01-30-12 "Serving: God's Pathway to Influence" Mark 10:35-45

“ The focus of the servant is on the one being served rather than on the outcome of the service.” - HighQuest

The passage I read was Mark 10:35-45

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A35-45&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

As I reflect:

In today’s passage I am focusing mainly on just the last few verses because I feel that the first few are an entirely different Bible study dealing with the issues of pride, position, and a desire to be with our Savior.  For today’s study I am led to focus on 2 words: Servant Leadership.  

You don’t see this among many religions, belief systems, hobbyist, enthusiast, leaders of any genre today.   I got to see this the other day from my pastor.  Me and my son were doing some rounds seeking anyone who needed assistance at the church the other day, when we came across a small puddle of someone’s spilled coffee.  I sent my son to the nearest restroom to get some paper towels and just as he was rounding the corner toward the restroom, I realized I was next to my pastor who was receiving a napkin already from his daughter.  He then knelt down without hesitation and cleaned and dried the floor area where the small spill had occurred.  I know it’s just a short story about a small puddle of coffee and to many it’s probably not that big a deal.  But to me, it meant a lot.  It meant that our pastor was a servant and that no matter how many people were in the congregation at our church, he didn’t see himself any differently than the rest of those who serve in and out of this building.  That’s servant hood.  That’s how you lead. 

I think the importance of this passage to me is not just to serve, but rather the focus of that service.  Above, I have quoted an excerpt from the introduction to this week’s study on “Serving: God’s Pathway to Influence”.  It states that the focus isn’t on the outcome of the service, but on the one being served.  I think that should be true of all of us.  My pastor wasn’t focused on who may see him kneel and clean a floor in the church.  There was no crowd circling him in astonishment at this event.  He didn’t look at me afterwards with a hint of pride like, “yea, that’s right you just saw me lower myself to serve.”  Nope, he did it because it was the right thing to do, and it needed doing.  Nor did Jesus give himself willingly on the cross simply to gain recognition or the place at the right hand of God.  These may have been results of what He did, but not the reason He did them.  All though His life as a man, we see that each miracle performed was not performed for the crowd sake as much as for the sake of the person that was healed.  Jesus cared about those whom He served.  He left the results of that servant hood to God.   We should likewise focus on those whom we serve and not on recognition or on outcome of that servant hood. 

About 7 years ago I was at a conference that focused on the removal of Satan’s arrows and the healing the Lord provides.  A man at the conference confessed to me that he was greatly angered that the pastor had looked him over and chose another person to add to the church staff as a paid servant at the church.  He said that felt like arrows from the enemy hitting his pastor.  The man(whom we’ll call Jimbo) told me he was angry because the pastor sees him serving all the time.  Every time he takes out the trash or prays with someone it’s in front of the pastor.  Every time a volunteer was needed, he was sure to raise his hand so that the pastor may see his servant heart.  But this other man was no servant at all.  Jimbo told me he had never even seen this guy lift a single finger to help the church.  After much discussion and council on the situation, I advised Jimbo that he was serving for the recognition of man and that the pastor likely saw this.  The other man that was chosen to join the staff was likely serving in unseen ways because he didn’t seek recognition, but genuinely had a heart to help those in need and spread the gospel.  Jimbo had forgotten or perhaps never even learned that the purpose of serving isn’t the recognition for doing it, but rather to simply lift up the person you are helping, or to improve upon the building for the sake of others who would benefit from it.  He was displeased with my response, but we prayed none the less for a heart change in his life instead of a promotion at a church.  We prayed that he would be used for God’s will, and not for his own.

Let us look to genuinely help others in any way that we can because we genuinely care about those whom we help.  Seek first the kingdom.

My response to the Lord:

Lord, I cannot with words thank you enough for the miracles that your Son has done, both in history and in my life today.  I cannot thank you anywhere near enough for what He will do with my future either.  For giving us such a perfect example of how to serve, I am grateful.  Now Lord, I ask for even more than the example.  I ask for your help to reflect that example, and as important to do so for the right reasons.  May I serve in humility, and not seek recognition for the service you allow me to take part in.  May you bless those whom I serve for allowing me the opportunity to serve them and may you multiply my efforts.  In Jesus’ name.  

01-23-12 "Humility; God's Pathway to Honor" Matthew 23:1-12

We all make mistakes.

The passage I read was Matthew 23:1-12

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+23%3A1-12&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

¹² For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

As I reflect:

Ok, so I’ll admit it.  This passage has been a struggle for me because I have used it to judge in unrighteous ways before.  I have used this passage to judge some of my Jewish friends who wear phylacteries with memorization verses in them and then post pictures of them doing so in public on facebook so that everyone can see their holiness. 

⁵ “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries^[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long;

There is also the fact that my Jewish friends call those who facilitate their weekly message, “Rabbi”. 

 ⁸ “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.

I have also used this passage to judge catholic friends who call a man on stage “father” and they confess their sins to him to receive his forgiveness on behalf of the Heavenly Father.  Then they bow to a graven image of Mary as they enter and leave such adorned money palaces.  Don’t get me started. 

⁹ And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 

Judging others aside… I have my issues too.  This passage for me ends in a verse which strikes fear in me.  Not the kind of fear that is like living in a spirit of fear, but rather a reverent fear of my Father.  The last verse (verse 12 written above) says that if I am self exalting, God will humble me.  That scares me.  That drives a conscious thought pattern to daily consider whether or not I have began to exalt myself or set myself above others in any way.  Being humbled by God is certainly something that is at the very least uncomfortable.  It can also be completely devastating if need be though.  He can in the blink of an eye, take away your possessions, your family and friends, your health, and allow you receive great persecution through it all, if that is what is required to humble you.  I find it much less painful to simply pay attention to where my finger is pointing and remember that I too have faults.  This is humbling.  It keeps me from believing that I am in any way better than my Jewish friends (my brother and my sisters) who use phylacteries, and my Catholic friends (brothers and sisters) who mis label a man on a stage.  I have many faults of my own; so many in fact that I don’t think I can in any way justify looking at other’s faults and still have enough time in the day to pay attention to my own.  I must daily focus on my walk more than on others’ so that when I preach, I do not myself become disqualified in the running because of judging and exalting myself above others. 

This week I focused on humility every day and found that I was nowhere near as humble as I thought.  In fact, for simply having thought of myself as a humble person, I found that I was instead prideful of my humility.  I have to laugh at that because I can get caught up in such backward thinking at times.  If I can daily remember for one week how wretched and undeserving of God’s love I am, then perhaps I can go forward from here remembering daily that lesson and knowing that I bring nothing to the table that makes me any better than those I have judged.  God forgive me. 

My response to the Lord:

My God, I am in need of forgiveness and I receive your correction.  I pray your Holy Spirit guide me this coming week and every week to follow, that I would not forget this lesson and end up in need of being humbled.  I am wretched and I thank you for loving me anyway and covering me in the righteous blood of your Savior without which none, not even one is without sin.  

01-23-12 "Humility; God's Pathway to Honor" 1 Peter 5:1-10

The passage I read was I Peter 5:1-10

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A1-10&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

 ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 

&

 ⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

   “God opposes the proud
   but shows favor to the humble.”

As I reflect:

Peter begins here with a note to the elders among the church.  He is making a point to them to be humble in their trusted position and seek God’s will, not their own gain.  He is reminding them that it is an opportunity to serve and that their service is always being watched.  They are to be an example for others in the service of Christ.  He says that they should be shepherds of God’s flock that is under their care “not because you must, but because you are willing”.  When I started serving in my church locally, I wasn’t thinking about one day being on staff or becoming anyone of noticeable position in the church.  I simply saw little things like coffee that needed to be made, someone who needed prayer, trash that was full, and I began filling those needs.  I didn’t do it because I wanted someone to see me, recognize me, and promote me to a position of importance.  No, I considered it already a position of importance to look after others and simply help where I could.  I think this mindset would benefit every member of the body of Christ from the least to the greatest.  If we could all just remember that we are privileged with the opportunity to serve one another and truly count it a blessing to be used to help someone else, then I think the church would be a better place; the body of Christ would be a more powerful and capable unit of believers.  Far too many seem to be seeking only their own glory, instead of just looking for how they can serve (even in the least seen ways). 

Peter then turns his attention to the younger members of the body; those who are not yet mentoring others and are seeking to learn to stand with Christ.  He says to them to submit themselves to their elders.  This doesn’t mean that if an elder tells you to jump off a bridge you blindly follow what they tell you to do.  There is still a discernment that must be used in finding elders in this day and age that are following after Christ with all that they are.  Peter is talking about something that I myself have struggled with in the past.  He’s talking about the pride that youth often bring with them to institutions of fellowship and study.  It is easy as an on fire youth in Christ to come full of your own ideas and your own wisdom and experiences to a new place and judge those that appear to be in charge.  I’ve done it in the past and must fight against the urge to do it in the present.  The youth Peter speaks of isn’t just the young in age, but the young in Christ.  Those who haven’t spent years upon years seeking after God and learning to rely on Him for His wisdom.  They are to submit to the elders in the church so that with their own prejudice aside they may receive the lessons that will cause them to grow spiritually into a man or woman of Christ.  It is very hard to learn new things when we come to a table with an “I know” attitude.  The centurion in the last study did not come to Christ with an attitude of “I’m a man of authority and thus you too should submit to me and listen to how you are going to come to my house and heal my servant because I command you to.”  Nope, he recognized his position and submitted to Christ knowing his authority was far greater than his own.   Thus should we esteem our elders giving them the respect of an open ear to listen and learn from what they have experienced and come to understand in the Word of God. 

Peter then says to all of them, both the elders and the youth in Christ, “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another”.  I picture this as a uniform for the job at hand.  If you are in the military, you where a certain camouflage that is appropriate for our current world operations because it is this camouflage that is most useful for the job at hand.  If you are a construction worker, you have a belt that is capable of holding your most used tools and nails because this tool belt provides you what is needed to appropriately do your job without having to run here and there to carry tools back and forth.  The military person would have little use for the tool belt as they have enough to carry without nails flying everywhere as they run into battle losing a hammer here and a tape measure there.  The construction worker would have little use for camouflage on the construction site.  It would make that person miserable in the heat and they would have no where for their most used items to be stored except the great discomfort that would come from nails sticking into their thigh perhaps in the cargo pocket.  The construction worker has about as much use of cloaking himself in desert camo as an armed forces servant has use for a level tool in battle.   We also have an outfit; a uniform for our position as servants of the most high.  Our clothing is humility.  It isn’t designed to cloak us from our enemies, or to carry tools.  For our outfit is in itself both a weapon against our enemies, and a tool for the job we must complete.  Let us be sure to where the appropriate outfit for our opportunity to serve lest we find ourselves stumbling with an outfit of pride that is as ill fit for our position in the body of Christ as a scuba diver’s outfit would be on a coal miner.  It would weigh us down and cause us to stumble greatly carrying many unnecessary weights, eventually causing us to struggle even to breath. 

Seeing as I have babbled on and on in my inspiration from the passage, I’ll wrap up with Peter’s last two points here in brevity.  Do not let satan swap your humility outfit with one of pride.  He’s sneaky and it can happen easier than you may think, so keep a watchful eye for it and purposely chose humility daily.  And lastly, none of this means anything if you try it without Christ.  Rely on God to guide you and teach you to set the examples you have been privileged to guide others in.  Give God all the glory and remember it is impossible to stand strong without the solid foundation that He is in all of our lives.

My response to the Lord:

Lord, I cast all my cares on you.  I know that you can do all things and it is for this reason that I can rely on you to carry my burdens.  Now free in Christ, I have been given privilege to not only lead others by example, but also to follow some great men that you have raised up as my examples.  Thank you for my mentors Father.  Thank you for your many lessons and the truth you have given me to light my path.  I pray your Holy Spirit keep my eyes open to the enemy’s snares and keep me humble in your service and the service of others for you.  Lord, gently rebuke me should my pride ever grow so great that your glory not be seen.  Better still Lord, I pray that you rebuke me before my pride ever be given opportunity to stand in the way.  Keep my humble before you my King.  Utilize me for your will.  Even the least of your will.  In Jesus’ name. 

01-23-12 "Humility; God's Pathway to Honor" Luke 7:1-10

The passage I read was Luke 7:1-10

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+7%3A1-10&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

⁶ So Jesus went with them.

   He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. ⁷ That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.

As I reflect:

Though I believe that there are several lessons to be studied from this passage (Faith, authority, law vs custom, obedience, etc.) today I will look at the lesson of humility given in the centurion’s actions and words.   We have so many wonderful examples of humility in the word.  This is yet another of those examples.  A centurion of Rome during this time in history was given full authority over their slaves and expected to kill without charge of murder any slave they chose, especially if that slave fell ill or incapable in some way of fulfilling their daily duties.   This man ignored that right by man’s law and instead became not only humble before God’s law not to murder, but also humble before God in that he would not even want the Lord to enter his house from fear of how unworthy he and his home were.  What humility?! 

We today have expectations and tell God to fit in a box because we tend to at some point come to expect God to bend to our will and that is simply not how this relationship works.  Now at the time of this story, the doorway that Jesus swung open to allow us to enter freely into the presence of the Father in the Holy of Holies was still very much sealed and no one but the Son and whom the Father chose could enter such a place.  However today, we all have been given that privilege to freely come before God.  I think we far too often think that this is a ticket we deserve though instead of recognizing how wonderful such a gift is.  I mean none of us, not one, is worthy to come before God and speak to our Creator and yet He chooses to extend this privilege out of love for us.  We ought to more often remember as the centurion did that we have no right, no deserving action that we have committed has lead us to a place where we merit the right to come before God.  It is only because of His grace and love that the veil was torn and when we enter His presence we ought to do so with humility recognizing fully that we are an unrighteous being coming before that which all righteousness stems from.  We are to be lowly and humble as we bow at His feet.  The centurion here gives us that feeling again.

For those who have thought of themselves as worthy to have Christ come to them and improve upon them or their lives, look at the centurion and consider yourself as unworthy of God’s presence.  Now reproach the throne with a thankful and humble heart, for you are in the presence of the highest Authority in existence.  Have a fearful reverence for Our King of Kings and Lord Most High. 

My response to the Lord:

Lord, today I reflected on the approach one should have before your throne and yet I myself am guilty of far to often approaching your throne in a manner other than humble.  Sometimes I am excited as I come before you and I seem to run past everyone in celebration, and I think that you are probably ok with that.  But at other times that I approach incorrectly, I am sometimes just being lazy or expectant of you to listen despite my selfishness in not taking the time to approach you reverently.  Forgive me my King.  I don’t want to stand accused of taking you for granted.  You are my everything and I value you with all that I am.  May I remember more often that though I am given this privilege to come before you freely, it is still none the less a privilege from the Most High.  

01-23-12 "Humility; God's Pathway to Honor" Philippians 2:1-11

The passage I read was Philippians 2:1-11

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A1-11&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

 ⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

As I reflect:

This passage (as many in the Bible) directly contradicts the world’s way of thinking.  How many times have I seen or heard at work that one should walk with a since of superiority in all that they do?  How many times have you heard that to get your next promotion you should display confidence and walk with your head high?  This isn’t what the Word of God says.  It says that our confidence is in the Lord; not our selves.  Is says we are to be humble and obedient, valuing others higher than ourselves.  Very opposite thought process from that of the world.  If I’m already saved, then shouldn’t my concern be the salvation of others?  If the Lord has already given His service to me, then shouldn’t I be able to be a servant to others?  Remember Christ came not to be served but to serve?  Remember Him washing the disciples’ feet?  Remember He is our example?  Where and at what point in time did we pollute this story so that we could be self righteous men standing on stages and pointing at ourselves?  It’s not about us.

Paul uses the only perfect example of his point that is possible.  He chooses Jesus.  I think that most Christians have at some point heard that Christ is our example and we are to be like him.  But I wonder how many professed followers really believe that it’s true.  Consider it.  We are to be like the perfect man who laid His life down in obedience to God.  We are to be like Jesus who though capable of building up and destroying all chose to humble himself as a man not only before God the Father, but also before other men.  He made Himself lowly to show us where true strength is found.  He fell to His knees and spent time in prayer to give us the example of how to lead.  He made Himself a servant, to teach us how to serve.  I believe it is far too easy for us to simply admire Jesus for doing what He did/does.  Bet we are not called to simply admire Him.  We are called to be like Him; having the same mind, the same humility, the same serving spirit.  And yea, it can be hard at times to do this (especially when humbling ourselves before someone that we may think we are better than), but imagine how God must have felt.  Is He not infinitely better than all of us in every way?  And yet He was able to be obedient and Humble even unto death for not a single sin in His life.  How can we then justify not being humble servants and allowing God to do the exalting? 

I don’t believe Paul is writing this to tell us to walk around with our heads down or to feel so lowly that we have no worth.  I do however believe, that after having taught the Philippians about how to handle representing Christ to those who oppose them,  he wants them to also be able to handle being Christ like to one another in the family of believers.    This is his message to us as well, that we should treat one another as believers in the same body.  That we should be humble amongst each other and be servants seeking to esteem one another higher than ourselves rather than seeking self gain and a position among leaders.  I believe that truly to lead in the body of believers means to serve.  For what example is given in having others serve you?   Be unified I lifting each other up and in this way be drawn nearer to each other as a close knit family of believers who’s strength and power come from Christ alone. 

My response to the Lord:

My Lord I am confident in you.  I am assured that you can do all things and I trust in this reassuring truth.  I pray that you mold me to be more like Jesus.  Help me to be a servant and to teach others also to serve in your name.  If ever I am accused of being a great leader, may I humbling confess that I am but a servant and then point them to you, my Great Leader and Teacher.  Help me to separate selfish ambition, from ambition that is right before you.  May I be ambitious only in ways that serve you Father.  Teach me to have greater concern for the interests of others.  I bow before you Lord, in the mighty name of Jesus.  Let it be so.

01-23-12 "Humility; God's Pathway to Honor" James 4:1-10

The passage I read was James 4:1-10

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A1-10&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

 ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

As I reflect:

There’s a lot here to meditate and more importantly abide by daily.  The world is plenty full of prideful and selfish men who still to this day live only for themselves, taking all they can before going into the grave with nothing.  I run into many on a daily basis that could care less about God, the poor, the hungry, the dying, or anything other than what they can gain out of running into me.  It’s tough.  It’s tough for a couple reasons.  It’s tough because I used to be that person.  I used to be a friend to the world and an enemy of God, acting in every perverted, self-seeking, prideful way.  Looking back, I was my own god.  I’d argue to no good end trying to prove that I was right.  My pride got me into many unfavorable situations and ultimately it led me to death.  It’s also tough because these people I speak with or see daily are completely unreceptive to the one thing that can save them.  God opposes their pride so they will turn and seek God, and yet they see His opposition as a reason to curse Him, or pretend He doesn’t exist all together.  For them I pray, and for them I try daily to make some sort of impact and be a useful vessel to the Lord to reach them in any way possible.  This is something I can’t do by myself...In fact; it’s something I can’t do at all.

Knowing this, that without God I am nothing, I can then go to the One Who is all powerful and all knowing and I can submit myself to His full authority.  I can daily kneel before my King and ask of Him his will of me.  Only He can guide me to reach others and teach me to resist the devil.  Only He can purify me heart and change my character.  And only He can truly lift me up.  Sure, there are many foundations on the earth that I may have been able to lift myself up to, but God could have shaken any of them to the ground and allowed me to fall at any time.  Only God can set me high upon the rock that doesn’t move.  Only His grace is sufficient.  So daily, before I leave my house, before I take a shower, before I even leave my bed, I come before the throne of the Most High and place all my trust in Him, asking for eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that understands His guidance that today I may do His will.  I recognize my inability to do anything without Him and with head bowed low I ask for Him to help me bear the armor and the assignment to move forward in the battles I face.  I ask Him to go with me into battle that if I fall He will lift me up and when I swing my sword He would guide my strike to be of right words.  I ask for His light because I know that my example alone is powerless without His movement and use of it.  I don’t recall ever leaving morning prayer in hopes of being lifted up or I’m sure I would have been brought low.  But rather, I leave prayer thankful that He chooses to hear my cries as a wretched man unworthy to be heard.   That He hears me and shows me grace brings me great joy.  Join me in daily submission before God and if you see in me an unrighteous pride, then tell me so that I may humble myself before the Lord need bring me low. 

My response to the Lord:

My King, today I have cried from a grateful heart because though I am unworthy, You have saved this sinner from himself.   You have saved me from who I was and the self destructive path I was on.  You have saved me from eternal separation and destruction in fire.  You have protected me from my foes and chosen me to be separated from the world as a royal priesthood by your grace.  I deserve your wrath and yet you have given me great mercy and grace.  You have loved me when I was owed only hate.  For me to submit myself to you is only the least I can do.  I owe you my everything Lord.  Thank you for your favor, unmerited.  May your name be lifted high and may my life be used to glorify you always.  In Jesus’ name. 

01-16-12 "Truth; God's Pathway to Freedom" Romans 6:15-23

The passage I read was Romans 6:15-23

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A15-23&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

¹⁶ Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 

As I reflect:

So during this time and still applicable to many today, there were those who claimed to be followers of Christ and yet they continued living exactly as they did before receiving this eternal salvation and freedom offered in Christ.  That’s a huge problem.  If one is truly saved than the Holy Spirit is actively working in your life.  You’ll know this has occurred by the conviction and guidance the Holy Spirit brings.  If you are convicted of sins, that’s evidence of salvation.  If you are convicted to grow and be fruitful and share the word, that’s evidence of salvation.  If however, you lack conviction to take up your cross, that is evidence that you were in fact never saved to begin with.  Here, Paul speaks of those who heard the message of grace and then without truly repenting of sin, they began excusing their sins with a sort of backwards logic saying, “if by my sin the Holy Spirit has opportunity to show grace in forgiving me, than my sin is mandated as a form of showing others the grace of God on me.”  Yea… Pretty backwards logic.  So Paul corrects them with a great point similar to phrases of today like, “you are what you eat”. 

You act like who you want to be like.  You reflect what you value.  If you are a fan of America, then you likely don’t behave like a terrorist.  If you are someone who honors your mom, then you don’t chose to disrespect and act in ways that are dishonorable to her.  If you love your spouse, than there is no room for any other in your eyes, heart, or bed.   These are all similar to the statement Paul makes here: “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? “  He is saying your actions convey who it is you are following.  Your actions and how you think convey who you are obedient to.  So these Romans claiming salvation by grace but continuing to live in complete sin were conveying that they were still slaves to sin and had not actually been set free by any saving grace.  They were making an active choice to not follow after God, by not actively choosing to put off the old self and follow.  They were in fact “slaves to sin”, being, “free from the control of righteousness.” 

Now Paul has never been one to point out someone’s fault without offering a way of repairing that fault or at least of seeing what is correct, right, and true.  And he does that here as an admonishment to those at fault for living a false salvation, and also offering a confirmation of those who are truly in Christ.  He said, “you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” This was speaking to those who were not just saying they were saved, but living in; acting in accordance with that title; being lead by their obedience to the Lord.  Now those who were present for this letter that were not saved but simply using the title, could hear this message plainly and it was their choice to receive correction and become obedient unto the Lord as an evidence of a true inner work being done in them.    Paul also said, “you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”   As slaves of God, His children, followers, believers, servants; we are called to righteousness and by His Holy Spirit alone we can respond in righteousness.  Despite our wretchedness, Paul is here making it clear that our actions still reap an accountability as evidence of salvation.  We cannot excuse our sins before God by saying, “oh well.  I guess I’m just giving you more reason to display your mercy and grace.”  No!  Paul says, “By no means!”  We are to be slaves to righteousness and not to sin.  Daily, we do not make choices to accept any sin in our life, but to struggle and wage war against sin in our lives that we may be molded and changed daily empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve our King. 

My response to the Lord:

Holy Father, My King and God, I know that I am no better than others and it is only by your grace that I am even aloud to kneel at your throne.  I thank you for that opportunity and I hope and pray that daily my actions don’t betray the name you have given me.  You have called me yours; named me a child of God.  May my actions portray as much.  Father, I pray you empower me, guide me, increase my will power daily by your Holy Spirit that my actions show I am a slave to righteousness and not to sin.  May my testimony of your great work in my life be evidenced by the change that others can see from who I was, to who I am.  In Jesus’ holy name.  amen. 

01-16-12 "Truth; God's Pathway to Freedom" Colossians 2:1-12

The passage I read was Colossians 2:1-12

You can find that passage here:

 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2%3A1-12&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

As I reflect:

Hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The Lord give clear direction here through Paul.  He is telling us that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are “hidden” in Christ.  Take for example the many who study the Good Book without a relationship with Christ.  They see a book of wise statements, many contradictions, and a bunch of made up stories.  They cannot see that book the way we see it because they have not the Author in their lives.  When I look at websites that claim to list the contradictions in the Word of God, I feel for those that write such things because every contradiction they list is in fact not a contradiction and often not even related topics.  They simply have no understanding of the Author, no wisdom, no sight.  They only look at words (and usually only in English too).  We don’t look at mere words, but when we look into the Bible, we are looking to hear from our Lord and so we pray before hand and we look with opened eyes on the mysteries that are not made known to the rest of the world.  Paul is talking about this when he says “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  We can only find these treasures with Christ.  Without Him, we are blind. 

Don’t be deceived.

Paul continues on that we not only find these treasures in Christ, but also that we are not to be deceived by “fine-sounding arguments”.  He has given us the end to avoid and the means by which to avoid it.  So many people are deceived by big “name it and claim it” preachers out there that claim we all ought to be rich if we truly trust in God and that there isn’t only one way to Heaven, there are many roads.  Joel Osteen is a perfect example of this with the millions of followers globe wide who fall hook line and sinker for his pleasant speeches much like the majority who voted for Obama for the same reason.  We can easily see from these two examples alone that a good speech doesn’t in anyway indicate truth.  Joel Osteen has said numerous things that are not Biblical and in fact directly contradict what God has said.  But how would you know that if you don’t know God and seek out His Word day and night?  That’s the point Paul is making here.  Stay in the Word so that you may have the wisdom and knowledge (that only comes from God) so that you may not be led astray by these “fine-sounding” speakers. 

Continue to live in Him.

He continues in verse 6 and 7 to say “continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”  In verse 8 he picks back up the deceptiveness of the world with a warning not to be taken captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.  It is only because of the wisdom and knowledge of Christ that I was not pulled into the medicine wheel studies from years ago with some Native American friends who had fine sounding arguments regarding our relation to and connection with elements, minerals, animals, and spirits other than God.  It is likewise for the Mormons who attempted to pull me into their deceptions (Jesus and Satan as brothers – spirit children – God having started out as man – spirit children) that were in direct contradiction to the word of God,  and for the wiccans who were greatly blinded to the truth of the One True God and not worshiping any other gods before Him.  The list goes on.  We have got to stay in Christ and stay deeply planted in His word day and night and in prayer to be able to see and avoid the many traps that Satan has already pulled billions into. 

Separated from the old flesh.

In the last portion of this passage Paul continues his guidance by telling the believers in Colossi that they have been set apart, completely circumcised from their whole self who was ruled by the flesh, having been buried with Christ in baptism and raised with Christ in faith and by the working of God.  It is no different with us.  If we are circumcised from our flesh by God, then we look into the Good book, we see with open eyes, and when we look at other religions or worldly traditional beliefs we also see with open eyes.  Our flesh is no longer aloud to blind us by falling for “fine sounding arguments.”  Let us look to God in every decision and look through His eyes, listening to the wisdom and knowledge He has given us in His Word. 

My response to the Lord:

Lord, thank you for the interpretation that you Holy Spirit alone provides.  I am grateful eternally for the truth you have revealed in your written word.  I am grateful for discernment and for open eyes as only you can provide removing the scales that Satan once used to blind me.  Thank you Lord.  I pray your Holy spirit speak clearly and guide me strongly and that my ears and eyes be open always to your lead.  Lord, keep me from falling into the enemy’s traps.  Keep me from being led astray by worldly traditions Father God.  Keep me from being taken captive by hollow and deceptive philosophy and fine-sounding arguments.  For nothing should sound so fine as your truth.  In Jesus’ name.  

01-16-12 "Truth; God's Pathway to Freedom" Psalm 119:33-48

The passage I read was Psalm 119:33-48

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119%3A33-48&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

³⁵ Direct me in the path of your commands,
   for there I find delight.
³⁶ Turn my heart toward your statutes
   and not toward selfish gain.

 As I reflect:

The first portion of this passage for me talks about a love for and desire of more understanding of God’s ways.  The Psalmist here is expressing a desire to be obedient to the Lord and I think it’s something we too should have.  In fact, I think it is one of the evidences or fruits of salvation.  I believe you may come to the Lord without a love for and desire to follow His laws, but I don’t think that after having come to Him and received His Holy Spirit one can continue to not love or desire to follow the laws and please God.   As someone who has been and is being saved by grace daily, I have a desire to please my Savior.  Not only that, but I trust Him with more than just my words.  I truly trust every word He has said through the divine inspiration of men.  I trust in His statutes, stories, laws, precepts, proverbs, parables, poetic expressions, and prophecies.  I want a greater understanding of them because I know that He is wise and thusly His word can bring wisdom.  How may I serve Him better if I don’t seek also to learn from Him what service is?

For me the next portion of this passage in a way is discussing the result of the previous portion.  Because I desire to know His word and receive my wisdom from God, I am more able to answer those who taunt me (or know when no answer is needed at all).  Because I obey and have this truth in me from God, I can walk in freedom knowing right from wrong and understanding the world I live in but am not of.   Because I seek first what God says and know that ultimately I answer to Him, I am not put to shame by the persons of authority in this land.  I can be questioned and in relying on the Lord for my answers I am sound in my stance.  I don’t see the purpose here as saying “if” I check off everything on this list of mine, “then” I can do all this awesome stuff and know everything.  That’s not the type of “if” and “then” that is being discussed here.  Rather, the author points to the unfailing love and salvation that comes from God being the only way this is possible.  So it may be better stated to say, “because” the Lord has shown me grace and offers me freely salvation, “if” I will meditate and seek to know and obey His decrees, “then” He will teach me to stand on the rock that doesn’t move. 

My response to the Lord:

There is no “if” to the fact that you love me and have called me according to your purpose oh God.  I am thankful for your love and for salvation.  I am thankful for your rhema.  I am thankful that you inspired men to write that one day I may read and meditate on the meaning of your messages to me.  I am thankful also for the people you have placed in my life and often speak through.  My Father, I too desire all that the Psalmist desires here.  May you by your unfailing love and grace for me provide understanding and wisdom so that I may better answer others, be silent when silence is called for, lead where called to lead, and above all else serve you in a way that is pleasing.  May I not be put to shame in speaking of your statutes Lord.  In Jesus’ name. 

01-16-12 "Truth; God's Pathway to Freedom" John 1:1-18

The passage I read was John 1:1-18

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A1-18&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

As I reflect:

Who are we talking about?

John went to both Jews and Greeks and explained not “what Jesus did”, but “Who” Jesus is.  For this reason he starts in terms they are most familiar with using the word “Logos” to describe Christ.  Saying, “The Word of God, made incarnate in Jesus Christ”, was not only there in the beginning, but also He was and is God and by him all things were made, John clearly starts off this gospel message with a clarifying truth for all to know that Jesus IS God.  John has first off clarified to his audience that the person of Christ is not a created being but he is in fact that very person of God that created all things.  He and the Father are one. 

What’s this about?

In verse 8 he says “ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.”  Here Johns shows us also the attitude we ought to have as we share truth with others.  I think too often we make our witness about us when it ought to be about Christ.  It’s easy to do and happens surely on accident in most cases as we present the gospel to a stranger or colleague and in an attempt to make the oats more salty; more desirable, we share a short story about how it has had power in our own life.  This is absolutely fine and in fact a useful approach to sharing the gospel, but don’t forget to bring the conversation back to the topic…Christ.  It’s not about us, it’s about God and how He wants a very real and intimate relationship with each and every individual we speak with.   We are not the light, but we do share the light with others. 

The privilege that comes with open eyes.

This light being discussed by John in verse 6-8 is not recognized by the world in verse 9-11.  The very God who created us was denied, turned away from, mocked, and murdered by us.  Even the believers and disciples of Christ today have to at some level admit that we are guilty of His crucifixion.  For our sin was the very reason the nails were driven.   I wonder how many still turn away from Him and don’t recognize Him today.  God is very present in these times but just as history has documented, the majority still deny His very existence; giving credit to chance despite overwhelming evidence of a Creator.  For those of us who have at some point received truth and realized it is just undeniable to have had a design, we have turned to and sought after that Designer to learn and grow in a relationship with Him who was, is, and is to come.  In verse 12, John says of us that, “He gave the right to become children of God—“  What a privilege it is to not only know the Creator, but to be able to call Him Abba…  I not only have a relationship where I can call Jesus “Master”, but one where by His grace I can call Yeshua my friend and I can call His Father, “My Father”. 

The last paragraph continues on with the same line of thought giving glory to God for who He is and I think we all can take a queue card from John’s focused introduction here as we speak with others in such a way as to reflect Christ’ glory, not our own.  I have reflected today on who my Savior is and how I ought to give Him glory with all that I do, say, and think.  When I witness, it must be about Him, not me.  When I pray, I must ask of His will, not mine.  When I walk in gifts and blessings, I must remember it is only by His grace and not any work of my own that has deserved this blessed life. 

My response to the Lord:

Father, I am thankful to call you my Father.  I am broken at the thought that I deserve such death and separation from you and yet by your grace you have adopted me and call me your child.  To you belong all honor, and glory, and praise forever and ever.  May I do even the least bit to be part of glorifying you.  I pray you help me share your light and give you more glory by deed, word, and thought.  Help me to know and be obedient to your will for your glory sake.  In the mighty name of Yeshua I pray.  Amen.  

01-09-12 "Sacrifice; God's Pathway to Fruitfulness" Luke 14:25-33

The passage I read was Luke 14:25-33

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2014:25-33&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

³³ In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

As I reflect:

Are you willing to lose everything you value, for the one thing above everything’s value? 

When I first truly realized what salvation was, I had nothing and was going down to the pit of hell.  It was easy for me to grab hold of everything that Christ offered.  What wasn’t easy is later realizing as I grew that my values were changing.  As my values were changed, the way others interacted with me also changed.  I no longer wanted to do the same sinful things and pour myself into my possessions or the way others saw me.  I just wanted more Jesus and less of me.  Over the years, I lost many people I thought were friends because of my choice to follow Jesus.  I have even lost some family connections because they felt that going to church saves you but you can go ogle at boobies at hooters the next day and use all sorts of perverse language and still be a follower of God.   As my convictions became more and more Biblical and my views changed from earth based to Heaven based, I became more and more separated from many whom I cared for.  It is something that is inevitable for the follower of God.  He will set you apart and ask you to sacrifice habits, relationships, comforts, and even your very thoughts if they in any way go against what He has taught.  This is part of our daily cross that we bear.  We are happy to lay down our lives for the Lord, but we wouldn’t fool anyone in saying that it was easy. 

The question brought up in this passage is, “Have you counted the cost?”  I think the vast majority of professed believers do not count the cost.  In fact, many have left the belief when they found out there were real struggles involved and that it wasn’t just a bunch of mushy feel good people getting together and sharing bliss.  Many others still have chosen (instead of abandoning the belief all together) to simply ignore the parts they don’t want and take all the “good stuff”.  But God has made quite clear in the Scripture that this relationship will cost us everything.  In other words, there is nothing in our lives that is to be as highly valued as God and what He desires of us.  If a friend says you either choose Jesus or you choose me (whether said aloud or implied by actions), you had better chose Jesus.  If family members judge and distance themselves from you because of the daily choices you make in following after God, then you keep following after God anyway.   If you find yourself in a situation where you have to lie to keep your home, then you lose your home for the God who said, “Thou shall not lie.”  The concept is simple; God above all else.  The application however is not as simple and is usually the place where separation usually occurs.  Today and every day in every situation I encounter, I have to ask myself, “What does God say about this?”, and then base my actions, words, and thoughts, on the answer… Even if it cost everything.  Yes everything.  I have counted the cost, and just as My Lord counted the cost in the sum of Jesus’ life for mine I count it worth losing all for Christ. 

My response to the Lord:

Lord, I know that I have many nice possessions for which I glorify you as having provided blessings to me and my family which we don’t’ deserve.  But I know that you give and that you take away and I would still bless your name should all of it be taken tomorrow.  I have lost friends and much more than that for you Father and I don’t count it my credit as Your Son has given up far greater for me.  If I have anything you desire, it is yours to take and do with as you please.  I myself am yours to take and do with as you please.  Lord you know my heart.  My words are not empty.   I cannot define your worth.  But I know that all I have is worth losing if you ask it of me.  

01-09-12 "Sacrifice; God's Pathway to Fruitfulness" Luke 9:23-27

The passage I read was Luke 9:23-27

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+9%3A23-27&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

²³ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

As I reflect:

This passage is a daily reminder to me of who I am in Christ.  It reminds me where my values ought to be.  I have to examine myself on a regular basis and be sure not to wrap the word around my will, but rather wrap myself around the word.  This word tells me that I have a cross to take up daily.  It says I need to deny myself and not be ashamed of walking with Jesus.   This is easier said than done sometimes.

I think about it this way: To take up and carry a cross is to carry something of great weight and discomfort, often even painful.  In the same way it can be very uncomfortable and even a burden to walk with Christ in a world that looks down on His followers as weak, ignorant, hypocrites that had to make up a God to save them because they are so pathetic.  It is hard to be viewed in this way.  I don’t hang my head low over it, but it is none the less something that I daily have to struggle against.

 I also daily chose to struggle against my flesh.  I have to deny my flesh.  I have to turn away from old ways every day.  It does get easier to do this over time, but it never ceases to be a daily struggle.  It is part of the carrying of my daily cross. 

Now, I want to be clear.  I am in no way saying that Christianity is just one huge lump of lonesome sorrow and hardship that we crazy few choose to throw ourselves into.  That’s not the case.  What I am saying is that it takes all you’ve got and then some.  I don’t plant seeds reluctantly in my life.  Nor do I reluctantly give up the deeds of my old sin nature, but rather I count them a sacrifice as investment on a better pathway.  I don’t count carrying a cross as a reason for sorrow, any more than an athlete counts painful training as a means to looking forward to failure.  And when I say that I die to myself daily, it doesn’t mean that I am not greatly blessed.  It means that I realized long ago that my ways led to death and His ways lead to life.  So, though the painted picture can seem somewhat morbid and almost emo, I am not in mourning or ashamed in any way of the hardships that accompany being a disciple of Christ.  Rather I am thankful for the opportunity to follow, and for the Helper that guides me down the path to victory.  I am thankful for each hardship that strengthens me along the way.  I am thankful for each time I stumble, because it offers me the opportunity to learn how to better lean on Christ and get back up.  And I am in no way ashamed of the blood that saved my soul from an eternal separation from God… Even when others think I must be ignorant to believe it. 

My response to the Lord:

Dear God, I desperately need your help daily to carry this cross, die to myself, and follow you.  It is something I simply can’t do of myself.  I must have your Holy Spirit reaching in to break all the chains and shackles, hold me up, and encourage me to take each next step.  It’s hard, but I am so very thankful that Jesus and many others came before me to show that it can be done.  I am also thankful for your mercy, because I often fail.  I am thankful for your grace, because you bless me and encourage me when all others would curse me.  By my actions and by my words may you be glorified and may I never be ashamed of You, Your work in me, and the gospel message that I am to bring to others.  In Jesus’ name.  

01-09-12 "Sacrifice; God's Pathway to Fruitfulness" II Corinthians 9:6-15

The passage I read was II Corinthians 9:6-15

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+9%3A6-15&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

⁹ As it is written:

   “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
   their righteousness endures forever.”

&

¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

As I reflect:

An interesting conversation my wife and I had on this topic.  We have for a long time considered tithes and offerings to be so much more infinite that just giving some cash to a church.  We consider our tithes and offerings any and everything that we lay down as a sacrifice willingly that the Lord may use it for others. 

In this passage, again the sower of seeds is referenced, as is the position of the heart.  When the wife and I sow our seeds, we don’t scatter them just anywhere in expectation that the Lord will honor that because we gave.  Instead, like the farmer sowing seeds, we choose fertile ground that we through prayer are led by the Holy Spirit to believe will produce good growth.  For instance, we have some friends that have poured their hearts out to others.  Even when they had very little, it was freely offered to those in more need than themselves.  Recently, these friends came into a place of need themselves, and it was so beautiful to see the way they reaped what was sown.  At every side, they received support.  They received financial assistance from those that could give, food assistance from those who could give food, transportation from those who could give transport, and spiritual assistance from those who could pray and give edifying word.  They poured their lives as a sacrifice for others not because someone told them they had to, but because they had a heart to help those in need.  And when the time came, we saw the Lord’s word true in their lives as they received a harvest that was plentiful. 

We have seen this very same dynamic in our own lives.  We have seen those who give a great deal of finance to the church grudgingly simply because it is their duty, and we have seen them struggle greatly in their own lives.  And we have seen and been a part of the opposite as well.  Where one was not at all concerned with how many seeds they had left to give, but rather focused on how many places there were left to plant.  Their harvest has always been great and their seeds continue to multiply.  We are a few who have also been able to receive a great harvest that continues to grow and our own hands seem to never be without more seed to plant. 

I hope that others praise God for our obedience that accompanies our confession of the gospel of Christ, just as we too praise God for other’s generosity in sharing with everyone else.  I think verse 9 and verse 15 summed up the passage well and that’s why they were chosen as the verses that most stood out to me in the passage.  Be a cheerful giver, but don’t do so out of duty, do so out of the need of others.  Be cheerful to supply their needs.  Be happy to give of yourself for the widow and the orphan. 

My response to the Lord:

Lord, I thank you for freely giving to us your Son, new hearts, and fruit that reflects your Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.  May you continue to use us greatly and even more so throughout the remainder of our lives here.  May you continue your work in our hearts and may we not forget that everything we have is yours and thusly freely give as led to do so by your Holy Spirit.  I hear 10% to the church so often.  But I pray instead that 100% to you be our only guideline.  In Jesus’ name.  

01-09-12 "Sacrifice; God's Pathway to Fruitfulness" John 12:20-26

The passage I read was John 12:20-26

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+12%3A20-26&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

²⁴ Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 

As I reflect:

I love the analogy of a seed.  It is perfect in every way as we parallel the analogy to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and also as we parallel the analogy to our own worldly life, self denial, and being given a new heart.  Jesus’ parable of the sower also applies here. 

The Greeks that came wanting to meet Jesus would have to wait to receive Him after His resurrection.  The Greeks longing to see Him was a sign to Jesus that the time has come for His glorification and our redemption.  Jesus had many opportunities during His ministry where He could have been led to the cross but He waited until such time as His name was known throughout the land.  Then the time for Our Advocate was approaching. 

Jesus explained well how He would bring new life.  Just as a seed descends from the tree to earth and must die and be received by good soil, so must the Son of God descend to earth and die for those who would receive Him.  Once a seed is received by good soil, it must be watered and warmed and protected from weeds and thorns and all sorts of thieving rodents and birds that would steal the seed.  Then it can come forth from the ground bringing with it new life.  It was the same and is forever the same with Jesus who was laid in a tomb and arose again bringing new life for those who would follow.  In verse 26 we are told to do just that.  We must follow Him.  We too must die to our old selves, receive the Word, be protected from the enemy’s attempts to steal that word from us, be guided and fed so that we can grow and have new life.   Part of this process is the continuing mindset that we, like our Savior, are not of this world.  We must set our hearts; Our treasures on Heaven and realize daily that we are foreigners,  aliens in this land.  With this knowledge we look forward to being where our Redeemer is;  In the presence of our Father. 

My response to the Lord:

My Father, firstly I thank you for your Son and my Savior.  I thank you that He denied Himself to be laid down for my sins, and I thank you for His resurrecting power manifested in my life as well.  I ask that your Holy Spirit continue daily guiding me as I continuously die to my own flesh and find life in You and You alone.  I ask you to help me grow, surrounding me by stronger believers than myself that I might receive guidance.  May your Holy Spirit guide me daily into the good book that is life giving food to my soul.  Lord, may I daily be warmed and given life in the photosynthesis that occurs when I keep my eyes on your Son.  In Jesus’ name.  

01-02-12 "Obedience: God's Pathway to Blessing" James 1:19-27

The passage I read was James 1:19-27

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A19-27&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

 ²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 

As I reflect:

So many great verses in this passage.  I love the book of James as God chose a vessel capable of putting so many lessons into so few sentences.  Any one of these short paragraphs could easily make an entire Bible study or even a series of studies.   For that reason I will focus on berevity during my reflection today.

We have a child that has ADHD and requires certain modifications in our teaching methods.  Often I encourage him to think about what he says before he says it because he has a habit of simply shooting thoughts straight to the mouth without consideration of impact or need.  Some of the things he says get him into trouble as he often can be offensive (certainly not meaning to) or hurtful to others.  Following his lack in self control, I’ll often point out the effect of what he has just said so that he can fully consider what he might have chosen to say instead had he thought before speaking.  I think this is just as important for the adult believer as well.  We represent God with every word we speak and need to put thought into what is going to come out of our mouth.  We all ought to exhibit self control and be sure that our words are used as tools in doing the will of our King.   In addition to thinking about what we say, I am reminded that we learn more when we use our ears anyway.  I remember as I was growing up as some point in my teenage years I approached my mom who treated me as though I were a child (and I was) and I asked her, “When will I be an adult?”.  Her next words stuck with me and will never be forgotten as they were deeply wise.  She responded, “When you stop saying, ‘I know’”.  It’s true also of us.  As we approach God’s word be it spoken from a preacher or minister on a stage, in a podcast, a brother in Christ, or in the written text, we ought be of the mindset to receive the word for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction, edification, and wisdom.  This is better done without the “I know” attitude.   The 1^st paragraph also warns us to be slow to anger – much as I also advise my children to use their words.  Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t think for a second that James was saying a believer can’t be angry.  There is certainly a place and time for it and there is such thing as a righteous anger.  Simply consider what anger it is and whether the situation really warrants it or not.  Is it a righteous and healthy response, or is it an overwhelming emotion that has taken control of you?  Something to think about. 

The next paragraph deals with a topic that is often on my mind and often brought up in conversations with many who say they believe with their lips, but by their deeds deny him .  It’s such a simple idea – Listening to the word of God without obedience to it is about as useless as carrying a parachute onto a plane, but not putting it on.  The point is when that plane goes down, you won’t be prepared simply because you own a parachute… It must be used to save you.  Likewise, reading the word without application won’t save you.  Nor will you be saved for simply believing in the existence of God.  Even Satan believes that God exist.  You must have a belief that is evidenced by action… This is called a saving faith.  It produces growth and change in fruit.  Simply reading the word doesn’t produce these things – it must be applied to have effect; to give freedom; to grow blessing. 

The 3^rd and final paragraph from today’s passage makes a pretty big clarification about religion.  It’s not going to church and following a checklist.  It’s a relationship and that relationship has a serious impact on what we desire to do with our time here.  I can’t say it any better than James has already summed it up. 

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

My response to the Lord:

Lord, I don’t claim perfection.  I do claim a great need for you and your work in my life.  Today I looked as several familiar passages in your word and spoke as if teaching.  Father, it was you teaching me.  It’s always you teaching me, and I thank you.  I pray your Holy Spirit press upon me to be slow to speak or become angry, and quick to listen much more than even I impress upon my children.   Plant your word deep within my new heart and protect me from moral filth and evil.  Help me to be a doer of your word, your will, and to look after those less fortunate than myself; those in distress, offering all that I can to help.  Help me to be an example for my children in the way that I serve you and rely on your to help me do so.  In the mighty name of Yeshua I pray. 

01-02-12 "Obedience: God's Pathway to Blessing" John 14:15-24

The passage I read was John 14:15-24

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A15-24&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 

As I reflect:

This is an amazing passage in every way.  It is powerful and moving to my heart to hear and know that what my Savior has said is true.  His Holy Spirit is with me and in me and it shows.  I look at who I am today and compare with who I was, and the Holy Spirit can be seen at work doing wonders.  I love everything about this passage. 

I heard earlier this week a quote along the lines of, “I see so many people in church claiming to be children of God, and yet throughout the week, they act like orphans”.  This rings true to me as I also see it and can explain that as true looking at this passage.  The reason so many claim to be His children and yet don’t act like it is because they are of the world and in this passage Jesus says this Holy Spirit is available to those who see him and know him; those who love God and desire to keep his commands.  He is our Helper and our Strength.  He does not belong to nor empower those who are just faking it and showing up at church to go through the motions so that others may see or because they heard it’s the thing to do.  This Helper is only for those who have been adopted and are children of God.  We are greatly in need of Him.

I find it kind of interesting that this is in my week of study on “obedience: God’s pathway to blessing” but not on last week’s study of “Promises: God’s pathway to perspective”.  Though I see the point of course about obedience being a prime evidence of our love for Him, I also see several promises throughout the passage to those who love Him:

He will give us an advocate to help us and be with us forever

We know him

He lives with and in us

We are not abandoned

We who love Jesus are loved by the Father

He has made His home with us through His Holy Spirit

These are promises made to the obedient follower of Christ our Messiah.  I know that at one time in my life, His name was on my lips and yet I knew Him not.  I fooled some people into thinking I was saved and I may have even fooled myself at that same time in my life.  But looking back I can know I was not truly saved and didn’t truly love God because I can see my life covered in unrepentive disobedience to God.  Since then, there has been much change and I can define myself as an obedient son of the Most High.  This isn’t my identity because I was forced into servant hood.  It is my identity because I love Him and received with joy His abundant grace.   May my life always reflect the very present work of the Holy Spirit and as others see me between services, may I not be found acting as an orphan but rather as an obedient disciple. 

My response to the Lord:

Lord what more can I say but to express my thanks to you.  You are wonderful beyond all words and I am unable to begin to describe how grateful I am that you have not abandoned me; how filled with joy I am at the thought that you chose to walk with me and save me, thrusting me into a new world of undeserved blessing.   I deserved your wrath and yet you have adopted me and shown me love beyond compare.   May your Holy Spirit guide and teach me always and may my eyes and ears never be closed to you.  

01-02-12 "Obedience: God's Pathway to Blessing" Deuteronomy 5:27-6:3

The passage I read was Deuteronomy 5:27-6:3

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%205:27-6:3&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

 32 So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.

As I reflect:

As I reflect, I think about my kids.   I think about our relationship and how I give them rules and boundaries in some areas, but in others I have to allow them to learn for themselves.  Some things in life are best learned by experiencing.  Other things weren’t meant to be learned that way.  Such as sticking a butter knife in a power outlet, or jumping off the roof with grocery bags strapped to your back as a parachute.  No parent thinks this is a lesson that a child should learn on their own.  No.  We teach them that this isn’t ok and tell them “no”.  We educate them about drugs and pregnancy.  We guide them in the value of being honest and treating others how they want to be treated.   God likewise with us knew that there were lessons in life that could destroy our relationships with Him and even our very life, and He desired to guide us in such a way that those things wouldn’t happen.  His commands are the big things; those things which if not followed could lead us to self destruct (or receive quite the shock from an outlet as it were).  There are lessons that God allows us to learn through experience like being strengthened or growing in patience, just as we often allow our own children to experiment with good and bad choices so that they may learn discernment.  But like the God we serve, we also set lines that are not to be crossed.  We don’t do this out of some evil plot to take away our children’s fun in life, but out of love to protect them from the more permanent mistakes and repercussions as a result.  I teach my kids the commands of the Lord because they matter greatly and are of upmost importance in my life and in theirs.  We understand the consequences that can come from a life of lies, adulterous relationships, making your own god or making yourself your god, murder, theft, coveting, etc.  We understand the human earthly consequences and the spiritual eternal consequences of such sin and lawlessness and believe it is important to be obedient not only to God’s laws, but also to man’s laws. 

Now this can be hard at times.  It’s not always easy to be obedient, but there is a key that helps.  There are several keys to help us throughout the Word, but here the one being discussed is love.  John 14:15 says, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”  Here in Deuteronomy we are told the same thing in so many words.  If you go on reading just a little beyond the assigned passage you will read, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. “  This is an expression of the importance of obeying but it’s also a key to helping us obey.  We are to love the Lord.  If we truly love the Lord, then our decisions are effected by what the Lord has taught us.  When a child loves their parents, they are often faced with considering what their parent would say or think about their choices.  This is a daily consideration for us as disciples of God.  We are to consider all of our choices not only in action or word, but also in thought that we bring ourselves under obedience to the Holy Spirit.  Additionally, just as in verse 7, we consider these things daily and discuss them amongst other believers and in our family.  This too helps us greatly as what informed decision can one make if they are not informed? 

My response to the Lord:

I want to be obedient to you My Lord and King, because I love you with all my soul and strength.  I ask for you help to obey as my flesh is so weak.  May your Holy Spirit remind my family throughout every day of your word and that you are with us.  Teach us your ways Lord, and help us to follow you.  In Jesus’ name.