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Faith… Hebrews 11

 

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

Today is day three of this blog post.  It is a clean sheet of paper this morning except for the verses that I have compiled over the past few days. It is amazing how you can start headed in one direction but it changes every day just a bit.  Even today.  Today I pray I can complete it.  I think I may finally have the right starting point.   Today I begin with faith.**

Faith

Faith is such a fundamental part of a Christian’s life, but it is also easy to wander from that narrow path, set our eyes on the wrong things, and develop faith in the wrong things. I love this verse from Hebrews 11.

 Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Another passage that is equally important to me is also from Chapter 11.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

6And without faith, it is impossible to please him (God), for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

These two passages are so powerful, and they both confirm that we must place our faith in the right things and that right thing is Jesus Christ and Him alone.  There is no need for anything else nor is there room.

There is no room for doubt or fear.  There is no room for that little safety net.  There is no room for a co-pilot.  Our faith and trust must rest solely in Jesus.  It is not easy to give up control.  It is just not in our nature.  But it is possible.  We can see examples of it in Hebrews chapter eleven.

Hebrews, chapter eleven, is referred to as the faith chapter.  It lists many of the faithful from the Old Testament and points out the importance of their actions. All those named were faithful.  They kept their eyes focused on the things above, and their actions demonstrated the depth of their faith.  They did not doubt and showed no fear.  The way it was illustrated through Abraham, in verses 17-19, just humbles me.

Hebrews 11:17-19 (ESV)
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 

His faith showed no fear.  His faith and trust were complete.  What an example for us.  I am also moved by the close of chapter 11. The final two verses are so powerful to me because they express the view from the past and the future.

Hebrews 11:39-40 (ESV)

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

How wonderful these two verses are.  I am going to take a quote from my John MacArthur study bible because he says it so much better than I do.  

Hebrews 11:39-40 (MacArthur Study Notes (ESV))

Heb. 11:39–40 something better. They had faith in the ultimate fulfillment of the eternal promises in the covenant (v. 13).

Heb. 11:40 (MacArthur Study Notes (ESV))

apart from us. The faith of OT saints looked forward to the promised salvation, whereas the faith of those after Christ looks back to the fulfillment of the promise. Both groups are characterized by genuine faith and are saved by Christ’s atoning work on the cross (cf. Eph. 2:8–9).

What joy there is in God’s Word. How thankful I am that I have it as an example for my life. I am thankful for it, and there is one more passage from Chapter 12 that I want to share. 

Hebrews 12 Jesus… 

Chapter 12 begins with a “therefore,” and whenever there is a, therefore, you need to look back and see what the “therefore,” is there for.  In this case, it is this powerful image of all those witnesses who have gone before us.  Those heroes of the faith that endured to the end yet did not receive their reward that the writer of Hebrews shared in Chapter 11.

We have that “eternal promise”, saved by Jesus at the cross.  We have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  We have the complete Word of God. We have the promise that brought the gentiles into the lineage of Jesus Christ by His ultimate sacrifice, so let us not disappoint them.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

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

That great group of witnesses went on without receiving their prize, yet looking to God for their comfort and strength.  We, too, must stay and keep our eyes on “Jesus, the founder, and protector of our faith.”  There is nothing in this world that is of more value than Jesus.

Closing Thoughts

I look back on these events in Hebrews eleven. I am so thankful.  These people that the writer mentions are amazing people, but they are still just people.  People that indeed struggled in life, but they endured holding fast to God.

I know in my life, there are times that things look bleak, or it may seem lonely, but Jesus is there always IF I will hold fast to Him in prayer and His Word.  The problems come when I allow the distractions of the world to interfere.

A passage from a devotional that I read this week by Oswald Chambers seems right for this closing.

The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear. If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.

From <https://utmost.org/obedience-or-independence/>

That is so true.  I pray that I keep Jesus first in my mind always and that I not be deterred by the noise in this world.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your Holy Word.  I thank you for the strength that I gain from it daily.  Father, please help me to keep you first in all my thoughts and actions today and in all days to come.  Help me that I not be distracted by this world but led by you in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

 

Our Anchor

This morning I read a devotional by A.W. Tozer in his book “Tozer on The Son of God.”  It was a powerful devotional titled “Our Anchor in the Storm.”

What struck me about this devotional is how much it mirrors the world today.  The world around us is filled with uncertainty.  We have a pandemic; we have quarantines and if that is not enough, we have riots in the streets during a Presidential election year. If you allow those things to be your only point of focus the world can be a dark place.

In the devotional there is this looming storm, and there is this boat full of people.  The passengers on the boat are in full panic mode focused on the Typhoon in the direct path of the boat.   They can see nothing but death and destruction ahead but suddenly one voice says, “but, we have an anchor.”

You would think that would calm the passengers, but not this group.  The water was too deep to see the anchor.  Since they could not see it, they could see no way that the anchor could hold against this storm.

As I read this devotional to the end the anchor did hold and all survived.  I thought of several passages from God’s Word as I was reading this devotional, the first was Jesus sleeping on the boat.

Jesus in the Storm

Most people know the story of Jesus sleeping on the boat as a storm comes up, terrifying the disciples.  You can find it in Matthew 8 beginning in the twenty-third verse.

Matthew 8:23-27 (ESV), Jesus Calms a Storm

23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

These men felt confident that they would die.  They could not grasp how safe they were with Jesus in the stern resting.  They could not see Jesus, so, like the folks who could not see the anchor, they found no comfort or certainty in Jesus because they could not see him, so they woke him from His rest and complained.

Jesus Calms the Storm

When Jesus was woken, I don’t think he was as much angry as he was disappointed.  He looked at His disciples, and the first thing He said was

Matthew 8:26 (ESV)

26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”…

Jesus had performed miracles and taught them so much, but they did not grasp the fact that he had no limits, but yet they felt certain that He could save them if He were awake and saw the ferociousness of the storm.  But when he calmed the wind and the sea they were amazed.

Matthew 8:26-27 (ESV)

Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

They had seen something that shook their belief systems. Jesus had done a lot of amazing things, but he had calmed the sea and wind and that was more than they could imagine.  How could it be?

Reflections

I read this story of the sea’s calming and consider the devotional this morning and the wonder of God’s Word, and I cannot help but be deeply humbled.

There used to be a part of me that would think… “Wow, I sure wish I could have lived back then and walked with Jesus as the disciples did,” but that was long ago before I knew what I know now.  We have a gift today that the disciples did not experience until after Jesus’ ascension and then Pentecost; we have the Holy Spirit. The promised helper Jesus spoke of in John. This promise of being never alone.

A Promise

Jesus, more than once, speaks of the promise of a helper.  But I love how he conveys this in John 14.  I love how Jesus begins this promise.  First… If you love me…

 John 14:15-17 (ESV)

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

At the end of verse seventeen, he explains that “You know him, for he dwells with you and WILL be in you.” I read that, and it is so exciting, but at the same time you must wonder what went through the disciple’s minds. Did they grasp who Jesus was talking about when he said, “You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”  Did they grasp that He was speaking about Himself or did it simply go whooshing over their heads as He continued with verses 18-22? I will not leave you…

John 14:18-22 (ESV)

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 2

What a powerful promise Jesus shared with his disciples.  One that today, is ours as well.

The Promise Plus

There are a couple of things that I need to add before closing.  In John 14, when Jesus speaks of the gift of the Helper, He opens with an “if/then” statement which can be misconstrued if you do not read it carefully.

John 14:15-16 (ESV)

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,

If you are not careful and read this verse in haste it could sound as if Jesus were putting a works’ clause in this promise.  But if you look at it closely, you can see that is not the case.  He says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” It does not say, “If you keep my commandments and love me…”

The way Jesus explains this reminds me of a passage in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

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*.

Our salvation is all a gift, including the works laid out ahead for us in which to walk.

Closing Thoughts

The wonder of God’s presence in my life is sometimes overwhelming.  The Holy Spirit… Jesus is such that there is nothing that we cannot endure.  He is and will always be our anchor in the storm; If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31).

I am filled with thanksgiving as I consider all these things.

Prayer

Today I will close with a prayer written by Paul for the Ephesians.  I replace the plural pronouns with I or me when I read it to make it more personal…  but it is also a powerful prayer for friends and family.

Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV), Prayer for Spiritual Strength

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

*Emphasis added

 

Personal or Private

Today’s post is going to be a bit different.  Today it will be about something that has bugged me for a long time.  It first caused me pain when I lost an Uncle.  We lived hundreds of miles apart, but it was not until his death that I learned of his Christian faith.  He was not the only person who surprised me at their passing; he was just the one that caused that first twinge of pain.

When my Dad passed, I knew he was a believer, but it was not until those last weeks that I learned about the depth of his faith.  Dad, like most of the men I had grown up around, believed their faith was personal, but looking from the outside, it was also private.

My parents raised me in the Lutheran Church.  I joke that my arms are unnaturally long because I was often dragged to and from the church.  The dragging home was because I most likely had done something to upset my folks. I do not remember much.

We did not have many discussions about the church as I was growing up, or at least from what I remember.  I do remember Vacation Bible School in the summer and Youth Group when I was older.  I remember mowing the Church Lawn with an Allison Chalmers Tractor Dad kept running, but that was about it.  Once I was in High School, I drifted away.

It seems to me, looking back, that everyone’s faith was as private as who they voted for on election day… that did not get discussed too much either.  Now, knowing what I know, I struggle to understand why.

Why Now

I am bringing this today because I have read several Facebook posts lately where the writer says something about faith, but in the next breath, they claim theirs is nobody’s business but their own.  When I read that, I am not sure how to react to the post.

Should I be heartbroken because they are lost?  Should I be angry because they are selfish, or are they just misguided?  I can get caught up in these reasons if I am not careful, and they add no value the best I can tell.

Rather than focus on other’s circumstances, I must put myself back in the mix.  Rather than looking at these folks, I need to think about us as Christians, and that includes me. What I do know is that if we are Christians, we should be sharing the Gospel, and if we are not sharing the Gospel, we need to ask ourselves why not.

Why Not

I am not bringing this up to shame anyone.  Difficulty sharing the Gospel affects me too, at times, more than I would like to admit.  When I look at this issue sharing the Gospel, I must consider how well I am doing.  When I begin my self-examination, I cannot help but think of 2Timothy.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

I read that passage, and the first person I apply it too is myself.  I find that self-examination is something that naturally happens when I am in the Word and Prayer.  The only caution might be too not get so caught up in it that you cannot see anything else.  We need to focus outwardly to share the Gospel.

Sharing the Gospel – The Great Commission

The first thing I think of when considering the need to share the Gospel is in Matthew chapter twenty-eight, beginning at the sixteenth verse.

Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV)

The Great Commission

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This passage is so powerful.  Jesus telling his disciples to share the Gospel around the world and that he will be with them always.  At the beginning of Acts, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit in Chapter One again.

Acts 1:4-8 (ESV)

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Jesus makes it clear that our faith is not private.  We are meant to share it.

Stepping out in Faith

It is not always easy to share our faith, but we have examples.  We have also been given the guidebook to preach from.  God’s Word gives us everything we need, and for one, Paul reminds us that he imitates Jesus, and we can imitate his example.

1 Corinthians 4:14-17 (ESV)

14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

1 Corinthians 10:31 – 11:1 (ESV)

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

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

I know it is hard to share our faith sometimes, but that is what we are asked to do.  But the one thing to remember is we are not alone.  The Holy Spirit is with us always dwelling within us.  Trusting in His guidance is so essential and can be difficult at times, but the more we do it, the more confident we become.

Closing Thoughts

Everything we need is in God’s Word.  There are no secret gotchas in it.  It is the only source of absolute truth.  There are those out there that know the Word but know it only to twist and trip us up.  But God gets us through that too, by helping us develop a better understanding of God’s Word with time and the help of the Holy Spirit to aid in our knowledge.

A friend told me that the FBI or the US Treasury to combat counterfeit cash does not study counterfeit money.  They consider the real deal so that they know it inside out.  That is our best defense against the enemy… remember God’s True Word.

Prayer

Father, thank you for this beautiful day.  Thank you for your Word, and thank you for the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Father, please help us to be imitators of Paul, and other Godly men that imitate you, that we may boldly share the Gospel. We know that time is short, and we must be bold in all that we do regarding You.  Thank you, Father, and it is in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

 

 

 

In the Matter of Drudgery

 

Earlier this week I read a devotional by Oswald Chambers.  He is my favorite writer, of my second favorite book, “Utmost for His Highest,” which I have been reading for about nine years.  The devotional was incredibly special because it took me along a path of so many of my favorite verses and passages in God’s Word.

Chambers reminded me that there are times when the life of a Christian can be difficult, and sometimes life can be pure drudgery.    As I read the devotional I realized that life could be as prickly as a bull thistle, but God knows this.  He knows that the life of a Christian is not always easy, but He will get us through it.  I like how Oswald Chambers put it.

“We are not meant to be seen as God’s perfect, bright-shining examples, but to be seen as the everyday essence of ordinary life exhibiting the miracle of His grace.” 

“Utmost for His Highest,” Oswald Chambers, June 15, Devotional.

As I mull over that quote, I am humbled by the power of the message.  We are not special in our own right.  We are ordinary men and women living regular and sometimes dull lives, but as believers, we have received this glorious gift of eternal life with God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  So, no matter how mundane, annoying, confusing, or frustrating the drudgery of life might be, the challenges will pass. Even that Bull Thistle we got caught up in will pass.  God gives us assurance and comfort in His Word.

Three passages come to mind instantly for me as I read that quote from Chambers.  The first was in James.

James 1

James begins with this verse that rocks new Christians back on their heels (at least it did me), and truth be told, probably some not so new Christians as well.  It took a while for me to come to terms with it.  It begins in the second verse of chapter 1

James 1:2-4 (ESV)

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I think like most people; when I read this passage, I did not understand how I could be joyful in my trials.  I had a less than pleasant boss to work for, and he tested my patience.  I was always under a time crunch, and I seemed never to have enough of it. It was hard for me to count those circumstances all joy at the time.  I just could not see it, but God helped me through it, and He used His Word to do it, like this one passage from 2Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 4

Second Corinthians chapter four is one of those chapters that is always helpful.  When I was going through some of my most challenging struggles, God was there for me in these powerful words…words that taught me to believe in James 1:2-4 and be prepared for other trials.

 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV)

17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

I read these verses, and it is as if a weight is lifted from my heart.  The burdens of this world no longer weigh me down.  The reality of my responsibilities is still there, but they are no longer an anchor or load too heavy to carry.

There is one more that is straight from Jesus.

Matthew 11

This third verse may be my favorite.  It is the offer Jesus makes at the end of Matthew 11.

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

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

He is with us in all things.  We are not working through the pieces of life that seem like drudgery alone.  The Holy Spirit is with us. We need only remember that in all things, Jesus is with us.

Reflection

I look at these three passages, and the power that they offer me through Christ Jesus and Him in me, and the struggle, having joy in my trials, fades a bit more every day.  If these verses were not enough 2Corinthians 4:7-16 are like that first cup of coffee that gets me going in the morning.

2 Corinthians 4:7-16 (ESV)

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

This fuel should be with us throughout the day to remind us of the blessings we have been given.  It far outweighs any trial that we might face.  But these verses can only help us if we genuinely believe them to be true. These powerful passages are just a bunch of words without faith.  To grow the Gospel, we need to share this good news with others and use them to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ as well.

Fellowship

We all need to encourage one another, and this cannot be done in a vacuum.  We need face time.  Right now, we are just coming out of quarantine because of the CONVID-19 virus.  We are back in Church with some limitations.  What a blessing that has been.

I will tell you I am a loner.  I am used to being home alone during the week.  After having a couple of strokes and going on disability, my dog Jersey Girl and I spend the day together until my wife Pat gets home.  I have been okay with that.  But since Church has been closed, it has been a bit of a bummer.

I cannot understand how some folks believe in the Gospel and choose to stay home on Sundays.  There is something about fellow believers gathered to worship God that you cannot experience any other way.

I understand some cannot attend services.  My Mom is one that has difficulty attending.  She watches a live stream of our service. We talk every Sunday, and she looks for us in the Church to see if we are there.  A friend of mine in Thailand watches our service too.  I am glad our Church offers live streaming services.  That fellowship is an opportunity for encouragement.  Pat and I talk to Mom.  I need to be talking more with my brother in Thailand.  We all need one another to lean on.

Encouragement

God has blessed me beyond measure.  If someone had told me, I would call a stroke a blessing I would have laughed in their face a few years ago, but it has been such a blessing.

There is a verse in 2Corinthians that is one of my favorites when I consider the health issues I experienced.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I know to say that it is true is redundant.  But I find it hard to describe it any other way.  I know that I am thankful.  I lost some things.  I cannot ride a motorcycle.  I have issues with Big Box Stores and can get confused sometimes.  I cannot focus on specifics if I am being pressed… I had to leave work and quit things like teaching Sunday School, but it is all good.  The thing is, more than any other situation, I know that God is in charge, and I trust Him.  I know that He loves me.  That gives me the courage to share His Word with others and encourage my Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Closing thoughts

Some of you might be wondering by now why the title of this walk includes the word drudgery.  Well, when I started this post, the Lord kept reminding me of different passages of love and encouragement in His Word, and I think all of those are vital for the days that we are forced to face the less exciting moments in life.  Maybe for you, it was the quarantine.  Or perhaps it is just the day to day things like going to the Grocery or Running errands.  Whatever it is, we still need to remember that the light of Jesus is inside of us.

I like what Oswald Chambers said in his devotional.

“If I will do my duty, not for duty’s sake but because I believe God is engineering my circumstances, then at the very point of my obedience all of the magnificent grace of God is mine through the glorious atonement by the Cross of Christ.”

Just think about that for a moment.  How fantastic is that prospect; “all the magnificent grace of God is mine.”  I think my heart did a backflip as I typed those words.

Now, if I know this and I believe it to be true how difficult is the drudgery of life.  How hard are the trials?

One Final Point

There is one final important point.  Peter wrote about in 2Peter1.  It has always been a powerful passage for me and something that I can do.

2 Peter 1:3-11 (ESV)

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When I look at this passage, I am simply drawn near to the Lord.  Just look at verses three and four.

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

Peter reminds me that I have so much to be thankful for.  Jesus called us His own.  What more could we have than that?  But he gave us more.  He pulled us from the corruption of the world.  So, if we hit some of those tough things that drag us down, we have this to remind us that this is not our home.  But Peter did not stop there.

He lists things that we should work on to improve our character because of these gifts, so that we might show love and affection to our brothers and sisters in Jesus.

What more can I say?  What more can I ask for? God gave me more than I could imagine, and He gives me everything I need to draw nearer to Him.

Suddenly the drudgery of life is not so dark and not so heavy for the light of the Holy Spirit shines in me.

Prayer

Father, thank you! Thank you for all that you provide me every day—especially the things that I overlook or miss seeing.  Thank you, Lord, for your Holy Word, to bring all your provision into focus so that I am not turned away from the things above or distracted too much by the elements of the world. Thank You in Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Walk in Love – A New Self

I have been struggling with an issue in God’s Word for a year or more.  I have prayed about it and studied passages concerning it and I thought yesterday I had finally come to an understanding of the issue and had a blog post written to share this journey.  But that all changed today.

The subject is not really that important.  The Lord helped me with it and maybe I will publish it one day.  But today I am filled with a joy that comes only from the love of God. The subject came as I was searching for one last scripture for the other topic yesterday.  It was in Ephesians 4.

Ephesians 4:17-32

Ephesians 4 begins speaking of the unity of the church and the importance of being together.  Verses 1-3 are powerful. Paul is setting some extremely specific direction.

Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV)

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Just think about that for a minute.  How many of us could do that without Christ Jesus?

Paul goes on to remind us in verses 4-16 of chapter 4 to define the call and the tools we have been given, but what got me the most began in verse 17 of chapter 4.

Ephesians 4:17-24 (ESV)

17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Paul reminds the Ephesians of their calling.  He reminds them of their origin.  From there he continues with the results of the calling and the kind of life they should be living… and we should also be living.

Ephesians 4:25-32 (ESV)

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

This is the new life this is what God called us to and what we chose when we accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ as our savior and redeemer. We put off our old self and put on our New Self born again in Jesus Christ by grace through faith “forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.” This leaves us only with love.

Walk in Love, Ephesians 5

Those verses at the end of chapter 4 just wash over me like a soft summer rain.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)

31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Those verses fill me with such joy and hope.  They are a constant reminder of where I stand with God and how I should be living.  But Paul does not leave me there with no “How”.  He begins chapter five with the “How” in one of those “therefore” passages.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV)

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

Paul is so clear in this message:  “Be imitators of God.” If we can focus on that our lives may not be easy, but we will not be alone. God will be with us in all circumstances.  Without the Holy Spirit we would not make it.

Walk in the Light

The other point that I took from chapter five in Ephesians was walking I the light.  It began in the eighth verse

Ephesians 5:8-14 (ESV)

Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,

and arise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.”

The truth is in the light.  There is nothing of value in the darkness.  Our walk should always be in the light so that nothing is hidden.  We should have nothing to hide if we are “imitators of God.”

Reflections

As I pondered these passages and prayerfully considered what Paul had left me in Ephesians, I was a bit overwhelmed.  I look at these two chapters and saw all the references to love and to light and the new self, versus the old self and I ended up in Colossians first and then 1Corinthians.

Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV)

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

The guidance in these six verses is wonderful.  There is this one verse that pierces my heart. It is verse sixteen, “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. ” What power there is in these words, and they reminded me of 1Corinthians.

The Love Chapter

1Corinthians 13 had to be in this post. It is the love chapter.

1 Corinthians 13 (ESV)

​1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

There is none greater than love.  It is a foundation that guides our actions from the most joyful task to the most difficult; all must be done in love.

Closing Thoughts

Like I said this morning I had a path planned for today.  But God had a different one planned for me.  Ultimately the issue I have been struggling with has been addressed this morning with different words.

I think I addressed the mechanics of my problem yesterday.  I did not realize it until just now, but if I were going to describe it, I would say I did as Martha did in Luke 10:38-42 yesterday, and today I followed Mary’s path.

Luke 10:41-42 (ESV)

41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

I just got this chill as I consider it.  I was so caught up in the mechanics of an issue I had forgotten the spiritual need of any action.

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.”

I had lost sight of the love and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  But He did not give up on me and I am thankful. It is almost overwhelming when things fall in place.  I cannot contain it.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ must be shared.  I have one last passage I must share.

        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.

This last passage out of Ephesians 2 is all of us that are saved, and it IS for all that have not yet been saved if they will believe.  What an amazing gift we have been given to love and to share.

Prayer

Father, I thank you for your patience with me.  Lord I can get so wrapped up in the weeds that I can lose focus of what is important, but you can always get me back on track when I listen.  Lord God, thank you and today I pray you might help me stay focused on the things above rather than the things here below. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

 

Where do I Look

This morning in my time with the Lord, I read two devotionals. The first one Pat and I did together before she left for work.  It was by Charles Stanley, and the focus was to rely on God, the Holy Spirit.  The second was Oswald Chambers, and his devotional subject was to focus first on the Kingdom of God, and all other things would take care of themselves.

Both writers referenced a scripture that they chose as the focus of their devotionals: Stanley decided 1Thessalonians 5:24, and Chambers decided Matthew 6:33.

1Thessalonians 5:24

Charles Stanley focused on having the courage to step out in faith when called to serve.  Verse 24 in chapter 5 is clear in its focus.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (ESV)

24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

I read this verse over and over and just had to get the context, so I opened my Bible to 1Thessalonians 5.  I found verse 24 and read what preceded it.  In my translation, it was under a heading called “Final Instructions and Benediction.”

Final Instructions and Benediction

I read that section of chapter five, more than once.  It is a powerful passage.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 (ESV)

12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 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.

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

In verses, 12-22 Paul gives us this list of actions or behaviors that we should live out as followers of Jesus.  But then in verse 23-24, he acknowledges that it is beyond our abilities to accomplish alone, but it is not beyond God’s capabilities.  I love verses 23-24.  All I can think of to call them is a promise or blessing… more likely both.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (ESV)

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

What power there is in that passage.  It is an assurance that we are not alone if we simply place all our trust in Jesus.  I like the notes in John  MacArthur’s study bible that describes verse twenty-three.

 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (MacArthur Study Notes (ESV))

“Having concluded all the exhortations beginning in 4:1, and especially from 5:16–22, Paul’s ending benediction acknowledged the source for obeying and fulfilling them all. It is not within human power to be sanctified in all these ways.  Only God “himself” can separate us from sin to holiness “completely.”

MacArthur does an excellent job reinforcing what Paul said and our need to recognize that in every breath, we need Jesus.  He is not a parachute or copilot, but he is the very air that we breathe and our everything.  Without him, we are merely walking dead.

From Charles Stanley I went to Oswald Chambers.  His key verse was Matthew 6:33

Matthew 6:33

Oswald Chambers devotional was from his book, “Utmost for His Highest.” The base verse for his devotional was Matthew 6:33

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

When I started this devotional, I did not notice the link with the key verse.  But it did not take long to realize the message that Chambers wished to share using Matthew to make his point.

If you look at verse thirty-three, it is a simple phrase.  Seek first the kingdom of God.  But if it is so simple, WHY did Jesus point it out to his audience.

Chambers explains the importance of this passage in his devotional, but I needed more context to understand the verse.  I needed to see it for myself, so I went to Matthew 6 and found verse 33 and looked at the verses surrounding it.  The passage that helped me better grasp verses thirty-three and its context in the devotional were Matthew 6:24-34.

Matthew 6:24-34 – Do Not Be Anxious

The passage is titled in my ESV Bible, “Do Not Be Anxious.” It begins with a “therefore” so I checked why the therefore was there and found a concise answer in verse 24.  The passage is one of my favorites.

Matthew 6:24-33 (ESV)

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Do Not Be Anxious

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

Jesus is so clear here.  We cannot serve two masters, but if we seek God first and trust in Him rather than worry about the things of this world. God will assure us that we have all we need. He also reminds us that our needs are not met by concerning ourselves with worldly anxieties, they are met by trusting in God.  If we place our trust in Him, He will assure that we have all we need both physical and spiritual.

Closing Thoughts

As I considered these two devotionals though one came from Jesus and the other from Paul addressing two different audiences, they were not really different. They conveyed the same message. Our everything rests in God.  These devotionals brought to mind several other passages that helped me.  The first comes from John.

John 6:44-45 (ESV)

44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—   

The next from Proverbs

Proverbs 3:5-8 (ESV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

8 It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

And finally Psalms

Psalms 121 (ESV)

My Help Comes from the LORD

A SONG OF ASCENTS.

​1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

2 My help comes from the LORD,

who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;

he who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, he who keeps Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your keeper;

the LORD is your shade on your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,

nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will keep you from all evil;

he will keep your life.

8 The LORD will keep

your going out and your coming in

from this time forth and forevermore.

Do you believe that God is our source for all things? Do you think that he is our strength and wisdom as well as our hope and our everything whom else or what else do we need?

It is easy to think of God as a Savior and King, but it is sometimes difficult to see him in assuring that our bills will be paid we will have food to eat. But the more I consider these passages, the more I realize that God does not even leave me to do that on my own.  What great comfort there is in knowing that.  I know it because it is a promise found in God’s Word in many places, like Hebrews 13.

Hebrews 13:5-6 (ESV)

5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear;

what can man do to me?”

For that, and so much more, I am thankful.

Closing Prayer

Father God, thank you for being always with me.  Thank you for giving me wisdom that I need to stay near to you and the grace to repent when I fall short as I do daily.

Thank you for this gift.

“For by grace you have(saved me) through faith. And this is not (my)  own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that (I may not) boast. For (I am)  his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that (I) should walk in them.”*

Lord God, Help me stay close to you in all things, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

 

 

 

*Ephesians 2:8-10

() changed to first person

Testimony, Life Lesson or Both

 

Today’s blog post is a bit different from most. It came from the devotional my wife, and I read this morning. Which is not so unusual, but what is different is where it took my thoughts. It took me to a time when I was struggling with prayer and not seeming to get an answer or at least the one I thought I wanted.

The devotional was called “Resurrection Hope.” The premise of the devotional was the power of the resurrection.  If Jesus could conquer death, there was nothing that he could not overcome. There could be no issue we had that he could not overcome, and that is true.

Ephesians 1:19-20 (ESV)

19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,

I do not know about you, but when I read these verses, my issues seem so small. Sometimes so little that I am reluctant to take them to the Lord, or maybe too small to press Him on the subject.

For Your Consideration

Sometimes I will be in prayer, and I will feel like I do not have anything to bring before the Lord.  I will be praying, and I am trying to decide whether to make a purchase, or maybe I am having a migraine (not a bad one but one I can manage), or perhaps just some little things that I do not want to bother God about.  But when Pat, my wife, read this devotional, I was taken back to a place where I had been while I was still able to work before the strokes took away so much.

It was a decision about a possible transfer to another job.

The Opportunity

The job was a good opportunity for me.  One that I had held before.  It would have been pretty easy for me.  It would have been a good job to be in while I was waiting to retire.  But I was not sure about making a move.  So I prayed, and I prayed, and I prayed.

I thought this might be one which the Lord wanted me to figure out on my own, but I continued to pray, and I remembered that passage in Luke

Luke 11:9-13 (ESV)

9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

So, I kept on praying.  Then I considered a passage in James 4.

James 4:3 (ESV)

3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

 

Maybe I was being prideful or asking wrongly.  So, I considered this verse in my prayer, from a position of repentance and asking for direction. But in the meantime, I was beginning a study in Acts.

The Study in Acts

I guess this had been about one or two weeks I had been asking the Lord for help in this decision when I started the Acts study. The heading that I came to preceded verse 12, and it was “Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas.”

This section explained how they needed to replace Judas, who had betrayed Christ Jesus and had hung himself.  So they prayed, and this was part of their prayers.

Acts 1:24-26 (ESV)

24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

When I read this, I was pretty shaken up.  When I read about casting lots, I thought of this job, and I also thought about complete surrender.  To cast lots meant I would have to surrender the decision to God and trust Him completely.

The Decision

That whole thing shook me up.  I guess I pondered it for at least a couple of days and that pondering had pretty much left me unwilling to flip a coin over this job.  Flipping a coin was the closest thing to casting lots that I could come up with.

I was convinced I could not do it, so I tossed things back and forth for a couple of days, and one day I had to go downstairs and get some change for the vending machine.

The vending machines took quarters and such, and there was a Change Machine that was smart enough to break a one or five-dollar bill.  I had a five, so I had a hand full of quarters that would last me a few days.

As I was going back to my desk, I was reminded of that passage in Acts 1, and it nagged at me all the way up the steps.  But when I got to my desk, I had decided not to flip a coin yet again.  But things did not work out that way.

I opened that drawer on my desk to throw my change, and only $4.75 hit the drawer.  One quarter landed on the desk spinning like a top. I looked at that coin spinning there on my desk, and my stomach fell a bit. I have to admit I was a bit shaken, but as I watched it spin, under my breath, I said, “OK, Lord, if it is Heads, I will stay where I am, and if it is Tails, I will interview for the other job.”

Well, the coin fell heads up, and I stayed in my job for about 18 months before taking medical retirement from the strokes.

What I learned

I learned that I did not need to flip the coin to determine the right choice.  I need to trust God in all things.  The decision had been so difficult because leaving really was never the right choice.

I needed to flip the coin to make this decision to show myself that I could let go and trust God in all things…  His plans for me are always the best.  I needed to see that I could and should surrender control to God.

I know that I can trust Him in all things.  Just like the devotional this morning… if he can overcome death, there is nothing I can throw at Him that is too big for Him.  Also, It is important for me to remember that there is nothing too small to give him because, to Him, all things are small; after all, He spoke the universe into existence.  He is the breath in my lungs.

Final Thoughts

Reflecting on all of this, it is clear to me that I still fall short of taking everything to the Lord in prayer. It is a bit different now than it was.  Instead of thinking it is to small for Him, I find I simply forget or neglect it because my prayer time is shorter than it should be.  But the Lord never stops reminding me of the correct path.  He always shows me what is right and what I need.  All that I need to do is stay in tune.

Two passages help me with this. The first is the easiest for me to paraphrase with a Swiss cheese memory.

 Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

The other I think I might like a bit better, but it is one I have to google to get right.

Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)

​1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Our God is awesome.  His mercy endures forever.  When I look at His Word, my heart is filled with a feeling of peace and joy that cannot be found by things of this world.

Prayer

Father, thank you for the day.  Thank you for linking yet another memory of mine through Your Word. You are an amazing God. Father help me never to lose sight of your word or your plans for me. Help me stay focused so that I might not miss anything.  I know I fall short every day, Lord. I pray you forgive me for those sins of commission and omission. Break my heart for what breaks yours so that I might repent, and we might have no obstacles between us.  In Jesus name, I pray, Amen

An Example

This morning I began my day with 1 Corinthians 4.  As I read it, I could not help but consider the current self-quarantine that we are all dealing with today.  Paul wrote the letter to the Corinthians to address some serious issues of discipline and sound council.  As I was reading this chapter, it seemed that the Corinthians were not following any real example.  Instead, they seemed to put their spin on it.

The coronavirus has forced us to quarantine, and that has led to some isolation.  There has been an absence of fellowship that we are used to sharing, like Sunday Services and Small Groups.  If we are not careful we could fall into the same trap that plagued the Corinthians.

Without focusing on a Godly example, the Corinthians found themselves focusing on worldly standards and wisdom.  Given the twenty-four-hour news cycle that we face, this chapter just was a potent dose of reality I needed this morning.  Without the fellowship with other believers and easy access to my mentors in the faith to help guide me, I need to keep my focus on God’s Word as my example, and follow what Paul and others demonstrated in God’s Word.

A Biblical World View

The first warning I saw in chapter four was in the form of holding the Church together.  I have a habit of going back a paragraph or two before a chapter break to help with context.  Today that took me back to 3:18 and led me through 4:2

1 Corinthians 3:18 – 4:2 (ESV)

18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

The Ministry of Apostles

​1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

As I read and reread this passage in my mind, it was clear that Paul wanted unity in the Church and no one person above another.  He even went so far as to call out the three Apostles that he had mentioned in the beginning of this letter to make sure the Corinthians knew that all were on the same footing.   He desired a Biblical world view, not one based on the wisdom of man.

No One Above Another

In those passages, 1 Corinthians 3:18 – 4:2 (ESV), Paul reminds the Church that worldly wisdom is foolish in God’s eyes.  There is nothing to be gained by it.  He reminded in no uncertain terms, “let no one boast in men.”

I like verse eighteen in chapter three.  I think Paul spells it out pretty well there.

1 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

Verse eighteen is so powerful.  Paul reminds me that the wisdom of the world, that I once regarded so important, was of no value. I was a new creature in Christ Jesus, humbled by all he had given me.   It puts me in mind of a passage in Colossians.

Colossians 3:9-11 (ESV)

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.

Paul more than once has had to remind the Church that we are all one in Christ Jesus.  Each of us serves a purpose.

Pride and Division

The Corinth Church had taken to throwing their support behind men rather then Christ Jesus.  Paul’s opening remarks referred to this division.

1 Corinthians 1:10-12 (ESV)

10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”

In that first chapter, he reminded them that the truth of the Gospel did not come from man but God.  He reminded them that Christ Jesus died for their sins.

In chapter four he added to this in verses six through seven.

1 Corinthians 4:6-7 (ESV)

6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

I am humbled by Paul’s stance with the Church at Corinth.  These verses force me to do some self examination, for I am nothing without God and all that I have came from Him…

Reflection

Paul continues with his discipline in verses eight through thirteen.  It is almost like the comments to the Church of Laodicea in Revelation three.  I can hear the frustration in his words.

1 Corinthians 4:8-13 (ESV)

8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

I would bet that some took the opening words initially as a compliment, missing the sarcasm.  But I would find it hard to believe it took long to realize that Paul was very frustrated with the Church at Corinth.   But that puts me in mind of another verse from revelation.

Revelation 3:19 (ESV)

19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

As frustrated as he was, he had no desire to embarrass them.

Admonishment

Paul closes this teaching with the Church with a firm hand but in love.  Sometimes it is easy to treat the truth of the Gospel lightly when in truth, it is a matter of life or death, and in that Paul has a passion that never wavers.  I think his best example is in Romans 9.

Romans 9:1-3 (ESV)

​1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

He would give up his own salvation to save his kinsmen, (fellow Israelites).  How could we expect him not to be passionate when admonishing us. How can we be any less passionate?

Corinthians 4:14-21 is the reminder I need.

1 Corinthians 4:14-21 (ESV)

14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every Church. 18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

I read these few verses, and I see this quarantine that we deal with today.  We are a bit isolated.  We do not have access to our mentors or the fellowship we are so used to having.  We also are not sharing with others as we might.

I cannot speak for everyone, but I tend to stay home and not get out nor do I talk much on the phone.  The phone is not my strong suit; I do better face to face. So I need to be diligent in study and prayer… and I am not always as diligent as I should be.

Closing Thoughts

This chapter has helped me put some things in perspective.  It is easy to be distracted in a world with a 24-hour news cycle that rants on about the end of society.  It is amazing how that machine can so impact people without a biblical world view that they empty the grocery stores of toilet paper and cleaning supplies.

The challenging part is that we can easily lose our support system within the church body if we are not careful, and that can push us to the same worries and concerns as the world.  But we have the tools to avoid that.

We have God’s Word, and in it is guidance filled with the example of right living, putting faith in Jesus.  In it are examples like Paul, Peter, James, John, and others from both the old and new testaments… and do not forget the Psalms and Proverbs.

We also have the phone and email and text if we need help.  I don’t mind taking a call if you do not mind my stuttering or loss of words.  I will pray with you too, again if you do not mind my struggle with speech… I get there it just sometimes takes a while.  God is patient and true.

I guess today I just needed to take the time to remind myself of these things.  It is easy to drift a bit if we lose sight of the shore.  But God is ever faithful.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Word.  I am filled with joy over the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who helps me navigate its pages and gain the understanding that I need for each day.  Help us, Lord, through our days that we may not lose sight of the shore and that we might follow the example laid out in your Holy Word.  In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

 

Not Our Job???

I had this experience this week shortly after writing my blog around 1 Corinthians chapter one. It came in the discussion of abortion.  There was a pro-life post made by a friend from the front porch of an abortion clinic in Louisville.  It was a reasonable post asking the Governor to make abortion non-essential during the coronavirus.  I am pro-life. In my mind, abortions are more than non-essential.

The reason for the post is one pro-choice Christian that took an opposing, and confrontational view in the comments of the original post.  It was clearly a pro-choice view of abortion and that was no surprise.  He was angry about the prolife post and that too was no surprise.

What got to me was one point that he tried to make regarding sharing of the Gospel.   He called it “pushing faith” on people trying to get to the clinic.  Most of what he said was “boiler plate” pro-choice rhetoric, but that one comment is just wrong.  Here is the direct quote from the post.

“But again it goes back to pushing faith on others. If they seek faith I’ll be the first to step forward to walk with them while they seek the word of god. But not steer someone who isn’t ready and not wanting. Telling somebody when I comes legally ethical yes in committing a crime. But when it involves pushing religion or ethical views no not our job it’s gods”

I read that and was just saddend, especially in the last few words; “not our job it’s gods.”

He could not be more wrong. That is in direct opposition to what we are to do.  We are to share the Gospel in LOVE.  Somehow this person has determined that sharing the Gospel is pushing it on others.  We are told to share the Word in love; we do not beat them over the head or force it on them.  You present it to them in love.

Now in all fairness he did say if someone approached him and asked about God he would be glad to help them through the Gospel, but only if they ask him.  But the downside is that is not what I saw Jesus or any of the Apostles do.  In fact the word is clear that nobody seeks after God.  Romans is a good place to start.

Romans 10

In Romans 10, Paul reminds us that we cannot know God without His message of salvation and applying it to our lives, and we cannot do that without first hearing it.  The other point in this is that no one seeks this out.  It must be presented to them, and even then, they may not accept it.  I like how Romans 3 spells it out.

Romans 3:9-18 (ESV)

No One Is Righteous

9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one;

11 no one understands;

no one seeks for God.

12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;

no one does good,

not even one.”

13 “Their throat is an open grave;

they use their tongues to deceive.”

“The venom of asps is under their lips.”

14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”

15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16 in their paths are ruin and misery,

17 and the way of peace they have not known.”

18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Those nine verses are intense.  No one is righteous is a pretty brutal charge, and to say that no one is seeking after God is even more difficult.  So if these statements are true, we cannot wait for someone to ask us about Jesus.  We need to ask.  And how can a person be saved unless one of us shares the Gospel with them.

Share the Good News

Paul asks the same question in Romans 10.  His message is pretty clear to me.

Romans 10:14-17 (ESV)

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

So we are to share this Gospel.  No where in the word does God give us office hours or situational guidance.  I think he is pretty clear through Paul in his letter to Second Timothy.

2 Timothy 3:16 – 4:2 (ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Preach the Word

​1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching

I like the close of that passage… “with complete patience and teaching.”  Nowhere in the letter to Rome or Timothy does it say to use aggression or intimidation to teach the Gospel.  Instead, the message is to be spoken and taught with complete patience and teaching.

Reflection

So this individual that thought this was “God’s Job” was confused about our role in God’s plan.  It is clear that we need to share the Gospel and we need to be the ones to take the first steps.  Paul shows us in these few passages.

I must admit that I am not the best at confronting people with the Gospel.  I never know how it is going to work out.  Sometimes I just plain fail.  But with this clear direction I know what I must get better at every day.

I did reach out to the guy on social media.  I suggested that he might want to rethink his position by reading the last chapter of Matthew and consider some of the writings of Paul, but it fell on deaf ears.  He simply inferred that I was judging him, and I assured him that it was not my intention, apologized, and promised to pray for him.

So often, battles begin with a misplaced or out of context quote from God’s Word.  Even what I write here can be misconstrued.  That is why relying on the Word itself is so important. I copy and paste scripture in these blog posts, but never hesitate to check the context.  We need to know God’s Word for ourselves that is where the truth and power rests.

I love all of Paul’s letters.  I have no real favorite, but the message in 1 Corinthians 2 seems best describe what I mean about truth and power.

1 Corinthians 2

When Paul came to Corinth, he did not use fancy vocabulary to share his message.  Instead, he chose to come humbly to these people to take no glory for himself.  The first verses of this chapter humble me.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ESV)

​1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

What a powerful passage.  Paul humbled himself to the point of weakness and fear that the power of his message did not rest on his strength but only on the power of God.  He did not want the Corinthians to look to him for their strength but to God. Look again at verses 3-5.

1 Corinthians 2:3-5 (ESV)

3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

He knew that there was no real wisdom in men.  He wanted to make sure that no one confused the power of his message being from anyone other than God. The same is true of all teaching.  It needs to stand up to testing in the Word just as Paul told Timothy.

2 Timothy 4:1-2 (ESV)

​1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.


Closing Thoughts

The one thing that I know is that I have nothing but that which God have given me.  I am reminded of that every time I open His Word and I am thankful.  I know that not that long ago I was silent when it came to sharing God’s Word.  I feard I would say the wrong thing or be put in a position that I might not know the answer.  But I have fond that I do not have to express great speaches filled with “MY” wisdom, of which there is little if any, all I need do is draw on God and prayerfully study His Word and he will give me what I need.  That is even if I am talking to someone on social media.  I do not have to stand on my own.  The Holy Spirit will help me find the words in God’s Holy Word…  that is where the truth and power come from always wraped in Love.

Reminder

I have this one thing that keeps coming to mind today, and it is a command that Paul speaks in Colossians.  It seems an essential piece if we are to be effective with sharing the Gospel as he outlines it in 1 Corinthians 2 and supporting text.

Colossians 3:5-17 (ESV)

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

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

Praise God!

Prayer

Father, help me to simply share your Gospel with love and patience in all circumstances.  Give me the courage and certainty in Your Word to step out in faith, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

 

Division or Focus? 1 Corinthians 1

Over the last little bit, the book of first Corinthians has been on my mind.  I had a bit of trouble getting started with it for some reason, and when I finally did begin reading, I became fixated on the first three chapters of the book.  I have not been able to move forward.

The more that I read these chapters, the more it sounded like life today when I read some of the commentaries that spoke of the city from a historical perspective that confirmed it for me.

The City of Corinth

To begin the study of this book, I read the “Background and Setting” found in my John MacArthur Study Bible.  The city of Corinth was a wild town.   It also seemed to have a reputation for being a party town filled with every kind of vice, and it was known for its excesses.  The notes from John MacArthur’s study bible described the city as grossly immoral.

(MacArthur Study Notes (ESV))

Even by the pagan standards of its own culture, Corinth became so morally corrupt that its very name became synonymous with debauchery and moral depravity. To “corinthianize” came to represent gross immorality and drunken debauchery.

He also mentioned what appeared to be the biggest problem of the Church at Corinth.

(MacArthur Study Notes (ESV))

The most serious problem of the Corinthian Church was worldliness, an unwillingness to divorce the culture around them. Most of the believers could not consistently separate themselves from their old, selfish, immoral, and pagan ways.

I am stuck here because, as I read this text over and over, I just keep seeing these same things in the world today, and it is not limited to the world but is part of the Church as well.  It is a difficult time surrounded by worldliness but as Paul almost always does he opens with thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving

Paul opens with, telling the Church about his prayers for them.   Verses four through nine are a beautiful reminder of all the gifts that were bestowed upon the Church when it was established in Corinth.

 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (ESV)

4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

As I read over those six verses, I am surprised by the focus of Paul’s praise.  It was somehow different than others I had read, but I was not sure how, so  I looked at some of his other letters.

I looked at Ephesians 1: 15-23, Philippians 1:3-11, and Colossians 1:3-14. The difference was in his focus.  Paul wrote these three passages giving thanks to God for the faith and commitment shown by the churches.  Corinth was different.  In Corinth’s Prayer, Paul thanked God for all he had given Corinth to sustain them.  He began with Grace and ended with the fact that God is faithful.

Reflections

As I considered the difference, this one thought just kept returning.  We are so blessed.  We, too, have the same blessings that the believers in Corinth had.  Every one of them and more.  The more we have is God’s Word accessible in any translation and available almost anywhere, including the internet.  If you have a smartphone, you have the bible at your fingertips.  But it is so easy to lose focus and become distracted by the world.

Just like the Corinthians, it can be hard to let go of worldly things.  Seemingly innocent things can become distractions and distractions idols.  On top of all of that, there is a new movement afoot. That is the belief that there is no such thing as absolute truth.  Combine those things with all that is available in this society; it can be challenging to maintain focus on those things that are truly important.

Division or Out of Focus

Paul speaks directly to the issues as division.  He appeals to the people to be of one mind in our Lord Jesus Christ.  There should be no division.  He speaks of the quarreling he has heard tell of and the fact that the Church is picking men to follow… MEN…  not Jesus, but MEN.  It makes me shudder when I read this part…

1 Corinthians 1:12-13 (ESV)

12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

These people seemed to have lost focus from the message to the messenger.  It is as if the Gospel was less important than how it is delivered.  Paul, Apollos, and Cephas did not cause this issue to occur; the members of the Church did.  It split into factions.  Some still had their focus on Jesus, but many chose to follow men.

I can hear Paul’s disdain as he further explains his real purpose.

1 Corinthians 1:17 (ESV)

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Paul reminded them of this verse that it was not his goal to impress them with his abilities but to Glorify God.  The power is in the cross, not the wisdom of man.

1 Corinthians 1:18-19 (ESV)

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

There is no power in any one man.  The power rests in the cross and the message of the Gospel.  None of the men that are delivering this message can save anyone.  Salvation is only through Jesus Christ. I like the way Paul puts it in his other letter to the Ephesians.

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.

It seems that the Corinthians lost focus.  They chose to focus more on the messenger than the message, and that led to division in the Church.  That division made them more susceptible to the distractions of the worldly things around them as well.

Christ The Wisdom and Power

I think about the things Paul is saying to the Corinthians, and I cannot help but think about how easy it can be to become distracted by the attractions of this world.  But the wisdom and power are not in this world but Christ alone.  I was reminded of a couple of verses that give me strength when days get long, and spirits may get a bit low.  The first is in Matthew and reminds me of my focus point.

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

The second is in Psalms and reminds me of the source of my strengths.

Psalms 121:1-2 (ESV)

​1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

2 My help comes from the LORD,

who made heaven and earth.

Paul made one other thing clear, and that was where I ranked next to God.

1 Corinthians 1:25 (ESV)

25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

These verses only defined the magnitude of the difference between God and man.  It is like placing a Gnat next to the Sun…  and I chose those things simply because I can think of no more enormous visual difference.  Yet he loved us enough to save us through the death burial and resurrection of his Son, Jesus.

Closing Thoughts

Like the Corinthians, the world around us is a pretty wild place.  I believe that it is similar to the days of the book of Judges.  The closing verse of that book rings loudly in my ears.

Judges 21:25 (ESV)

25 In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

While I was putting this post together, I came across a post on Facebook. The post was a punch in the gut.  It illustrated how similar things are today when compared to Corinth.

“I’m not sure why you have such an exaggerated view of morality and religion in this country. I live in a very liberal city. I don’t see people “exalting” witch-craft or new age beliefs. Whatever that even means. But what IS being celebrated by young people is DIVERSITY. and FREEDOM for people to live in this country and hold WHATEVER belief they see fit. That’s what freedom is. That’s what free choice is. And I’m a “Christian” but I will always celebrate diversity and the freedom for people to be WHOEVER they want to as long as it’s not hurting anyone else. Immorality hasn’t risen. People have been sinners since day one. People have been killing each other and starting wars since the beginning of time.”

To me, this person reflects the kind of mindset that comes from relying on others to teach them rather than seek out God through prayerful study of His Word.  To me, that was part of what was happening in Corinth as well.  Factions had decided who they would follow based on the messenger rather than the message.

I have to admit that I was very much in the same boat until I was 52 years old when Jesus showed me the truth through a series of events over a weekend.  His message is so simple, but it is so powerful.  I like the way Mark describes the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.

Mark 1:14-15 (ESV)

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the Gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

So simple but we are not alone in the task.  We plant the seeds but God does the saving.

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.

 The Holy Spirit is with us as we take each step and helps us find the words.

One More Thing

We need to share this Gospel.  It is the most fantastic gift.  Not everyone will accept it, but that is not my goal.  My goal is to share the Gospel.

Even when Jesus sent out his twelve disciples to perform mighty deeds he warned them that they would not always be received.

Matthew 10:11-14 (ESV)

11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.

I am pretty sure I will not be spending the night with anyone or doing many of the other things that the Apostles were charged to do, but I will share the Gospel, and some will receive it, some may appear to, and some will not.  Like the apostles, I need to know when to move on.  I am to sow the seeds like the parable of the Sower in Matthew 13.  I cannot choose where the seed will fall or how it might take root.  I just must sow the seed and keep my focus on Jesus.

Prayer

Father, Please help me to be a person of focus, always keeping my eyes on the things above rather than the things below.  Fill my heart and mind with the confidence in your word to always share your Gospel and never shrink back.  Let me never forget the blessings and promises that you have given me through your blessed Son Jesus the Christ and in His name I pray, Amen.

 

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