Selflessness

Lk. 6:36-37

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

 

What is selflessness? Why does God want me to be selfless? To begin with God desires that I do good to those who hate me, bless those who curse me, and pray for those who abuse me. How counter to my nature is that! Normally, I would completely avoid those who hate, curse, and abuse me, and if I didn't return their hatred, cursing, and abusing, I would think I was doing good. But apparently those actions would still be the actions of many sinners. What God desires of me is an opposing action. In the place of hatred, I do good. In the place of cursing, I bless, and in the place of abuse, I pray. Actions such as these are completely selfless and can only be accomplished through the grace and strength that God supplies.

 

The text then mentions lending. I know that I am careful about my possessions and only lend them to people who have the same attitude toward their possessions. However, that is not what this passage is teaching. I must lend expecting nothing in return because even sinners lend expecting to get the same amount. How selfless is that! If I love my enemies, and do good, expecting nothing in return...But how do I get rid of these expectations? Even within my marriage, expectations are a huge source of conflict. Perhaps hanging on to expectations is not really acknowledging God's sovereign power. It is not living like He is in control of every detail of my life. Am I still clinging to my flesh and its demands?  Living like this passage teaches would be living completely for God. It would be abdicating all claim to this life, but if I am obedient and live like this,  then my reward will be great.

 

I must align myself with my new family ties. I am now a son of the Most High. Since He is kind to the ungrateful and merciful to the evil, so must I be. How can I treat others in a way counter to the way He has treated me? He is my Father who saved me when I was evil and ungrateful. He reached out His love to me and brought me into His family. How wonderful! I honor Him when I show to others what He has shown to me.

 

Father,

Teach me more about Your sovereign power in my life. Help me to love even in the face of hurt and abuse.Help me to let go of this world and hang on only to Your world.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Righteous Man

Ps. 1:6

for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

 

God knows the difference between what is evil and what is good. Sadly, it is man who often confuses the issue by thinking if he has more good than evil or even any good, he is alright. However, in God's eyes there is no mixing. It is either good or evil. His way is pure. Am I purely good? On what do I base my goodness? Certainly not on my works, but on Jesus Christ who saved me, covered me in His blood, and imputes His righteousness to me. His righteousness is mine!

 

There is a blessing for the man who truly understands and lives the way of righteousness. He refuses to walk in the counsel of the wicked, to stand in the way of sinners, and to sit in the seat of scoffers. His entire life style whether walking, standing, or sitting must be characterized by delighting in the Lord. I wonder are there actions or thoughts that are neutral, or are they only good or bad? In what arenas might it be alright to be with the wicked? Perhaps only when I am sharing the gospel of Jesus. These people are not to be my counsellors or companions. Even sitting with them can drag me down.

 

The righteous man is like a fruitful tree planted by streams of water, water that keeps it vibrant and growing. In the same way the righteous man prospers in all that he does. Since his life is focused on God, his spiritual growth is the most important thing. He is not concerned about prospering in this world, but prospering in God's eyes. But if the tree moves away from the water source, it is disastrous. I must stay close to the water and let it feed me constantly.

 

The wicked are not so. They are chaff, useless dust, that the wind blows wherever it wills. They will not be able to stand in the judgment or in the congregation of the righteous. Since God knows those who are His, He will have no difficulty spotting those who are trying to blend in. The wicked will perish! There is no other outcome!

 

Father,

Thank You for saving me and giving me a righteousness found only in Jesus. Teach me where I should walk, sit, or stand. Help me to be bold in sharing You with those who are lost.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Humble and Contrite

Is. 66:1

Thus says the Lord; Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me and what is the place of my rest?

 

 

The distance between God and man is unfathomable! What can a created being give back to the Creator? Works are not the answer whether it is building  a temple, a church, or finding something man thinks he can do for God. Perhaps this response originates with the way men treated their idols when they built temples or houses for each of their gods as a means of respect and worship. Sadly, all of this effort was wasted on a god that was completely powerless. Yet, God who is above all gods, who created all that is in existence, who set in course the laws of nature, who prescribed each detail of every day, and who knows man completely inside and out, is reaching out to man to bridge the separating gap, yet man still clings to his powerless gods. The most he can give God is a temple comparable to the temples of false gods. Sad, but true!

 

So the answer to this question is in verse 2. All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look; he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. God is not impressed with the outer appearance, with pomp and ceremony, or with equality with idols. God desires the hearts of mankind, a heart that is humble, contrite, and trembles at His word. Apparently, that is something very hard for man to give. He would rather do his own thing in his heart and just give a token ceremony or worship to God. But I am accountable for my heart. Is my heart humble and contrite? Do I fear the Lord? Do I realize the great power of His Word?

 

Father,

My heart is Yours. In humility and contrition, I seek to know You and obey You. Your word is so precious to me. Help me to know it more and more as I grow in Your grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

New Jerusalem

Is. 65:17-18

For behold, I create a new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy and her people to be a gladness.

 

 

The new heavens and the new earth will be glorious!

• The former things shall not be remembered. The pain and sorrow that characterizes life as we know it will all be gone, totally forgotten.
• Jerusalem was created to be a joy, and her people a gladness.-After all the warring and destruction, Jerusalem will finally be delivered from all the dissension into the joy of the Lord.
• God will rejoice and be glad in His people. No more sin, sin nature, and evil. God will see a people who are wholly His.
• No more will be heard the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. The sorrow of this life[disease, death, torture, occupation, war] will be over. All will be at peace.
• Life will be extended. No infant mortality and the young and the sinner will live to be 100.
• What they build will be theirs. Houses, vineyards, fruit will be planted, built, and enjoyed by the planter or the builder.
• The days of the tree shall be the days of God's people. Life will be long-lasting and durable.
• No laboring in vain or bearing children for calamity. They are now the offspring of the Lord.
• Before they call, He will answer. God ears are open to bless His people because their hearts are His.
• The wolf and lamb will graze together and the lion shall eat straw. No more predator, prey, or carnivores.
• Dust shall be the serpent's food. No more deception.
• There will not be any hurt or destruction in God's Holy mountain.

As good as this sounds, heaven will be better! In it there will be no death or sin. When does this occur? Even though this is far beyond what the world has ever seen, could it be Israel during the millennium?

 

Father,

Thank You for giving me the seed of imperishability and eternality. Thank You for giving me a future with You praising You unendingly.

All through and in the name of Jesus,

Amen



Temptation

Lk. 4:1

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.

 

Hebrews tells us that we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Specifically how was Jesus tempted? Interesting to note that during this time of temptation [40 days], Jesus ate nothing. Would the lack of food intensify the temptation or have an opposite effect?

 

Regardless, the first temptation came in the area of food, an essential for life. The devil said, If you are the Son of God command this stone to become bread.  Jesus certainly could have easily done this, but instead He responded with the power of the Word. It is written man shall not live by bread alone. His counter move was to use the word because it is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. His confrontation with the devil was not a power struggle, but it was simple dependence upon the strength of the word. How many times has man made foolish decisions all in the name of necessity? Physical survival often makes people view life at the very basest level. It takes them out of the realm of dependence on God and makes them think that it is all up to them.

 

The second temptation was in the area of worldly power. The devil took him and showed Him the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time and said, To You I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and  I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours. Jesus once again quoted Scripture saying, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve. Jesus responded to the root of the temptation which was worship instead of thinking about worldly control or power. To Him worshiping and obeying the Father was the most important thing. Similarly, the road to personal power is littered with foolish decisions. Grasping and grabbing becomes a priority and worship becomes a distant memory. 

 

The third temptation was when the devil took Him to Jerusalem and set Him on a pinnacle and said, If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, He will command His angels concerning You to guard You, and on their hands they will bear You up, lest You strike Your foot against a stone. How clever of the devil to quote Scripture! How deceptive! But Jesus was not fooled. You shall not put the Lord your God to the test. How careful believers must be! Not everyone who quotes Scripture for their own purposes can be trusted.

 

 

These areas are very real in the physical world. What can I learn? First search and know the Word.  I need not to think that I can fight the temptation by myself. The battle and the issues are spiritual not physical  Jesus could have easily done the things that the devil wanted him to, but that was not the issue.The point was dependence of God. That is the life that I must live. I can't power through anymore in my own strength no matter the issue.

 

Father,

Help me rely on Your word and let it control my life and my thoughts. Teach me to depend on You as I live each day.

In Jesus name,

Amen  

The God Man

Lk. 3:21-22

Now when all the people had been baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, 'You are my beloved Son, with You I am well pleased.

 

Like man, Jesus was baptized as well. In this act He identified with Israel's sin, an act that would foreshadow the cross. As the heavens opened, God visibly demonstrated His presence with the Beloved Son. Likewise, the Spirit descended on Him in a visible form. After which, the Father's voice was heard to say, 'You are my beloved Son, with You I am well pleased. All these events seem to be visible for man to see so that he might realize that this man Jesus was also the Son of God. Luke then developed the genealogy of Jesus taking him all the way back to son of Adam, and finally, Son of God. Clearly, Luke has shown that Jesus was the God man, a Savior who identified with the sins of man and who was born of man, yet at the same time, the Son of God. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 

Father,

I praise Your name for sending Your Son to be my Savior and Redeemer. Thank You  Jesus for enduring such humiliation and for enduring the bonds of flesh so that You might be my sympathetic high priest.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Voice

Lk. 3:4

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.

 

 

While John was in the wilderness, the Word of God came to him. His response was immediate! Around the region of the Jordan, he began preaching a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins. He was the voice! Fully aware that he was prepare the way for Christ, he as well as the people who listened to him, were waiting to see the salvation of the Lord.

 

He was bold beyond belief as he spoke, You brood of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Instead, bear fruits in keeping with repentance. He urged them to forget their heritage of Abraham and consider the here and now. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire. So powerful and to the point!

 

The crowds did not throw rocks or even tomatoes, but instead responded with, What then shall we do? How should we live? As the people waited in expectation, they were trying to figure out who John was. Some thought he was the Christ, the coming Messiah. But John put that idea straight when he said, I baptize you with water, but He who is mightier than I is coming, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire. John totally understood his relationship to Christ. Never did he let his preaching and the crowds deter him from what he was to do. He was a humble proclaimer of the good news. The Christ was coming even as he was speaking!

 

What was the result of these harsh words and strong preaching? As might be expected he was put in prison by Herod who had been personally reproved by John. John was not concerned with tact or watering down the message. He was not even concerned with baby steps. When he was preaching, he went for the heavy message. Such boldness! I wish I had even a tiny bit of his boldness. Perhaps I have been deterred in my proclaiming because I am too entrenched in the world. John had nothing and lived only to tell the message.

 

Father,

Through Your Spirit, give me the boldness to be a proclaimer of the gospel, I know you have not given me a spirit of fear. Teach me how to make this a reality.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Messiah

Is. 61:3

To grant to those who mourn in Zion--to give them a headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit that they may be called the oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

 

 

Messiah is coming with the full power of the Lord upon Him. He is anointed to do the following things: 

• to bring good news to the poor
• to bind up the broken hearted
• to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound
• to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God
• to comfort all who mourn
• to grant to those who mourn in Zion--to give them a headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit that they may be called the oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified

Even though this passage is principally to Israel, what the Messiah brought to them, He has also brought to the Gentiles. Beginning with the good news, the gospel, His glorious work of transformation changed my life. The gospel message brought salvation and a wealth of blessings from His unlimited grace. No longer am I living in the poverty of sin. He has healed my broken heart by saving me from the crushing, heavy burden of sin. He proclaimed liberty to the captives. Yes, I was captive under bondage to sin. He led me out of the sin's prison into a glorious freedom in Christ. Truly, I experienced the Lord's favor in His choosing and saving me. He has given me a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, gladness instead of mourning, praise instead of a faint spirit, all so that I could be called an oak of righteousness, the planting of the Lord. In myself, I have no righteousness, but in Christ, I have His righteousness imputed to me. Because of Christ my life has drastically changed. And why such a change and transformation? So that the Lord might be glorified. It is all of His grace! Nothing in myself I bring. I must humbly fall at the feet of Jesus accepting all He brings. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, and praise Him for this great salvation and righteousness.

 

Father,

My heart is full of praise this morning. Thank You for such a glorious Savior who means everything to me. Now, teach me to live in the full truth of my salvation.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Birth

Lk. 2:19

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

 

Joseph and Mary, his betrothed,  made the long and arduous journey to Bethlehem to pay their taxes. Why Bethlehem? Because Joseph was of the house and lineage of David [an all important fact]. While they were there, Mary went into labor. Since there was no room for them in the inn, they went to the stable where she delivered her firstborn son. Wrapping Him in swaddling clothes, she laid Him in the manger. Definitely from a human standpoint, it was a lowly beginning. But the location was not the only important thing about his birth.

 

Immediately, an  angel accompanied by a heavenly host, began praising God saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased! How many births are accompanied by a heavenly chorus? Only one, this one specifically! His birth was bringing glory to God because He was humbling Himself and limiting Himself to the bounds of flesh in obedience to the Father.

 

Once again, the lowliness of Jesus' birth was emphasized when the angels spoke to the shepherds, lowly and uneducated men. They had no problem with the announcement, they knew that the Lord had spoken to them. Perhaps, this demonstrates that humility is related to obedience. Not only did they believe, but they departed with haste to see the birth! After they had seen the baby, they returned glorifying and praising God. This was no ordinary night for the shepherds! They had witnessed God becoming man!   

 

But Mary treasured these things, pondering them in her heart. Could it be that she had an inkling that her baby would not be hers for long? Was she savoring and making memories that would be hers in the days to come? Just imagine, she was an integral part of God becoming man! What she experienced no other person in the entire world would ever experience! Of course, she would treasure each moment and think long and hard about these moments. Before long, it was time for  Jesus to be  circumcised and given the name Jesus, a name given by the angel.  Definitely, Jesus had humble beginnings that reflected His humility and obedience, but yet at the same time there was clear evidence of the Divine! Jesus was the God/man!

 

Father,

Teach me how to treasure and ponder all that is in Your word. Grow me in my faith and obedience.  t

In Jesus name,

Amen

His Name Is John

Lk. 1:63-64

And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.

 

 

The people were perplexed, when at the circumcision on the 8th day, Elizabeth said his name was John instead of Zachariah. No one in the family had been named John, so in their confusion, they turned to Zachariah for a word. Getting a tablet, he wrote that Elizabeth was indeed right. It was at this moment that his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed! I can only imagine what the neighbors, who were there just for the circumcision, thought. As might be expected, they were afraid and wondered what kind of child John would be. Certainly, all present knew that the hand of the Lord was on him. A miraculous birth was now followed by another miracle!

 

Then Zechariah began to prophesy concerning Israel and his son. First, he blessed God for visiting, redeeming, and raising up a horn of salvation for Israel. Israel would be saved from their enemies, and God would show the mercy that He had promised to the forefathers. Israel would be able to serve Him without fear and in holiness! Then he spoke of his son, John who would be called the prophet of the Most High. He would go before the Lord to prepare His way, to give knowledge of salvation to the people in the forgiveness of their sins. And all because of God's mercy, the sunrise would visit them from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide their feet into the way of peace. What a mission! And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance in Israel. John's life had a certain and very specific plan. So far it is characterized by one word, obedience, obedience in his parents and in his own life. What God had called him to do he must do!

 

Father,

How exciting to see Your plan in the lives of these three people! Teach me this same obedience so that what you have called me to do will be the driving force of my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

 



According to Your Word

Lk. 1:38

and Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her.

 

What a great attitude Mary had! Initially she is confronted by an angel, as it that in itself were not an unsettling event, who perceived her troubled spirit and comforted her telling her not to be fearful. Then the angel proceeded to tell here that she had found favor with God. Mary was well aware of who she was just a peasant girl without status or importance. But before she could respond, he continued saying, Behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end. Oh my! How could she even take all this in? But Mary merely said, How will this be since I am a virgin? No doubt or disbelief just wanting to know the how...The angel responded saying, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God. By this time, most people would be doubting the truth of this situation because the bounds of reality would be stretched beyond comprehension. After the angel told her about her cousin Elizabeth and her conception, he concluded with, For nothing is impossible with God.  Truly all this would be humanly impossible! Mary responded with a simple statement,  'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' Such faith and submission! God didn't want Mary to figure out the how to, He only wanted her to have faith in Him, to humbly rely on Him, and to submissively obey. What a great statement! Let it be to me according to your word should be my attitude every day. God doesn't want me to make a plan, He only wants me to humbly and submissively obey.

 

Father,

Mold my heart and mind into humble submission. I confess my strong self-will. I know it is sin. Give me your grace and strength to have this same attitude.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Zechariah and Elizabeth

Lk. 1:25

After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 'Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.

 

Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were righteous before God and walked blamelessly in the commandments and statutes of the Lord, but still they had no child. Elizabeth was barren, and in addition to that, they were advanced in years well beyond the age of childbearing.

 

Zechariah was in the temple performing his normal duties at his normal time. People were praying outside at the hour of incense. Nothing was out of the ordinary! But at this precise moment, the angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah who was instantly troubled and fearful. The angel encouraged his heart telling him his prayer had been answered. His wife Elizabeth would bear a child who was to be named John. They would have joy and gladness, and many would rejoice with them because their child would be great before the Lord. The angel went on to say that the child must not drink wine or strong drink and that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from His mother's womb. In fact, the child would lead many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God because he would go before Him in the spirit of Elijah. His message would be one of repentance turning the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. All of this was in preparation for the Lord.

 

Unbelievable! Imagine how you would feel in this same situation! But how did Zechariah respond? 'How shall I know this? For I am and old man, and my wife is advanced in years.' Sounds like a legitimate question! But apparently not! The angel reasserted who he was and who had sent him before he told Zechariah that he would be mute until the birth of the child. His moment of doubt affected the course of his life. Apparently Zechariah had forgotten how powerful God was and that His words must always be believed. Even though he was in the temple [the house of God], his thoughts were rooted in the physical realm. All he saw were the impossibilities! He had forgotten the many miracles God had done in the past. What a lesson! Even though he was a righteous man who ministered daily in the temple of God, his heart was captured by human doubt. Watch and pray unless you fall into temptation. In this case the temptation of doubt.

 

As the angel had said, Elizabeth conceived. God had intervened in the lives of these two people and in the normal laws of nature. What shouldn't have happened, did!  What a powerful God we have! Elizabeth hid herself for 5 months. Was she embarrassed by this? No, I think she was treasuring this time and enjoying every minute of it. God had taken away her reproach among people.

 

Father,

Open my eyes to see Your way and Your words. Give me the grace I need to obey unquestioningly.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Continue Steadfastly

Col.4:5-6

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

 

As Paul closes his letter to the Colossians, he reminds them to pray. They are to continue steadfastly, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. How important was this command for the Colossians and is for believers today! It was the necessary foundation for all else the Colossians were to do and likewise for me. Without a foundation of prayer, I am operating in my own strength. Trying to live right but constantly failing because I am ignoring the divine power source. Through prayer I can be watchful for any temptation blocking my path, and through thanksgiving I am ever grateful for God's sovereign plan in the small and large details of my life. When my life is in constant communication with the Father, I am seeking to please Him. His Spirit is there to guide me and lead me in the right paths.

 

Paul asks the Colossians to pray for Him as they are continuing steadfastly. He specifically wants them to pray that a door will be opened for the Word and that he would make the message clear. His burden was for the spread of the gospel of Christ and not for his comfort in prison. It makes me wonder how much I pray for other believers. Am I praying for their underlying spiritual goals or just for the physical details of this life? What about my life? Is my concern for the spread of the gospel as strong as it is for the physical details of my life?

 

With prayer in place, the Colossians could walk in wisdom toward outsiders. They like Paul could be searching for opportunities to share the gospel. Walking wisely is essential because it affects my opportunities to share, and it affects the believability of what I say. Prayer opens my eyes to the needs of others and results in my wisdom in my sharing the gospel. I need to make the best use of the time, not wasting opportunities to share but boldly speaking out for Christ. When these attempts are bathed in prayer, then the Spirit will guide me in what I should say. Paul then gives an essential principle:Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt...Sharing the gospel is not done with a hammer, but instead with grace and through grace. Having such speech as this needs to be a matter of prayer as well. I need the divine energy source teaching me how I should answer every person.

 

But all this instruction is worth nothing if I am not burdened to share the gospel or if I am not making this a matter of prayer. It is in prayer that I ask the Father to open my eyes to the opportunities to share, and it is through prayer that my heart will be united with God in the growing of His kingdom.

 

Father,

I confess my burden to share and my praying about sharing has been sadly lacking. Open my eyes to the opportunities that you have for me. Grow within me this burden for the souls of others.

In His name,

Amen

Raised with Christ

Col. 3:1-4

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

 

Since I have been raised with Christ, born again, and live in newness of life, then my life style must be different. But how so? One area is my focus, no longer do I value this world system, its seeming perc's, pleasures, possessions, and position, but I now seek what is above, that is Christ and the Father as revealed to me in the Word. As I go through each day, I should not even notice the worldly things because my mind and heart should be filled with my new life. I should be in constant communication with the Father and listening to the Spirit who indwells me. Sadly, many times I am all too aware of what is around me and am even comparing it to what I have. I still find myself wanting possessions and pleasures. My taste for what the world offers is still active. Oh, to transform my eyes, my heart, and even my tastes! But that is what Jesus came to do! He gave His life so that I could be vastly different from the world that I live in. He wanted me to be in the world to share His message but not to be of the world. What does that really mean practically? What is the point at which my living in the world has crossed over to the wrong side? What are the boundaries of this new life?

 

Also my mind must be set on the eternal not on the temporal because temporal things are really empty deceit. They promise what they can never deliver. Yet, even knowing this, I see the strong appeal they have to my flesh. I must remember and live like my flesh has died and my new life is hidden with Christ in God. Oh what a constant struggle! In a very real sense, I am dead to the world because of Jesus; yet in another very real sense, I am still trapped in this fleshly existence. I am constantly at war with my own flesh. But it will not always be so! Jesus will appear and call me to Himself where I will appear with Him in glory and where my life in Christ will be complete. I will never again have to deal with my flesh! What a blessed hope!

 

Father,

Send your Spirit to teach me how to live in this world without being of this world. In your grace, show me the boundaries so that I might live as You would have me live.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Christ in Me, the Hope of Glory

Col. 1:27

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

 

I was once alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds until Jesus reconciled me  by His coming to earth, taking on a human body, suffering and dying that He might present me holy and blameless and above reproach before the Father. Even though my holiness and purity are still a work in progress, He has covered me in His blood and His righteousness so that when the Father looks at me He sees the righteous of the Son. All this is mine if indeed I continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel. Here once again is the mystery of my working but through the grace of God. How this process works is a mystery in itself, but the gift of faith allows me to trust the Word, the Savior, the Redeemer, and the Father.

 

Paul's ministry was to make the Word of God fully known, not just to the Colossians or the people of His time period, but to me and all those that follow until the day of His return. He was to reveal a mystery that had been hidden for ages and generations but was then revealed to the saints. God had chosen to make known to them [and that includes me] how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory, of this mystery, that is Christ in me, the hope of glory. How glorious is this! All the fullness of God is in Christ, and Christ is in me! But how do I live practically in light of this knowledge? Paul himself said that he toiled, struggling with all his energy that He powerfully works in me. There it is again! It is the mysterious miracle of Christ in me and me working and struggling. My effort can't be in my own strength because then it would bring glory to me and not to God; so instead I work as hard as I can but in His powerful strength. But how to make this a reality?

 

Paul's ministry was to proclaim Jesus by warning and teaching with all wisdom so that he could present believers mature in Christ. It was for this that he struggled with all his energy that Christ powerfully worked in Him. My maturity in Christ speaks of my identification with Him, the transformation of my mind, choices, attitudes, heart, etc. Through Him I will be a new creation and all because of His grace powerfully working in me. Not a me that sits passively by waiting for this transformation, but a me that  works and toils. I must be committed, dedicated, singular in purpose, living in the reality of Christ in me. So how can I work and toil? Perhaps just remembering the phrase, Christ in me, praying it, thinking it, calling it out in the situations that often pull me down. I would also be soaking in the Word letting its great promises control my life while praying, having open communication with the Father. I must be at His disposal to be used as He desires. That means my plans may have to be tabled so that I could do the work of the Father.

 

Father,

Teach me how live out practically Christ in me. Show me the way to work and toil but still be through the energy that You work in me. Help me live in the light of this great mystery.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Son

Col. 1:19

For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.

 

This morning in my Read-the-Bible-through-in-a-year- plan, I read Is. 53 and Col. 1. What a contrast! Yet both reveal Christ, the Son of God. I am amazed that He did all this for me, for my forgiveness and my salvation. How many religions have a god like this, a God who would willingly suffer, die, and take on Himself the sins of many so that many could be saved?

Col. 1

• In Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sin
• Image of the Invisible God
• Firstborn of all creation
• By Him all things were created  through Him and for Him whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities
• He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together
• He is the head of the body, the church, that in everything He might be preeminent
• In Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell
• Through Him to reconcile to Himself all things wheter on earth or in heaven
• Making peace by the blood of His Christ

Is. 53.

• He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him and no beauty that we should desire Him
• Despised and rejected by man, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief
• We esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted
• He was wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities
• He was chastised so we might have peace
• His stripes healed us
• He was oppressed and afflicted yet opened not His mouth
• By oppression and judgment He was taken away
• His grave was with the wicked and the rich man
• He had done no violence
• He had no deceit in His mouth
• It was the will of the Lord  to crush Him
• His soul makes an offering for guilt
• He poured out His soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors
• He bore the sins of many and makes intercession for the transgressors

These two passages truly reveal how much love God had for fallen man and how much He willingly gave up to provide the only sacrifice that would reconcile man to God. What a great God I love and worship! My heart is convicted at how stingy I am in my love for God and how generous He was!

All of this great love, greatness, and power is in Christ and Christ is in me! How mind-blowing is that thought!

 

Father,

Teach me to live in the understanding of these great truths. My heart is so full. I can only say thank you over and over again. Help me to live so that I honor You and the Son.

In His name,

Amen



Rejoice

Phil. 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

 

 

The command must be pretty important for Paul to say it twice and in such a succinct way. Why is rejoicing so difficult? Why isn't it the believer's default? Why do we go instantly to discouragement, worry, or grief? For sure, it has to do with our fleshly nature and form, but it could also be from a lack of understanding fully what it means. In this chapter Paul clarifies exactly what will make rejoicing a reality.

 

The first area that Paul addresses is anxiety or worry which is often a huge deterrent to rejoicing. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Simply put, don't worry but instead pray and be thankful. It should be a simple thing to remember! If I obey this simple command, then God's peace will be mine, and with His peace, I can rejoice in any circumstance. Worry is gone because of prayer and thankfulness and results in peace, a peaceful rejoicing.

 

Secondly, Paul speaks of the thought life. Certainly this is a huge area and one that is very powerful. We don't have to say anything; We just have to think it. However, Paul writes of the importance of controlling thoughts. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable. If there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things. If I limited my thoughts to these things, it would totally eliminate the what if's and the if only's. It would put me on a course that would include prayer, thankfulness, peace, and rejoicing. How important is this! Thoughts are one thing that believers can hide or at least they think they are hiding. They can appear peaceful or pure on the outside, but what is really on the inside? What do I allow in my life that I want hidden from others? Sadly, in our effort to hide our thoughts, we forget that God knows them all. Believers need to take every thought captive to Jesus Christ.

 

The next area is the who. Who do I allow to influence my life? Who do I admire, emulate, and even seek to gain their advice? Paul says, What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things and the God of peace will be with you. It is so important that believers search out and value Godly people. Listening to others who love God and are obedient to His word will grow a peaceful attitude, and this attitude will bring rejoicing.

 

Father,

Help me hear the promptings of the Spirit and then obey them instantly. Give me Your grace to keep worry, fear, and discontent from controlling my heart. Open my eyes to the truth and the things that I should allow in my mind. Help me see the people You would want me to emulate.  Give me your grace and strength to rejoice, be content, pray, and to guard my thoughts.

In His name,

Amen



Press On

Phil. 3:13-15

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 

 

What a glorious declaration! Can Paul make this statement because he is Paul, or can believers today have this kind of dedication and commitment today? After reading the chapter, Paul addressed certain areas that might be considered prerequisites for living a life solely for God.

• Look out for evildoers who add to the gospel--In order to do this, I would have to know the truth, the Word and rely on the Spirit of God to teach me and lead me.
• Worship God by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus--I do worship God in spirit and glory in the Son, but maybe the problem comes in applying this great doctrine. How does it look on a day-to-day basis?
• Put no confidence in the flesh--This area is a definite problem since my flesh often rises to the foreground and attempts to power through life without praying first. I need to change my default so that it first prays, then waits, and only goes ahead when He leads.
• Whatever gain he had, he counted as loss for the sake of Christ--Gain is something that tugs at the heart. It seems to be part of the world's system that many believers buy into. I would definitely need to pray about any gain in my life and think of how I can use it for God's glory first.
• He counted all as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, his Lord--Now Paul is addressing the necessities. I have not had to go without yet, but I hope and pray that I will trust God to take care of all these things.
• He had suffered the loss of all things and counted them as rubbish so that he might gain Christ and be found in Him--For Paul Christ was vastly more important than anything earthly or fleshly. It was all loss. God is beginning to bless me with this mindset, making me aware of what is temporal and what is eternal.
• His righteousness was not his own but came through faith in Christ--Thankfully or I would be devoid of righteousness. I so know that anything that I could do for God would be sadly lacking.
• He wanted to know Christ in resurrection, in sufferings, and in death--As do I, but I wonder if I still have an element of fear at where this attitude will lead.
• He pressed on by forgetting the past and straining forward to what was ahead--Forget the past! But am I straining forward? This is what would take full commitment!
• Thinking like this is spiritual maturity-- It is my desire to grown into full maturity in Jesus Christ.

So it looks like I know and want these things, but what is holding me back. Is it my commitment or my fear of what it would mean? Is it because I like to live comfortably and serve Christ from a comfortable vantage point? So much to pray about!

 

Father,

Grow me in practically applying what You have said. Sharpen my ears to hear the Spirit's promptings so that I will be constantly decreasing while Jesus is increasing.

In His name,

Amen



Fear and Trembling

Phil. 2:12

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

 

Paul urged the Philippians to go forward in the way that they had grown in the past. Resting on past growth and blessing was not an option. In fact, their growth would be evidenced in their attitude toward growth, an attitude of commitment coupled with fear and trembling.  Just the fact that God Almighty would be working in them for His will and good pleasure should make them them aware of the justice of God as well as His great grace. With that in mind, Paul called for fear and trembling, a constant realization of the might and power of God seen in grace but also in justice. Believers should never take these truths lightly! Paul knew beyond any doubt that grace made him who he was, but he also realized the importance of working hard and seriously.  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Can I describe my obedience in a way similar as this? Am I abusing this great grace by not working hard?

 

Paul went on to say, Do all things without grumbling and questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God, without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life... The believer's growth must be free of grumbling and questioning. Even though these things seem to be small things, things seen constantly in life, God says no. No grumbling or questioning! It is sin! Since the world and its system often operate with this attitude of discontentment coupled with grumbling and questioning, the absence of these attitudes in my life should allow me to hold forth the Word of Life with unquestioning sincerity. Certainly, God wants me to hold forth the word in the world, but always without becoming crooked and twisted myself. If I buy into grumbling and questioning about what I have, who my boss is, who my co-workers are, and what I want out of life, then I have become like the world wanting more and more without ever being satisfied. If I am a Christian living in the world and yet rarely share the Word or the gospel am I working as hard as I can with fear and trembling? Am I merely resting on grace and not allowing it to energize my obedience? 

 

Father,

Convict me every time I grumble or question. Give me a heart of repentance and obedience. Energize and control my walk, talk, thoughts, and attitudes so that I can boldly hold forth the Word.

In Jesus name,
Amen

Unity

Phil. 2:2

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

 

Paul wanted the believers to be unified. Not only did he state that desire, but he also explained why they should be unified.

• If there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Paul is not saying that these things are doubtful, but the 'if' clause has the meaning of  'since'. Since believers do possess encouragement in Christ, comfort from love, participation in the Spirit, affection, and sympathy, they should have the same mind and love. They should be of one mind. In Christ, I have unlimited grace and strength to make all this a reality, and through grace, the indwelling Christ and Holy Spirit, I can be at one with other believers because the same Christ and Spirit who indwell me indwells them.
• Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Rivalry and conceit pit one person against another causing the flesh to rise up and take control, to desire mastery and control over another. The answer is humility and counting the needs and wants of another more important than my own. How this violates what my flesh wants! But this is the way that Christ lived and since He lives within me, I have His grace and power to live like He did. Through Him I can quell my flesh and live for others.
• Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. How hard is this! Since people are inherently selfish, they guard and make time for their own interests sometimes to the exclusion of all else. Again, this calls for living like Christ, following in His footsteps. He looked to the interests of others to the degree that He gave up His own life. However, this verse does exclude my own interests, but it wants me to make room for others. Perhaps even put my interests last.
• Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. The key to this whole teaching is having the mind of Christ. Sadly, it is there for believers to possess, but how many of them do? I have so much in Christ, but often it is head knowledge and not a reality in my daily life. How do I develop this in my heart and life? Specifically, when Christ came to earth even though He was God he did not grasp that equality. [How often is fairness touted? How often do people want the playing field of life leveled?]  He willingly gave up what was His because of who He was, making Himself nothing, even a servant. [Certainly that is the apex of humility.] His obedience and humility allowed Him to be obedient even to the point of death on a cross.

If Christ is my example [and He is], and I have His mind within me [and I do], how can I still be grasping what I think is rightfully mine and fighting to be best, seeking to have the most, and desiring to be recognized as better than others? What a deal! This is not following in the footsteps of Christ. First, I need to realize all that I have, and then I need to pray for the strength and grace to claim the promises of God. Finally, I need to claim the victory by stepping out in faith and acting on these principles. When I fail, I need to confess immediately and get back on track. I have to want to live this way! I have to desire obedience more than my own wants, whims, or interests.

 

Father,

What an eye-opener! Reveal to me when I am putting myself before others. Help me live like I know that I should. I do want to please and honor You and live like Your Son who indwells me. Teach me how to live in His power and with the Spirit teaching.

In Jesus name,

Amen

For His Sake

Is. 48:11

For My own sake, for My own sake, I do it, for how should My name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.

 

God was speaking to Israel telling them specific events, so that when they came to pass they would know it was His power and not that of an idol. Sadly, His chosen people were obstinate, stiff necked like an iron sinew with a forehead of brass. Ouch! What a description! The important thing is not for me to judge or criticize Israel for their disobedience and idol worship, but it is to look in my heart. Have I been obstinate and stiff necked toward God? Have I resisted His will and His purpose by being too planted in the world? Does submission and obedience characterize my life?

 

God could not smile at their idol worship, nor does He condone sin in my life. But for His name's sake, He deferred His anger. For the sake of His praise He restrained it for Israel so that He wouldn't cut them off. What mercy! It all was for His sake not for Israel's sake. The focus is totally on God, His character, His attributes, His name, and His great love. For me, He restrained His anger by sending His Son to cover my sin with His blood. And all this He did for the sake of His name! It couldn't be accomplished by me because it would bring glory to my name. It had to be by the Son so that the glory would be God's.

 

Speaking of Israel, He says, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. The furnace of affliction is a hard place to be, but one thing it does is to reveal how the world, its system, and its idols have no merit. Crying out to them will result in absolutely nothing! Thankfully, when the promises of the world are clearly seen as empty deceit, then His chosen ones will cry out to Him. He is bringing His children, including me, to a place where we can say wholeheartedly, but with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain...for it has been granted to you for the sake of Christ, you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake.  It is my calling and my privilege to suffer for His sake. How wonderful to suffer for Him instead of suffering because I am stiff-necked with a forehead of brass!

 

 

Why this grant? Why is suffering necessary? Why must God put me through the furnace of affliction?  For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. It is all for His sake, His plan, and His glory. When I am functioning sinfully, I am not bringing glory to Him. and since He cannot and will not give His glory to another, I must be purified. The way to practical purification is the furnace of affliction! This furnace burns away my love for the world and its conveniences. It reveals to me where my heart really is, and it draws me back to Him, the Father of all comforts. As I live each day, I need to ask myself who is getting the glory for what I am doing. In the very next verse God said, Listen to Me, O Jacob...Listening and obeying should be my modus operandi.

 

Father,

I am thankful for this furnace of affliction even though it hurts. I want to be close to You. I want to bring You glory, and I know I can only do this through Your grace. Open my ears that I might hear. Soften my heart and will so that I might obey.

In Jesus name,

Amen  

Relationships

Eph. 1:3

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.

 

What an example of love and fellowship! Paul initially thanked his God for them whenever he remembered them. As it should be but often isn't, his default was thankfulness. I know and care for the believers that are in my body, but can I say I thank God for them when I think of them? My life is often focused on my family relationships, but still do I even thank God for them when I think of them? What a great lens with which to view personal relationships! Perhaps there would be less interpersonal strife and indifference if the people that God has sovereignly placed in my life would instantly trigger thankfulness. I should be thankful for people, fellowship, and relationships not just for things! Did Paul just think or even verbally express this thankfulness? No, His thankfulness was housed in his prayer life. How could he feel so strongly about these people? First, it was because they were partners in the gospel with him. Their focus and their objectives were centered around the proclamation of the gospel. A focus like this grounds the relationship on the eternal rather than the temporal. When Jesus is what bonds, what is weak and fleshly becomes strong and spiritual.

 

Secondly, Paul stated that they were in his heart, for they all were partakers with him of grace. Once again the relationship was based on the eternal, on the great grace God imparted to them through His Son. Such grace is the believer's sufficiency given by an all-powerful God. I can no longer operate in weakness because His power is within me. When this grace and thankfulness are resident within my heart and life, then like Paul, I will yearn for others with the affection of Christ Jesus. Paul's affections had been transformed. As a believer, his affections were replaced by Christ's affections. His fleshly yearning for the pride of life, the desires of the eyes, and the desires of the flesh had been defeated and replaced with a yearning for believers centered on thankfulness and the great grace and strength of God. How glorious is this!

 

It really makes me think of my relationships with my local body of Christ. How many times have people attended my church and then left because it was too unfriendly,  the music was not quite right, was too small, or did not meet their needs? But do I ever hear people say that they can worship here because we are all grace-filled and united as partners in the gospel? Or for that matter, what about me? How often have I felt unnoticed and lonely? Is it because I am thinking with my fleshly desires and expectations instead of being focused on the partnership we have in the spread of the gospel? Am I thankful and rejoicing at the grace we all experience in common?   Perhaps it is because the visitors as well as members are still operating in in the flesh where relationships never quite meet the expectations. Am I wanting the same friendships the world has but with a twist of Christ? Sobering thought!

 

Paul's great love for these people was nurtured by prayer. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. If I prayed this consistently for my self and for my fellow believers, I think my relationships would be vastly different. Talk would no longer be about trivial pursuits but about the gospel, abounding love, approving what is excellent, being filled with the fruit of righteousness. Am I nurturing the relationships that God has placed in my life? Am I others focused and not self-absorbed?

 

Father,

I confess that many times my relationships do not resemble this pattern. Draw me closer to You and fill me with grace so that I can reach out to others as you would have me. Help me live for Your glory and with Your priorities.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Even to Old Age

Is. 46:4

Even to your old age I am He, and in gray hairs I will carry you, I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.

 

In chapter 45, Isaiah clearly stated that God was, is, and always will be sovereign in blessing and in calamity. In ch. 46 God spoke directly to Jacob (Israel) saying, Listen to me...you who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; Even to your old age I am He, and in gray hairs I will carry you, I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. Israel was God's chosen nation and people, and their lives were intricately woven with His. Since I am a chosen one as well, and since God knitted me together in my mother's womb...and saw my unformed substance; and in God's book...the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them were written. Yes, I am one whose life is intricately woven with God. What He has said to Israel, He says to me. What an assurance that He is there with me in old age and in gray hair! Since He made me, He will bear, carry, and save me! Even if my culture deems old age a time of uselessness, God does not. I am as precious to Him today as I was before the foundation of the world. How exciting! What an unbelievable truth! My days down to the smallest detail are God ordained. How can I complain and even rebel at what He has chosen for me?

 

God continued saying,  Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind...remember the former things of old...I am God, and there is no other, I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose...I have spoken and I will bring it to pass, I have purposed, and I will do it. How powerful! The sovereign God of the universe who put all things in their place, has spoken to me. He has given me favor with Him, yet it is up to me to obey, listen, and remember. I must know above all else that His word will stand, and His purpose will be carried out. I must check my heart so He can not say of me, Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, and you who are far from righteousness. How sad to be chosen of God and still be far from righteousess. My righteousness dwells within me in the person and work of Jesus. Eph. 6 reinforces these same thoughts. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. He has given me all I need to stand, the indwelling Son, the Holy Spirit, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation.  I must put it on and put off my flesh going forward in the power that only He gives!

 

Father,

I know You are sovereign and what You have said and purposed will be. Give me Your grace so that I might have a soft heart, a broken and a contrite spirit before You. Be in my mind. Tune up my ears so that I might hear all the leading and prompting of the Spirit.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Sovereign God

Is. 45:9-10

Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' or 'Your work has no handles?' Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting? or to a woman, "With what are you in labor?'

 

God declared emphatically that He is sovereign over all, even heathen nations and kings, specifically Cyrus. I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me. It matters not whether the king or the nation knows God, because sovereignty is from the top down, God to man. Not only does He know them by name, but He uses them for His purposes.

 

I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no god. I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other. What a great statement! It didn't change any part of God's sovereign nature or power that Cyrus and his nation worshipped false gods. God's declaration soundly developed this unchanging truth. He is the only God! Just because people deny His existence  doesn't alter or diminish God, His purposes, or His truth. Even though Cyrus does not acknowledge God, He is equipped by God to do His bidding and to accomplish His purpose, that people may know and see His great power.

 

I form the light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things. God is creator of all, and as Creator and sovereign, He makes well-being (blessings) and calamity (trials, tribulation, sickness, disease, plague, etc). God does it all! How confusing to some people! Many say, How can a loving God do such things? Yes, He is a loving God but also a just God! His purposes operate through all time not just the speck of time that a person lives. But for the believer, He says that all things He does are for his or her good. Even the negative will have as its conclusion a positive result.

 

 

Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' or 'Your work has no handles?' Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting? or to a woman, "With what are you in labor?' It is not for humanity to strive against God or to question what He has done, is doing, or will do. The conclusion to all of this is; There is no other god besides me, a righteous God, and a Savior; there is no besides me. Even though Israel was His chosen people, He sent calamity into their lives because they whored after the idols of heathen nations. He used those very heathen nations to capture and enslave them. This is the sovereign God that I love and worship. I must look carefully at my life. Am I pursuing idols of my world? Am I valuing worldly things above Him?

 

Father,

You are so powerful! Shape my vision so that I see Your hand in all the circumstances of my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Imitators of God

Eph. 5:1-2

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

 

After concluding his teaching on the 'put off /put on', he emphatically states, Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. The logical conclusion, in light of all the believer has put off and put one, would be to imitate God since He is the source of faith and grace and the One who can make such a life a reality. Since Christ indwells us, we must walk in the same love that He gave us when He sacrificed Himself for our salvation. 

 

Following this, Paul draws more contrasts. First he says that no sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talk, or crude talking must be evidenced but instead thanksgiving. These behaviors should not even be named among saints since they are entirely out of place. But why thanksgiving? Perhaps it is because a thankful heart is a contented heart, a heart not seeking fulfillment in evil things, but a heart resting totally in what God has provided. Paul warns believers that those who participate in immorality, impurity, and covetousness have no place in the kingdom of God. Why would a believer want to do things that were totally abhorrent to God and to the indwelling Christ? If he did, is he truly a believer at all?

 

As children of the light no longer of the darkness, believers must walk in this light, for the fruit of light is found in all that is good, right, and true. The constant light in the believer's life is Jesus. As believers try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord, Paul takes much of the mystery out of it by continuing to teach this life-style. Take no part in the works of darkness, but instead expose them. This is an extension of the believer's commitment. Not only does the believer resist the darkness and refuse to participate, but now he must expose these works. Definitely not the road to popularity!

 

Look carefully, walk in wisdom not in darkness but in light. Make the best use of time because the days are evil. Don't waste the time that God has given us by participating on empty activities, but be involved in the work of the Lord and in understanding His will. Don't be drunk with wine which is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. This spirit-filled life is one of speaking psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making heart-felt melodies to the Lord. Give thanks always for everything. And to sum up all this teaching, Paul states,  And submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. This walk in the light, in His love, and in the Spirit is all encompassing. If I were to live like this, I would have no time left for foolish, worldly activities. When Satan tempts, all I would have to say is, No Time! No times for darkness, but full-time for the Light! What a life I have been called to live! What a Savior who indwells me and fills me with His grace! What a Spirit who indwells me directing my every step!

 

Father,

Teach me more each day how to apply all these commands. Make my walk and my life be honoring to You. This is my desire!

In Jesus name,
Amen

Put Off and Put On

Eph. 4:20-24

But that is not the way you learned Christ--assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to the former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

 

 

Here Paul develops the put off and put on way of life. Believers are to live like they have learned Christ leaving behind the former life with all of its attitudes and actions. That life was corrupt through deceitful desires, futile in mind and thought, darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God, ignorant because of hardened hearts, callous, given over to sensuality, and greedy to practice impurity. This is not the way of Christ! Instead, believers are to be renewed in the spirit of the mind, and part of that renewal is living in true righteousness and holiness. Certainly, these two approaches to life are vastly different and at odds with one another. To clarify this principle, Paul develops some practical, specific areas and contrasts them with the old life. 

• since lying put off, believers should speak the truth since Christ is the Truth. 
• instead of anger consuming your life, don't let the sun go down on your anger. Make relationship be honoring to Christ.
• instead of stealing, work honestly with your own hands and share what you have with others.
• instead of corrupting talk, speak what is edifying and fits the occasion giving grace to those who hear.
• don't grieve the Holy Spirit who is your seal of redemption, but listen and respond to His promptings.
• instead of bitterness, wrath, clamor, and malice, be kind to one another, tenderhearted, and forgiving as God in Christ forgave you.

What a contrast! Christ living in and through me must be evident and visible in all that I do. If I hang on to old, worldly behaviors, I am grieving the Spirit who indwells me.

 

Father,

Give me grace and strength so that I might put off lingering fleshly behaviors and thought. Help me put on Your grace and show me how to manifest it in what I do and how I live.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Walk Worthy

Eph. 4:1-2

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

 

 

Paul is urging believers to walk worthy of their calling. In my thinking urging carries with it a sense of  of deep emotion, concern, and timeliness. It needs to be done now! But how do believers walk worthy if salvation is all of grace? And what does it mean to walk worthy?

 

Paul developed walking working as first beginning with the personal qualities of humility, gentleness, patience, love, and peace. On many levels, these are nearly impossible for man, but the key is grace, grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Christ was grace and truth. In His death He gave those who believe a measure of grace, a measure that supplies the believer with the strength and endurance to walk worthy.

 

Christ gave grace to all believers, but He also gave a special calling to those who were apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teacher. Their function was to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ. This statement solidifies the need for church, the body of Christ, and for shepherds and teachers. The shepherd/teacher/pastor presents  the Word so that believers might obey, grow, and build up the body of Christ. Responding to this teaching is a mayor part of walking worthy. So then individuals are to be involved with the body and to be taught by the shepherd so that their will be unity among the body.

 

 This equipping continues until the entire body of Christ attains to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer by children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Walking worthy is not just personal character, but it is also the strength and wisdom to spot error or false doctrine. It is being a mature believers and not a child easily influenced and exploited. How glorious to grow into the stature of the fullness of Christ!

 

Rather , speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ. Instead of being children exploited by the current fad of religion, believers are to grow into Christ. We are to be like Him because He indwells each one of us and should shine out through us. A major evidence of this relationship is speaking the truth in love. Not criticizing or attacking others who differ from us on matters of personal interpretation, but speaking only what is true, only what Jesus would say. He is the Truth! So whatever I do, say, or feel should be evidence that I am growing in Christ. His indwelling me and His great gift of grace are the only way that I can walk worthy.

 

Father,

Thank You Lord for giving me the gift of You Son who lives and indwells me. Grow me up to the measure of the fullness of Christ. Teach me what it truly means and how it will change my life.

 

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

 

The Eternal Purpose

Eph. 3:11-13

This was according to the eternal purpose that He has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

 

What a great statement of the sovereignty of God! Paul explained that he was made a minister through the grace of God by the working of His power. It was in no way related to Paul's zeal, education, or even his past history. He was to minister to the Gentiles preaching to them the unsearchable riches of Christ and reveal the plan of the mystery hidden for ages, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. To do this he preached the gospel and established churches even when it brought dire personal consequences to his life. Paul's ministry, the establishing of the church, the riches of Christ, Gentile salvation, the mission of the church, and even his suffering were all according to the eternal purpose of God. Paul lived in the reality of a sovereign God, and he wanted the Ephesian believers to do the same. If anyone had a cause to doubt this fact, it would be Paul. He suffered so much and in so many different ways, but his faith in a sovereign God was his constant motivation to press on for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

For this very reason he bowed his knees before the Father...that according to the riches of His glory He would grant them to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in their inner being. Paul's concern was for them not for himself, but that they would live in the full understanding of the sovereignty of God and in the full strength that God offers to His children so that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith. He wanted them to live out the fulfillment of this great mystery! He prayed for them to be rooted and grounded in love, so that they would have the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that they might be filled with all the fullness of God. What a prayer!  What an example of intercession!

 

Paul concluded his prayer by saying, Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Paul placed his petitions for these believers right back into the eternal purpose and sovereign plan of God. He knew that all circumstances were according to the power at work within himself and all believers. What a way to live! Not my will but yours, O Lord!

 

Father,

Teach me to live in the full scope of Your sovereign will and purpose. Show me how to see all circumstances as coming from You so that I can embrace them and rejoice in them even when they include suffering and frustration.

In Jesus name,

Amen



Grass and Flowers

Isa. 40:30-31

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint.

 

 

How great is our God! All flesh, no matter how powerful or important, is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower dies, but the word of our God will stand forever. Nothing that man can achieve, build, invent, accomplish, etc. lasts any longer than God has proclaimed it would. Strangely enough, man, in his few short years on earth, thinks he is master of his destiny even when he sees evidence to the contrary. Meteorologists may be able to predict hurricane Sandy's path and fortify against her ravages, but they can do nothing to stop her, for that matter even their fortifications were sadly lacking. The same goes for illness and financial ruin. The best health insurance or physician cannot prevent man from dying or from disease destroying his physical body, and no amount of financial strategies will stave off a recession or a  depression. Certainly, it may appear that man is controlling things, but when God sends Sandy, it is all over! When God has decreed human events, man cannot circumvent them. His word will stand forever and will always be True. Just because someone says there is no god doesn't make that true in the least. In fact, many of man's grandiose statements are merely the ravings of grass and flower withering to eventual death. All nations are as nothing before Him, they are accounted by Him as less than nothing and emptiness.

 

But for the believer, He will tend His flock like a Shepard; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. He is there with us as we endure the hardships and storms of life. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. How ironic that people in their prime think they have maximum strength, intelligence, and power, and are in need of nothing, especially something coming from God. They seem to have forgotten aging, disease, storms, financial ruin, etc. They think they are superior to all those who have gone before, to all those who have left a record of their failures. They refuse to learn from history. Man cannot sustain strength for the long haul! There are too many factors that he cannot control even though he believes he can. Once again, just because he says he can doesn't make it true. I am waiting on the Lord for all my strength so that when He says run, I can run. When He says, don't faint, I won't. My life is in the hands of the eternal God whose word is everlastingly true! Why would I stoop so low as to follow my own human inclinations or allow humanity to diminish my faith in the One who truly is powerful!

 

Father,

Take away my fear of the future and of the ravings of politicians.  Keep me resting in You as the storms You have sent become a reality. I know that You are my sufficiency, but help me live that truth.

In Jesus name,

Amen