Captives to Christ

“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.  If he has sinned he will be forgiven” James 5:15.

In a world full of darkness and sin this verse is our remedy.  Many think this verse is about physical healing from sickness, but James was talking about something so much more…the sickness of our souls due to sin in the world.  It can become discouraging when considering my own tendency towards sin or the tendencies of those I love.  This is why it is so important to pray with expectation of God breaking us from our weaknesses and temptations.  It is imperative that we really believe what we’re praying for and thank Him in advance for His faithfulness. 

‘The world is committed to its pleasures, desires, and beliefs.  It will seek out and listen to its own teachers.  Children of God must listen to the spirit of God’ Kelly Minter, What Love Is, page 108.  John knew that there were competing views which would elevate sin over truth.  He wrote to encourage that while we might fall into sin we serve a God who is greater than our sin.  ‘You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world’ 1 John 4:4. 

I take comfort that every person in his audience sinned at one time and was born into God’s family.  There is no sin that is too great for God to forgive in our walk, but we must understand that our lives and the lives of others do have an earthly expiration date.  We must walk in the Spirit and shine the light on God revealing Him to those lost in a dark world.  We must be careful ourselves not to step into temptation for the devil doesn’t fight fair.  He knows our weaknesses and will try to trip us up when we least expect it.  But we have all the knowledge and the power in blood of Christ to protect and shield us if we are cautious and spiritually focused.  We will overcome our tendencies when we are equipped with the power of God and Christ in us. 

‘But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere’ 2 Co 2:14.  If we are going to be captive to anything let it be to Christ!

Believing and Loving

“And this is his command:  to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us” 1 John 3:23.

At first glance, this seems like an easy checklist…believe in Christ, check…love people, check!  We must not skim over this verse with a pat on our back and a song in our heart.  What is this verse really saying that moved John to repeat the message in 3 separate letters circulated through churches?  It was a warning against people who claim to be believers but don’t live it out.  It was a ‘plumb line’ measurement on his part to have believers recognize their responsibilities in living in Christ.  These letters were not written to unbelievers, but to believing Christians who claimed to love God and His Son.  So why the reminder?

Kelly Minter, author of What Love Is states is best:  ‘To believe in Jesus’ name was to believe everything He claimed about Himself, His teachings, and to put one’s trust in His being…To believe in Jesus’ name is to submit ourselves to Him, to go where He goes, agree with His ways, and enjoy His fellowship” p. 102.  That is much different than just to claim that we believe He died on the cross.  To believe in Him means to die to our self and our agendas.  To believe in Him means to give up our time and resources so His work can be furthered.  To believe in Him means to live as a servant, not a master seeking entitlement and favor from the world.  To believe in Him is to carve out quality time to fellowship with Him.  The fruit of keeping the first command will be the second one… to love one another.  Without the love and indwelling of Christ in our hearts we will be unable to love others in the manner God desires. 

Once we are walking out our belief in Christ we have the ability to forgive those who have wounded us.  We will be able to grant grace based on our belief in Christ when someone has betrayed us.  We will be able to face any circumstance with trust instead of bitterness when we truly believe that God is working for our good in all circumstances.  We must never lose sight that believing in Christ is not a one-time event, but a daily commitment of surrender, sacrifice, fellowship and love.  Our love for others will be measured by our love for Christ – they are intertwined. 

‘We can’t separate loving others from our belief in Jesus.  Our confession of Him will lead to action, and true love in action will result from our knowing Him.  Belief without love can make you a Pharisee.  Love without belief can make you a humanitarian.  But if you have both, you’re a child of God.’ What Love Is, page 103.

“So then, you will know them by their fruits.   Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” Matthew 7:20-21. 

The Lie of Denial

“Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is Christ. Such a man is the antichrist – he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also” 1 John 2:22.

The other evening I attended a social event where a large group of women had gathered, representing a core group of a large Bible study. The hostess was their previous teacher whom the Lord had led to a different community Bible study. She had already told me that some of the women had ‘more love of money and less of Jesus.’ Her charming southern demeanor was undercut with her true spiritual honesty and conviction…a 2014 John. I met some wonderful Christian women that evening, but one woman in particular shared with me that she had hosted her own large party. There were Gnostics, Jews, Buddhists and Christians who were among the guests. She stated that she felt it was a wonderful evening because it had the mix of all beliefs, and that everyone had to make up their own mind as to which spiritual path they would follow. At her party, she was offering a selection of beliefs that night, alongside her selection of appetizers.

God did not send His Son into the world to die for us as one of our choices. He is the only choice and the only way for us to be reunited with our loved ones and enjoy eternity with God. We live in a culture where we are served a selection of spiritual walks like a tray of desserts after a meal. Christ gave up His choice to live so we could have the certainly of life. But to claim that gift without claiming the One who made it possible is to offend both Father and Son for they are One. We lie to ourselves when we claim to have God but deny Jesus. We lie to ourselves when we celebrate Christmas without acknowledging that Jesus is the only way to the Father. We can’t have it both ways when living out our life.

Some people might take the stance that this is merely the bias opinion of a friend of Jesus. If that is the stance we are to take, then we must claim that there are untruths in the Bible. If we claim that some of the Bible is factual and some of it is not then how do we measure that? What part is called into question and what part is not? How can believe in the promises of God's comfort, provision and protection for our children in one part of the Bible without believing that God sent His only Son into the world to reconcile our sins in another part? God’s word is not up for dissection, and certainly not for us to determine its original intent or accuracy. John’s words are strong but necessary, as he was warning his beloved community of believers against those who had walked away from the truth in Christ. His words were spoken with a sense of urgency, and an understanding that sometimes believers don’t recognize the liars among them – those people who do not believe in Jesus Christ.

With the birthday of Jesus upon us let us claim to all that we believe in Jesus Christ as God who came in the flesh to do what we couldn’t do for ourselves. Let us loudly proclaim that the person of Jesus was born as a baby, lived and died according to the will of His Father so we could live. His very life is our gift 365 days of the year so let’s live like we believe it. May our words and actions show that the lives of others depend on our testimonies of Christ. Lastly, let us proclaim that the Holy Bible, God’s inherent truth was breathed, spoken and translated for our good, enduring forever.

‘I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him’ Eccl 3:14.

Scandalous Lies

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save…This is the verdict:  Light has come into the world…But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly…” John 3:17, 21.

I’m not a big television person but this past week I was sick with the flu.  Between extreme boredom and being tethered to my bed I watched multiple episodes of this one show.  It was a show on Netflix so I was able to have a marathon viewing one of the days.   It’s a show where every character walks in the darkness of deceit, corrupt power, sin and narcissism.  Watching it once a week was one thing, but allowing it to infiltrate my mind when I was physically sick was quite another.  It was so disturbing that I changed the show to a sitcom so it wouldn’t be the last thing I watched before I went to sleep.  The next morning I was convicted to remove the show from my viewing list so I wouldn’t be tempted.  See, Jesus came into the world not to condemn us but to save us from evil…and sometimes even from ourselves.

The more closely we live with God we get the privilege of living and walking in that light.  ‘God is light; there is no darkness in Him at all.  If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie’ 1 John 1:5-6.  By watching that show I was walking in darkness, giving Satan a small opening to my mind.  I am thankful that God shed His light of conviction onto me and revealed it for what it is...darkness meant to do damage to my spirit.  When we walk with Him in the light, His light will reveal our darkness, that is, anything we open ourselves up to that is contradictory to God.  We must stay in tune with the Holy Spirit and not silence His voice of conviction.

We are not naïve when dealing with darkness.  Deep in our spirit we all know what is contradictory to living the spirit-filled life.  God will be faithful in making it clear when darkness is lingering as He did with me this morning.  I was watching a video that accompanies my Bible Study and the speaker actually talked about the same show and episode that made me turn off the television.  Her point was that culture does everything it can to redefine the light.  The world tries to shine the light of approval onto the darkness of sin.  I was amazed that God was so clear on pointing out the dangers of darkness.

‘But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship’ 1 John 5:7

A Better Way

“She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening…But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made…the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her’” Luke 10:39-41.

This is the story of two sisters who adored Jesus and prepared for His visit.  One was not more righteous than the other, nor did one love Him more than the other.  The difference between these sisters was one thing…choice.  While one chose to focus on the distractions of the world, the other chose to focus on the One who created the world.  Neither sister was loved more than the other by Jesus, but one received fellowship and the other did not.

Every one of us has this same choice as we walk out our lives.  If we are Christians we have invited Christ into our hearts and homes.  But does He sit in the next room while we are busy preparing… striving…toiling…even serving?  Do we invite Him to join us in our day or do we only visit Him first thing or late at night?  When considering Martha, we can deduce that her preparations were noble, and would directly benefit Jesus.  But, as Scripture states Jesus didn’t want the benefits of her busyness…He wanted the blessings of her fellowship.  While her house might have been clean her heart was absent.  It doesn’t matter how noble or godly our service is we must make time to sit at the feet of Jesus.  The world and everything in it will always compete for our time.  We must be intentional with where we place our focus and our time.  One will pass away while the other remains.  Serving Him without the fellowship is like preparing a party without guests.

‘The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever’ 1 John 2:17.

Don't You Know Me?

“Jesus answered, ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?”  John 14:9.

Jesus had shown the disciples the constant love and miracles from God.  They had watched Him raise Lazarus from the dead…turn water into wine…feed thousands from a mere basket of food…heal the demon possessed…heal a woman from her touch of His mere hem.  And yet, Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father and they would believe.  Can you imagine Jesus’ exasperation when, after all they had witnessed firsthand, they still wanted more proof? 

We are not much different as His disciples today.  We ask for things we have already been given.  We experience His daily provisions and resources, and yet we fear we will lack something later.  We experience healing in one area while not believing Him in another area.  We are delivered from one sin only to turn to another.  God has promised us complete faithfulness in all things, if we will get into His word.  It is only when we pursue Him, His word and His will that we will really know Him.  Through our intimacy with Him we gain knowledge of Him which becomes the path of overcoming sin and temptation.  1 John 2:14 states:  ‘You are strong, and the word of God remains/lives in you.’  This tells us that when we have God living on the inside of us, we have everything we need to be victorious.  ‘Here we see that living by God’s Word is inextricably connected to our strength to overcome.  I meet so many people who are stuck in unrelenting misery, broken relationships, even tragic situations because they’re committed to doing things their way instead of being led by the Word of God that abides in them.  Simply put, living by God’s Word is power over our adversary.’ Kelly Minter, What Love Is, p. 56.

Christ has been with us since we have invited Him into our hearts.  It is our responsibility to really get to know Him so that we can recognize His hand in everything.  We can recall His past faithfulness and expect future deliverances.  We can confidently look at the unfolding circumstances and say, ‘I know Him, that’s Jesus!’

Intended Love

“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.  Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.  But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him” 1 John 2:9- 11.

I’m very fortunate in the fact that I have never experienced the betrayal of a friend.  I have known and counseled people who have been betrayed by friends.  I believe it is one of the most difficult situations in regards to forgiveness.  Our friends walk with us through our failures and successes…our sadness and our joy…our mundane and our challenges.  I know for myself I’ve been in a dinner club for 18 years with some amazing women, and I can’t imagine being betrayed by them.  They are my little group…my little advocates…my little circle.

There was a man who had given His all to His closest friends.  He had shown them things that no one else had seen, and had shared intimate moments with each man.  They had been through so much and the time was nearing where goodbyes would have to be said.  As they sat at their final dinner gathering Jesus knew that one of them would betray Him in such a way that it would cost Him His life.   As He began washing the feet of the disciples He approached His betrayer and knelt before Judas.  He faced a decision in that moment that much bigger than His own emotions.  He chose to live out the command of His Father, ‘Live in the light…love your brother…take his feet and wash them…serve out of my love, not your emotions.’  We fail to give Jesus credit in this situation, because we feel that He was.  Being perfect didn't mean He didn't feel the sting...being perfect didn't mean His heart wasn't broken over the betrayal.  He felt everything we feel...His hurt...His anger...His disbelief.  He might have even been tempted to reveal who the betrayer was going to be, but He didn't.  He knelt and took the foot of Judas into His hand and began washing.  Did Judas even make eye contact?  If so, did He see the sadness in Jesus' eyes? 

We are called to live like Jesus and to love like Jesus…relentless love…radical love…unselfish love.  We cannot claim to love but have actions that show hate.  ‘The road to hate can look like the enjoyment of gossip about someone you know, a thread of bitterness toward a family member, jealously toward your coworker…John is not only calling us to the absence of hate, but to a life overflowing with love for the people around us…So let us love!’ Kelly Minter, What Love Is, p. 53.

Most likely we all have someone in our circle like Judas who at some point will require some washing on our part.  May we all understand that by failing to reach out, we pass up the opportunity to love like Jesus.  Lord, help us love the way you intended us to love. 

IDWJD

“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.   The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands...the truth is not in him.  But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him.  This is how we know we are in him:  Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did” 1 John 2:3-6.

A while back there were bracelets that seemed to be everywhere.  The bracelets read WWJD – What Would Jesus Do?  The trouble with the bracelets was the lack of responsibility in its message.  It was basically just asking about our knowledge of Jesus, not our part in exemplifying Him.  We don’t have to guess or consider what Jesus would do since we have God’s word that shows us the pattern of His life.  He made time for God in prayer throughout the day, not just once at night.  He took time to rest and enjoy down time with His beloved disciples, trusting God with these time boundaries.  He took advantage of every opportunity to which God led Him, regardless of the comfort or convenience in the call.  He placed the needs of others before His own.  He served God in all things, and believed God for everything.  Most importantly, He accepted the calling God set before Him with complete obedience. 

I know that while we cannot live a perfect life like Jesus lived, we can certainly strive to walk like Jesus.  We can lift sweet prayers while driving when we hear the news that our friend lost her father to cancer.  We can put aside work when someone needs our compassion, our ear or even a quick hug, knowing that God can replace those surrendered moments.  We can watch for God’s activity around us, taking advantage of moments when we can share the love of God with another.  We can understand that each day and each moment has opportunities for God to use us as His mouthpiece.  Most importantly like Jesus, we can accept the calling He lays before us.  Some of the callings will be sweet and precious such as a calling to be a grandmother or a mommy.  But some of our callings will break our hearts like the calling to hold our dad’s hand as he grabs onto the hand of Christ and is taken to heaven.  We might have a calling to watch a rebellious child flee from her fellowship with everyone who loves her.  We might be called to experience joblessness or childlessness.  The list goes on and on, but when we accept our calling with grace and obedience, we communicate to God our love for Him, our belief in His faithfulness and our complete devotion apart from our circumstances.

After all, we are temporary citizens of this world, and what we lose here He will present us with in Heaven.   May our lives exemplify a new bracelet…IDWJD…I Did What Jesus Did.

Our Advocate

“…we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ” 1 John 2:1b.  ‘For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize…Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive…in our time of need” Hebrews 4:15-16.

When our kids were young there was one thing they knew for sure…if they treated me poorly they could expect Bruce to act on my behalf.  If they wanted to break peace with their dad they broke peace with me.  Everyone likes to feel as if they have an advocate in most areas of life.  Hopefully, most of us as children had our parents as our advocates.  Once we marry, we should have our spouse as our advocate.  Later in life our children become our advocates. 

As precious as these advocacies are, the one Advocate that never tires…never takes a break…never turns down an opportunity is our treasure.  His name is Christ Jesus and He personally speaks our name before the Father.  He takes our failures and our successes before God.  He reminds our Father of temptations and trials we face, seeking the mercy and comfort that we need.  He meets with God in our circumstances and they go before us ‘leveling mountains and piling up the waters.’  Where would we be without the righteous One…the worthy One...the only One who has the authority to approach God?  This authority was afforded Him because of His sinless and perfect work on the cross.  

We must also realize that without our fellowship with Christ, we do not have the authority to approach God.  Through Christ we have access to God and when we break fellowship with Christ we lose peace with God.  Just as my children lost temporary favor with Bruce when they hurt me we break fellowship with God when we turn our backs on Christ.  My favorite line in my Bible Study was a description of when we need an advocate.  Kelly Minter writes in What Love Is:  ‘Typically we need an advocate who holds a position we don’t, has power we don’t possess, is granted access to people we can’t get to, has influence we’re without’ p. 45.  This past week Bruce experienced this type of advocacy when dealing with a work contract.  I know that it was the orchestrated work of our Advocate in heaven who arranged all of the details to make this happen. 

When we get in the constant fellowship with Christ He will move mountains with God to bring about their plan, ensuring our success and blessings.

Disorderly Conduct

“And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  We write this to make our joy complete…But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another…” 1 John 1:3b-4, 7.

With all of the social media we have at our fingertips there is a precious blessing that is in danger of extinction…fellowship.  I heard one of the greatest truths this morning in my Bible Study regarding social media.  Kelly Minter, author of What Love Is stated:  “There is nothing social about social media.”  She is so correct as I pondered the concept.  Social media happens apart from people…it happens in isolation…it happens on couches and in cars…it is about as unsocial as you can get.  For some who engage in social media it is a replacement for fellowship instead of an enhancement. 

John writes of the most of the most beautiful benefits of being a believer in Christ.  He states that complete joy is when we have both vertical fellowship with God and horizontal fellowship with each other.  When either of these are interrupted for whatever reason our joy is interrupted.  God has anchored His commands on two principles of love.   Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22:37, 39.  We cannot follow these commands apart from fellowship.  We only have to look as far as our relationships to understand this concept.  When fellowship is fractured joy is interrupted.  The only way for both fellowship and joy to be restored is to submit those relationship to the God of peace.  One of the most beautiful verses for me is one of the shortest.  ‘For God is not a God of disorder but of peace’ 1 Co 14:33.  Satan will always attempt to frustrate our joy by frustrating our fellowship with God and others.  Complete joy is when fellowship is found, shared or restored.  All things begin with our fellowship with the Father and His son, and is shared with all believers if we submit our relationships to God. 

If you find yourself this morning with interrupted fellowship with another believer you should reach out to Godly counsel.  Submitting the confusion and disorder to God gives Him the license to put all things in order apart from our own emotions and perceptions.  He will be faithful to us if we are faithful to Him in bringing peace back into the places where Satan threw them into confusion.

Private Worlds

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us.  And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  We write this to make our joy complete” 1 John 1:3-4.

For years I have talked about my grandchildren to my sisters.  I have been anxious for them to be able to understand the joy and love that this relationship brings.  They have watched it from afar and understood the experience from a limited perspective.  They have been happy and joyful for me, but one of them now understands complete joy since she has become a grandmother.  My other sister will enter into this community of fellowship in the near future I am sure.  It is one thing to be told about something exciting, while it is another thing to actually experience it.  We can have joy for another while they are explaining an encounter or event, but the completion of our fellowship with that person is when we also experience the same thing.  There is great joy and comfort in sharing the same experience.

This is the concept of which John is communicating. He had seen, heard and touched Jesus.  He had walked and talked with Jesus, who had direct fellowship with the God the Father.  Through John’s fellowship with Christ, he was the recipient of fellowship with God.  Just as I want that grandparent experience for my sisters, John wanted that fellowship with Christ for others.  John realized that we as believers are called to community, not isolation.  We have a responsibility to invite everyone into a living relationship with Christ.  ‘We forget that the Christian life is about the fellowship with a living Person, Jesus.  When He’s active in our lives and in the lives of others we’ll have fellowship which will lead to joy…When Jesus is in our midst and we’re joined together in Him and with one another, the common bond of our Savior ignites heart-bursting joy…if we’re communing with the Lord on a regular basis, we won’t be able to help our desire to invite others into the community …lets push out of our private worlds and embrace the very gift John gives us as his reason for writing:  the glory of fellowship’ What Love Is, Kelly Minter, p.24-25.

As we enter into this glorious Christmas season, let us remember to reach out to all and extend the gift of our fellowship in Christ. 

The Hired Hands

“The hired hand is not the shepherd…he abandons the sheep and runs away…and cares nothing for the sheep.  I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me…” John 10:12-14.  “He will come in and go out, and find pasture…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full…” John 10:9-10.

Jesus spoke eloquently in the metaphor of the sheep pen.  His words painted beautiful imagery of the hillside where the sheep roamed and were protected.  His masterful strokes on this canvas depict the level of intimacy between the shepherd and His sheep.  He warns us of the hired hand abandoning the sheep when danger approaches. He states that one gives life to the fullest while the other will turn his back. 

As I consider this metaphor today, I cannot help but to compare the hired hand with the world.  How many times have I bought into the world’s comfort and security only to have it abandon me and turn its back on me? It wasn’t until I realized that only by following Jesus will I be led to my God-given purpose and God-given plan.  He leads me in and leads me out of decisions that are critical to my success in Him.  He helps me find my pasture…that place of satisfaction in Him where peace prevails and His purposes are fulfilled.  He doesn’t desire to just give me life for that was done in July of 1961.  He desires to give me abundant life and experience it to the fullest extent through Him. 

So I ask you this morning, what have you bought into as a means of satisfaction and security?  What price are you paying building a life based on your own agenda?  Do you feel abandoned by the very things you have bought into?  Jesus has come to reveal that we must abandon the things that will eventually abandon us.  We must turn our back on the ‘hired hands’…those things of the world that will fail us every time.  By following Jesus we have continual access to the Holy Spirit who is our guide and will move us in and out of situations.  We will learn not to seek the approval of the world, but trust God for His movement. 

He goes before us…He stands beside us…He never leaves us.

Our Profit Margin

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me…All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too G...od will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained” Philippians 3:7-8, 12, 15-16.

It only takes a season of deep setback in whatever we elevate in our lives to truly understand the greatness of knowing Christ. Seldom in our prosperity do we experience the transforming and life changing truths of God. I know that for me and Bruce we have had a year where instead of getting glimpses of God we have been full out searching for Him…standing on our tiptoes trying to get even a tiny glimpse of Him …trying to recognize His leadings in everything pursuing His purpose and plan. Now that we are coming out on the other side, we come out with certain truths that we have attained. One truth is that whatever we hold tightly God will loosen. Another truth is whatever we lack God will provide. We recognize that God will fulfill what He has purposed for our lives. Mostly importantly, we see that the goals we hold close to our heart must be the same goals that Christ takes hold of for our lives. We are so humbled and grateful for the things that God has made clear to us in the season. As Paul states we are to live up to the lessons learned in this transformation period. We are responsible for what we have learned and received from God, and are to apply it to our lives. That will be our profit: taking God’s beautiful truths transforming us more in the image of His son, and walking the truths out to reflect His glory. NOW THAT IS PROFIT MARGIN THAT HOLDS MORE SECURITY THAN ANY OTHER!

Be encouraged that whatever season you are in will be not only for your spiritual growth but for others to see the glory of God in your walk. We are not called to perfect holiness for we would all fail, but we are called to progressive holiness. And one beautiful day, we will find ourselves in the eternal country where we were born to reside.

“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior” Philippians 3:20

Inhabited Hearts

“For this is what the LORD says – he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited – he says:   ‘I am the LORD, and there is no other” Isaiah 45:18.

 

From the very onset of time until this very second God has been creating, fashioning and founding new creations.  How limited our perception can be when considering the creation.  I believe that sometimes we think God created this vast place then sat down on His throne to rule over it.  We serve a God who is mobile, not sedentary.  The Bible even gives us this amazing image of His throne having wheels which I’m sure has a more symbolic meaning than what I infer.  However, in all of God’s creations whether it is a place, a set of circumstances or a person, we know that God created it to be filled…inhabited…lived in.

 

When I consider God the Creator I know that I must empty my heart of my own agenda and will if I am to make space for the Lord.  He didn’t create me to crowd Him out of my day to day.  He created each of us to fellowship with Him daily, inviting Him in to reside in our hearts and minds.  He inhabits our hearts…He inhabits our circumstances…He inhabits our journey to our future…He is in everything and reigns in all things.  By pushing Him away or failing to build intimacy with Him we miss out on some of His greatest blessings, not to mention His perfect plan for our lives.

 

May each of us go into this wonderful Christmas season with God reigning in our hearts, Christ forever on our mind and the Holy Spirit guiding our days.

Holy Departures

“Then the glory of the LORD rose and moved to the threshold…Then the glory of the LORD departed from over the threshold of the temple and stopped above the cherubim.  They stopped at the entrance of the east gate…and the glory of the God of Israel was above them…The glory of the LORD went up from within the city and stopped above the mountain east” Ezekiel 10:4, 18-19, 11:23.

When I was pregnant with Michael Bruce’s parents drove their trailer down and parked it in our drive.  They were here for three weeks just doing life with us, as we awaited our son’s entrance into this world.  It was a sweet time with lots of laughter, love and fellowship.  The anticipated day came and the experience was all the sweeter because their presence was with us during the experience.  The afternoon they left Bruce and I stood in the driveway with our new baby in our arms and first watched them hook up the trailer.  After a few moments we watched them get in their car and get situated for their departure.  As the moments passed we could feel a bitter sweet moment between us.  Then we watched as their car went up the drive and their back lights disappeared.  We knew that they had to leave but there still was a sadness that they wouldn’t be with us any longer.

The Israelites had crowded other gods around the One true God.  They had set up their lives with themselves enthroned in the center.  Warning upon warning came from God, followed by the action of His presence being withdrawn from His children.  I can’t even begin to imagine the people as they saw that mighty cloud arise and begin moving away from the temple…first the inner court…then the doorframe…then the entrance to the camp…finally moved through the city and up to the top of the mountain. 

We have a Father who wants to be in the center of our families, and experience every drop of life with us.  He desires to be involved in every decision, share all of our laughter and wipe away every tear.  He will never depart from us but will respect any distance we put between us.  He has given us a choice to involve Him in every aspect of our lives.  The depth that we choose to involve God will be the depth of intimacy we experience with Him.  As we pursue intimacy with our Father we will experience the closeness of His presence and the faithfulness of His love.

Lifting the Cloud

“In all the travels…whenever the cloud lifted from above, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out – until it lifted.  So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all…during all of their travels” Ex 40:36-38.

One of the toughest things we will be asked of as Christians is to wait on God when we are ready to move on a decision.  If only we had something as visible like the Israelites did while they were waiting on a signal from God.  They had clear manifestations of the cloud during the day and fire during the night.  They knew when the sit tight and when to pack up and walk forward.  Scripture tells us that God was visible to all during all of their travels…no exclusions…not one person was shielded from this knowledge. 

While we might not have a visible cloud and column of fire to follow, our hearts provide a tabernacle where God dwells once we have accepted Christ Jesus.  We invite Him to take up residence in the temple of our hearts, having access to Him day and night.  Wherever we go God is with us…whatever we face we face with His protection and faithfulness.  The Bible states that He is all around us continuously.  ‘The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged’ De 31:8. ‘… yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind’ Isaiah 52:12.  The Bible encourages that we will understand His guidance when we walk through the darkness.  He takes the classroom theories of faith and turns them into reality lessons for our spiritual growth.  He accomplishes all this while never leaving our side.  ‘Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them.  Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left’ Isaiah 30:20-21.

While the Israelites had external and visible manifestations of God, we as believers have the internal manifestation of the Holy Spirit to lift the cloud and show us the way.  He will be faithful in showing us every step of way until we see Him face to face.

The Great Liberator

“The Israelites had done all the work just as the LORD had commanded…Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the LORD had commanded.  So Moses blessed them” Exodus 39:42-43.

Well, well, well.  After a year of rollercoaster faith…up the hill of obedience followed by the out of control drop of rebellion comes the close of their year.  For 365 days they were tested and tried… instructed and commanded…sinful and forgiven.  It wasn’t pretty but it was their faith journey and they had finished strong in the Lord!

I only have to look at my own challenging seasons to see the same thing we have witnessed in Exodus.  God rescued me from something that had imprisoned me, but at the cost of my comfort and security.  I walked the journey grumbling and complaining but following in His footsteps.  I don’t know who was more exhausted during these seasons, me from worrying and calculating or God from patiently waiting and refining me.  My transforming faith walk has been anything but pretty just like the Israelites, but it has been something shared just between me and God…Father and daughter…the Liberator and the liberated. 

I am confident that some of you are entering into the wilderness, are presently walking it out or are thankfully leaving that challenging terrain.  You can be encouraged that God isn’t looking for perfection in the desert, but looking for spiritual progression in our hearts and in my minds.  He is calling us to fellowship and inscribing upon our hearts our own set of commandments by which to live.  The most important commandment is still to love Him with every part of our mind, heart and spirit.  The things He chisels upon our hearts during these tough times will be a part of us forever.  At the end of our trial we will bring everything to Him for the final inspection like the Israelites did laying it before Him for His blessing.  We will be blessed by the painful and fearful journey that He has taken us on.  We will learn more in the uncertain times that in the calm and stable times.  And what we learn and who we became in Christ will be our blessing.

‘They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God’ Ex 29:46. ‘I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart’ Jeremiah 24:7.

Intentional Memories

“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert…to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart…causing you to hunger and then feeding you.  When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.  Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God” De 8:7, 10-11a.

One of the most certain things in human nature is our tendency to forget the power of certain experiences once we are removed from them.  There are two essential principles that are paramount in our fellowship with God.  The first is that we must be intentional in recalling the transforming work of God in certain seasons.  We must consciously choose to reminisce about the lack we faced and the provisions God gave us.  The second principle is to recognize that all things and all circumstances are under the supremacy of God.  He has both the ability and the authority to orchestrate our lives according to His purposes.  Thankfully, His purposes will always be for our good, motivated in love, and are perfect for what our hearts require.  ‘Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…who does not change’ James 1:17.

In this short passage we should note that Moses didn’t just refer to God as Lord, but he described Him three times as ‘their God.’  The emphasis was clear then and it remains clear today.  We have a supernatural and supreme Deity that reigns in the universe and rules in our own lives.  We are subject to a King who wishes to expand His kingdom inviting all people into His plan of eternity.  We sit under the authority of an all-knowing God who desires to parlay His wisdom into our daily walk. 

‘Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty-- he is the King of glory’ Psalm 24:10.   May each of us keep in mind how we are the recipients of a love like none other, and show our deep gratitude, unwavering devotion and intimate worship to the Lord, our God.

Excellent and Profitable

“And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves in doing what is good.  These things are excellent and profitable for everyone” Titus 3:8b.

This morning while studying my Bible verses this particular verse stood out as I began considering the word ‘devotion.’  I looked up the word in several different resources to understand the true definition.  I liked Google the best which states that devotion means love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, and/or cause.  When I think of devotion I think of what my parents have for me.  I also am confident in my husband’s devotion to me over the course of 30 years.  I know that I am completely devoted to Bruce, my children, sisters, mother and friends. 

In light of our Scripture this morning, I am reminded that the most important object of our affection and devotion must be not only God, but the concerns of God’s heart.  Our definition states that true devotion is an enthusiasm for a person (God), activity (fellowship with God) and cause (things that break His heart).  We have a worldly menu of causes, and there is great work to be done.  Those who trust in God, that is you and me as Christians are instructed that we are to be devoted to Him, the fellowship, and the service.  The excellence of eternity must be offered to everyone for it is the will of God that no one perishes and everyone profits (2 Peter 3:9).

So what in the world does ‘doing good’ look like?  Doing good is having our behavior follow our thoughts and mindset.  That is why there is so much importance on feeding our minds with God’s word. Philippians 4:8 states, ‘Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.’  Once our minds are fed with the appetite of God our hearts will follow as we devote our time in worship, our resources in causes, and our service to accomplish the things of God.

When Love Saves

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16.

I once read that true love is love that always benefits another.  It had such a powerful message to me that I wrote it in the front of my Bible.  I just realized this morning how that statement is the basis for the entire word of God.  This verse anchors the basis of Christianity, yet because of its familiarity it is easy to lose its powerful message.  God loved you and me in a way that we cannot fathom…a love that motivated Him to sacrifice His little boy on a tree…a love that had to look away from His child as He was dying so my children could live…a love that would benefit every person who believes in this act of agape love.

What if someone asked us to look away as our child was being brutally murdered?  What if someone asked us to allow the death of our child to serve as a substitute to save unknown children?  That is what God did for you and did for me.   The blood of His own Son continues to save today as it saved when it flowed.  The Bible states that through His blood we are made clean, and by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).  That is love…God’s love…and the work has been done for not only us but our children, grandchildren and future generations.  This morning in considering this fresh truth I am amazed that I ever doubt…that I ever question…that I ever am anxious about anything. 

Through His love and Christ’s sacrifice we are saved so why don’t we believe the same blood has the power to deliver us… deliver us from our present circumstances…deliver us from the fear of our future… deliver us from the guilt of our past sins.  We can have both hope and confidence that the power that saved is the same power that delivers.  When your circumstances become a source of oppression just get on your knees and cry out to God for deliverance.

‘Father, I believe that the same blood that saved me will deliver me from _____________...in the name of Jesus, Amen!’

The Lord Establishes

“The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house…He is the one who will build...and establish” 2 Sam 7:11b, 13.

David’s heart was in the right place when he told Nathan, the prophet that he wished to build a house for the Lord.  He himself was nicely positioned in his own palace which God had given him as king.  David was probably bored as he looked around the palace wondering what his next project was.  The Lord spoke quickly and sternly.  ‘I will provide a place…I will assign that job…I have set boundaries around the work of your hands, David’ (paraphrase mine).

We must seek God for His assignments in our lives and throughout our days.  We can strive and toil in areas we were never meant to work.  We can stumble through activities that busy and distract us from His purpose and plan.  I was blessed this morning to consider these in my Bible Study, A Woman’s Heart, Gods Dwelling Place.  Isaiah 30:21 promises us that He will speak and reveal every decision we need to make. ‘Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ Isaiah 42:16 promises that He will lead us in unfamiliar circumstances, reveal and smooth out the obstacles.  ‘I will lead…by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will…make the rough places smooth.’ These are just two of the unending promises of the Lord when we walk with Him, and allow Him to determine our work. 

We must allow God the freedom to assign our work, and then listen for His voice to navigate us through the days to accomplish what He set out for us to accomplish.  Sometimes we will be the one who will ‘build Him a house’ and other times we will not be chosen for that work.  Our part is to inquire of the Lord, wait for His voice and follow His lead.  His ways will usher in a greater work in the kingdom while giving us a greater life while on this earth.

‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways…so is my word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it’ Isaiah 55:9, 11.

On Their Minds

“But Christ…fully saves and complete...is always living to intercede on their behalf” Hebrews 7:25 (Phillips).  “…because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” Romans 8:27b.

One of the most spiritual comforts I have is the truth that both Christ and the Holy Spirit are constantly talking to God about me.  That means that they are in a continually state of discussion about my life… decisions I must make…adversities I will face…transformations I will experience.  How can this be that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit together speak my name, and I’m constantly on their mind?

 I only have to look at my own children to understand this phenomenon.  There is not an hour that passes when one of my children does not cross my mind.  I think of their jobs, their lives, their challenges, etc…  Bruce and I discuss them constantly and think of ways that we can help them, support them and direct them.  But the similarity stops there as parents for we do not possess the ability to save like our Intercessors possess.  Through the cross, Christ has the power to save and to save fully in every way for all of us who believe.  Through His spirit, we can know the mind of God as it is conveyed to us through the Holy Spirit’s intercession.  While we have love for our children, we lack ability to foresee their future.  While we have knowledge of our children’s lives, we lack wisdom in the unique things they will have to face.  The best thing we can do for our children and grandchildren is to cover them in prayer to the Ones who have all wisdom and power.  They have the answer for every step they must take, and the comfort for every bit of pain they must face.  The Father, Son and Holy Spirit speak their name continuously as well as your name.

We have a reason to celebrate in deep gratitude and humility when faced with the reality that this powerful Deity always has us on their mind and in their hearts.  One of my mother’s favorite songs has powerful lyrics that bless us all.

“Though His eyes were on the crowd that day
He looked ahead in time
Cause when He was on the cross
I was on His mind

He knew me, yet He loved me
He whose glory makes the Heaven shine
So unworthy of such mercy
Yet when He was on the cross
I was on His mind”

Songwriters:  Ronnie Hinson, Mike Payne

His Yes Means Yes

“But surely as God is faithful…For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.  And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.  Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ” 2 Co 1:18, 20-21.

The words I promise are two little words that carry paramount implications.  I promise to love you through the good and the bad times…I promise that I will never leave you…I promise that I’ll never do that again…I promise I won’t repeat a word…I promise Lord that if you _________, I will _____________.  I have broken promises over the course of my life…promises of honesty, promises to never hide my spending again, a promise of a marriage 35 years ago.

Thankfully, we have a Father who will never break His promises to His children no matter if we break ours. How many times have we promised to pray more…fellowship with God more…get in His word more only to end the day with little contact with Him?  The wonderful thing about God’s promises is that they are not based on our commitment to follow through with our promises.  We might have consequences from not following through but if God promises something, He will be faithful.  His promises will always be Yes in Christ because of what Christ did for us.  God says ‘Yes’ to eternity because of what Christ did on the cross.  God says ‘Yes’ to providing for us because Christ’s sacrifice made us adoptive children.  God says ‘Yes’ to never leaving us because Christ was briefly separated from God so we will never be.  We can believe in the promises of God when He tells us something even if our eyes do not see it.  I have a promise from God tucked tenderly in my heart and I thank Him daily for that future fulfillment.  The miracle is not in the fulfilled promise but in the peace while walking to receive it.

We must stand firm in Christ and the work He accomplished on the cross.  If we confidently believe in the promises of God then our words will be He will instead of will He.  And all of us say 'Amen!'

External Commotion

“Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.  It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, ‘Who will ascend…and get it…and proclaim it to us?’  Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, ‘Who will cross…to get it…and proclaim it to us?’  No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart…Now choose life, so that you…may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.  For the LORD is your life...” De 30:11-20.

 

Today’s passage is one of the most eloquent and beautiful exhortations in the Bible.  It was spoken by a man who understood that life would crowd in and steal God’s message.  It is a speech that laid out the dangers of being spiritually lazy, depending on others for their fellowship with God.  Moses had been both leader and spiritual intercessor for these people.  He had shown them that fellowship with God led to truth, promise and personal revelation.  Repeatedly they had turned away from the Lord although they had the message in their heart and mind.  They allowed the distractions and earthly callings to elevate their focus above their time with God.  Moses cautioned them ‘But if your heart turns away…and if you are drawn away... you will not live long in the land you are …to enter and possess’ De 30:18.

God has a beautiful plan for each of our lives but He is not going to just drop it from heaven.  Only will we determine His purpose through the dedicated and intentional time we carve out for Him.  Life will always present a landscape of competing worship…those things that we deem our time must go towards.  We must have an inward devotion to God to receive the secret things of the Lord (De 29:29).  We all have a land He wants us to enter, a land where our greatest strengths collide with His greatest power.  Our spiritual impact is determined by our spiritual fellowship with the Father.  No one is going 'to ascend to heaven or cross the sea' for us to determine our future.  It is only through time with the Father and communion with His spirit.  The world will draw us away if we allow it so it is so important to consider Paul’s beautiful words to the Colossians, ‘…set your hearts on things above…Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God’ (Colossians 3:1-2).  We can all have the same measure of God in our lives...it is up to us to determine the level of intimacy we share with Him.

I read a powerful statement this morning in my Bible Study, A Woman’s Heart – God’s Dwelling Place, p. 142.  Beth Moore states that we are all to be priests for God with the same calling the priests of the Old Testament had upon their lives.  We are to have ‘internal devotion in the midst of external commotion.’

‘Now choose life…’

In These Days...

“‘The Lord has done this for me,’ she said.  ‘In these days he has shown his favor and taken away…’” Luke 1:25.

She looked into the mirror and wondered where her youth had gone…wisps of gray hair that had fallen around her face…deep wrinkles that framed her eyes…a posture that seemed too heavy to hold upright.  Her name was Elizabeth and her life had been defined by her barrenness.  But everything was about to change as the Lord gave them new hope…a new message…a new direction for their lives.  She could finally draw a line between seasons…‘those days I was barren, but these days I am with child.  Those days I lacked, but these days I have.’ 

But what if the opposite is true in your life today?  What if your story is ‘those days I had, but these days I lack?’ What situation are you praying for God to take away?  Like Elizabeth we all tend to associate favor with receiving.  The flipside of that is when we lack something…our health…our desire…our dream… we tend to associate it with disfavor.  I’m sure like Elizabeth we lie awake at night in our lack and wonder why me?  We look at others who might not be living a Christian life and determine the injustice of it all.  Can’t we all relate to Elizabeth?  She had to watch other women swell with the blessing of pregnancy as she walked out her life.  Walking out our lives is not much different.  What about the woman who lies by her dying husband watching the perfect health of other couples?  What about the man who will never experience his dream because of a family obligation he must fulfill?  What about those parents who raised their child in church but are witnessing the destructive path they are taking, while watching unchurched children prosper.  How can we encourage the mother who lost her child and watches the neglect of other mothers with their children?  It can be dizzying when trying to reconcile favor and disfavor…the have’s and the have not’s. 

We will live in a constant state of chaos if we try to reason it all out.  We must apply God’s truth to both ‘these days and those days.’  These truths must be anchored in all seasons and circumstances so that our faith will carry us through our days.  These beautiful truths are that God loves us with such relentless love that He will only give us His best at the best time.  These awesome truths include that whatever we face our Father will never turn His back and walk away.  These truths are steeped with divine intention and sovereign wisdom over the long view of our earthly lives.   We must hold tight to the faith we have in Jesus and know that one beautiful day…a day where our feet hit the pavement of heaven…we will never lack again.  We will stand shoulder to shoulder with Christ, standing in the presence of our Father who did everything in His power to navigate us home.

‘The Lord has done this for us.’