title of that section of my translation is “Put on the New Self”.  As I read this section I was filled with reassurance and hope

This is a very humbling passage for me.  It speaks to the actions that I need to take… always…  It speaks to setting aside the desires of the flesh and setting my eyes on Christ Jesus always…  I read this passage and I had to ask myself, “Am I doing this faithfully?”.  But I find reassurance in it because of the way Paul sets me to thinking.  It fills me with peace and hope.

Colossians 3:1-11 (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.

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.

Closer Look (verse 1-4)

Just thinking about verses 1-4 is humbling.  With my commitment to Christ Jesus, He has changed me from the inside out.  I know this…

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. (Col 3:1-4)

As I consider this I know I fall short daily.  Those moments when I act based on what I want.  Those times when selfishness takes the lead.  I can tell myself that the actions are not as bad as they were years ago, but that is not the metric…  Jesus is the metric.

Closer Look (verses 5-9)

Verse 5-9 are where reality kicks in for me…

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

I read through verses 5-7 and I think…  Yes, I am still tempted with distractions regarding this list, and God has shown me an out that I take when tempted…  but then I get to verse 8-9 and realize these still have some ways to go.

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

“But now you must put them all away”.  Paul did not say some or most of the time he said ALL.  And you know as I look at this list I am reminded that I must not do these to others ever…  but I must also not do them to myself.

It is easy to become angry or frustrated with myself as much as it is to do so with someone else.  But the easiest thing to do is lie to myself.  It is easy to convince myself that I am doing the right thing…  Treating people the right way.  But even as I write these words I am filled with a need for repentance.  Sometimes I feel I victimize myself most often.  How thankful I am that the grace of God also has given me the gift of repentance.

Psalm 139: 23-24

This passage sent me to Psalms and I was hit with this phrase “Break my Heart for What Breaks Yours”.  From Hosanna by Hillsong United.  I also did a search in Psalms and found this passage…

Psalms 139:23-24 (ESV)

“23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Ps 139:23-24)

I stopped and prayed that passage… and found such comfort in it; not that my heart was pure, but that God gave me the path to give these thoughts and temptations to Him through repentance.

What a gift I have been given.

Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV)

I then went further in Colossians with verses 12-17

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.

When I read these words, I am lifted.  There is a joy that melts away doubt and fear.  There is this desire to give it all to Christ Jesus and hold fast to him…

Verse 12

Just look at verse 12

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

What a blessed gift this is.  Through Christ Jesus sacrifice I am given a new heart.  I am given the gift to set aside my old self and put on a “compassionate heart”.   Why would I not take that and make it my own?

Closing Thoughts

I kind of got stuck on verse 17

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.

Again, Paul says “EVERYTHING” not most things or some things… EVERYTHING.

I give thanks for God’s Holy Word.  I am overcome with joy and purpose.

Prayer

Lord God forgive me for those moments when I am tempted and distracted by the adversary.  Forgive me when my focus shifts from You to the things of this world.  Father thank you for your Holy Word.  Thank you for touching my heart with the very thing I need every moment of every day…

Father,

“23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Ps 139:23-24)

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

Morning Light

This morning I listened to a sermon by Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones.  The topic was exercise.  It began with Ephesians 6:10-13 as the basis for his sermon.  It was quite a convicting sermon.  The discussion was less about physical exercise and more on spiritual exercise.  Dr. Lloyd-Jones warned that if we were not strong in God’s Word how could we stand and if we could not stand how could we teach.

I love this passage in Ephesians, but I had never really thought about exercise when I read it…

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Ephesians 6:10-13 (ESV)

Looking at this passage in this light I realized the need we have for Spiritual strength…  “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood”(vs 12).  And where do we find this exercise but in God’s Word?

Strength From Exercise

We need strength if we are to endure.  We need strength if we are to share the word with others and teach as we have been taught.  It takes an effort to build that strength.  Paul complained to those at the church in Corinth…  He wanted them to teach but he could not give them the tools they needed because they did not have the strength of understanding. He was disappointed and did not hold back in 1Corinthians 3:

 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,  1 Corinthians 3:2 (ESV)

He was also harsh to the audience of the book of Hebrews 5.

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:11-14 (ESV)

Conviction and Self-Examination

These two passages jarred me a bit.  They both spoke of a need for strength.   In Hebrews, the writer charged that everyone should be prepared to teach.  It is not just up to the preacher or the Sunday School teacher, but everyone…  But in Hebrews 5:13-14 the writer warns that they are not ready…

13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:11-14 (ESV)

That drove me to prayer and self-examination.  Am I ready…  Then I thought back to my physical shape and I will just say that it is not what it once was; and why?  I used to exercise my body…  water skied all summer, stayed active in the winter…  hiked in the woods…  But today let’s just say I am not quite as svelte as I once was…

Now if that can happen to the physical body isn’t there the same risk for my spirit?

Training for the Race

Paul reminds me in 1Corinthians 9:24-27 that this is a race and there is only one that will get a prize.  He reminds me that athletes train…  but he reminds me also that there is no rest for anyone.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.   1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (ESV)

Verse 27 kind of gave me a bit of a chill.  In verse 27 Paul admits that he too must exercise because he does not want to be disqualified.  Paul is the guy that wrote much of the new testament and he warns that He too needs to be in harmony with God.  He must know the Word of God and He must not slack off for any reason.

Hold On

I found myself back in Hebrews chapter 10 remembering that I must hold on…

 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25 (ESV)

As I contemplate this passage I am reminded that I cannot do this completely on my own.  I need the fellowship of other believers.  We need to be there for each other.  Yes, we need to exercise to build our own strength but like a team we must be there to encourage each other to be strong in God’s word.

Strength in Numbers

I am reminded of a passage that turned out to be in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (I had to google it… that’s faster than the concordance).

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!  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV)

Maybe you cannot appreciate the full magnitude of this until you have fallen when alone and not been able to get up…  and I am not talking about the commercial…  the fall is not always physical.  We cannot do this as well on our own.

There is strength in the body of Christ.  The Church is not perfect, but if we strive together it can be better than it was.  I am thankful to have a Church family we all struggle with something, but our weakness is God’s strength.  He may choose to use someone else in my Church to lift me up when I have fallen.

Closing

I know that I do not exercise like I should every day.  Billy Graham even admitted that if he had it to do over again he would spend more time in prayer and study.  But I do strive and I draw on the strength of my Savior Jesus Christ and those he places in my life.

I want to close with the Benediction from Hebrews 13:20-21

 Benediction

20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.   Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV)

 

 

 

 

God’s Desire

Waking to the Light Of God’s Word

This morning as I started to do my prayer and Bible Study I looked at K-Loves encouraging word for March 10.  It was Micah 6:8. As I read it I thought God’s desire for us is so simple.  But it is so easy to get caught up in trying to figure it out on our own.  We make it so complicated.

Micah 6:6-8

I read a bit more than just the verse shared by K-Love.  The title in my translation was “What Does the Lord Require?”

6 “With what shall I come before the Lord,

and bow myself before God on high?

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,

with calves a year old?

7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,

with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

8 He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?

As I read this passage all I could think of was…  man, we complicate the simplest things.  I know this talks about sacrifice, but isn’t that like the struggle we have when we struggle to figure out what we must do to please God.

8 He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?

Walk Humbly with Your God

I thought about Micah 6:8 for a while this morning.  I looked at the cross-references as well.  First, it was Deuteronomy 10:12-13

12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?

“Walk in all His ways” just sticks with me this morning.  It reminded me of a comment by Henry Blackaby in his Bible Study 'Experiencing God'…  I must paraphrase.

“Watch where God is working and join Him”

Walking with God

As I think about the simplicity of that statement by Blackaby and the verses in Micah and Deuteronomy this thought keeps running through my head… to walk with Him we must seek to know Him.

We cannot know His will if we do not know Him.  To know Him we must seek Him in His Word and in Prayer.

Hosea 6:6

I did a couple searches in knowing God…  googled it…  and I found several verses but the first that stuck for me was Hosea 6:6

6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,

the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

The title of Hosea 6 in my translation is “Israel and Judah Are Unrepentant”.  All through the chapter God speaks through Hosea and relates all the rebellious things that they have done and right in the middle of the chapter He says…

6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,

the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Psalm 51

I went to Psalm 51 and read it.  It is a cry for forgiveness, (a Psalm that I go to when my struggles get the best of me), and when I got to verses 16-19 there again am I reminded of God’s desire…

16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;

build up the walls of Jerusalem;

19 then will you delight in right sacrifices,

in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on your altar.

As I read through these verses I see an order to things…  First, we must humble ourselves to God.  Seek to know Him before all things.  A broken and contrite heart means more to Him than any sacrifice.

Ephesians 2

All of this brought me to Ephesians 2.  This is one of my favorite chapters in God’s Word.  It speaks of how lost we had been in our flesh but God saved us through His Son Jesus Christ…Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)

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

Verse 10 really speaks to me…  When I read this verse I realize that God has laid out works for me.  If I will draw close to Him he will reveal to me His desire for my life.  I am His workmanship…

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

He has prepared the works for me.

Closing

I look at all these passages and the quote by Henry Blackaby and I see that my path to knowing God’s will for me is first knowing Him.  Humbling myself before Him knowing that I am broken without Him.  A slave to my flesh.  My hunger is to grow close to Him and my path is in His Holy Word.

My last passage is 1 John 2:3-6 (ESV)

3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Prayer

Father, help me to draw near to you through your Holy Word.  Strengthen me that my Love for you may grow and my worries diminish. Lord help me that all my trust might rest in you, that I might walk with you in all that I do… in Jesus name Amen…

 

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