dailywalkinthelight

A Daily a Walk in the Light of God's Word

Is One Verse Enough

God’s Wonder and Glory

This week has been a good week, but they all are.  Sure, there are trials, and some can be challenging, but ultimately God is in control.  I have stood in awe of God this week.

I am always amazed by Him, but this week as I prayed I found it hard to find the words to give Him the praise that He is worthy of receiving.  I just got stuck.  At that moment I was at a loss for any words, but I knew that the Holy Spirit interceded for me.  It is not that He poked me in the heart and said. “I got this.” I know because God told me through His servant Paul

Romans 8

In Romans 8 Paul talks about life in the Spirit and about two-thirds of the way through the chapter he tells of another place where we need not worry.

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

What comfort there is in this passage; what peace.  Sometimes I have no words that can express the burning of my heart.  I get lost or overwhelmed especially when it comes to the majesty of God.  I just struggle to find the words to describe Him and to praise Him, but the Holy Spirit knows my heart.  God has given me that comfort and confidence in His Word.  It is there for me to learn.

John

I look at the word and am amazed at all that God gives us in it if we will prayerfully study it with an open heart and mind.  Jesus promised that He would not leave His disciples as orphans.  He promised to send a helper

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.

What a wonderful promise we have in this passage, and unlike us, God keeps His promises, and He did in Acts 2

Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 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.

Reflections

What comfort we have in the Holy Word.  I am humbled when I read it.  It is a living document that I learn something new every time I open it.  God gives me the understanding that I need every day.  There is a promise in Isaiah that is so powerful.

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV)

10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven

and do not return there but water the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout,

giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

If you take just a moment to think about this, it will blow your mind.  This Word of God that we hold in our hand describes the creation of the universe and everything that has happened, but there is still more to come, and God promises His Word, “it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.“, And I believe in His promises. They give me comfort, joy, and contentment that I cannot find in the world.

Proverbs 3

I think about this peace and contentment, and I think of Proverbs 3:5-8.  This passage is one of those that just strengthens me and reminds me to focus on God, not myself.

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.

He provides for me in all ways if I will truly trust in Him.  But this passage reminds me of another that reminds me even more strongly not to rely on myself but deny myself.

Luke 9

In Luke 9 Jesus speaks of dying to myself.  Placing all my faith and trust in him.

Luke 9:23-27 (ESV)

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus is more direct than Proverbs.  He explains that we must lose our lives for His sake.  If we do not surrender to Him completely, we will lose our lives.  But that should not scare us but fill us with hope, and a desire to give our all to Jesus,”7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV).  Our strength may not be sufficient, but John explains that we are not alone.

1 John 4:4 (ESV)

4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

What amazing comfort I find in that certainty.  My God is an awesome God!!

Closing Thoughts

These passages from God’s Word fill my heart and lift my confidence always.  I may have disappointments and challenges, but those circumstances will not take the joy that God has filled me with the Holy Spirit and His Word.  It is more than I can put into words.  So rather than fretting over how to describe that joy I like Paul’s advice.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (ESV)

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

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.

Praise God!!

Prayer

Father, thank you for all your promises.  Thank you for sharing each with us in Your Word in your time.  I pray Father that every day my wisdom may grow, and I might grow closer to You through your Word and prayer so that my testimony and faith may grow stronger and you may shine through me to bring glory to you.  In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!

 

God’s Word ETC.

The Light and Promise

 

This morning was an interesting morning of prayer and study.  I always start with prayer, but from there it is up in the air.  Today I fired up a sermon by Doctor Martin Lloyd-Jones on the pride of man.  While that was starting, I read a devotional regarding God’s Word.  The referenced verse was in Proverbs 30.

 

Proverbs 30:5-6 (ESV)

5 Every word of God proves true;

he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

6 Do not add to his words,

lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

I looked at this passage and just pondered the power of verse five.  “Every word of God proves true.” This passage is burned into my heart.  I do not question its validity.  I do not question any of God’s Word from the first word of Genesis to the last word of Revelation.  So, what does that mean about verse six?

It means I believe it as well.  “Do not add to his words.” 

Proverbs 30 is not the only place these two things are stated.  Looking at the links in my Bible I found verse five restated twice and verse six three times.

Every Word of God Proves True

This passage is restated twice in Psalms.

Psalms 12:6 (ESV)

6 The words of the LORD are pure words,

like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,

purified seven times.

Psalms 18:30 (ESV)

30 This God—his way is perfect;

the word of the LORD proves true;

he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

If we doubt this how can we be certain about any of God’s Word?  How can we accept any teaching without questioning its veracity?  I thought about that for a long time meditating on verse six and listening to Doctor Lloyd-Jones discuss the same topic things started to come together for me.

Do Not Add to His Words

I read verse six several times.  I also looked at the linked verses:

Deuteronomy 4:2 (ESV)

2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.

Deuteronomy 12:32 (ESV)

32 “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.

Revelation 22:18 (ESV)

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,

I have read these verses many times, and though I had not memorized these words I knew them and honestly, I tended to overlook them or take them for granted.  It one of those phrases that I knew to be true and subconsciously I did not need to focus on it, but God showed me this morning that I was wrong.

As I was pondering this verse and looking at the linked verse, I heard Doctor Lloyd-Jones begin specific discussion of pride and how it prevented faith, and that got my attention.

The Barrier of Pride and Selfishness

He first spoke of Jesus and how he never took credit for the things He did.  He gave all the Glory to God.  I thought a passage in Philippians 2 where Paul explained Jesus’ example of humility.

Philippians 2:1-2 (ESV)

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.

Then Paul defines the mind we should have in verses 3-5, and in verse 6-8 he explains what the willingness of Jesus.

Philippians 2:3-8 (ESV)

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.

This is not always an easy step.  Christ’s example is hard for me to fathom. Paul cautions us to simply not be selfish and put others interests before our own, but sometimes that selfishness just kicks in.  I will hit a point where I want to be first.  Jesus never did that except to be the first to live without sin and to die for me.  That is humbling when I think of times I let selfishness or pride put myself first.

You Can’t Handle the Truth

The sermon took another turn as I listened.  Doctor Lloyd-Jones spoke of truth and pride and in came God and his pruning knife to convict me once again.  The good doctor brought up arguing over a point; it could be anything.  He posed the question asking are we searching for the truth or allowing our pride to prove our side of the argument is the correct side.

As I listened I just began to see all the times I had fought not for the truth, but to be right.  Even if the point I began with is true and right once I surrender to pride the truth no longer matters, and even if I “win” the argument the truth is lost.  No one wins, one simply relents, and decides it is not worth fighting over.

Selflessness

I listened a bit more to the sermon and paused it to read the Word several times.  I kept thinking of Paul’s passage above – Philippians 2: 1-8.  As I pondered that John 17 came to mind.  It is Jesus’ prayer.  He speaks of His mission to fulfill God’s plan for salvation and asks God for a blessing to protect his disciples.  But even in this prayer He never takes anything from God.  All Glory goes to Him.  I love this chapter.  I especially like how it begins.

John 17:1-5 (ESV)

“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

Jesus assumes nothing.  He asks God.  He asked him to allow these things.  He only told God of His obedience and asked for his blessing.  What a powerful example.  He did not argue.  He did not doubt, and he did not question God.  He made only requests of Him.

Ask or Question

As I typed the words from verse 17 above the Holy Spirit hit me with this thought;  I suddenly saw this great divide between the word “ask” and “question.”  I know that as verbs both have different meanings, but I had not considered it before this moment. It is one of those things we know but do not think about.  But today the difference became clear with a verse from Matthew 18.

Matthew 18:3-4 (ESV)

3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus asked knowing God would not deny Him.  Neither does a little child when they make a request of their parents.  When they ask they know that it will be answered.  Little children do not question their parents they know who they are, and they trust them not for what they do but for who they are.  That is what God wants from us.

Trust

God’s only desire is to be united with us and it was so strong that He was willing to give His Son’s life to pay for our sins.  He desires to knock down this wall of pride, doubt, and fear cultivated by the adversary and our rebellion and restore the love and trust that we had with God in the beginning.

In the beginning, the adversary has been filling our minds with doubts and fears.  Posing questions to us that cause doubt or fear.  Just read Genesis 3:1-7 and you can see the beginning of that process.

Holding on to Our Joy

As I worked through all these things this morning, I could not stop thinking about how blessed we are to have the Word of God and the gift of the Holy Spirit to bring us understanding.

The world is a place filled with darkness, but we have the light of risen Lord, Jesus Christ!  Yes, there are people in this world that hate the light and hate us for sharing it, but how can we hide the light of Jesus.  If we truly believe it cannot be contained.

As I think of all that Jesus endured for me how can I turn from it.  How can I be silent?  He suffered in a way that I cannot fathom and did not protest.  With a word, he could have stopped it all, but His love for me was so great that He was willing to pay that price.  He paid it all for us.  Just look at Isaiah 53

Isaiah 53:4-6 (ESV)

4 Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

The whole chapter just blows me away.  Isaiah foretells of Jesus sacrifice hundreds of years before it happens, and Jesus would not disobey.

Closing Thoughts

I look at all this, and the promise of Jesus and I am humbled.  God asked His Son to give His life as a sacrifice to pay for my sins because the debt had to be paid for us to be reunited.  Jesus knew this and did so willingly and was glorified and He gave us one final command and a means to accomplish it.

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)

“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.”

He asked us to tell others what he has given us in His word.  It is the promise of eternal life.  Why would we not share it?  I like how Paul puts it in Romans.

Romans 10:8-10 (ESV)

“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

But then comes the question that we need to answer.

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.

Now I am not a preacher, but the Lord is telling us all to share the gospel.  It is the good news of salvation.  It is the path to peace and rest.  The only effective way for it to grow is to be shared.  If there were another way, God would have told us.

Sometimes we freeze up.  Sometimes we keep silent.  That is not what Jesus asked us to do.  He asked us to speak because, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Rom 10:17).

Prayer

Father, please help me to always be bold in my faith and speak the Gospel to others without allowing my pride or fear to get in the way.  Lord, you are my strength and if you are with me who can stand against me. Thank you, father, for Your Word and the Gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  I pray all this in Jesus name. Amen!

 

Following My Headlight Around

I am not sure where this is going to go today.  If this were back in my Biker days, I would suggest that I am going to follow my headlight around for a while and see where it takes me.  This past week has been kind of jumbled like a ride down an old twisty road.  There have been a few straight stretches where I could open it up a bit, but mostly a lot of twists and turns on a shade-filled lane.

Don’t get me wrong this is not a bad thing.  It is just different.  Sometimes there was a lot of uncertainty about what was around the next turn, but through it all, I still had the light… the light of God’s Word.  Despite the distractions of these twisty lanes, I could always count on His Word.

The Starting Point

The starting point for me was a couple of weeks ago when first Pat, my wife, got sick with a stomach virus and then me.  It was just enough that we missed two weeks of Church.  Now I do not know about you, but I really do need my church family every week at the very least.  The more, the better.

I do understand that not all can attend a church due to health issues.  That makes perfect sense to me, and I have family and friends that fall into that bucket, but I do not understand folks that say they have no place for organized religion, or structured churches.  Sometimes it is not what you get from Church but what you give.  I go to worship and to learn and to have fellowship with others.  It lifts me up, and I try to share the joy it gives me with others.  God had a reason for Hebrews 10:23-25.

Hebrews 10:23-25 (ESV)

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

When I get into a position that I cannot meet with fellow believers, it does negatively impact me.  I miss everything about it.  It is not perfect, but neither am I.  It is my wellness checkup.  It is part of my assurance of faith, and it is my opportunity to share with others.  That I may see no other time during the week.

The Full Assurance of Faith

The heading for Hebrews 10:19-39 is the “The Full Assurance of Faith” in my ESV translation. Chapter 10 opens with the writer explaining Jesus sacrifice once and for all through verse 18 then you get the “Therefore” in verse 19, and for me, that passage through verse 25 is so powerful.

Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV)

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

I read that passage, and I am humbled by the price Jesus paid for me… for all of us.  It is beyond words for me.  I am filled with thanksgiving.

The Light

I read verses 19-25, again and again, this morning.  As I read this passage over and over, I saw a distinct break.  The gift and the response.  The gift, or light, in the passage for me came in verses 19-22

Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV)

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

That “Therefore” spells it out.  Since Jesus did all these things for us including cleansing us from all evil we need to do something with it within the body of the Church.

The Response

As believers forgiven by the blood of Jesus, we need to hold fast to our hope and encourage each other.  Verses 23-24 to me are just as important.  God knows us and knows our needs.  He knows our memories are short and He never intended for us to walk this path alone.  Just reading these words remind me of how wise God is.

Hebrews 10:23-24 (ESV)

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

He reminds us to hold on, but also to, “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” The question that comes to my mind instantly is answered in verse 25.

 Hebrews 10:25 (ESV)

25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Armor

Now meeting together is not the only thing that we need.  In fact, if that is all you do is go to church on Sunday that is less effective than the current flu vaccine.  That is only a portion of what we need to grow and protect ourselves against the onslaught of the adversary.

Just look at Ephesians 6:12-18

Ephesians 6:12-18 (ESV)

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

You need to put that Armor on every day.  Your body needs more than one meal a week to sustain it.  So, does your spirit.  To count on Sunday morning as sufficient to keep you going spiritually is like taking one glass of water and assuming that is sufficient for the week.

Closing Thoughts

Well, I started this telling you I was going to follow my headlight around a bit this morning.  I guess that is true because this final turn even surprised me a bit.  I looked back at the passages that God had laid on my heart and the need we have for His Word and each other, and I got thinking about how our actions also impact each other, good or bad.  That lead me to Deuteronomy 17:14-20.  The heading for that section in my ESV translation is “Laws Concerning Israel’s Kings.”  It always struck me that God wanted to be the King of Israel.  But in Deuteronomy, He knew that they would cry for a king like all other nations, and He would grant their wish.

As I read verses 14-20, I saw the king that God spoke of rising in me on occasion.  I only have one wife, and Pat and I both pursue Jesus, but I can see the importance of this warning.  God knows the temptations of this world.  He also speaks of wealth and gold and warns against acquiring too much.    But the safeguard against all of these is spelled out in verses 18-20.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (ESV)

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

We have God’s Word and the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us understand God’s Word and intercede in our prayers.  Now we are not kings, but like kings our actions impact others.  God knows us so well, and He gave us all this to bring us closer to Him.  These things were written to teach us that we might avoid the pitfalls of those who came before.  But we cannot do that if we do not act on His counsel and seek to know Him through His Word and in prayer.

Prayer

Father, thank you for the morning.  Thank you for your guiding light through Your Word.  Father, let me not forget that this trip is not one that I can run alone, and I cannot do without immersing myself in prayerful study of your Word and openly sharing it with others.  I thank You for all Your Provision Lord in Jesus name, Amen

 

Proverbial Ramblings

There has been a gap in my writing and posting in the past week.  I had a posting written on the January 5th, but It just did not fit, and clearly, God felt the same way about it because every time I thought of publishing it something prevented it from happening.  That and Pat getting sick Sunday morning got me out of the rhythm.  But this morning was more back to normal.  My wife Pat is better, and my focus is better.

Head of Trail

The past few weeks during the cold snap, (anything for me below 20º is a cold snap), I have been listening to YouTube videos with quite a bit of open-air preaching.  Other teachings came from some of my favorite preachers, and the thing that has been nagging at me has been the response by “Christians” to the open-air preachers.  The responses are heartbreaking.

These guys are not threatening their audience; they are preaching the Gospel.  They preach the absolute authority of the Bible.  They preach;

John 14:6 (ESV)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

But the reaction of the “Christians” just messes me up.  They talk about “their god” is not that way.  They claim that there is more than one way to heaven.  They claim to be “good” people… at least better than most.

As I listened to these videos, all I could think of is Biblical Illiteracy.

Biblical Illiteracy

As I listened to the responses, I was humbled by the lack of understanding people had for the Word of God.  Then I looked back on my 52 years preceding my rebirth, and I was in that same boat.  I had been confronted by the same folks, (not on camera), telling me the same things and I responded the same way with maybe a bit more attitude.  I was so sure of myself.  I didn’t need a preacher to tell me about anything.  I knew what I needed to know about God.  I prayed when I was in enough trouble and the rest I handled on my own: at least that is what I told myself.

But that all changed, and I thank God for it every day.  He drew me in, and the old man died, and the new man was born again in Christ Jesus and to say I am thankful is an immeasurable understatement.  But because of the work, the Holy Spirit does in me He revealed a piece of the puzzle I have been struggling with in Proverbs.

Proverbs 1:22 with the Help of Timothy Keller

I had gotten behind on reading my Keller devotional “God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life.”  But I am thankful for that because I may not have put the 8-10th together had I read them every day, and I think this is something God wanted me to see all together.  These three days covered Proverbs 1:22

Proverbs 1:22 (ESV)

22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?

How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing

and fools hate knowledge?

Keller provided the Hebrew word for the fools mentioned in verse 22 and explained them each.  And as I read each day all three were far too familiar, but for me to face them honestly was important for me.

The Mocker or Scoffer

Keller explains in the January 8 devotional that foolishness is not a mental disorder but a function of attitude.  The goal of the mocker or scoffer is to debunk everything.  At their core is pride.  Keller called it High Pride.  He also pointed out that often these folks are seen to be wise in the eyes of the world while being foolish in God’s eyes.  We are not wise when we take things down.  We are cynical and hanging around with people like that can harden us and close our minds to seeing the good in anything.

I was so there for so long.  I had such a sharp tongue and could be so cynical.  But until Christ Jesus entered my heart I did not see it.  I was blind to the pride that drove the cynic in me.  Now I look back, and I see that the negative attributes are easy to pick out of things.  If you are wrong nobody is angry.  In fact, often they are glad you pointed out something that could be a problem.  But after a while, that becomes all you see, and when Christ Jesus opens your eyes, there is so much more to see.

The Mocker and the Word

The frightening thing about who I was when I fit so nicely in the place of the Mocker or Scoffer was that I did not think I needed the Word.  I knew enough to get by.  I had gone to church, and I knew who God was.  I was the guy James spoke to in his letter.

 James 2:19 (ESV)

19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

The only thing is that I was not smart enough to shudder.  I was filled with pride that I did not even understand because I had spent no time in the Word.

Had I been in the Word I would have known how futile pride is.  I would have known Proverbs 8

Proverbs 8:13 (ESV)

13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.

Pride and arrogance and the way of evil

and perverted speech I hate.

But those things eluded me because I knew God and had no time for His Word.  He was my emergency device, not my Lord.  He was there to get me out of a tight spot.

The Gullible Fool

The Fool the Keller covered on the 9th was the gullible fool.  The Hebrew word meant Simple or Gullible.  If you are this kind of fool, you believe anything.  I never really thought of myself as gullible, but you know as I thought about it this morning there were times when I experimented with religions.  Sort of like Paul said in Ephesians.

Ephesians 4:14 (ESV)

14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

My parents will attest to that.  In my youth I was crazy, and I did get wrapped up in some crazy religions.  But until I thought about it this morning I had not considered having a weakness here in being simple or gullible, but I did.

The Obstinate

The main Hebrew word used for fools in proverbs according to Keller means to be obstinate.  This fool was unable to gain sufficient knowledge to be corrected because he was wise in his own eyes.  He isn’t open to new ideas.  I cannot help but see pride at work here too.  A closed mind is so easy to lock down.  We get so busy in a discussion (or argument) planning what to say next we do not hear the other persons response.  We hear only enough to jumble it up to match our preconception.

This was hard for me.  I would argue to win in any situation.  Now I realize that nobody wins in those situations… nobody.  The only difference between that kind of a debate and a fist fight is that there are no visible cuts or bruises.

Our example is Christ Jesus.  We stand on the Word of God and let the Holy Spirit guide us in love.  I like what Paul told the Ephesians.

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.

Closing Thoughts

As I reflect on all of this that I studied and read this morning, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness for God’s Word and His Holy Spirit that guides me to a better understanding of His Word.  I know that without daily study and prayer it would be like going without food or water.  How do I know?  January 7 in Keller’s book covered Proverbs 1:22 as well, but I had read it Saturday and forgot that quickly.

I must be in prayer and the Word every day as much as I must drink water every day.

Prayer

Father, I pray that I will stay focused on Your Word and Prayer.  I pray that you will strengthen me that I do not fall into distractions of this world and return to my old ways but hold fast to you in all that I do.  In Jesus name, I pray.  Amen!

 

Encourage a Preacher of the Word

In the past few days, I have been pondering all the places that I come to know and grow closer to God.  Of course, it begins with prayer and study of His Word. But there are other places as well.  One is my preacher, another devotionals and commentaries, and more prayer.  Today I wanted to mention the preacher of the Word.

I have wrestled with this topic for a couple of days now (maybe three), but it is very important to me.  I love the men that preach at my church.  They all strive to be godly men, and their focus is to preach God’s Word.

As I think of these guys, I realize it is a very easy thing to put them as the head of the church rather than Christ Jesus and not even realize it our Preachers need our encouragement, but not our worship.

1 Corinthians 2

There are at least a couple letters where Paul talks about His preaching and his example of humility and an explanation of sorts of how he preaches.

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.

Now I am not proclaiming that my preachers are Paul, but they do not use fancy words or express words of human wisdom.  Their sermons and teachings come from God’s Word guided by the Holy Spirit.  When you consider the audience that meets every Sunday, how could it be anything else?  The congregation is such a mix of people from first-time visitors to seasoned followers, and our preacher must walk a fine line to keep everyone engaged.

1 Corinthians 1

I looked back to chapter one in the book and beginning in the chapter and saw one thing that is dangerous with a great preacher.  It is when people start following the Preacher more than the word.

1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (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.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 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.

This passage is a pretty profound caution in my mind.  Paul is telling us not to get wrapped up in the messenger but the message.  I love verse 17 of this warning.  “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.”  Just let that soak in for a moment.  I can think of half-dozen TV preachers where the cross seems to have been emptied because it is more about the preacher than Jesus.  Paul never claimed any authority.  He remained humble in all his dealings.

1 Corinthians 4

I like how Paul put it in 1 Corinthians 4:1-7

1 Corinthians 4:1-7 (ESV)

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. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

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?

Paul speaks of their role as “servants of Christ and Stewards of the mysteries of God.” Then he speaks of judgment by men and God and how he has applied these things to both himself and Apollos for the Corinthians benefit, “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.”

Paul reminds us all that all that we have we received and nothing we have is worthy of boasting about.

Reflections

I read all this and thought and prayed over what I had read.  I also read a good part of Philippians two through four which speaks to me the example of Christ Jesus humility and Paul’s humility as examples for us to follow.  As I pondered all this, I could not help but consider how much pressure the adversary must apply to my preachers to puff up his ego and at the same time knock him around for not reaching everyone in the congregation.

I had to stop and pray a prayer of thanks to God for my preachers.  A prayer that the Lord be with them to stay in the Word and remain humble “not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. ” (1Cor4:6b)

Closing Thoughts

I love my preachers, and I am thankful that every Sunday through them the Holy Spirit reveals something new to me.  I am thankful that these men are willing servants who trust in the Holy Spirit and the Word of God as the only source of truth.  I am thankful that they do not want blind followers that can only manage one meal a week but push us each Sunday to study and to test everything that they teach against the scriptures.  I am thankful that they have no desire to boast in anything but Christ Jesus, “so that our faith may not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”(1 Cor 2:5)

Prayer

Father, thank you for your bride the Church.  Thank you, Lord, for the Preachers you have placed in positions of authority, in my home Church.  Lord, I know that they, like all of us, are fallible men, but I know that they seek after you and trust in you and your Holy Word.  I pray that you will bless them with humility and courage to lead our church and bless them with a heart for your Word and Prayer every day.  Lord, I thank you in Jesus name, Amen!

 

Slow to Speak

Morning Light

 

Have you ever read something that someone posted on the web, maybe Facebook or Twitter, and known that they were wrong and just generated this long response explaining how they were wrong and here is why?  Probably none of you have done that, but this morning I came SOOO close.

I read a post, and I read some replies, and both the post and all the replies were in alignment with what I thought to be true.  Then came that one guy and he disagreed.

First Reaction

The discussion was a Biblical, and it was on Facebook, and my first reaction was, that this joker was wrong.  He did not have his facts straight.  So, without praying or doing any study to confirm my opinion, I simply let my fingers do the walking across the keyboard.  But as I typed this dissertation at about line 15 my fingers started to slow.  My mind also shifted, and I found myself praying about this issue.

It was not a long prayer, but the Holy Spirit jabbed me in the rib cage with his pruning knife and reminded me how I am always saying, “test everything against God’s Word.”

Yes, it is humbling when the Holy Spirit reminds me using words that He had imprinted on my heart to get my attention.

Testing All Things Against God’s Word.

In the prayers that followed was repentance and thanksgiving and praise, as well as a request for help on the best way to proceed with this topic and the Lord, was gracious and set me on a path.  I opened a digital Bible and did a Word Search that yielded several passages.  I looked at Strongs and got a definition of the word that was being discussed in the phrase.

Result

As it turned out I was wrong.  The topic we were discussing and the word that came up was being used incorrectly.  Now neither the topic or the word is important to this discussion, but what is important is that God chooses his words carefully.  As I researched this topic, I found that the one word had a very specific use and all the other things that I had tried to lump in with it were handled individually throughout the scriptures.

Observation

Now had I published my initial response would it have been salvation threatening.  I do not think so, but Only God would know for sure.  The one thing I do know is that He got my attention and stopped me.  Had I not been listening or if I had allowed my worldly passions to control my heart, I would have published the reply and provided misleading information.  But thankfully I felt the Holy Spirit poking me to get my attention.  Once I stopped to listen He guided me through the Word to find the answer I had overlooked.

Closing Thought

The one glaring scripture that nagged at me as I did the research and put together the reply with the Holy Spirits help was in James.  I had been so eager to speak out that my ears had closed, and my mouth was in control.  But this scripture nagged at me, and I could not remember where it was, so I did another search.

James 1:19 (ESV)

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

I was so sure that I wanted to spit out the info I KNEW was right, but I would have been challenged by someone that took the time to listen to this passage and I well could have succumb to anger, and there is no value in that.

As believers that trust in God, we are so blessed to have the Word of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  I am thankful that every day my hearing and control of my tongue improves.  Sometimes it is like walking up a snowy hill, and I slip and slide a bit, but the Lord has my back.

Prayer

Father, thank you for all your provision.  Thank you for always helping me focus on moving forward toward the prize.  What an awesome God you are, and I am thankful beyond measure.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen!

 

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

You know this morning I cannot tell you how my days started.  Sure, I can tell you that I had some coffee and I meditated on some things that I had read and listened to last night but beyond that, I did not move forward with any purpose.  I seemingly was just putting one thought in front of the other until I picked up my Bible, and found that it was open to Acts 2.

Pat and I participate in a small group about every other Sunday night, and we are moving slowly through Acts.  We are still in chapter one but at the end of it.  I picked up the Bible and read from the beginning of Chapter 2 and came to Peter’s Sermon that he delivered on that morning to a vast crowd of onlookers.

Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost

I read this sermon this morning and then just thought about it. Meditated on what happened that morning.

As he addressed the crowd, he cautioned them to listen and explained they were not drunk.  He did not begin with his words; he began with those of the prophet Joel.

Acts 2:14-16 (ESV)

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

He did not speak on his own authority.  He went to the power found only in the Word of God, and before he opened he cautioned them to listen; to “give ear to my words.” (vs 14).  Then he began his sermon with those words from the Scriptures.  The words of Joel.

As I read this, all I could think of is Christ’s words in Matthew when He warned of persecution.

Matthew 10

Jesus was preparing to send the 12 Apostles out to speak and proclaim as you go, saying, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Matthew 10:7 (ESV).  He was giving them instruction.  He warned them that there would be persecution and He told them what to do then as well.

Matthew 10:19-20 (ESV)

19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

That passage ran through my head as I read the beginning of verse 15.  These had been ordinary simple men, until that morning.  Now they were no longer simple but filled with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:14-21

Peter begins verse 14 standing with the 11 and lifting up his voice addressing a crowd gathered around them.  Many had heard the ruckus, and many had been making fun of them as they heard them talking.  Now a rough looking fisherman as refined as a wooden cup carved out of a piece of driftwood stood to address them.  Many of these men had traveled from the far ends of the world, and I can imagine the trip was not inexpensive for them.  I imagine a crowd of wealthier men, and likely some scholars and they are all being called to order by a fisherman, and he is quoting Joel word for word.

As I ponder it a bit, I think it might be like a farmer in Bib Overalls standing on a wall during a break at a global warming symposium calling all these professors to order and quoting some revered righting they all know word for word.  I am thinking they would be set back a bit.

But Peter did that, and he did not do it on his own.  The Lord gave him the words.

 Acts 2:14-16 (ESV)

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

He spoke with boldness.  Not his words, but words given him by the Holy Spirit, and not from his strength or confidence but that given him by God.  The thing is when I read this passage, I can see the crowd hushed, and just the slightest tinge of fear come over them mixed with pride asking, “who is this man to speak to us like that.”  But not enough to overcome the fear.  So, they stand and listen.

Acts 2:16-21

Peter explains to them what they are witnessing.   The men are not drunk, but the prophecy of Joel is being fulfilled.  Think about that.  Can you imagine what is going through the minds of this crowd?  They know they have been hearing the message in their own tongue, but they must be struggling with how that is possible.  Then Peter opens with this passage.

Acts 2:16-21 (ESV)

 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams;

18 even on my male servants and female servants

in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above

and signs on the earth below,

blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;

20 the sun shall be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood,

before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

I can hear a faint murmur in the crowd and other hushing them as they try to hear.  So many things must be running through the minds of these folks, as Peter says it.

21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

I must believe that sentence hushed the crowd if only for a moment as Peter took another deep breath, and began with verse 22.

 Acts2:22-24

These verses had to cause those that stayed to shudder.  I am sure some turned to leave.  Some left, but some were drawn back as Peter spoke.

Acts 2:22-24 (ESV)

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

What powerful words Peter speaks.  I imagine the crowd now is stuck unable to turn away.  Like that movie that keeps us on the edge of our seat unable to imagine what might happen next, but this is different because by now they are beginning to understand Peter speaks of life and death, as he turns to the words of David from Psalm 16 in most of the next verses.

Acts 2:25-28

This Jesus that Peter spoke of these men had at least heard of his plight, and some probably had called for His crucifixion.  Peter finishes with Joel by telling them that God raised him from the dead and now he is speaking from the Psalms 16 of David

Acts 2:25-28 (ESV)

25 For David says concerning him,

“‘I saw the Lord always before me,

for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;

26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;

my flesh also will dwell in hope.

27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,

or let your Holy One see corruption.

28 You have made known to me the paths of life;

you will make me full of gladness with your presence

He went from there to verse 29 through 36.

Acts 2:29-36

In these verses, he makes it plain to them.

Acts 2:29-36 (ESV)

29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.

As I read this passage, I imagine now all who are left are silent and listening intently to the words of Peter.  I imagine him no longer using a raised voice but more a firm and direct voice more subdued delivering this serious message as to force people to strain to listen.  Then he stops, and there is this moment of confusion where no one wants to say anything until they know he is finished.  The next verse says it all.

Acts 2:37-41

I imagine these people shaken to their core looking about to be sure that they are all still standing.  Verse 37 is so vivid an image for me as are the rest of the verses through 41.  I can imagine the crowd waiting for that one voice to ask the question of what to do and all praying the answer was one of hope.

Acts 2:37-41 (ESV)

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words, he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

And Peter did not hold back he told them what they must do.  I found it curious that there were not any exclamation points in the text.  They were all level deliveries of what was needed.  It blows me away how the good news does not need the roar of a rushing wind or a great storm.  It simply needs a calm and confident voice.

Closing Thoughts

As I read these 30 or so verses, I found myself in the middle of it imagining how Peter and the 11 felt as they shared this good news and the 1000s listening as they heard it.  Peter started the whole thing by asking these men to listen to what he had to say because it was important.  He said it a couple of times.  I know the Holy Spirit gave Peter the words to speak, I must believe He also grabbed the attention of the crowd as well.

When we study the Word of God, and we pray for guidance it is not enough to speak or read; we too must listen.  That was driven home to me in a daily verse that I read first thing, and I want to include it in the close.  It is in Hebrew 2.

Hebrews 2:1 (ESV)

1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

We surely need to listen to what God reveals to us in His Word, or it is simply letters on a page, and like the seed cast on the hard ground, it will not take root.

Prayer

Father, thank you, Lord, for your Holy Word and the lessons in it.  Thank you for the gift of your indwelling Spirit who guides us and teaches us every moment of the day.  In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!

 

Pray, and for Whom? (Ask and it will be given to you…)

The Light of the Son Clears the Darkness and Fog

I do not have a ritual in the morning per say.  It is more some things that I want to accomplish each morning.  The only thing for certain is that prayer and Bible study are the minimum requirements, and I try to leave my heart and mind open to God to direct both.

This morning was one of those mornings when I got lost in the specifics of what to pray.  There were some situations and individuals to pray for, but the what to pray.  That was a stumbling block for me this morning.  I went through each prayer each situation, each person, and every circumstance and struggled to know what to ask for regarding each person, so I left it in God’s hands.  But the final part of my prayer was for me.

I prayed and asked God for help with the very thing that I struggled with this morning, and I have struggled with in the past; I asked Him for guidance to pray with more purpose.

Clearing My Head

I used to wake wide-eyed and ready to go, but that is no longer the case.  After my prayer time, I needed a bit of just reading posts and email to allow the brain to warm up a bit.  Sometimes it seems a bit useless as far as content is concerned other days, like today, I will find an answer to a prayer or a prompt for a prayer or study.  Today it was both.  Today the light shined, and a prayer was answered.

Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

As I began with the steps to clear my head my prayers lingered, and I read a K-L verse from yesterday.

Hebrews 11:6

It was Hebrews 11:6 which kind of was a jolt that went well with my first few sips of coffee.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

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

I lingered there a bit on that verse and just thought about my faith and trust in Him and my desire to draw near.  I thought of how my faith had changed over the years from an intellectual belief to a desire for a true relationship with God; Heart to heart.  Thinking about the time that I realized that to have that kind of relationship required the complete surrender of my will to His.  What joy comes from that realization.  Nothing compares to that love.

After meditating on that for a while, I went to today’s verse.  It was Romans 10:17.

Romans 10

This passage in Romans also was about faith, but it was about how we receive it.

Romans 10:17 (ESV)

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

I was taken back to that first Sunday when God woke me from my selfishness and sleep.  It was a man preaching.  He was not giving advice.  He was preaching out of God’s Word right at me in the basement of Ninevah Christian Church, and I was overcome.

This morning I went back and read verses 14-18 in Romans 10.

Romans 10:14-18 (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.

18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed, they have, for

“Their voice has gone out to all the earth,

and their words to the ends of the world.”

Reflections

As I considered these passages, I realized that this was the answer to part of my prayer.   It was very specific. It was focused on strengthening faith and prayers for those that preach the Gospel.  But there was more to be revealed this morning.  I still was not quite awake.  I had only made it through about 1/2 of the first cup of coffee.  I still had a couple of questions.  The answers to these were in Facebook.

Facebook Post

The first was on the mission field.  One right after another I saw three posts for the unreached and the need for workers and prayer.  The first two lead me straight to prayer for the people that the individuals focused on in their posts.  We are so blessed here, and there are so many that have limited access or understanding.  So I prayed specifically for that and went to the third post, and that humbled me.  It was very specific.  I have likely seen it before, but this morning it came in direct response to a prayer and the Lord left me open to see it.

Specificity

The request was from a Brother in Christ that is in the mission field.  His request was for specific prayer.  He included a brief article by David Platt.  It was “16 Ways to Pray for Missionaries from IMB President David Platt”.  (I include the link in the article title.)

The prayers all came from Acts 13 and 14.  I read each and was overwhelmed at the answer God had given me through my brother.  These 16 prayers were just what I needed when I get stuck and am uncertain.  They were for missionaries in foreign lands and those in need here as well.  I was humbled and overjoyed at the same time.  I was also reminded of something else as well – there is an order to everything, but I do not define it God does.

Closing Thoughts

As I considered all these things this morning, I realized that I was defining the order of things too much.  I realized that in this morning time that I have with God I need to be listening to all His prompts.  Rather than focusing on Tasks focus on prompts from the Holy Spirit.

There is a beginning to my morning prayer.   It starts when I wake, but there is no middle or end until I go to sleep.  If I get stuck listen and go to the word or go to where I am prompted today, it was three of my brothers in Christ posting on Facebook and two emails that the Holy Spirit used to answer my prayers.  Each answer leads me deeper into His Word.

You know I am comfortable with that.  God has a whole world to use to touch my heart.  Why should I try to dictate or limit Him?  That is a fool’s errand.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for opening my eyes a bit further yet again.  Thank you for reminding me that you have no limits and I have no reason to limit where I might find you.  Oh, Father how awesome you are.  How gracious and patient you are with us.  You say “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  And you are ever faithful.  Forgive me for my doubts and impatience.  Praise be to you Lord, in Jesus name.  Thank you for the family of believers you surround me with, Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Times they Are a Changing – But Different

Not all Will Find It

So, the last seven days I got invited to partake in a photography challenge.  The criteria for the shots was simple:

  • Black and White only.
  • No People
  • They had to be photos from my life.
  • There could be no explanation.

Sounds pretty easy, doesn’t it?  I could have pulled a bunch of old photos I have taken in the past and just made them black and white photos, but the Holy Spirit just pressed on me to do something different. The first nudge came on day 2 when Pat suggested I take a photo of my Bible.  Machell, the person who challenged me, had just posted one of her Bible and you all know how important a part of my life God’s Word is to me, and it just developed from there, and each day God gave me something that revealed an opportunity to speak about His impact on my life.

There was no real order to it.  But as I considered each photo I was reminded of how the Holy Spirit had affected my life in each of these symbols or memories.  I am just going to try and share the thoughts from the vantage point of hindsight and the wonder of how the Holy Spirit Guided me through each day.

One Nation Under God

Unconscious Competent – Day 1

The first photo taken was at the Kentucky State Capital building.  It was a statue of Abraham Lincoln.  I love this country.  I loved the intent of the founding fathers.  My parents raised me in the church till my rebellious streak hit, but one of the many things that stuck was that this country was founded on Biblical principles and even if I was not conscious of them at the time.  I loved this country and was thankful for our armed forces.  I still cannot fathom why so many citizens seem to hate this nation.  Men died to hold it together and defend it against ALL enemies foreign and domestic, and I feel certain that God blessed it for many years because we honored Him.

God’s Word

God’s Word – Day 2

I do not think that there is much to be said here except if you will look closely at the chapter the Bible is opened too.   It

was my Grandfathers favorite, and My Dad’s favorite Psalm and now mine as well.  It was read before every trip home from the farm or any major event. It is Psalm 121.

 

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.

It is so simple but so encouraging and such a part of my life it had to be included.  It is a thread that weaves throughout God’s Word.  It brings me comfort.

Strength

Simpler Things – Day 3

Day 3 is an old home.  I say home because I remember the folks that lived there.  It is a little worse for wear now.  They had to sell it and move on because of some issues in their lives, and I still remember them sitting on the front porch.  They had to downsize a bit for a simpler life.

That happened to me and Pat.  God has blessed us beyond measure, and we are content in all things, but our pace has slowed.  We had big plans of this and that, but God showed us he had a better plan for us.  We still are who we were, but things are different.  Our pace a bit slower but our love is a bit deeper.  We do not do all the physical things we did, and we may look a little shaky on the outside some days, but we have a strong foundation in Christ Jesus and a love for Him and His church that knows no bounds. Our old frame is built on a rock.

Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV)

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

Tangled Gate

The Hidden Gate-Day 4

Day four had so many meanings to me.  First, it was my cluttered and cloudy mind, tangled in weeds and vines unable to focus.  Before I came to Christ, it was that way, but I did not notice. Then after I came to Christ and had the stroke, it was such a jungle.  But God would not let me waste it He leads me through it, and he showed me that my circumstances are something everyone goes through and they are temporary.  God and His plan for us are eternal, and the struggles do not match the Glory.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV)

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.

God showed me that He would get me through anything if I focus on Him rather than my circumstances.  That does not mean that I do not grieve it just means that even in my grief I cling to Him.

Memories

Memories – Day 5

Day 5 was a day of memories.  The photo was a gift from a friend that I will meet again one day.  She and her husband introduced Pat and me in 1983.  In 1990, at her husband Don’s birthday, (one of my oldest and dearest friends), God put Pat and me together.

As I thought about day and all the people that God has put in our lives, to direct our path I am thankful. I had no clue most of the time what he was doing, but once and a while, and only in hindsight, I can see His hand in our lives.  This memory is one of them.  I am so thankful for the glimpses offered by this gift.

Pat calls those moments God winks.  I like that.  I use that phrase too now.  I think it describes those moments pretty well.

I am thankful for how God works in our lives. I cannot help but think of a passage regarding marriage when I look at this memory.

Matthew 19:4-6 (ESV)

 4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

I give thanks to the Lord for my wife and the way God will use people to accomplish His tasks.

Crossroads

CrossRoads – Day 6

Day 6 I came upon rail crossing sign shooting some engagement photos for some friends.  It was an old warning sign, and I saw it and thought of all the crossroads I had encountered in my life.  Some I chose rightly some not so much, but as I looked at this crossing sign, I thought of all the times, despite myself, God had a plan for me.  His patience with my wild and prodigal nature amazes me still, as does His welcome home in 2009.

I still face those crossroads every day, but now I know that I do not face them alone.  The Holy Spirit helps me to make the right choice when I make each decision prayerfully and listen.  I still fall short, but I am thankful for God’s gifts of repentance and grace when I do.  The way God works things out for me reminds me of a verse in Romans

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

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

I am so thankful for the truth of God’s Word.

Prayer

Prayer – Day 7

Day 7 was Praying Hands.  I made this piece in art class in 7th or 8th grade.  It is a tooled sheet of copper pinned to a piece of old cedar wood sanded and varnished.  I made two that year.  One was the praying hands, and the other had to do with motorcycles, (go figure).  But I looked at that small 5×5 piece of wood with those praying hands, and that had to be my last photo of the challenge.

Prayer has become so important to me.  I have my private time in the mornings.  I can take anything to God.  It is my private time with him while the house is quiet and we can be alone.  Sometimes I will start thinking one thing and I will wander off to something else prompted by the Spirit, but always this time sets my feet on the right start for the day.

I also pray before I read or study God’s Word and ask for the Holy Spirit to guide me and help me understand the Word.  Without first praying and asking for His help, I can only read words on a page, but with God’s help the words come alive in my heart, and the Holy Spirit reveals to me what only God knows I need and what I am ready to understand. What a joy it is to be lead through His Word.

I also give thanks for Paul’s counsel. I never understood how it was possible to do what he directed in this verse, but I do now.

 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

What joy there is in prayer.  It amazes me How I can ask in prayer and answers come in the Word.  There are other ways as well, but the Word brings joy to my heart.

Closing Thoughts

This little photography challenge over the last seven days turned out to be a week of reflection for me.  It revived old memories and reminded me of the joy I have experienced in my life.  There have been hard times and bad decisions, but their impact has been “light and momentary” and their memory fleeting.  The true memories are of the wonder of God.  They are where I dwell.  It is not the man I was, but the man that God is shaping me to be that matters to me now.  I am just thankful for his patient hand and his promise!

Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

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

Thank you, Lord!

Closing Prayer

Father, thank you for this memory.  Thank you for taking me through these many things that you have shown me.  Lord, I thank you for the good work you have started in me.  I pray Father that this message you revealed to me might lift up others to find the good in their lives and see the work you have done in their lives.  Lord, I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen!

 

Holy Spirit

God’s Plan

This morning I woke and I was well convinced that I was going to write about waiting; specifically waiting on the Lord.  We had a good discussion in a small group that we attend two Sunday evenings a month discussing the book of Acts, and we had had a good discussion, and part of it was on waiting.

After my prayers and normal wake up rituals, I was about to start writing when I came across a sermon in my email by Charles Spurgeon.  The title of the sermon was “Receiving the Holy Ghost.”  He originally gave the sermon July 13, 1884.

It was an interesting title, but I did not feel I had time to listen to it.  I had to get started with MY plan.  I cleaned out the rest of the mail and looked up a couple of scriptures, but the sermon kept on bugging me.  The Holy Spirit kept reminding me of it until I relented.  So I stopped and listened to this 45-minute sermon, which resulted in a topic change for today.  Maybe I will cover waiting another day…

Acts 19

Spurgeon began with Acts 19 when Paul went to Ephesus.

Acts 19:1 (ESV)

1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples.

He found these disciples and met with them for a bit and asked them a question that surprised me a bit the first time I heard it, but I was more surprised by their answer.

Acts 19:2 (ESV)

2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

They professed to be believers but were not even aware of the Holy Spirit.  So hearing this Paul baptized them in the name of Jesus and gave them the Holy Spirit.

Reflections

Spurgeon went on to discuss the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us as Christians.  He spoke of our need for Him in our lives.  He went so far as to explain on those times when we feel empty of His presence ask God to be filled; filled to overflowing.  After all, doesn’t the Lord tell us to ask?

Matthew 7:7 (ESV)

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Mark 11:22-25 (ESV)

“Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Luke 11:9-10 (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.

John 15:7 (ESV)

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Our Helper

I listened more to the sermon and began thinking of the scriptures where Christ talked of the “Helper”  and His departure.  So I searched my Bible for the references Jesus made, and I found so much in John that is where I focused.  Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit coming as a helper in Chapter 14 and 16.

John 14

I read chapter 14 and was taken by two passages about the Holy Spirit.  The first began in verse 15 and the second in 25.  As I read these I the impact is hard to describe.  I was both humbled and lifted up.

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.

I struggle for words with this passage.  Verse 15 reminds me of when Jesus questioned Peter and asked him three times if he loved Him, but it is a bit different.  “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Then comes the promise of the helper, (the Holy Spirit.)  Then the next passage.  It is almost a 1-2 punch.

John 14:25-28 (ESV)

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

This passage fills me with hope and joy.  We have this wonderful gift.  The Holy Spirit who dwells in us and we are not alone.  With Him, we have a peace and contentment that the world cannot know.  Jesus reminds us not to let our hearts be troubled or afraid, and I cannot do anything but rejoice because the Holy Spirit reveals to me an understanding that I could not reach on my own, and to say I am thankful seems so small when I think of how magnificent a gift He gives me.

John 16

While I am still trying to catch my breath, I went on to chapter 16 and read the passage where Jesus comforts the disciples.

John 16:6-7 (ESV)

6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

It had to be heartbreaking for them to hear that Jesus was leaving.  The man they had followed for three years abandoning everything for was going away.  But He explained that He would send a Helper, and He can only come if Jesus leaves.

John 16:12-15 (ESV)

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.

The Helper is the Spirit of Truth, and He will bring to them the things that they could not bear to hear from Jesus before He finished what He had come to do.  As I consider these passages my heart races and it is hard to keep my breath.

Reflections

As I consider these passages and the remainder of Spurgeon’s sermon I am left breathless but revitalized.   I am reminded of those moments when I look inward to myself rather than to Jesus.  Those moments when I feel alone because I have forgotten the gift I have in the Holy Spirit and look to my resources to resolve an issue.  I am reminded of that passage in Revelation 3

Revelation 3:20 (ESV)

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

There is no reason I should become so self-absorbed that ignore the knocking on the door to my heart.  He is waiting there.  He is there to help me in all things and in all ways to grow closer to God.  To know God and to trust and depend on Him in all things.  This reminds me of Romans 8.

Romans 8

What a glorious God we serve.  What joy there is in growing closer to Him.  The last passage I want to refer to is in Romans 8:26-30

Romans 8:26-30 (ESV)

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

What a wonderful passage.  In our weakness, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf in prayer.  He knows what we need when we do not because He knows our heart.  What comfort there is in knowing this.

Closing Thoughts

I am always humbled how the Holy Spirit can affect my plans for the day if I listen.  I am sure the message I had settled on would have been fine, but it was not what He wanted to be shared today.

There was something Spurgeon said near the end of his sermon that I will have to paraphrase, but it has stuck with me this morning.  It is a picture of how we choose to live out our faith and whether we truly trust in the Holy Spirit and His help in our lives to draw us closer to God or not.  It shook me up a bit this morning and here is what I got out of it.

He that has just enough faith to save him may not have enough here to comfort him for the present.  He that is filled the Holy Spirit has enough for two heavens; one here and the one to come.

It does not mean life here is easy.  It means regardless of our circumstances we have a Helper to comfort us; “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Prayer

Father thank you for all your provisions. Thank you, Lord, for all your promises.  Thank you for the gift of Your Holy Spirit to be with me in all circumstances and teach me those things I need when I need them that I may grow closer to you and my understanding may grow deeper.  Lord, I love you and Praise you in the name of your blessed Son, Jesus Christ, Amen!

Consider This

My Focus

The events of the past few weeks have forced me to consider the state of things in my life and my faith, and what I contribute to the body of the church as well as the world around me.   I have looked at a lot of passages and said a lot of prayers and struggled with doubts and fears as well as joy and wonder.

This morning I was reading 1 Thessalonians.  As I read the letter from Paul, I got caught up in how he seemed to feel about the Church at Thessalonica.  He was concerned that they might fall victim to the adversary and he sent Timothy to check on them.  He was elated when he got the good report.  As I consider this first letter, I started thinking of all the letters of the new testament and why they were written.

Each carried a message that the church needed to hear.  The thing that they all share is that the letter was written because the Apostle was elsewhere, and though he wanted to be with the congregation having trouble, he could not, so he wrote a letter instead, and the more I read these letters and other books the more I realize that the answers to all the questions that matter are found here in God’s Word if I will listen.

When I pray and am bewildered by whatever issue might come up, I find in time God will guide me to an answer in His Word.  God’s Word is unchanging.  It is constant, but the Holy Spirit reveals something new to me every time I open the Book.

 Deliverance

The adversary tries to convince us we are alone and that no one has faced the trials that we have faced, and though they may be the most painful we have ever endured, we are not alone.  There are others that have had that same pain and that same trial, and God has or is getting them through it.

How do I know?  I turn to God’s Word for deliverance from my pain and fear.  I read Psalm 18 when God delivered David from the hand of Saul.  I read the 23 Psalm and take comfort in knowing that in all circumstances God is with me.  I read Psalm 121 and remember from where my help comes.  I read Acts two and remembered the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit that guides me and teaches me the Word of God and helps me face trials and temptations.

Temptations

I know that the enemy twist and turns the truth to deceive me into believing a lie for the truth and the truth for a lie.  He tries to keep me focused on myself so that I lose sight of the things of Heaven and my Lord and Savior.  But I have the Word of God to strengthen me.  No temptation is so strong that I cannot overcome it.

How do I know?  First Paul told me in 1 Corinthians.  I think this is my favorite verse about temptation.  But this is not the only place we are warned.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

13 No 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.

Just in the new testament, the word temptation is used 14 times, and the most striking is the temptations of Christ.  What gets me is what He used in His defense.  What was it?  He used the Word of God, and the devil left Him.

What an amazing testimony to the power of God’s Word.  Jesus did not rely on His strength but the strength of God in His time of temptation and deliverance.

Being Ready

I cannot help but think of all the things that are happening in this world and not think about the importance of being ready.   I instantly am reminded of the master leaving his managers in charge of his home while he was away.  I looked this morning at Luke 12:35-48, Matthew 24:43-51 and Mark 13:32-37.  In all passages, Jesus warned to stay awake.

There is a passage in Deuteronomy 8 that Jesus quoted while he was tempted by the adversary in the wilderness.  It is Deuteronomy 8:3

Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV)

 3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Now Jesus only quoted the second half of this verse, but as I looked at this morning, I remembered something a preacher said comparing manna to the Word.

Daily Manna

This preacher talked about how God only provided enough Manna to feed each Israelite what he would need for the day.  In fact, in Exodus 16:4 God was specific as to how to gather it.

  Exodus 16:4-5 (ESV)

4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”

This guy compared the Word, and our need for it, to Manna.  He said you need it every day.  You cannot gather enough for a week on Sunday and expect it to last.  It will spoil.  You need to study it every day.

Now I do not think my preacher’s sermons spoil over time, but they can fade a bit.  For me, it is like the boiler on a steam engine.  There is no way I can fill the fire box with enough coal to keep the train running for a week.  The fire will either go out or get so hot it blows the boiler.  I need to keep the fire steady.  I need to stoke the fire regularly.

For those who have NO idea what I just said.  I need to keep the battery in my phone charged without over charging it…

Closing Thoughts

God gave us this wonderful Bible and revealed Himself in it if we will PRAYFULLY study it daily.  I ask the Holy Spirit every day to help me as I open the Word of God that I might see what I need for the day and He always opens my eyes to see.  I may not grasp it at the moment, but it will be there when I need it.

I also know I am not alone in this study.  I have my wife and my Church family, Preachers and Friends that I can go to if I struggle with something or just do not get it.  But to ask for help, I must be willing to humble myself and ask.  I love Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 because for a long time I was too proud to walk with anyone, let alone ask for help.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV)

9 Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

God built His Church with people as the body and Christ Jesus as the head.  We need God’s Word that we might know Him and we need each other to walk together toward home.

You know in the cord spoken of in Ecclesiastes one of them is always Jesus.

Matthew 18:20 (ESV)

20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

He gives us the unstoppable strength.

Prayer

Lord, just thank you for this day and the hope that fills my heart.  Father, I pray you might use me as you choose today.  I know that you are our King and Lord and with you all things are possible.

Father, I pray for those in harm’s way whether it be storm or fire or battle and I ask that you be with them.  I pray for those struggling with health issues.  I also lift up those who love you and worship you Lord and pray you give them strength and confidence to face whatever may come and to be a voice for you in this dark world and I pray all this in Jesus name! Amen.

In God’s Time and His Way

Darkness Cannot Overcome the Light

I woke this morning and for the first time in some time, I was a bit overwhelmed by the darkness of the world around me.  It may have been the video I saw of Irma hitting an Island in the Caribbean or the fires out west or Houston, or the anarchist that hate everything, or the word nihilistic I learned this week that is just dark, but whatever it was I had a very heavy heart.  This heavy and dark feeling led me to the Word.

My first stop was the book of Daniel.  I went to His prayer in Chapter 9.  Then John 17 and Jesus prayer.  After the Holy Spirit compelled me to pick up this new book I have, “The Book of Secrets” by Jonathan Cahn, and I closed out my time with a little Tozer.  Let me take you through it.

Daniel 9

Daniel was pondering all that lied ahead of Israel.  The time that they had left of the desolation of Israel and all that the Jewish people had done and he just turned his face to the Lord seeking Him by prayer.  When I read this prayer, I can feel the ache in his heart.

Daniel 9:3-6 (ESV)

3 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

Daniel prayed a prayer of repentance defining the differences between God and rebellious men.  In the end of his prayer he pleaded for God’s forgiveness not because the people deserved it but because of His great Mercy.

Daniel 9:18-19 (ESV)

18 O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

I think of this prayer and I cannot help but look around at all the calamity in our nation.  There is so much division and so many religions trying to push Christianity out using the lie of fairness.  This prayer took me to John 17; The High Priestly Prayer.

John 17:8-10

Jesus opens that prayer defining His destiny.  Then He asks for the Father to be with those believers he will leave behind.

John 17:8-10 (ESV)

8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.

Jesus speaks of their need in verses 12-19

John 17:12-19

Jesus speaks of the disciples need for protection and growth.  He does not want to take them out of the world but He asks that they are

protected from the evil one.

John 17:12-19 (ESV)

12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 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.

But his request does not stop there He prays for those to come, that might be saved by the teaching of the disciples.

 

John 17:20-26

Christ Jesus is about to be arrested and He is including me in a prayer to protect me against the evil one.

John 17:20-26 (ESV)

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. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

He prayed for the salvation of all who might believe in God’s Word as taught by the Apostles. And as I pondered these two prayers the darkness was still there but it could no longer invade the light that the Word of God had filled me with.  It was about now that I felt compelled to pick up Jonathan Cahn’s book.

The Serpent’s Blood

The secret for today was the Serpents Blood and it kind of gave me goose bumps because of Jesus’ prayer asking for protection for us against the evil one, who is often depicted by a serpent. But as I begin reading it the author speaks of the how cold-blooded creatures have no lasting power.  They run out of steam.  But warm-blooded creators can outlast them. I liked this passage.

“Evil is cold-blooded.  What that means is this:  Though evil may have its day, its victories, it time to move and strike – it remains cold-blooded… All evil is cold-blood.  And so the power of evil is only of the short-term and the momentary.  Its days are always numbered. And in the long run, it always fails”… “So, in the end, the good will always outlast the evil.  Therefore persevere in the good, keep going in what is true, keep standing for what is right and you will overcome and prevail in the end.” “The Serpents Blood” from “Book of Secrets” by Jonathan Cahn.  

I read that and thought about the circumstances we face and how we have a choice in dealing with them.

Reflections

With all the darkness that we see, and the hardship that we and others face We really must decide what we will do.  Do we stop and let the serpent regain his strength or we can continue to cling to Christ Jesus and “persevere in good”?  It really is our choice.  We can pray like Daniel and hold fast or surrender.

I look at these two prayers and Daniel prayed for Israel despite the evil they had done.  He pleaded with God.  Christ Jesus prayed that we may know Him as He knows the Father and that we may learn this through the Word.  The decision is ours to make.

Closing Thoughts

My decision is to hold fast to the Lord and persevere in doing good.  My hope and salvation rests in Him.  God promises that if we will endure with Him and believe we will be saved.  I am thankful and I trust in His Word.

Matthew 24:13 (ESV) 1

3 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

 

John 1:5 (ESV)

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Why would I not trust in Him.? He has shown me so many times that I can and I will continue in that trust and love even in the smallest things, and I will pray and respond in obedience to what he leads me to do.

Prayer

Father, thank you for reminding me of your mercy and grace this morning.  Thank you for shining your light in my heart when I had allowed the darkness of the world circumstances to envelope me.  Father thank you for calling me again to prayer and showing me the path.  Thank you for your wisdom and love in all things.  This I pray in Jesus name.  Amen!

 

Prayer Includes Listening

The Light

My study is always about trying to grow closer to God.  To seek after Him that I might better understand Him.  A big part of that study is beginning the day with prayer but there are times when I hit a wall after praising God and giving thanks and praying for others that I do not know where to go or what to pray.  The past week or so has been that way for me, and it is not the first time, but I have learned that I need to listen and keep moving and God will reveal what He wants me to see.

You see it is in my nature to find a way around a road block: traffic jam – find a different route, something broken – fix it or replace it.  I have a nature that says I need to do something to fix this prayer jam too.  But Henry Blackaby taught something in his study, “Experiencing God”, that over time stuck.  He said, “Don’t just do something, stand there.” Pure insanity to a person like me, but once I let the Holy Spirit show me the value of it a few times, (yes, sometimes it takes more than once), I realized the wisdom of it.

When I am stuck I have come to realize God is showing me something and he is patient and willing to wait until I see it.  This week it was me trying to insert my will in place of His.  Though I had the best of intentions I was getting in the way of really listening to the Holy Spirit.  Sometimes that happens when I really want something specific to happen and I am too impatient to wait and listen or simply trust in God.  Then I become anxious and worrisome and I am inwardly focused rather than trusting in the Lord.  But today my ears cleared.   It came in Proverbs 4.

A Fathers Wise Instruction

It began with verse 1 and 2

Proverbs 4:1-2 (ESV)

1 Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,

and be attentive, that you may gain insight,

2 for I give you good precepts;

do not forsake my teaching.

As I read this passage the Holy Spirit pierced my heart with every word.  It was a cautionary opening.  “Here me for what I give you is wise and of value; do not ignore it or make light of it.”

As I read these two verses all I could think is, “Yes Lord.”  Every word of Your scriptures is true and every passage You share with me are “good precepts.” I continued down through the chapter 4.  Every verse shows the preciousness of God’s Word against the darkness of the world.   Finally, I came to verse 20 – 27 and the pray jam broke free.

Proverbs 4:20-27

I read these words and my heart softened and my eyes opened and I could see my errors and I was overjoyed.

Proverbs 4:20-27 (ESV)

20 My son, be attentive to my words;

incline your ear to my sayings.

21 Let them not escape from your sight;

keep them within your heart.

22 For they are life to those who find them,

and healing to all their flesh.

23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,

for from it flow the springs of life.

24 Put away from you crooked speech,

and put devious talk far from you.

25 Let your eyes look directly forward,

and your gaze be straight before you.

26 Ponder the path of your feet;

then all your ways will be sure.

27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left;

turn your foot away from evil.

I read this passage and was reminded that I need to keep my focus on the things of heaven.  Trust in God and be attentive to His Holy Word and listen to what it teaches.  Listening takes more than a quick read like through a novel, it takes prayerful consideration.

How often do we let them escape our sight by letting our desires come first and not spending time in the Word?  He warns us to not let them escape our sight but keep them in our heart, and for good reason; they are life to those who find them.

Let Your Eyes Look Directly Forward

I found that I had been losing focus and getting caught up in fix it mode rather than leave my requests with the Lord and it was truly foolish.  I had no more control over these situations than shedding 100 pounds over night or suddenly playing guitar like Eric Clapton.

I had done my part I had prayed and offered encouragement and extended a hand of friendship.  What I could continue to do was called out in 1 Thessalonians.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 (ESV) 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing

It took me a while to remember that God has these circumstances under control.  I do not always know how they will unfold, but I do trust Him and love my Heavenly Father.  There is this gift he gave all of us that believe in His Son Jesus.  He is the Helper; the indwelling Holy Spirit.  He guides us and opens our hearts if we will listen as well.

Closing Thoughts

I think of this mighty gift of the Holy Spirit and how easy it is to not listen when he is teaching.  But he too is patient and I am thankful.  It brings me in mind of a passage in Galatians.

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV) 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

If we will simply walk in the Spirit and keep the Word of God in our heart and in our mind, He will keep us from doing the things of the flesh and settle our spirit.  He brings with Him contentment in a world that prefers chaos over contentment and strife over peace.

Prayer

Lord God, I pray a prayer of thanks today for your correction setting me once again on the right path.  Lord, I know that I can be stubborn and I am thankful for your grace and gift of repentance.  Father, I love you and am grateful for your forgiveness.  I ask that you strengthen me to cling to you and not be distracted.  In Jesus name, I pray! Amen!

 

The Time Is Always Near

Glory

I woke this morning with every intention of continuing in Ephesians, but I got a bit sidetracked.  I read a message from a friend about Revelation and I read some posts on FB and I saw an uplifting post that surprised me a bit and I decided I needed to change directions this morning about the urgency of Christ’s return. The time of His return is always near.

First off, I am not going to make a predictions or tie anything to any date that can match up to any prophecy, because I believe, Matthew 24:36-37 (ESV) 36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. So, I do not spend a lot of time speculating on a specific date.  But I do pay attention to prophecy to be aware of the season.

I do believe Matthew 24:32-35 (ESV) 32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.  So, I do pay attention to the prophecy and wait in eager anticipation, but the key is that I wait, and while I wait I keep doing what God gave me to do.

Wait on the Lord

Even though I know the time is near I still must wait on the Lord.  But it is not a burden to wait for God.  There is much to do while I wait.  We have been in a hurry for His return since the first century.  Peter wrote about it.

2 Peter 3:17-18 (ESV) 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Shouldn’t we do the same? Shouldn’t we study the Word of God with anxiousness and anticipation preparing for His return?  Peter desired for us to grow in understanding.  But he also desired patience.

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

He explained God’s view of time was different of ours and it was not slow, but His desire was that all might reach repentance.  But how might they reach repentance if they do not know Jesus.  Paul explained it to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 1 – Preach Christ Crucified

He spoke of the Gospel and our need to share it.  He also reminded the Corinthians that it could not be shared by our power or fancy words but only through the power of the Holy Spirit.  I love this passage where he explains it.

1 Corinthians 1:20-25 (ESV) 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Paul talks about how God chose to deliver the message of salvation and goes on to confirm it by reminding them of how he, Paul, delivered the message.

1 Corinthians 2 Proclaiming Christ Crucified

Paul explained his own weakness and frailty.

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.

As I read this message I am reminded of the Great Commission that Jesus gave us all.  And I look at these words and am filled with an understanding that I do not have to be wise nor do I have to be filled with fancy words to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 28 The Great Commission

Christ Jesus told us what to do.  It was called the Great Commission.

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)

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.”

Peter reminded us that know Christ’s return is near, 18 “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV) Paul explained that we need not fear to share what we know.

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. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ESV)

Peter shows the need to study the Word of God for understanding and Paul reminds us that we must not rely on our own strength when sharing the Gospel, but on the strength and wisdom of the Holy Spirit when we share God’s Word.

Closing Thoughts

No one knows God’s timetable but through God’s Word, we can see the season and Christ Jesus return seems closer that it has been.  There is a passage that rattled me the first time I read it.  I had always been an intellectual Christian.  I knew there was a God.  But I had never truly accepted Him.  The passage is in James

James 2:19 (ESV) 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Today I know that there is so much more.  There is an indwelling Holy Spirit and is my strength and wisdom.  He gives me words when I have none.  He directs my thoughts when I am lost in a sea of confusion.  He showed me that full surrender was a victory not defeat and that the love of Christ Jesus surpasses all understanding.

I will close with this last passage.

John 14:1-7 (ESV)

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

It is a simple message but as I read it my heart beats like thunder!  What an awesome God we serve!

Prayer

Father, give me the strength to simply share the Gospel with those around me.  Father, I trust you to give me the words.  Help me to be obedient and simply share what you have taught me through Your Word.  In Jesus name, I pray, Amen

Let the Peace that Comes from Christ Rule in your Hearts

The Wonder of It All

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

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

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

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

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

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV)

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

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV) 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

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

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

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

Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV)

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

Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV)15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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

Romans 12:2 (ESV) 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reflections

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

Closing Thoughts

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

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

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

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

The other passage is in Colossians 4

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

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

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

Prayer

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

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

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!

 

 

“Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You”

Precious Treasure

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

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

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

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

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

Warning Against False Teachers

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

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

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

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

After that warning, Paul reminds Timothy why Jesus came.

Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners

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

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

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

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

The Righteousness of God Through Faith

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reflections

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

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

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

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

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

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

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

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

Closing Thoughts

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

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

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

Prayer

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

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

 

 

 

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