1/1/18                                           Magnetized                                          1 
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63

ROMANS 8:1-18  “ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.¹⁰ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.¹¹ But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.¹³ For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.¹⁸ For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

COMMENTS:  Today begins a new year, 2018.  A good time to look back over 2017 taking note of times we honored God with our actions and words and time as well as times we did not.  A good time to also look back and notice God’s help and protection and miracles over past year. Also reflecting on our personal journey and relationship with Christ.  Are we closer to Him and more like Him than a year ago?  Are there areas of weakness that are stronger and more like Christ today?  What areas is He revealing that we need to put focus on allowing Him to make us stronger?   We will never be fully Christ like this side of the grave, but we have lots of opportunity for improvement that is necessary if we are going to put and keep our hand in His and enjoy the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and daily fellowship with the Father daily.  If we do so this year, we will discover God’s miracles increasing and greater blessing and evidence of His mercy and love and presence as well.  But the battle between Good and evil will continue and we will continue to fall short of Christ’s example.   The above scripture from Romans 8 reminds us of that battle but also of the assurance God is more than able and willing to fight those battles and prepare us for those battles so we can be assured of victory and success if we only seek His help and council, and then follow that council.  Let’s make that our resolve this year.  AMEN!!                   The Spirit of God breathes inspiration, while the carnal mind breeds vanity.  Fred C. White

1/2/18                                         A Blessed By-Product                                   2       

Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust.  Psalm 40:4a

Recommended Reading: Psalm 1:1-2  “ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.² But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

COMMENTS: Scripture clearly tells us how to be happy and blessed.  We have ample examples from scripture of those who followed scripture’s instruction and were both joyous and even happy in the midst of great trial and tragedy and hardship and even suffering.  Did they enjoy their suffering?   Of course not.  But they had confidence in knowing their suffering would not last and was for a purpose even though at the time they didn’t know what that purpose was.  BUT THEY ALL TRUSTED GOD AND KNEW HE WAS BOTH IN CONTROL AND WOULD BRING GREAT GOOD AND BLESSING OUT OF THEIR HARDSHIP AND WOULD BRING THEM SAFELY OUT OF THEIR HARDSHIP EVEN IF DEATH WAS THE OUTCOME.  They all knew God was in control and trusted Him by putting their lives and their situation in His hands. 

The harder they prayed and more at peace and joyous and filled with thanksgiving they become.  The first century Christians became bolder in their witness and joyous in their worship and attitude as they prayed and obeyed Christ’s instruction.  But their persecution also increased as their circumstances got worse.  As we look back at their lives, we find it difficult to understand their suffering as well as understand their boldness and love and joy.   But as we see the impact their faithfulness to Christ had on those who knew them and on the world, which ultimately resulted in the conversion of Caesar Constantine and Rome, made their suffering worth it.  When we meet those Christians in heaven someday, if we ask them if their suffering was worth it, I have no doubt they will should with praise and tears of joy, OH YES!!   We need to learn from their example and follow their lead when we face hardship and as persecution of Christians increases in our culture.  Evidence is confirming that is happening and prophecy tells us it will happen in the latter days.

Joy and courage comes with close fellowship with Christ.  It comes as we allow His Holy Spirit to abide in us and guide us and fill us.  The disciples were weak and hid until they were filled with the Holy Spirit.  That spirit transformed them into becoming His true disciples and to do the work He called them to do with boldness and passion and courage, but also with great Joy.  The Holy Spirit not only gives us courage but great Joy in our faith and obedience.   That Joy empowers and energizes us and also gives us the words and love necessary to be genuine and effective in our witness to others.    

That is my New Year’s resolution and covenant with God this new year.  How about you? 

“To seek God is to desire happiness; to find Him is that happiness. “Augustine

 

1/3/18                                                 Busy With Joy                                          3 

I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives…it is the gift of God.  Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Recommended Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:9-15  “⁹ What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?¹⁰ I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.¹¹ He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end¹² I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.¹³ And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.¹⁴ I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.¹⁵ That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.”

COMMENTS:  The BBC did a survey to determine the happiest and unhappiest professionals. Results of study reveals the happiest professionals are clergy, CEOs, farmers, secretaries, medical practitioners, hotel managers, and primary teachers.   The unhappiest professionals are bartenders, telephone sales people, industrials cleaners, and debt collectors.

I don’t find that conclusion surprising.  Those who make a positive difference in the lives of others do tend to be happier and more fulfilled.  Of course, there are those in these professions who are very unhappy due to other circumstances or simply because they did not enjoy the work they were doing.  Yet depending on praise of others to make us happy is a vain short-lived source of happiness.  The most effective and happy in these professions have a common trait of not seeking or accepting the praise and gratitude of others. 

Doing the work God calls us to do opens the doors of blessing and to His helping hands that makes identical work and talents greatly successful instead of a miserable failure or even harmful.

But the gratitude of others is a response we all enjoy and appreciate now and again.  But such responses are much like a sweet tasty desert after a healthy meal.  We enjoy that desert and look forward to it especially if eating a less enjoyable meal, but our overall health would be greatly harmed if all we ate was deserts.

Let’s face it, our employer is not our boss or nor the company we work for but is Christ.  If our focus and motivation is to serve and follow Him, then His response is what counts and opportunities to share His love and Good News are more important than the work we do.  But truth is we are more effective in work we do and do our jobs better when we are also showing Christ’s light as well, but living and doing what His example shows us.

What helped me greatly, during my working career, was the realization that I interacted with people at work who I would never had met outside my job.  My job connected me to people even in distant countries I would never have met.  The same is even more true during the last nearly 2 years I have built and shared my blog and Facebook page. 

Happiness is based on serving Christ where we are, no matter what our calling or gifts are.  Researchers have it backwards.  Happy people seek out professions that fulfill them and their call for Christ.  Happiness is based on fellowship with Christ and knowing Him personally and knowing His forgiveness and Love and sharing that love with others. Any other motivation for why we do what we do falls short of energizing and making us happy.

The message of Ecclesiastes is life is short and nothing is lasting except our relationship with our Creator. Ecclesiastes 12:13 reminds us to fear God and keep His commands and to be in relationship with Him provides a basis of sustainable life and joy that nothing else can provide.

“It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor…because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart” (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20).

“There is nothing dreary and doubtful about [life]. It is meant to be continually joyful…. We are called to a settled happiness in the Lord whose joy is our strength. “Amy Carmichael

 

1/4/18                              The Absence of Arrogance                                          4                

By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.  Proverbs 22:4

Recommended Reading: James 4:7-12   “⁶ But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.⁷ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.⁸ Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.⁹ Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.¹¹ Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.¹² There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?”

COMMENTS:  Katharine Graham, publisher of “The Washington Post” is famous for her parties attended by famous political leaders and dignitaries. One time she was asked “what is the most significant common trait you’ve seen in the greatest world leaders you’ve met.  Her answer came with little dely.  She said “the absence of arrogance”.  She noted the importance of humility and appreciation of others in their character.  The best leaders are generous and desire to serve over a desire for fame or wealth or power.  The greatest leaders listen more than talk and take time to speak to others without concern for rank or status.  They possess a humble absence of arrogance and pride.  They lead by character and example.

You and I admire leaders who are like that.  Unfortunately, there are few people in leadership roles in government who demonstrate such character and integrity but a few do remain.  Yet, realize it or not, you and I are leaders in our own circles.  In our own families and churches and even within our own communities.  We may not hold an office of leadership in our church or local government, but our circle of influence includes those who look up to us or receive council and guidance from us at times.  There are more who look up to you and me than we realize, that I am certain.  When we think we are making little difference or have failed, we need to stop and look up and reflect on God’s abiding presence and sustaining provision and help.  We need to stop and enjoy the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  We need to stop and let Him show us those who look up to us and who have been influenced by us.  January is a good time to stop and take inventory and seek God’s direction for the coming year.  By doing so, we provide opportunity for Him to council and direction our path for coming year and give us realization and opportunity to make course corrections and to renew relationships that may have become weak from neglect or poor choices or poor words.

“No man is an island” is a quote from a John Donne poem written in 1624.  Truth is none of us are self sufficient and without the need of and dependence on others.  BUT NONE OF US CAN SURVIVE, LET ALONE THRIVE, WITHOUT CHRIST’S REDEMPTION AND THE HOLY SPIRIT’S ABIDING PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES!  Truth is, we desperately need the Holy Spirit to make us Christ-like and to instill within us the qualities we admire see in great people we look up to. We also need Him to help us sustain those qualities others may admire in us.  We simply are not capable of being Christ-like and certainly not capable of sustaining them.

The greatness of man is great in that he knows himself to be wretched. A tree does not know itself to be wretched.      Blaise Pascal

1/5/18                              Poverty Doesn’t Mean Sadness                          5    

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:3

The twentieth-century American journalist and cultural critic, H. L. Mencken, is responsible for this (erroneous) quote: “Puritanism [is] the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.” In other words, Christians are people who resent those who are happy. Why does this opinion persist?

Recommended Reading: Matthew 25:31-40  “³¹ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:³² And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:³³ And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.³⁴ Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:³⁵ For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:³⁶ Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.³⁷ Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink³⁸ When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?³⁹ Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?⁴⁰ And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”

COMMENTS: Jesus made it obvious by instruction and by example just how important it was for His disciples, and for us, to be humble servants who are both dependable and dependent.  Jesus emptied Himself so He would be totally dependent on His Father but also so His humanity would best demonstrate how we are to live and serve. Matthew 5:3 is a portion of His Beatitudes, which says “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.  Being poor in spirit does not mean being sad or grieved or miserable.  It simply means being dependent, recognizing personal human limits and weaknesses but also willing to accept help in order to overcome a flawed and sinful lifestyle from those limits and weaknesses.  This verse is simply saying we are blessed if we recognize how much we need God and follow His example and help.  The resulting is a fulfilled and victorious life but also an eternal relationship and home in heaven with our loving Father and Savior. Being poor in our human spirit opens us to become rich in His Spirit.  “If we will do God’s work in God’s way at God’s time with God’s power, we shall have God’s blessing. “ Leonard Ravenhilld

As we enter 2018, this is a good time to reflect on 2017 seeking His Holy Spirit to fill us and prepare us and guide us.  But not before emptying ourselves of our own selfish and destructive ambitions, appetites, and motives.  God’s Holy Spirit will not abide in us uninvited and will not compete with other gods in our lives, including behaviors and ambitions and things we value too highly. Things that hinder us from following Him.  We end up giving up what is more precious to us than what we hold on it.  But tragedy is if we don’t let go, we will lose both what we hold on it and loose what we most need.

Jim Elliott, a missionary who gave his life at a young age evangelizing the Auca Indians, said “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot loose”.  He knew what it was to empty himself and letting God’ fill him.  

1/6/18                              Pass it on Economics                                            6        

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble.2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Recommended Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:1-7  “ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.”

 

COMMENTS: Giving kindness encourages receivers to be kind and encourages givers to continue practice.  Response to kindnesses may not be in kind at first because of negative past experiences but consistent kindness does make a positive difference over time.  But we are commanded to be kind no matter whether our kindness is appreciated and shared or not.  The reason is kindness is to be a response for the kindness God has already showed us.  A response to His kindness.  We response in love and worship back to Him but also by showing love and kindness to others even when unserved.  We did not deserve His kindness and compassion either. 

“for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10).

1/7/18                              Seasons of Sorrow                                      7    

I am a woman of sorrowful spirit.         1 Samuel 1:15                                                                    Recommended Reading: 1 Samuel 1:12-18 “¹² And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth.¹³ Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard:   therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.¹⁴ And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.¹⁵ And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.¹⁶ Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.¹⁷ Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.¹⁸ And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So, the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.”

COMMENTS:   Hannah’s story is a story of ancient times that we all need to learn and follow today.  Hannah desired a child but age was quickly rendering that impossible.  But she continued to trust God and plead for His help.  Her persistence made the difference but her hardest choice came after God finally gave her a son.  She then had to decide, after all those years childless, if she could give her son up to follow God’s call.  Give up her son to Eli, who had failed to instill God’s call in his sons.  Eli’s own sons had turned from God.  Hanna would see her son, Samuel, once a year but would not see her son every day as other mothers enjoyed. I am also sure Samuel was constantly in her thoughts and prayers.  Her faithfulness and obedience were honored and Samuel made an eternal impact on Israel, including anointing King Saul and King David as King over Israel. In light of eternity, Hannah’s sacrifice is well worth her sacrifice in spite of little evidence of that in the midst of her many barren years with no child and distance from her son during most of his childhood and adolescent years.  You and I would do well to plan from a eternal perspective instead of a “now” perspective.  We never would have heard of Hannah, nor impacted by her story, if she hadn’t remained faithful during all those years faithful while not knowing what God’s plan was nor the reasons who He took so long to respond to her.  But the wait brought greater impact and maturity and obedience than otherwise.  God’s timing always has and always will.  We need often reminded of that too.  But remind and re-teach us He will if we stop and listen.  

“Jesus took away the only kind of suffering that can really destroy you: that is being cast away from God. “   Tim Keller

  

1/8/17                                           Two-Fisted Sermons                               8               

    “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”            1 Peter 3:15, NIV

Recommended Reading: 1 Peter 1:13-16  “¹³ Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;¹⁴ As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:¹⁵ But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;¹⁶ Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

EPH 6:12 “¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

COMMENTS:  We are under attack.  We are in a war.  Satan knows his time is short and is pulling out all the stops. The dividing lines between being a Christ follower and a follower of the world’s values and gods are becoming clearer.   There is becoming less middle ground.   Hostility against Christians is becoming stronger and more violent.   Even more alarming is lack of knowledge and understanding of basic Christian stories and values are being forgotten in both younger and even older generations.  Our Sunday School teacher shared at a family Christmas gathering a game was played and many attending could not name the wise men’s 3 gifts to the Christ child nor even name Christ’s earthly mother’s name.  Christ has been systematically taken out of our businesses, our schools, our families, and even out of many of our churches.   Satan appears to be winning.   BUT HE IS NOT.  CHRIST IS STILL ON HIS THRONE IN HEAVEN AND AT WORK IN THIS WORLD.  HE WILL RETURN AND RULE ON EARTH ONE DAY SOON!  HE CAN NOT BE DEFEATED!    Satan’s time will soon end and those who follow him will be lost.  Scripture does not leave us guessing.  We will face dangerous and trying times, but we have Christ’s promise that we will win.  We will live and reign with Him both in heaven but also on earth.  Our earth will one day be restored to its former beauty and perfection before satan entered and ruined it.  Enduring short term misery to gain long term eternal blessing.  We live here in aging sinful bodies but then we will live in youthful perfect bodies free of sin and disease and evil.  There will be no need for doors, let alone locks and alarms. We will be eternally safe and secure.  What a day that will be when He returns to defeat satan and rebuild and rule His creation everywhere.

JAMES 1:10-22 “¹⁰ But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.¹¹ For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.¹² Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.¹³ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:¹⁴ But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.¹⁵ Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.¹⁶ Do not err, my beloved brethren.¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.¹⁸ Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.¹⁹ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:²⁰ For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.²¹ Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.²² But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

“Casual Christians know nothing of spiritual warfare.”   Vance Havner

1/9/18                              Like a Mighty Army                     9   

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.   2 Timothy 2:3

Recommended Reading: 2 Timothy 2:1-7  “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.² And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.³ Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.⁴ No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.⁵ And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.⁶ The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.⁷ Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.”

COMMENTS:  I am reminded of the Christian hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers”.  The song speaks of us as soldiers of the Cross of Jesus marching as onto war.  When we look at the Israelites under the leadership of Moses and later Joshua.  When we look at Revelation and the coming battle and return of Christ to rule, we discover our job as soldiers is not to do battle but to be obedient and follow our leader and not our enemy.  The work of battle is the job Christ takes us and the battle His Holy Spirit wages.  We are not equipped to battle satan alone so we too need to discover the battle each day against temptation is His battle.  Ours is to put our eyes on Him and focus on being where and doing what He instructs us.  The Israelites failed when they took their eyes off God and disobeyed His commandments. They needed constant reminders and encouragement.  They quickly became discouraged and distracted and weak when those reminders were neglected. 

A famous general stated “An army is more than the sum of it’s soldiers and might”.   He knew heart and passion is vital.   He also knew soldiers and leaders need to tap into a greater force than themselves in order to be victorious.  Moses knew that and this general knew that.  George Washington knew that and was able to lead his ill trained militia to victory over the strongest army in the world at that time against impossible odds. Us + God can’t lose.  Us without God can’t win.   Satan would have us think God is too slow at responding or is MIA or dead or doesn’t care.  He would have us think we can do better on our own or, like Saul, we can’t wait for Him any longer. 

But history and scripture remind us of what God requires and how He works.  He reminds us to have faith and be patient and obedient.  If we do, the journey may be rocky and painful and seem uncertain, but we will prevail if stay true to Him.   It is as though He delays in order to use that pain and uncertainly to build faith and trust and courage in us necessary for our own well being and necessary in order to enjoy the reward and blessing He prepares for us.  My suspicion is if we entered heaven without being cleansed and perfected by Him, we would be out of place and unable to fully enjoy heaven.  We would be out of place and unhappy like satan and the angels who followed him were when they were removed from heaven. 

You and I have no idea what 2018 holds.  We only know what our past held.  Will we submit to God’s guiding hand preparing us for the future only He knows?  Will we only accept blessing or will we accept suffering from Him?  I pray for His help so I will accept both in what ever measure and sequence He chooses to give me.  How about you?  Let’s pray this prayer together. Well, easy isn’t our calling and, lets face it, most anything worthwhile takes effort and sacrifice to achieve.  So, why shouldn’t we expect our calling to demand any less?  Even though the choice to follow Christ is entirely ours, we don’t take that journey of obedience alone.  We take at, like the early Christians with Christ with us.  With the Holy Spirit abiding in us and walking beside us, in front of us, and behind us.  That made all the difference for them and will for us too.  AMEN!

We are not divided, all one body we; one in hope, and doctrine, one in charity. / Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, / With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Sabine Baring-Gould, in “Onward Christian Soldiers”

1/10/18                              Hungry for God                                             10       

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:6

Recommended Reading: Isaiah 55:1-2  “Come, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.² Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.”

COMMENTS:  Can you imagine anyone dying of thirst refusing to take a cool drink of fresh water?  Granted, it is unwise for such a person to gorge himself because of how strong his thirst is.  But to refuse to drink when his body is craving water is unbelievable. But truth is some do that in order to achieve a goal they consider more important than their own satisfaction or even life.   But the question is, is that goal well founded or is it misguided and harmful.   Well, is all too common for our spiritual condition.  However, satan has so hindered and damaged our spirits that we can not fully experience the thirst for Him that our spirits need to drive us to drink of His healing water.  But is that not also true related to our relationship with others we love, like our spouses and children or parents or ???  Don’t we fail also to properly express our love and appreciation for them?  

Well, the order needed is first to draw closer to Christ, letting His Holy Spirit guide and strengthen us to drink of the life-giving water only God can give.  Water that not just nourishes our bodies but our souls.   Only when our souls are so strengthened and nourished and only when we have His Holy Spirit guiding and strengthening us, will we be equipped and able to love and nourish our families and communities and beyond.  We clearly see how transformed the disciples became after Pentecost.  They went from hiding and frightened even denying Christ to boldly preaching His Good News of redemption and salvation.

So, lets stop and reflect on what is driving common behavior of professing Christians.  The disciples were sincere Christ followers before Pentecost but something was missing. They lacked courage and internal driving force and passion.  The paralysis of fear was in control. 

Is fear paralyzing us too?  Is the fear of persecution or ridicule or rejection preventing us from doing what God is calling us from doing?  Is the desire for peace and comfort and security hindering us or hindering our hunger and thirst for Christ and passion for others?  Well, the persecution and suffering the early Christians faced isn’t very appealing but the difference they made and love and courage they exhibited certainly is.                                                      Flowers are well enough, but hungry souls prefer bread. Charles H. Spurgeon

1/11/18                              Knowing You, Jesus!                                        11       

That I may know Him.   Philippians 3:10

Why did Paul tell the Philippians that his purpose was to “know” Christ? Had not he met Christ on the road to Damascus long ago? Had not he served Him throughout the years? Why would a seasoned Christian apostle who had introduced multitudes to Christ say that he still needed to “know Him”? The answer is revealed in a Steve Green song “Oh, I want to know you more, deep within my soul I want to know you, oh I want to know you. To feel your heart and know your mind. Looking in your eyes stirs up within me cries that say I want to know you. Oh I want to know you more.” The closer we are to Christ, the more we love and are like Him. But then we discover the more unlike Him we still are and more we still long to learn about Him and want to be like as well. That is the process of Christian growth and discovery, the Christian journey of being in relationship with Christ. Paul knew that because he walked on that road too.

Recommended Reading: Philippians 3:7-11  “⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in^[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”

COMMENTS:  This morning, I was listening to Joni Eareckson Tata sharing on my local Christian Radio on a Focus on the Family program.   Joni reflected on her 50-year life as a paraplegic and more recent battle with cancer.  She endures much pain as a paraplegic and necessity to depend on others constantly.  Yet she has gain much success as an author and speaker. Her husband, Ken Tata, of 30 years is her primary care giver and encourager and partner in ministry.  During an especially hard day of ministry and physical pain, Ken encouraged her with reminder that within the suffering satan afflicts her with resides Christ eager but waiting to embrace and fellowship and walk with her.  Joni and Ken continue to demonstrate amazing courage and joy in the midst of suffering few know but have done so for over 50 years.  What is more amazing?  To face death true to Christ or to live with great suffering true to Christ?   Both are amazing proofs that Christ is real and His transforming work is real. But I have to say I have the greatest respect for those who endure suffering over many years while staying faithful. The witness and impact such enduring Christians have becomes much more powerful and outreaching as a result.  That has certainly been true for Joni and Ken Tata.  It will be true for us no matter if we endure suffering for a day or 100 years.  But I’m praying any suffering that comes my way is brief and mild.   But I know He will prepare and empower me and you for whatever He allows to come our way.  AMEN!     

O most merciful redeemer, friend, and brother, may I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly and follow thee more nearly day by day.

Richard, Thirteenth-Century Bishop of Chichester

1/12/18                                                           Ship Ahoy                                          12       

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.     John 3:16

Recommended Reading: John 3:5-17  “5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[a] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[b] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[c]9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.[d] 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[e] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”[f]16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

COMMENTS:  We are living in a strange and dangerous world where Godlessness and immorality is more news worthy and more accepted and God’s Word and commands, along with those who are faithful to Him, are considered intolerant and even evil.   Society has taken a dangerous step of not just condemning those who do not follow Jesus teachings, but claim to be His followers, to condemning Christ’s teachings and condemning those who do follow His teachings while being silent to pagan religions and teachings who do great injustice and violence to innocent people.  But then again, our world has ignored the only true moral compass and is following the unanchored always changing moral compass of humanism and paganism.  The immoral compass satan has and continues to promote under the cloak of humanism and ….   No, the bible makes it clear.  There is only one way to heaven and it is not by works but only by confessing and repenting of our sins and accepting Christ’s sacrifice for our sins on the cross. Works are our response of gratitude for His mercy instead of a requirement for His mercy.  Christ demonstrated what good works looks like and instructed us.  Scripture also gives us plenty of examples from those in old testament and new testament of what those good works looks like.  But instead, pagan religions from then and now demonstrate and promote opposite behavior and works as good and even required by their “god”.

Our forefathers sacrificed to allow us the freedom of religion and freedom to live as we choose.  But they established our government and law based on God’s law as written in the Bible.  The ten commandments were written in the hearts of them and in clear view and have been revered by lawmakers until recently.  We now live in a time when some judges are legislating law contradicting congressional legislation based on God’s Law.  You may disagree with this statement or not, but GOD IS STILL ON HIS THRONE!  We may disagree with God’s commands but at some point, we must decide will be oppose God or follow Him?  It may become more popular to oppose God going forward, but I and my house am resolve to follow Him and I would encourage you to do the same.  The consequences of opposing God will be catastrophic, whether we believe it or not.  God will have the last Word when Christ returns to rule someday, which I believe will be soon, maybe within my lifetime or yours.  JOSHUA 24:15 ¹⁵ And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. “

Our culture isn’t known for hospitality, forgiveness, mercy, and evangelism—but those have never gone out of style on God’s calendar.I want to be a man who both knows the Bible from cover to cover and also lives it! “  Dawson Trotman                                                          

1/13/18                           Mercy for the Merciful                                     13        

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.     Matthew 5:7

Recommended Reading: Matthew 6:14-15  “¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

COMMENTS:  Today’s scripture is given at the close of the Lord’s Prayer given in verses 9-13.  God’s forgiveness is the most precious gift we can receive.  It is the gift that gives us passage to heaven.  It is a gift we can keep for eternity.  But forgiveness is a blessing not limited by the blessing of having our sins forgiven, as great as that blessing is.  The blessing God gives extends from the relationship we then enjoy with Him to the relationship of love we can enjoy with each other as we learn to forgive and extend the Grace God extends to us on to others.  Christ viewed this to be important enough to use a parable to clarify.  The parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35).  Christ revealed the consequences of not forgiving each other.  He wanted us to realize the significance and magnitude of His forgiveness to both make it easier to forgive each other, but to help us realize the great sacrifice and cost to Him for our forgiveness.  Forgiving each other if vital to our spiritual health and vital to our relationship with Christ.  Forgiving each other actually blesses us more than those we forgive.   When we forgive, we open the door to healing both in us and in others, not only those we forgive but also indirectly others impacted by sin both we and those who hurt us.  

Sin brings harm far beyond the sinner, but forgiveness brings blessing far beyond the forgiver.   That is an amazing miracle God provides to us when we honor and obey this commandment to forgive.  What God asks of us is not easy but is best.  That is a truth hard learned and easily forgotten, but none the less a truth vital for each of us to learn, to remember, and to follow. 

Below is Matthew 18:21-35 as a reminder of the parable Christ shared to teach us this important truth:  “ ²¹ Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?²² Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.²³ Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.²⁴ And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.²⁵ But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.²⁶ The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.²⁷ Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.²⁸ But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.²⁹ And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.³⁰ And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.³¹ So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.³² Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:³³ Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?³⁴ And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.³⁵ So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

   

1/14/18                                                      The Virus of Sin                                 14   

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.    Matthew 5:8

Recommended Reading: Psalm 24:3-5  “³ Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?⁴ He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.⁵ He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”

COMMENTS:  The above scriptures reveal the importance and benefit of living with a pure heart.  Living close enough to Christ and letting His Holy Spirit so guide us, being in full submission to Him, so that we overcome satan snares and temptations.  But let’s be honest.  No one except Christ has been able to consistently do that.  It is not God’s failing but ours.  BUT HE KNOWS AND IUNDERSTANDS THAT!  So why does HE set this requirement and standard for us.  Because His law requires it.  He didn’t go to the cross because He looked forward to it but because there was no other option to save us and still meet His own standard.  He knew we could not work our way to His standard nor sustain that standard, so He provided a way for us to reach that standard at His own cost.

Let’s try to wrap our minds and hearts around that truth. Christianity is the only religion that claims a God who paid the penalty of sin and disobedience of His creation instead of requiring his creation work and sacrifice and earn its way to salvation and redemption.  Could that be because only God could conceive such a plan of redemption and man could not imagine a plan not requiring earning our own way.  Could that mean all other religions are man created while Christianity is God created?  Well, God is not a god of religion but a God of relationships so Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with our Creator and Savior.  AMEN!  So how do we resolve our inability and unwillingness to live a life pure in heart?   Well, could it be God leads and guides us toward that goal while covering us with His forgiving blood as we continue in fellowship with Him allowing His Holy Spirit to dwell in and change us from the inside out.  The pure in heart do that and put and keep their eyes on Him.  I believe I am able to do that more now than 50 years ago or 30 years ago or even 10 years ago.  I also believe 10 years from now I will be more able to do so than now.  I certainly will if 10 years from now I am with Him in heaven, but expect to be incrementally true if still here on earth at age 76.  I know I will be weaker in body but expect I will be stronger in spirit.  Why?  Because “the longer I am with Him, the stronger I am and the more like Him I become”.  Perfection is how He sees us covered in His blood. He still sees our flaws and shortcomings and works with us to overcome and remove them.  He works within our wills and submission and will continue to do so until He completes our transformation in heaven. I have to say I don’t like my shortcomings and I like the characteristics He demonstrates and is working to build in me.  I believe we will like who we become in heaven, so why not work with Him to implement some of them now?  AMEN!   Live clothed in God’s armor (Ephesians 6:10-18)—it is our first defense against the power of sin. “There is no holiness without warfare.” J. C. Ryle

1/15/17                  To the Church That Supports Me                        15     

So, when [Peter] had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.   Acts 12:12                                 

Recommended Reading: Acts 4:32-35  “³² And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.³³ And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.³⁴ Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,³⁵ And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”

JOHN 3:1-8 “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:² The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.³ Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.⁴ Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.⁷ Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.⁸ The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

COMMENTS:  Our creator designed us to be in community with each other but also with Him. Adam and Eve may have been alone together for awhile but they were in continual fellowship with their creator, and that was enough.  It wasn’t until satan tempted them and ruined that relationship that things changed and sin entered their world and lives.  But they still were designed to be in relationship with God and incomplete without Him.  So are we.   But Christ’s redeeming sacrifice and blood opened the way to restore that relationship but so much more.  Christ also designed and created the Church as a community for fellowship and relationship between believers while being in relationship together and individually with God.  Even more, the revelation of the Holy Spirit when even further to enable believers to have God’s spirit indwelling in them guiding and empowering and transforming them continually all the time and in a deeply personal way.  That meant they, and we, can know God in a much more personal way than possible otherwise while here on earth.  In a way satan despises and does all he can to prevent or stop.

Being born again is the new life Christ sacrificed and paid the price for us to have if we accept this gift.  Community and fellowship with God is what the Holy Spirit teaches and guides and strengthens us to experience and enjoy and have.  The new and more wonderful life He then enables us to life is the result.  But even more, having a family like minded and like transformed is a completion of all God has designed us and transforms us to have and enjoy and experience.  Heaven will certainly be the ultimate place where this will be experienced, but even one earth God intends for us to live in community and with Him too.  No, we still have sin’s influence and human weakness and our own selfish wills to deal with and will fail at times, but Christ’s life example and teachings and His Holy Spirit provide forgiveness when we fail and redemption and a helping hand to go a different and better path.  But also, to teach us how to forgive as well as teaching us to seek forgiveness.  But even this God intends to guide us into a deeper faith and relationship with Him and with each other.

But Christian Community, The Church, is not just about strengthening and helping each other and meeting each other’s needs.  It is about reaching out and showing Christ to family and friends and community and beyond.  To show Christ in normal daily duties at home and work and in errands.  Wherever we make contact with others during our daily lives.  But then there are also those times the Holy Spirit nudges us to call someone or go visit someone or stop and visit when we have somewhere else to go.  It is in those times God uses us in wonderful and unexpected ways to touch and impact others positively.  These instances can and will become more common if we open ourselves and slow down and listen.  I’m working on this and pray you will too.  AMEN!

The dignity of serving God is second only to the dignity of belonging to His family.                                John Blanchard                                                                                                                                 

1/16/18                 The Gateway of the Eye                                          16    

I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman?

Job 31:1                   

RECOMMENDED READING:  MATTHEW 5:28  “²⁸ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. “

COMMENTS:  Purity of heart is the goal, the expectation, God has given us with a tremendous blessing promised.    Christ said in His Beatitudes given with His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-10) “ 3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

Purity of heart relates to more and goes deeper than not yielding to sinful acts.  It involves gaining control over our thoughts as well as actions.  But I’m sure we all know by experience doing so, even with best of motives, is not possible as long as we indulge in and allow ourselves to be exposed to temptation.  We are never tempted on our strong points but on our weak points.

II Timothy 2:22 “²² Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”  So, what do we value most.  Is it satisfying our own selfish passions or is it our relationship with Christ?  We can’t serve 2 masters.  To give Christ half hearted obedience and devotion is still holding on to our own selfish wills and passions.  Until we surrender fully to Him, we can’t know the benefits and joys of a “pure heart”, a heart like Christ’s.  Well, gaining a pure heart is a lifelong endeavor and can only be fully achieved when we are fully transformed to be Christlike in heaven.  But there is much more to be done towards that goal while we are on earth as humans.  So how do we make progress.  The above scripture tells us to flee temptation, especially those we have been vulnerable to in past.  Our job is to watch our eyes and mind and run to Him when we encounter temptation of any type.  You and I need to admit and never forget we are not strong enough or smart enough or discerning enough to fight temptations alone nor without the Holy Spirit’s help.  The Holy Spirit is available to always 24×7 be on watch and on guard to shield and equip and empower us to resist temptation.   Let’s covenant with Him and seek our church family to hold us accountable.                               Guarding our hearts begins with guarding our eyes and ears. Jerry Bridges

1/17/18                              Having a Calm Spirit                                       17             A man of understanding is of a calm spirit.         Proverbs 17:27                            RECOMMENDED READING:  PSALM   131  “131 Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.² Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.³ Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and forever.”

COMMENTS: The doctrine of predestination is part of the John Calvin’s teaching adopted by the Presbyterian teaching and in contrast to Armenian “free will” teaching of John Wesley and adopted by the Methodist church.   Predestination stresses God’s foreknowledge and plan for our lives and intervention to lead us in that will.  Free will is not denied but not emphasized.   In contrast John Wesley did not deny or minimize God’s fore knowledge or intervention but emphasized “free will” and importance of making wise choices in obedience to God’s plan and consequences of not doing so.  So, who is right?

 Woodrow Wilson was a Calvinist and when run for re-election after his first term as president, in 1916, faced obstacles from a weak economy and WW I along with unpopularity of both.  His advisors were worried.  One of the Secret Service agents responsible for guarding President Wilson later commented that President Wilson did not allow worry to affect him because of his confident in God’s predestined plan.  He knew God was in control and His will would prevail.  That confidence kept President Wilson on track and enabled him to lead and trust God through this dark time.

Sincere Christians have varying views, but such confidence and trust in God’s Plan not only for the world but for each Christian is key to fully and consistently following God’s plan and being in obedience to His plan.  We would do well to learn from and follow Woodrow Wilson’s example even if we never reach the level of influence and notoriety he did.  God’s plan includes us and affects us and those we cross paths with profoundly.  AMEN.

“The Bible is the one supreme source of revelation…. It is the only guide of life which really leads the spirit in the way of peace and salvation.”  Woodrow Wilson

1/18/18                                                        State of War                            18            

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 5:1

Recommended Reading Roman 5:1-5  “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:² By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope:⁵ And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

COMMENTS: Historically war has been the norm of history, not peace.  Periods of peace between times of major war instead of periods of peace interrupted by brief times of war, unfortunately have been history’s norm.  One would think man enjoys war, but peace is what we all long for. 

Truth is we have always and continuously been at war.  War satan wages against God using us as pawns.  We may think we are always on the side of good, but unless we are saved and in obedience to His Will, we are in satan’s army battling against God. 

Jesus came to be our Mediator, our Redeemer, our Mediator to the Father, our Peacemaker and so much more.  Yet, if we are not at war against God, we then are automatically at war against satan.   Satan isn’t slowing down nor showing any sign of giving up.  Prophecy tells us he won’t slow down or stop until Christ returns and stops him and binds and throws him in hell along with those who followed and follow him.  We know his end and we also have a choice of who to give our allegiance to.  But allegiance is more than a choice.  It is actions that tell where our allegiance is.

 

Peace with God is something only the believer in Jesus Christ can claim, and that’s why our message is called the “gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15)

 

“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”  C. S. Lewis

 

1/19/18                             The House on Gratitude Street                      19     

And be thankful         Colossians 3:15

RECOMMENDED READING: COLOSSIANS 3:15-16  “¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

COMMENTS:  How do we find peace with God and sustain that peace.  Truth is God pursues us and provides a way for us to sustain that peace no matter our circumstances.   He provides His Holy Spirit to abide in and sustain and guide and encourage and empower us.  He also provides His Word and support of other believers to help us too.  What we must do and sustain is an “attitude of gratitude” towards Him but also toward each other in all situations and circumstances in order to keep us open and receptive to His council and influence.  When we allow hate or lust or other emotions from our selfish nature to influence our actions, we then close the door to God’s help and remove the invitation He asks of us to open the door to His help.  He is always there ready to help but waits til we invite Him. 

 “My place on Gratitude Street depends on constant awareness. So, each morning… I list the three or four matters from the previous day for which I am grateful. Almost always some person is in the list” …. J. Ellsworth Kalas      

1/20/18                              Overwhelmed With Gratitude                           20           

Stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening.

1 Chronicles 23:30

RECOMMENDED READING:  I CHRONICLES 23:25-32  “²⁵ For David said, The Lord God of Israel hath given rest unto his people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever:²⁶ And also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.²⁷ For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above:²⁸ Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;²⁹ Both for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;³⁰ And to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at even:³¹ And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the Lord in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the Lord:³² And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the Lord.”

COMMENTS: What do you have to be grateful for? Consider stories like Corrie Ten Boom and how she suffering during WWII as well as loosing her entire family at the hands of evil Nazi soldiers.  Yet she was also called to forgive one of those soldiers who was converted later at one of her crusades. What made it possible to forgive him and to be freed of the bitterness that could easily overtake her?  God had to remind her the level of His forgiveness and how important it was for her to show that same forgiveness.  He also had to remind her how important it was to trust Him and let Him be Lord of all, including Lord of her persecutors. That lesson made her ministry profound and far reaching and her joy in ministry and life beyond otherwise possible.  She now has joined her family in worship and praise to their Lord and Savior.  And even with some of those guards who repented too. Focus on and praise to Christ has an amazing way of lifting us above bitterness and anger and other distractions that pull us down and keep us from enjoying our faith and our relationship with our Savior.  “We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction” .Harry Ironside

      

1/21/18                              Blessed Persecution                                            21     

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:10

RECOMMENDED READING:  I PETER 2: 19-25  “⁹ For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.²⁰ For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.²¹ For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:²² Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:²³ Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:²⁴ Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.²⁵ For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

COMMENTS: Persecution has been endured by faithful Christians since Christ’s sacrifice, but not without the Holy Spirit’s empowering and guidance replacing fear with courage and joy.   Peter showed the most dramatic change from denying Christ at the threat of prison to bolding preaching in the midst of great persecution and even facing crucifixion requesting to be crucified upside down because of being unworthy to die in the same way as Christ. He faced death with the confidence and peace of knowing His Lord was with Him ready to usher him into heaven with those words we all long for “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’   That confidence made all the difference for them and will for you and me too if we put our trust in Him and step out in faith each time we are tested and called to say or do something for Him.  We may not face the severity of persecution our ancestors or piers in other countries so, but our faithfulness and obedience are no less important to Him and to us.

 “If you have no opposition in the place you serve, you’re serving in the wrong place.”  G. Campbell Morgan

1/22/18                                            True Reality                                          22    

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

Colossians 2:6-7

RECOMMENDED READING GENESIS 45  “ Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.² And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.³ And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.⁴ And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.⁵ Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.⁶ For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.⁷ And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.⁸ So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.⁹ Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:¹⁰ And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children’s children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:¹¹ And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.¹² And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.¹³ And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.¹⁴ And he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.¹⁵ Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.¹⁶ And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, Joseph’s brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.¹⁷ And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;¹⁸ And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.¹⁹ Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.²⁰ Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is your’s.²¹ And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.²² To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.²³ And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way²⁴ So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.²⁵ And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,”²⁶ And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not.²⁷ And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:²⁸ And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

COMMENTS: Today’s scripture is a wonderful story of redemption.  Joseph’s brothers were redeemed and forgiven of their terrible hidden sin.   Not hidden from them or from Joseph nor from God, but hidden from Jacob.  God used Joseph to redeem his brothers and bring forgiveness to them.  That forgiveness was undeserved and not even sought but redemption that not only showered them, but brought the joy of redemption back to Joseph and to his father who had no hope of redemption.  What a wonderful story and lesson for each of us.   Forgiving others brings more blessing back to us but also blessing that reaching beyond us, even beyond our imagination.  Blessing that goes beyond our own lives. Such blessing is given by God but restrained until we open the door of obedience. What would have happened if the brothers hadn’t sinned and Joseph hadn’t been sold into slavery?  We will have to wait til heaven to find out, but I do believe the an even greater door to blessing would have been open.  God so wants to use us to bless others and so wants us to be in close relationship with each other as well as with Him.  When we do so, we find we gain far more than give up.  But at the time, we commonly think we are giving up more than will gain.  That is satan’s lie to keep us from following our Savior’s lead and Will.   All growth that is not toward God is growing to decay.     George MacDonald

1/23/17                              Look at Me                                          23      

Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?   Matthew 20:15

RECOMMENDED READING:  MATTHEW 20:1-16  “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.² And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.³ And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,⁴ And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.⁵ Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.⁶ And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?⁷ They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.⁸ So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.⁹ And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.¹⁰ But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.¹¹ And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,¹² Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.¹³ But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?¹⁴ Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.¹⁵ Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?¹⁶ So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”

COMMENTS:  It is human nature for us to compare ourselves to others in order to judge our successes and others failures.   Our selfish natures tempt us to take pleasure in our successes over others and others failures.   A competitive nature is encouraged from childhood to motivate setting and achieving goals and encouraging team work to win competitive games.  Success is judge on number of wins.  Well, how to we judge the value of competitive games in helping children to mature against scripture and against this parable specifically?  Does God want us to remove “win- lose” from our lives?   In order to give some response to these questions while also addressing the destructive side of comparing ourselves to others and they to us, we need to look at Christ’s example and a closer look at His parables, including this one.  When we pattern our lives after others instead of focusing on Christ’s example, we settle for a flawed example short of Christ’s perfect mark.  We settle for too little.  But others are closer and easier to see and understand. 

Well, I believe we need balance.  Others, who are also striving to be Christ-like can and do help us take “baby steps” It is when “hero worship” causes us to hold others too highly or ourselves too high or too low, that harm results.  By keeping Christ’s example in focus, we get that balance and also have a more objective way of see both our lives and others.  Likewise, Christ spurs us to set our expectations higher too.  Others will disappoint us but Christ WILL NOT!  Christ also helps us make and keep our motives pure and our souls and eyes clear to see those opportunities He gives us to be an encourager and blessing to others along life’s journey.  Stories like a runner who stopped to help a hurt runner finish are such opportunities.  Such blessings God then brings overshadow winning or losing.  Achieving right goals and being successful in God’s eyes is what is most important and lasting anyway.  AMEN! 

Jesus calls us to His rest, and meekness is His method. The meek man cares not at all who is greater than he, for he has long ago decided that the esteem of the world is not worth the effort.  A.W. Tozer

1/24/18                              Happily Wise                                                          24     

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.

Proverbs 3:13

RECOMMENDED READING: PSALM 33:11  “¹¹ The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”

ISAIAH 40:8  “⁸ The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”

COMMENTS:  Proverbs tells us that wisdom begins with “the fear of the Lord”.  Fear does not mean terror that would cause us to run from God for fear of our lives.  Fear means a deep respect and love and reverence for who God is and what He does but also for how perfect His is and we aren’t.  Fear comes from a deep sense of unworthiness to approach Him.  Wisdom also comes from learning to live life influenced by God’s perspective and having understanding of His ways, values, plans, expectations, and ways or methods. 

Proverbs also reminds us that lasting happiness comes from gaining such wisdom.

Our expectations of what wisdom looks like varies but generally we view wisdom as ability to discern good from bad choices and ability to choose the good over bad consistently.  So, wisdom is more than being able to determine good choices.  The next important ingredient is actually following thru with implementing wise choices and moving away from the fence separating the good from bad choices.  We need to remember consequences of past poor choices to help deter us from revisiting them or repeating them or similar poor choices.  Likewise, we need to more to a greater awareness of knowing the joy we bring to Christ when we make wise choices and grief we bring to Him when we make poor choices.  Get to the point we desire to please and bring joy to those we love, especially to our Savior. 

Also, we seldom realize the time and energy and resources we waste trying to fix damage from poor choices.  Resources and time that could have been used doing good to others if we only had made wiser choices.  Stop and think about personal examples of both.   Remembering the blessings of making wise choices and consequences of making poor choices.  Choices that not only impact us personally but those we love.  Also realize our choices impact many we don’t know nor realize that impact.  Consider the impact your choices have made on others in past.  Think about some choices that continue to impact others.  Negative impact does tend to be much hard to overcome than good or positive impact, right?

This is a big reason why it is so important for each of us to have a close and consistent relationship with Christ and seek His council and help daily.  Scripture and prayer are our direct access to Christ.  When we accept His forgiveness, and invite Him into our lives, He indwells in our souls by His Indwelling Holy Spirit to guide our conscience and influence our thinking and will to succeed.  The indwelling Holy Spirit is a big mystery that even seasoned Christians do not fully understand.  But the closer we get to Christ and the longer we live, the more we recognize the Holy Spirit’s council and helping hand in our lives and in our thoughts and actions.  Live is all about choices and that is no different after we choose to be a Christ follower.  It does get early to make wise choice as we make more wise choices and fewer foolish choices, but we never fully outgrow the risk and likelihood to make foolish choices.  BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS GOD IS A FORGIVING GOD WHO SHOWS MERCY TO THE NEW CHRISTIAN AND SENIOR CHRISTIAN who falls and sins and makes foolish choices too.  But there continues to be consequences for foolish choices, which includes wasting valuable resources, including time, repairing damage from those choices. 

So, it is vital we learn to surrender to His Will and council consistently so we enjoy blessings from wise choices consistently and are also able to use resources proactively instead of being forced to use them to fix our mess-ups.  Right?  Well, that is God’s desire and will because He only wants good for us and is more than willing to help us accomplish this if we only let Him.  He doesn’t force Himself on us, but He remains close by to come to us when we asked.

BUT REMEMBER. OUR GOD IS A RELATIONAL GOD AND DESIRES MOST FOR US TO BE IN CLOSE AND CONTINUAL FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM.  Well, if you feel reluctant to seeking that because you aren’t sure how much you will like God or agree with His council, consider maybe it is because you don’t really know Him.  BUT DO YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO HAS SUCH A RELATIONSHIP WHO DOESN’T LIKE GOD?  I THINK NOT.  But realize that isn’t because they happen to be those who naturally are like and like God. NO!  It is because God is loveable and we will be too if we allow Him to help us be more like Him.  Not sure you believe that?  Well, do you have a better path to take that will have a better destination in 100 years?  Then why not start the journey to the destination you are hoping for now instead of putting it off to later.  Remember, we have no guarantee of the opportunity tomorrow.                The kind of wisdom that God waits to give to those who ask him is a wisdom that will bind us to himself.   J. I. Packer

1/25/18                              Our Birth Certificate                                           25                 

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

1 John 5:11

RECOMMENDED READING: I JOHN 5:8-12  “⁸ And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.⁹ If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.¹⁰ He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.¹¹ And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.¹² He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

COMMENTS:  Last year Martha Mossberg celebrated her 100^th birthday on August 4^th. She had celebrated her birthday on August 11^th for most of those years thinking the 11^th was her birthday until she looked at her birth certificate, required for a cruise she was planning for.  Well, she was surprised but then began celebrating her birthday on the 4^th. Her birth certificate was the authority and overruled nearly 100 years of believing an error.  She could have ignored or questioned that certificate and continued believing her birthday was the 11^th, but she would have been wrong just the same. 

I had a wise supervisor who told me “No matter how long we go down a wrong path, it is still better to turn around and go down the right path than to continue down the wrong path”.   I’ve used that wisdom may times and has served me well.  Pride and laziness has tempted me to ignore that advice but it didn’t take long to realize the foolishness of not following that advice.  The destination of going down the wrong path only gets worse and it only gets harder to turn around later.  Right?   Think about that and examples you recall.

Well, if we know Christ as our Savior, we not only have a two birth certificates.  One with our physical birth date, and one with our spiritual birth date. Our names are written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life” the instant we trust Christ as our Savior and ask Him to forgive and come into our hearts.  The Bible then becomes our birth certificate and document to guide and keep us true to His truth to show us false paths we need to turn around and get off and paths we need to start down.  The Holy Spirit comes into our hearts then and becomes our personal guide and encourager and strength to follow through with those course corrections, which are more than one and sometimes often.

Once we start following His council, we may have to use energy and time and even money to fix some damage caused by going down false paths, but we will discover once past that, we will have more energy and resource and joy completing daily tasks and accomplish far more than we ever could without His Holy Spirit guiding us and Word instructing us.                   I encourage you to reflect on those who have done so and determine to follow their example.  But Christ needs to be our ultimate example because His life was our perfect example, the example so many others before us have successfully followed.

No matter how old we are, “it is better to turn from the path to death and to a path to life, the path to Christ and the path to heaven.”

1/26/18                              One in the Spirit                                          26   

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.

1 John 3:14

RECOMMENDED READING:  I JOHN 3:11-18  “¹¹ For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.¹² Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.¹³ Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.¹⁴ We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.¹⁵ Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.¹⁶ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.¹⁷ But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?¹⁸ My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

COMMENTS:  There is a chorus written by a Chicago parish priest in 1960s: ““We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. And we pray that all unity may one day be restored. And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”  This pastor wrote this chorus to share and teach the youth in his community and church the way to stop and heal racial and cultural divisions.  This song became one of the early praise songs of the “Jesus Movement” revival of the 1960s. This simple song shares the heart of today’s scripture from I John.  Loving those who are easily loved and who love us in return is not the real test of our faith.  It is loving those who are not easily loved and who do not respond in kind.  Loving because we choose to and not just because we feel like it.  LOVE IS MORE A CHOICE THAN A FEELING. Loving in response to Christ’s love for us and kindness to us instead of loving in response to other’s acts of kindness to us. Such love is not seen in the world and is not easily done.  Such love is supernatural and displayed best by those who follow Christ and His example.  No, only Christ perfectly displayed this Love.  None other have, but there are a few that do a pretty good job.  Stop and think about a few of them you know.  They stand out in the crowd because they are generous and return kindness for meanness and good for bad.  You and I have work to do if we hope to be known for displaying that kind of love. But displaying that love, the Love of Christ, is the legacy we long to have and is the only way of making a positive and lasting impact on the lives of those we love and all who know us.     We really don’t have another good choice. I John reminds us the only way to live a life worth living, a joyous life, is to love our neighbor unselfishly without conditions of his conduct or response but simply because of God’s love and sacrifice for us and with motivation of encouraging and blessing others as a response to Christ’s love for us.

No, the only acceptable way to thank our Savior in a way worthy of Him, the only way He desires, is to love our neighbor unconditionally.  When we love unconditionally, we display our faith in Christ and show evidence our Lord is alive and well and living in us.  “THEY WILL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE” AMEN!!

1/27/18                              Don’t Play Games                                          27

That which we have seen and heard we declare to you … and these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 1 John 1:3-4

RECOMMENDED READING:  MATTHEW 23:23-28  “²³ Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.²⁴ Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.²⁵ Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.²⁶ Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.²⁷ Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.²⁸ Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”

COMMENTS: Today we deal with a scary and intimidating but the controversial subject of hypocrisy, especially hypocrisy in the Christian church.  Christians and Christian churches have been accused of being hypocrites and hypocrisy has done its destructive work both inside and thru the church, even with well meaning Christians.  How many non-Christians have been turned off and discouraged from accepting Christ because of hypocrites within the church walls.  How many are within the church walls believing they are destined for heaven but still lost because they have missed the most important requirement?  Well, if we open ourselves to be teachable, we’d discover satan both convinces lost sinners they are good enough to get into heaven or can earn that right.   Satan is also very skillful at slowly pulling even born-again Christians from Christ and into distractive sins and even good works relying on themselves alone.  They slip into a state of “pretending to be good and righteous” and become judgmental of others with struggles, portraying a “holier than thou” attitude.  The journey down that satan-lead dark path varies but still leads to the destruction for both the one following that path and those influenced by him. 

Jesus confronted hypocrisy among the religious leaders of His day.  The damage those leaders did to themselves and others broke Jesus’ heart and had condemning words for them. 

Well, they were hypocrites.  So, how are hypocrites different from saved Christians in the church?   Hypocrites pretend to be forgiven and righteous and work to display that righteousness by their own works and actions and conduct while hiding sinful behavior from view of others.  They are different on the inside than they are on the outside. 

Born-again Christians are not perfect in action but have submitted their lives and souls to Christ and His Holy Spirit to change and influence them.  They seek the Holy Spirit’s help and admit their faults and repent for sin and harm they do to others.  They seek help and support to overcome weakness.  They love God and lover others and let that love guide their behavior.  They do good, not for their benefit, but to benefit others but also to express their love for Christ, to bring joy to Him.  An expression of their love and praise to Him. 

We need to remember to show and share the Christian faith “IS NOT EARNING OUR WAY TO HEAVEN.  IT IS NOT A DEGREE WE WORK TO ACHIEVE” Christians are not better than non-Christians.  BUT THEY ARE FORGIVEN AND HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR CREATOR AND SAVIOR THAT TRANSFORM THEM TO LIVE A MORE CHRIST-LIKE LIFE.  THE LONGER THEY LIVE IN RELATIONSHIP WIT H CHRIST, THE MORE LIKE HIM THEY BECOME AND THE MORE UNDERSTANDING OF THEY HAVE OF CHRIST’S INSTRUCTION AND WORD.   Even atheists can tell the difference between a hypocrite and a genuine Christ follower.  Faithful Christians have shown what Christ is like to Muslims and Buddhists and Hindus, and atheists, and agnostics, and people of all pagan faith, and even to hypocrites since Christ’s resurrection and still do.  CHRISTIANITY IS FAR MORE THAN A RELIGION, IT IS A RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR CREATOR AND SAVIOR.   IT IS A LOVE RELATIONSHIP.   Next time you are confronted with someone who complains of all the hypocrites in the church, point them to Christ who confronted those hypocrites and ministered to the sick and dying and defenseless who had no one to help or heal them.  The tell them you are one of those in need and how Christ has helped and healed you. 

We are called to evangelize but not alone.  He goes with us as the Holy Spirit in us and all around us.  I struggle walking on this road, as know you do to. We also want respect and love of others but we need to desire to please Christ more if we are going to yield to His nudging to live and share His love with others.  It’s not easy and will require sacrifice at times, but the reward is eternal for us but even more for those He will use our obedience to open a door redeem as well.  AMEN?  AMEN!

As we transition from spiritual darkness to light, we are tempted to play spiritual games. Stay true; stay joyful; stay in fellowship with God.

1/28/18                              Nobody’s Perfect                                      28  

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.    1 John 1:9

RECOMMENDED  READING: I JOHN 1:8-10  “⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

COMMENTS:  Christian perfection is one of many mysteries in scripture.  When Christ told us to be perfect, as God the Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48), was He talking about living a life without sin?  Well, few Christians teach this doctrine and no-one has or is living it. I John 1:8 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”  John then went on, I John 1:9-10 to say “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.”

The story is told of a pastor who claimed to be born again and now living a life without sin.  Well, a parishioner immediately stood up and shared a recent example that proved otherwise.   So, which is it?  Are we capable of and expected to live a life free from the practice of sin completely, or are we covered by Christ’s forgiveness and given the strength and ability to resist and overcome temptations satan throws at us? 

If we are honest, we have to admit even the most righteous individuals we know – even the Billy Grahams and Jim Dobsons and, even our godly grandmothers who live faithful lives and demonstrate Christ-like conduct like none others, still fall short of the perfect life Christ lived.  We don’t need to look long before recognizing failings in our own lives too.  Failings of careless words or neglected visits or poor choices.  

Well, perfection is how the Father sees us through His Son’s blood after we receive His forgiveness.  The indwelling Holy Spirit guides and helps us grow and improve in demonstrating a more Christ-like behavior.  We need to see that improvement as we grown older in years and in relationship with Him.  We achieve that as we turn our backs to satan and our eyes and outstretched arms and heart in fellowship with Christ more and more of the time.  So, instead of asking if we are living or boast of living a perfect life, we need to ask for and boast of God’s Grace and mercy.  Perfection will be fully achieved in heaven, but we have a lot of improving possible while on earth.  Imagine taking a journey on foot from New Your City to Hawaii.  Each step brings us closer but the journey is not complete and when finally arrive in San Francisco thinking we are ½ way there, we realize we can’t walk on water to continue the walk to Hawaii. 

If the journey seems impossible, we are right.  But God never intended for us to do this alone nor without His help.  That is why He gave us His Holy Spirit to abide in us and have ongoing relationship with us.  So, each step will draw us closer to our destination and further from the pit of sin satan drew us into and wants to keep us in. 

We are not perfectly Christ-like, but we are perfectly forgiven and a work in process of becoming more perfectly like Him each day.  If it were any other way, we could take the credit of working our way to heaven instead of giving Him the credit and praise for making us worthy.  It is not about us but all about Him.  So, don’t be discouraged.  Be encouraged because He will never give up on us.   He has the boat waiting for us when we no longer have solid ground to walk on.  AMEN?  AMEN! 

1/29/18                              To Love Is to Obey                                      29           Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 1 John 2:3

RECOMMENDED READING: JOHN 14:15  “¹⁵ If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

COMMENTS:  Actions do speak louder than words.  Words cost us little but actions cost us more, they cost us energy and time.  They come from a greater commitment to be true to our word.  Actions lend credibility to our words and speak to our integrity.  Actions give credibility to our witness too.  Parental love for their children is confirmed by acts of love, but love of children for their parents is proved by their actions.  Exodus 20:2-20 give us God’s 10 Commandments.  Vs. 12“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”  We honor our parents by obeying them and we love them in action as well as word.  The command also brings a promise of blessing when we do so.

Obeying our parents is difficult at times, when we are young, because our wants and immaturity and inexperience pull us in destructive and sinful directions.  Satan’s pull is always destructive and we are vulnerable to his temptations at every age but are especially vulnerable as children.  But as children we are also more open to Christ’s message and the Holy Spirit’s positive influence too. 85% of those who come to Christ come as children before age 14. 

“When we say we love God but do not obey His commands and desires, we make ourselves out to be liars” (1 John 2:4). “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him” (1 John 2:5).

Our love for Christ is only genuine when we obey His commands, especially when we obey in areas not so appealing or easy for us to do so.  As adults we can appreciate the truth and importance of this based on our own experiences as children and as parents and grandparents.   How much more important is it for us to obey our Heavenly Father…  AMEN!

1/30/18                              Love and Like                                          30   

He who says he abides in [God] ought himself also to walk just as [Christ] walked.

1 John 2:6

RECOMMENDED READING:  PSALM 15:1-5   “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?² He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.³ He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.⁴ In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.⁵ He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.”

COMMENTS:  Have you ever thought about a child or even a spouse “I love them but sometimes I don’t like them very much”.   Love is a choice and should be independent of actions but liking someone does depend on how well they treat us or act towards us or those we care about.  Well, truth is we don’t like what they do at times, which is different than whether we like the person or not.   But actions do reflect the condition of one’s character and even one’s soul.  It has been said the eyes are the window to the soul.  But consistent actions are even more a window to one’s soul.  We can put on a good front for a time, but consistent conduct and actions can not be sustained for long without transformation within the soul.  Only God’s indwelling Holy Spirit makes consistent Christ-like conduct possible.  No, there will be instances of failure due to distractions and temptations that hit us unprepared or in weakness or when weary.  God will and does help us through them when we seek Him and put our eyes on Him, but there are times we either think we can handle it ourselves or react to temptation missing response of seeking His help first.  BUT THE MORE WE DO SEEK HIM FIRST, THE MORE NATURAL AND AUTOMATIC THAT RESPONSE FIRST WILL BE.  Becoming Christ-like is a lifelong progressive process, and battle.  The more like Christ, the more likeable we become to ourselves too.   Well, those who don’t like Christ probably won’t like us more, but the more like Christ we become, the more effective our witness and example becomes in drawing others to Him too.  Don’t know how to witness and intimidated in trying?  Me too!  But what we all can do is strive to reflect Him and be ready to share the reason for our confident hope and peace when asked.

The question we need to ask ourselves is, DO WE LIKE CHRIST ENOUGH TO WANT TO BE LIKE HIM?  DO WE LIKE HIM ENOUGH TO WANT TO BE CLOSER TO HIM?  Do we just love Him or do we like Him too?  Worshipping the God, we love and like as well as are grateful to does energize us to do more, right?  Well, He is certainly worthy and we are desperately dependent on Him.  Remember, it is a lot easier for us to love and like Him than it is for Him to love and like us, BUT HE DOES!!  AMEN!!

 

 

 

1/31/18                              His Footsteps Our Pathway                                     31                           Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway.  Psalm 85:13

RECOMMENDED READING:  PSALM 85  “Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.² Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.³ Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.⁴ Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.⁵ Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?⁶ Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?⁷ Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.⁸ I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.⁹ Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.¹⁰ Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.¹¹ Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.¹² Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.¹³ Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.”

COMMENTS:  Christ didn’t come to earth as our judge but to show us who the Father is and what He is like.  He also came to provide a way of forgiveness, a way of redemption, a way for us to experience and maintain the relationship with God that Adam and Eve enjoyed before the fall, the relationship God designed us for and desires us to have with Himself.  Christ showed us God and provided us a way to have a personal daily relationship with Himself.  But that relationship requires surrender of our wills to His and turning away from our selfish – sinful – destructive past and turning to a new life, the life He designed us for.  This life is a journey to become more like Him and less like satan’s.  A life we want our children and grandchildren to have too.  But the reality is we are still human and influenced by physical weakness and distractions and temptations.  But a journey that takes us closer to and more like Him each day and further from satan’s influence and pull.  A journey that takes a lifetime to complete but a journey to our eternal home.  

The Appalachian Trail is 2200 miles long with winding difficult hills going from Maine to Georgia.  Hikers typically takes 165 days to trek that distance, burning 5500 calories each day.  Sounds impossible but is achieved one step at a time, all 5 million of them.  Someone must have calculated the steps.  I can’t imagine counting them.  But if we live to be 72, we have lived 26,280 days, 630,720 hours, nearly 38 million minutes. 

The Christian walk is just as challenging and requires just as much discipline to overcome temptation to give-up and take an easier path. But the reward is far more rewarding, beyond our imagination. But, like hiking the Appalachian Trail, is accomplished one step at a time.   One minute at a time, one day at a time.  Days we fail only mean we need to reach up and take His hand, let Him brush us off and treat our skinned knees and continue on with our Hand in His. Over time we will learn to keep our Hand in His and resist the temptation to take our hand from His when road looks level and smooth and are tempted to believe we can do it ourselves.    WE CAN NOT!  IT IS IN THOSE TIMES WE ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO TEMPTATION AND ARE MOST BLIND TO THE POTHOLES AND CLIFFS ALONG THE PATH!  Remember, He sees those potholes and will take us around them or hold us up over them IF WE KEEP OUR HAND IN HIS!  AMEN?  AMEN!!

 

 If you wish, you can access my blog at “https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com“. There you will find 94 blog posts i have made plus a link to my devotional journal material archives from 2013 to present. My hope and prayer is they will become a source of encouragement and tools in ministry for you.