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Righteousness

Spring and Renewal

This morning I began my study with a verse in Proverbs.  It was Proverbs 21:21 and it dealt with Righteousness.

 21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
will find life, righteousness, and honor.
Proverbs 21:21 (ESV)

As I pondered that verse and considered the guidance it offered me I began to think of the greatness and glory of God…  and from there this became a morning of reflection and praise more than a specific Bible Study.

The Quote

The quote is one I picked up in a study I did right after the stroke.  I was in some need and I turned to God.  The quote was by A.W. Tozer

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”― A.W. Tozer

Think about that for a moment…  What could be more defining than what we think of when we think of God.

How do We See Him?

My friend Phil and I talk about this frequently.  We took this study together some time ago and just this last week we spent a good amount of time discussing this.

We each have our own images that come to mind when, but there is one common thread and a common thought that comes to both of us.

The first is our God spoke the universe into existence.  We both end up back in Genesis 1 and or John 1 when the discussion begins…

 

Genesis 1:1-5 (ESV) 1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

John 1:1-5 (ESV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Power and Humility

It is inevitable when we discuss the quote from Tozer that these two passages will also be discussed.  One of God’s awesome power to speak the world into existence.  The other to discuss His Unending Love and His willingness to surrender all that power to join us and, in obedience to the father, die to pay the debt of our sin.

Images

Phil and I have our own images that come to mind during this discussion.  Many come from Revelation.  Others come from the Gospels.  Some from the Old testament, but we agree together that none can fully describe the power and wonder of God in our lives.

Oneness

The other thing that comes up is His omnipresence.  That too is more than I can imagine…  God is everywhere all at the same time touching the hearts of those who love Him.

I must use another quote from Tozer that I read this morning…

“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers met together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become ‘unity’ conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.”

― A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

What an image that left in my mind.  Jesus and His Holy Word are my tuning fork and growing Close to Him brings me closer to those around me of like mind.

Growing Toward God

Pat and I often talk of a triangle and when we talk about how God affects our relationship.  Our friend Steve turned us on to this image.  In our relationship, we form an equilateral triangle.   Jesus is at the top Pat and I are on the other opposing corners.  As we strive to grow closer to God we cannot help but grow closer to each other.  The image warms my heart and strengthens our relationship with God and each other.

Closing Thought

How wonderful it is to take time and simply give thanks and worship to God!  I am filled with thanksgiving when I consider how wonderful it is that He has shared Himself with me in His Holy Word, prayer and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  There is nothing in this world that can compare.  My last quote by Tozer this morning seems to fit for me…

“Sometimes I go to God and say, “God, if Thou dost never answer another prayer while I live on this earth, I will still worship Thee as long as I live and in the ages to come for what Thou hast done already. God’s already put me so far in debt that if I were to live one million millenniums I couldn’t pay Him for what He’s done for me.”

― A.W. Tozer

How true that is…  I am blessed beyond measure.  My wonderful Wife Pat, our children Chris and Caroline and their families…  Brothers and Sisters…  friends…  a wonderful church home…  a home to live in and food to eat.   And a love that abounds in our hearts…  What joy there is in Jesus!  I give thanks and praise.

 

 

Surrender

The light of God’s Path for Me

This morning I had a good study and prayer time.  Everything I read leads me to the need of full repentance and surrender to the will of God.  There is so much to say this morning about this that I struggle to find words.

I look at the Word of God and insights by godly men and I am a bit overwhelmed.  When I was, you I thought of surrender as being put in chains.  Today I realize that it is freedom from those chains.  I realize that the plan God has for me is greater than anything I might devise.  But to obtain that gift I must surrender all of me, including my sin.

Oswald Chambers

This morning I read the devotional for today by Oswald Chambers from his book 'Utmost for His Highest'.  There was a passage there that really stood out to me this morning…

“To become one with Jesus Christ, a person must be willing not only to give up sin, but also to surrender his whole way of looking at things. Being born again by the Spirit of God means that we must first be willing to let go before we can grasp something else. The first thing we must surrender is all of our pretense or deceit.” Oswald Chambers

These are some strong statements.  As I read and reread this I realized that part of what I must be doing every day is surrendering to God my everything.  Including being truthful with Him and myself in my repentance.  I cannot deceive God.  He knows everything about me.  But if I am not careful, I can deceive myself into thinking that I am more than I am.  That brought me to the Jeremiah and the verse that Chambers noted.

Jeremiah 9:23-14

 23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

How can I not be humbled by that?  As Hard as I might try to be the man that God wants me to be I know that I fall short moment by moment, But I know that it is so easy to see my blessings and be tempted to point them out… when I know without God I am nothing.

Blessed are the Pure in Heart

I went on to read a devotional by John MacArthur.  Dr. MacArthur discussed what it means to be pure in heart.  And He too spoke of the need for surrender and repentance.  The passage in his devotional that hit me was about the location of sin.

He said, “The problem with sin, however, is not primarily the world around us but the worldliness within us, which we cannot escape by living in isolation from other people.

But God always provides for what He demands, and He has provided ways for us to live purely. First, we must realize that we are unable to live a single holy moment without the Lord’s guidance and power. ”

Isn’t that the truth…  I remember Flip Wilson, a comedian on “Laugh-In” (a variety show from the late 60s early 70s), saying all the time “the Devil made me do it”.  But is that ever true?  God is for us; who can be against is.  I like the close to that passage from John MacArthur’s devotional.  “First, we must realize that we are unable to live a single holy moment without the Lord’s guidance and power. ” I thought of that verse in Psalms.

Psalm 119

The verse was Psalms 119:105 (ESV)

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

To me, that was the short version of the guidance that John MacArthur spoke of.  But while I was looking in 119 I found another passage that struck me. To me, that was the cry to God for that guidance…  the desire to really surrender to Him.

Psalms 119:5-8 (ESV)

5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.
8 I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!

Crying out to God…  Lord “Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!”  A plea that I might hold fast to Him and not be swayed.  I can hardly grasp the power of these words…  But I give thanks for the promise and hope that comes if I will simply surrender.

Galatians 2:20

As I pondered all this I went to Galatians 2:20 and remembered…

“20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

I remembered that my flesh died with Christ and I was born again in a life of faith, and my heart ached with joy.

Closing

How humbling it is to remember that repentance is a gift that we have been given to surrender our sin to God.  To surrender our everything to Him.  To let go of our pride and give thanks to Jesus who died that I might live…  To know that I am the blood-bought the son of God.  “I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

To God be all my praise.  To Him be all the Glory!!!

 

 

 

The Light of Jesus

The Light

The Light

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  John 1:1-5 (ESV)

God Laughs

The opening passage this morning is John 1:1-5 came to me as a reminder of the true King.  When I began my prayer and study it seemed a bit off and I was a bit distracted.   I was muddling over the political events of the past couple weeks and the anger held by so many.  Contempt seems to be the prevailing emotion of both sides.  Though I kept John 1 in my thoughts, I was reminded of Psalms 2:1-4

1 Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.

God’s Promise

All the ugliness of the past few weeks seemed to be vying for my attention.  I remembered the man that I used to be, filled with anger at the condition of the world consumed by my emotions.  But as I struggled with these things the Holy Spirit reminded me that I am no longer that man.  I turned to Ephesians 2:1-10

” 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.”

And then, 2Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. “

Be Awake

These words filled my heart with thanksgiving.  I remember the joy of my new life and the hope that I have in Jesus; the light of the world… my hope and Savior.

I turned from the worldly distractions.  I was reminded of a passage that Terry Cooper, my preacher, shared one Sunday.  He even suggested that we add it to our prayer time.  I could not remember it all so I googled what I remembered.  I think it was just Luke 21:36 but I chose to include a couple additional verses this morning, beginning at verse 34.

34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

As I read that passage it talks about drunkenness and cares of this life weighing you down.  As I read that first verse I did not think of alcohol as much as being distracted by the news and the anger that permeates this world.   This thought hit me… “Don’t be so caught up in the world that we are surprised by Jesus and His return.”  “But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (verse36)

Keep My Eyes on the Things of Heaven

As I pondered all this I realized that I have an obligation to obey the laws of this land and take my responsibilities as a citizen seriously.  But I cannot be consumed by them.  Instead, I must be vigilant and keep my eyes on the things of Heaven and place all my trust in God. After all, He promises to provide all we need.  I am reminded of Luke 12:22-26 (ESV)

22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?

Trust in Jesus

And that takes me back to John 1:1-5 and I give thanks for my Savior Jesus Christ.  My King and Lord.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

After all,  Paul reminds us…

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

Close

What joy there is in God’s Word.  What hope we have in Him.  When the worries of the world begin to seep in I give thanks that He turns me to His Word for comfort and peace.  To God be the Glory!!

Search Me

Looking Toward the Son

One of the wonderful blessings of keeping a journal of my Bible study is that I have a record of my thoughts at different times in my life.  I can search my memories and draw off those old studies.  On those mornings when I am uncertain where to go I can look back at where I have been and see where I am today.

Journaling – A Memory

This morning was one of those mornings.  I was struggling to clear my head and find focus so I just started looking at old entries and it did not take long and the Lord spoke to me through one of the last year’s posts.  It began with a Psalm…

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

This is one of my favorite passages in God’s Word.  It is one of the passages that reminds me that God knows me better than I might ever know myself and if I ask He will show me the blemishes that I might set them aside and draw closer to Him…  “lead me in the way everlasting!”

 

What a glorious promise there is in this passage, and how much I need this every day.  For in this world there are so many distractions; so many ways to drift.  It puts me in prayer almost instantly.  I am humbled by all the times I fall short.

There is that moment when you get cut off on the highway or someone is rude to you in the store or when you feel slighted by someone.  Or a time when there is simply more pressure than you can handle and you just want to scream out or punch someone or something.  It can happen to us all without warning… But as I reflected on this old entry I felt that God had done more work in me then I realized.

Our only hope in avoiding those things is the Holy Spirit and His influence.  He knows us.  His desire is always what is best for us.  As I reflected on this I found that in that past years I was yelling less and praying more.  Remembering who is hurt by an angry outburst had slowed those responses.

When we lose control, the damage is not limited to those around us.  When I lose my temper, I sin against God; those things which come out in moments of frustration, anger or selfishness are the things that break God’s, heart.

It is easy to slip into acting out of my own passions.  I may be tired or focused on something else or they may be buttons that are still sensitive to the touch and before I know it I have responded and it is not always with the best of results.  But as I read this journal entry I realized there has been a change.

It came when I reread First 1 Corinthians 10:13

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

As I read that passage I realized that more and more I was taking the escape route offered by the Lord.  That does not mean I always take it but is becoming more the rule than the exception.

I went back and read all of 1 Corinthians 10.  Paul reminds the Christians of Corinth, (and us), That not all the Jews Moses led out of Egypt survived, and he walked through some of the pitfalls.  But in Verses 11-12 kind of spell out why they were documented and why we should heed them.

“11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”

It is a very somber warning but Paul also explains the truth of the matter…  In verse 13 he explains that as alone as we might feel in our struggles with temptation we are not alone.  We are not the only one with this struggle, and we are not tempted beyond our ability.  He always offers a way to escape.

What a wonderful promise.  No circumstance that we face cannot overtake us IF we will trust in this promise.  It may not be easy but if we hold on to Him we can endure…  and more than endure… we can overcome.

Oswald Chambers Text

But then I went on to read the devotional I read and quoted that day in 'Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers.  It was titled “The Way to Purity”

The referenced verse was Matthew 15:18-20

“18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

I shuddered a bit as I read that passage.  But Chambers reminded me that like 1Corrinthians 10: 10-13 God gave us His Word and promise that we can endure all things through Him.

I like what Oswald Chambers says to close his devotional on the subject.

“The only thing that truly provides protection is the redemption of Jesus Christ. If I will simply hand myself over to Him, I will never have to experience the terrible possibilities that lie within my heart. Purity is something far too deep for me to arrive at naturally. But when the Holy Spirit comes into me, He brings into the center of my personal life the very Spirit that was exhibited in the life of Jesus Christ, namely, the Holy Spirit, which is absolute unblemished purity.”

In this, I find comfort and strength.  There is still a battle that goes on in and around me.  Paul talks about it in Romans 7 and Ephesians 6

Reflection

But as I reflect on these passages and the insight God shares with us through them I am even more led to James 1:19-20 and the whole circle of this thought…

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

And if I want to be better at this I need to be in the Word.  The world has no answers…  no solutions and no hope.  Our hope rests in Jesus Christ and His Word is our guide and lifeline.

Psalms 118:1 (ESV) “1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

Close

I am thankful that God has compelled me to Journal my study…  He knows my struggles and He knows my needs.  I am thankful for His patience with me. I am thankful that He searches my heart to show me the way to repentance.

 

Psalm 34

Clearing the Fog with the Light of the Son

Sometimes it is just good to take some time and simply praise the Lord and meditate on all that He has done and will do for us and around us. Take a moment out of the day and simply Glorify our Lord.

This morning I slept a bit later than normal and woke in a bit thicker fog. But as I fumbled about with my first cup of coffee and a prayer and web surfing the fog began to lift. I checked out the blog and thought… “Man I would like to grow this blog… I looked at the number of people following and I am happy with it, but this desire to reach more kind of preoccupied my thoughts.

But as I thought about this I was reminded that all things happen in God’s time. All concerns I might have are wasted. My Hope rests in the Lord. After all

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)

I turned from those thoughts this morning to His Word. K-Love’s Encouraging Word was the first thing I looked at. It was Psalm 34:17

17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.

I went to that passage in my ESV Bible and read all of Psalm 34 and that moment in God’s Word realigned my thinking. The title is “Taste and See that the Lord is Good”. My concerns shifted from what I might do to what God will do. I looked back to Isaiah for just a moment before closing the page to continue writing this morning and I saw this verse and it further anchored me in His Word.

6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near; Isaiah 55:6 (ESV)

Verses 1-4

What power there is in His Word. It put me in the mood of prayerful consideration of the day, and It set my mind on simply praising God! I looked back at Psalm 34 and read the first 4 verses.

1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.

As I read this passage over and over my tensions eased and my realization of God’s power and glory just lit me up… Verse 2 just struck a chord… ” 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.” What joy there is in my God; no other deserves our praise.

Verses 5-9

I read the next few verses and I was reminded of how blessed I am and how secure I am in the Lord.

5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!

Verse 5 is my desire… My hope is that the light of the Lord shines in me. My hope and desire are to never hold back but to shine for my Heavenly Father. I am blessed beyond measure.

Verses 10-15

The next few verses reminded me of His provision and the joy that comes in the fear of the Lord.

10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.

What comfort there is in knowing that he watches over all that believe and sees our needs and hears our prayers.

Verses 16-22

The last few verses continue to affirm that our God is faithful and true to those who love Him…

16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned

Close

What an awesome God we serve. How worthy He is of our praise and worship. His promises are true and His love is evident in all that we do.

This morning’s cloud cleared with the slightest focus in my attention. I went from my selfish desires to praising God by simply turning to His Word. My thankfulness cannot be expressed in human terms. It is a joy that cannot be described but only experienced. I pray that today all might find joy and comfort in God’s glorious Word!

Imitators of Jesus

Here Comes The Son

Obedience of Jesus

This morning I began my study in John 14. I got caught up in the obedience of Jesus and then I began to think of all the times we are asked to be imitators of Jesus. I worked my way through the chapter and came to 14:30-31

“30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.”

 

I read this passage over and over this morning. There were two things that really impacted me and I had to consider if I reflected that kind of faith.

1. Did I believe that the ruler of this world had no claim on me?
2. Was I really living a life that showed my love for God?

Claims of the Ruler of this World

How could I make that claim that the adversary had no claim on me? I began thinking about the promises of Jesus and I started doing word searches in my Bible. The first place I looked was John 17. For me this is one of those most amazing prayers by Jesus for me and all who believe. I read verses 13-21 and saw the promise of protection there.

13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Jesus prays that God may “keep them from the evil one.” and he goes on in 20-21 to include “those who will believe in me through their word”. As I read that there is a peace that comes with it.

I was also reminded that this is a war and that I must be diligent in my faith. I remembered Ephesians 6:10-20 where Paul reminds us to put on the full armor of God and 1Peter 5:8 where Peter reminds us to be watchful for the enemy.

These things I can burn on my heart and hold on tightly. It is not that it will be easy, but these passages remind me of Jesus and His strength and that I must rely on that and follow Him.

Living a Life Showing my Love for God

As I pondered this concept this morning I thought of Paul’s writings.

1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV) 1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV) 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

As I looked at these passages I sought out others that spoke of this in concept. I went to Philippians 2:1-11

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

I read this passage and I am humbled. What awesome guidance are in these words. I see Jesus in them. Washing the disciple’s feet… sitting on a hill before thousands teaching the beatitudes. His complete and total obedience to God the Father… “6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (verse -8). It is just so powerful.

I read, Philippians 3:1 – 4:1, where Paul speaks of his heart and striving for the promises of God.

Reflections

As I look at all these I cannot claim that I have achieved all this confidence and trust in Jesus Christ, but I continue to press on toward that goal. I am filled with a thankful heart for the gift of the Holy Spirit. And I know that ALL my help comes from the Lord!

Closing

I find myself in Psalms as I consider all this. Psalm 121 My Help Comes from the Lord. This is a family favorite passed down from my father’s father…

Psalms 121 (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.
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.

My strength, my hope, and my salvation come from God… He shows me in His Word and to say I am thankful is such a seemingly small and insufficient response… but it is all I have…

God’s Love

The Sun Shines Through

 

 

This morning has been a strange day for my study.  I have rewritten sections of this post several times.  Now I am basically starting over.  This morning I have struggled with focus.  But I found it in the Love of God.

There are three or four passages that worked through my head.

 

John 13:31-35 (ESV)

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

Mark 12:29-31 (ESV)

 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Galatians 6:1-10 (ESV)

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.

6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (ESV)

4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2 Corinthians 4:13-18 (ESV)

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. 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.

Reflections

As I read these passages I am reminded of where my focus must be first in God.  I must love and worship Him with all my heart and soul.  Next, I must love my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.  “35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” (John13:35)

But this love shows itself in so many ways.  I am to be my brother’s keeper. If I see him slipping into temptation I am to reach out to him.  In Galatians 6 it is to be “in a spirit of gentleness” (Gal 6:1) taking care that I am not tempted myself.  And I cannot do this on my own.

I have no true strength.  I can do nothing on my own. “our (my) sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us (me) sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. (2Cor 3:6).  There is no room for pride here…

Humbled

2 Corinthians 4:13-18 (ESV) hit me hard this morning as I considered all I had read.   As I reviewed this passage over and over I was simply humbled by it all

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. 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.

Closing…  the love of God thru Me

As I reflect on these things I am reminded that through me shows the Love of Jesus.  Not because I am by nature loving but because He is in me and He has shown me how to love.  This love means caring enough to hold each other accountable in a spirit of love and kindness and share it so that Grace which God gives me extends to more and more people as they learn of the truth…  the one and only truth of the Gospel.  By myself, that is an impossible task but with God ALL things are possible…

To God be the glory!!!

 

 

Hold Fast

Morning after the Storm

Prayer and God’s Nudge

Last night when I went to bed and this morning when I woke I was caught up in the struggles of friends and family. Some struggle with health issues. Some with work issues. Others with relationship issues. But as I considered the struggles we all face I was reminded of a passage in Hebrews. It was a passage that my preacher Terry Cooper, at Ninevah Christian Church, spent several weeks discussing in the study of Hebrews chapter 11. It was also the point where I finally understood that the Bibles original writings were not broken into chapter and verse, but were letters. Some of the letters were long.

Hebrews 10:32-11:

That passage is Hebrews 10:32-11:3 and it is one that gives me strength on the days that my struggles occupy my mind. That is part of the wonder of God’s Word in that if we will study and become familiar with His council, even if we do not memorize word for word, we can draw on that strength and with a little help find the passage to help me through any situation.

32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37 For,
“Yet a little while,
and the coming one will come and will not delay;
38 but my righteous one shall live by faith,
and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him.”
39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Hebrews 10:32 – 11:3 (ESV)

The Faith Chapter

This passage leads into chapter 11 which is the faith chapter. It takes me through a huge list of those men that lived by faith and did not relent they held fast to the promises of God though they did not live to see them fulfilled. The list is long and I will not put them here, but what a chapter of encouragement. I also like the way that it transitions into chapter 12.

Faith and Strength

In chapter 12:1-6 the author reminds me that I am surrounded by a gathering of witnesses and uses them to encourage me to endure.

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.

3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
Hebrews 12:1-6 (ESV)

What joy I gain by holding fast to these Holy Words of encouragement. I am reminded that life is not always easy but through my faith in Christ Jesus, I am given the strength to endure.  I do this by keeping my eye on the future glory promised instead of the circumstance of the day.

When I finished, I read a devotional from 'Utmost for His Highest' by Oswald Chambers. That served as another reminder… and a place in my faith that continues to need work…

Our Misgivings About Jesus…

The title was harsh… it is hard to admit that there are times when I have misgivings but Chambers does an excellent job reminding me…

“We say, “It’s easy to say, ‘Trust in the Lord,’ but a person has to live; and besides, Jesus has nothing with which to draw water— no means to be able to give us these things.” And beware of exhibiting religious deceit by saying, “Oh, I have no misgivings about Jesus, only misgivings about myself.” If we are honest, we will admit that we never have misgivings or doubts about ourselves, because we know exactly what we are capable or incapable of doing. But we do have misgivings about Jesus. And our pride is hurt even at the thought that He can do what we can’t.” “Utmost for His Highest” By Oswald Chambers.

But he gives me the truth and my only solution and that is to admit my doubts and fears to God. Give them to Him and He will see me through.

Relenting

When I hit those times when I doubt I find myself in the shoes of the father who brought his son to Jesus for healing.

23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

It seems that exchange comes up every day, sometimes more consciously than other, but daily. I am so thankful for His strength and His discipline. I know that without it I would be lost.

Closing

So, as I pray for my friends these things are what help me press on. I know that I fall short every day, but I know that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gives me a source of strength and understanding through the gift of His Holy Spirit… Strength to stand when I cannot and understanding when I turn to His Holy Word in prayer. And I pray that for all my friends caught up in struggles.

To God be the Glory… In Him rest my Hope…

“Therefore (I) do not throw away (my) your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For (I) you have need of endurance, so that when (I) you have done the will of God (I) you may receive what is promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36 (“my” and “I” were added to make it personal to me).

What an awesome God we serve!

The Gift of the Spirit

God lights our path through the gift of His Holy Spirit

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

I think this is probably one of my favorite verses of the Bible. Every time I read it my load seems lighter. This union between Christ Jesus and those of us that believe He is the Son of God is an awesome gift.

He offers to us the gift of working in unison with Him. By taking on His yoke we walk in accordance with His will and we learn from His gentle guidance.

This promise was made by Jesus while He walked the earth… but He makes a promise of union with Him when He leaves this earth and that promise overwhelms me when I consider it. That gift is the coming of a Helper… The indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

As I consider this passage I am compelled to go first, to Acts 2:2-4.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

“2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

That was the promised fulfilled. What a powerful day that was. After the gift of the Spirit was given Peter preached and the Church was born and grew by 3000 souls.

But I could not stop there. I looked to the scriptures when Jesus made the promise and today I end up in Gospel of John. First chapter 15:15-19

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.

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.

Jesus promises the gift of a Helper and He will be “with you forever (verse 16)”. He promises the “Spirit of truth (verse 17)”. And Jesus defines it as a truth that only believers can receive. And why do we need this gift? Jesus explains it in John 16:12-15.

John 16:12-15

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

That passage makes sense of so many things for me. Jesus held back things from His disciples because without the gift of the Spirit it would be more than they could understand. But once they received the gift of the indwelling Spirit He would teach them.

When I consider that I understand why I can read the same passage time after time and one day it breezes by and the next the Holy Spirit will stop me in my tracks and reveal to me something I did not even know that I needed. What a gift we have in Jesus and His Spirit in me. That thought brings me back to a passage in John 15:26.

John 15:26

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”

This gift opens my eyes to see, my ears to hear and my heart to understand the wonders of God’s Word and fills me a joy that cannot be defined by the world. It is only clear when we open our hearts and minds and surrender everything to the will of God through the Holy Spirit. Lastly, I went to John 4:23-24 and considered the promise given by Jesus to the Samaritan woman at the well…

John 4:23-24

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.”

Thanksgiving

What a glorious gift we have in the Holy Spirit. I pray that I might hold fast to Him and not be distracted by the things of this world, including my own selfishness, but cling to Jesus and His will that He shares with me in His Holy Word and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Calms the Storm

Calm in the Storm Clouds

Foggy Morning

Some mornings are simply a struggle. I have trouble focusing and understanding anything. It is as if there is a cloud that envelops my brain and it is so thick it is hard to see. I opened the word and I could make no sense of it. I opened devotionals and encouraging verses and could not gather a thought. So, I prayed again for clarity and help in praying without ceasing and the storm began to clear.

I opened another devotional… but I am not sure what one… and it leads me to Mark 4:35 when Jesus calms the storm. As I read verses 35-41 I was reminded of a perception I have had this story for some time. For me, it is a foreshadowing of my life today with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and our faith and trust in God.  Let me share the passage.

Jesus Calms a Storm

Mark 4:35-41 (ESV) Jesus Calms a Storm
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

I reread verse 39 a few times and then looked to the cross-references in my Bible. There were several: Psalms 65:7, Psalms 105:5-9, Matthew 14:32. All of them spoke of the power of God. His majesty.

Mark 4:39 (ESV)”And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

Fear

It is hard for me to fathom what that must have been like… to see Jesus command the wind and seas with a word. I cannot help but be overwhelmed. But as I look at all these verses and the whole passage the image that is most striking is Jesus asleep in the boat. The disciples are on the boat and freaking out because in their minds they are going to die… And this guy Jesus is ASLEEP in the boat and is just going to sleep right through it.

When they finally gather themselves enough to wake him their first words to him are “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38). They were angry with Him and more than a little panicked.

The Church Age

As I muddled over these passages and considered my own issues with fear and panic there was this calming, (for lack of a better way to explain it), that came over me. I saw this scene differently… the boat, the storm, the disciples, and Jesus. Suddenly I was the boat being tossed about by the storms of life. The disciples were my human character… my flesh… filling my heart with fear and panic of the storm. And Jesus was the Holy Spirit in me. Calm and certain of my safety, regardless of my circumstances.

Verse 40 was ringing in my head… “He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”, (v 40), and that verse humbled me.

Realization

I was reminded of 1 John 4:18

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

I looked at Mark 4:35-41 and for me, I saw the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus in me, and I was reminded of John 14:18-21

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.”

How awesome this is…

Closing

Reflecting on all this from the boat in Mark 4 to the promise of the indwelling Spirit promised in John 14 I am filled with a calmness that comes from this promise. From this relationship illustrated for me in Mark then clarified in John.

I still have those moments when my flesh will try to panic me. I have those times when it seems that nothing is getting better and I wonder what God is doing. Those moments when my faith wavers and I want to take control… Wake Jesus and say, “Hey Jesus I am drowning Here”. But in that moment, He calms me and rebukes me, as he did the disciples… “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (v 40), and in all this I am thankful.

I give thanks for the discipline of the Holy Spirit. Because God disciplines those that He loves. The Bible says so in Hebrews 12:4-17

I give thanks and praise to God for the gift of his Holy Word and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to open my mind to its secrets. To God be the glory!!!

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