Legalism vs the Reality in Christ

My youngest sons watches this one show called Spinjitzu. In one episode a want-to-be Spinjitzu master was showing off his "skills". He was obviously just making stuff up. When confronted, he was crushed. He tried to look like a warrior but just putting on a uniform and throwing his arms and legs around didn't make him truly a Spinjitzu master. In the same way just because someone does a few religious acts, that does not make them a Christian. 

"Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are just a shadow of things that are to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." Colossians 2:16-17 

Legalism, always seeks to lure us into it's pseudo religious forms. It has not changed from the early church to now. Legalism focuses on what you do, not faith in Christ who works in you. To me, legalism stems from our sincere desire to please God and walk with him in spirit and in truth. But, it is not always easy because the Spirit deals in the deepest parts of our inner beings, exposing and purifying areas that we have avoided our entire lives. 

Legalism appears to be a quick fix because if everyone just obeys the rules then no one gets hurt. The reality is that even if everyone does obey the rules, people still get hurt. Sin happens. Legalism does not produce spirituality or prevent sin. 

But, Paul says that all those "religious" activities are just shadows of the reality found in Christ. I have found that sometimes I sin despite the fact that I am reading my Bible on a daily basis, praying, going to church, trying to serve, and when the opportunity arises witnessing. I am not saying I shouldn't do those things, I am just noting that sometimes I can become legalistic in that "doing" spiritual things become more important than the connection to God in Christ that I was seeking when I first started trying to spiritually discipline myself.

What's the point? The point is that connecting with Christ by faith in his death on the cross is where spirituality happens, not in the observance of "spiritual" activities. The reality is that Jesus died for our sins and he ever lives to intercede for us. We are made holy by Christ's death. We accept this truth and live accordingly. God loves you. Be blessed today!

Father, thank you for the reality found in Christ. Open our eyes to see and our hearts to accept your grace in our lives. Praise be to you in us today!

The Opposition is Nailed!

The thing about being dead, is your dead. When you're dead you can't do anything. Your helpless to change anything. But, if you are alive, you can act. The Apostle Paul compares life before Christ to being dead and life with Christ to being alive. 

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Colossians 2:13-15

In order for us to become alive Christ had to die for our sins. The law, the powers and authorities that all seek to oppose us were dealt defeat at the cross.  True life, the abundant life is now available for us! 

Think about whatever it is that you believe makes being a good Christian difficult for you. Whether it is legalism or influences all of them were defeated at the cross. Do you hear what I am saying? That thing that hinders you from truly enjoying your walk with God has been nailed to the cross. Legalism will condemn you and influences will distract you. It is sort of like a dog on a chain barking at you. It can only bite you if you get close enough to let it.

Ultimately, there is nothing left to be done except for us to accept what Christ has done and live accordingly. Everything and anything that can stop us from living the abundant life is nailed to the cross. Every single "but what about", "but I" and "I just don't" is dealt with by the triumph of the cross.

Today, I encourage you to  remember that whatever it is that you think can stop you or that you believe is stopping you from truly enjoying life to the fullest, is nailed to the cross. 

Father, open our eyes to see the triumph of the cross. Praise be to you in us today!

The Core in you is full.

At the core of our belief is Christ. Faith in Christ is not a hollow and deceptive philosophy. "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is head over every power and  authority." Colossians 2:9-10

Christ is completely and fully God. The completeness and wholeness that is found in God is given to us in Christ. Fullness is a term that was used to describe a ship being "filled" with everything necessary for a voyage. In Christ we are given what we need. Even though we not be completely whole until we see him face to face and are given our new bodies, we do receive a foretaste of that which is to come in this present life. The healing to wholeness begins. 

You know, I love my wife and she is a great women who loves God, but her love can never make me feel fully whole and neither can my love make her feel completely whole. Only God can do that. It is true: we all have a God shaped hole that only he can fill. 

In Christ, since you are forgiven you are made whole in him. God sees you as holy because your holiness is Christ. God sees you as sinless because your sins were taken by Christ. 

I don't know of a trick to receiving all that God has for us. All I know to do is bow my head and pray and ask God to fill me with his Holy Spirit. Wholeness comes when I begin to believe that Christ died for me and that his forgiveness changes me into a new creation. As a new creation I forgive because Christ first forgave me. 

Father, we come to you and ask to be filled with the fullness of Christ. Thank you for wholeness in you. Praise be to you in us today!

Build up your core!

Everyone believes something. They may not be able to articulate it, but everybody has certain core values that guide their lives. As Christians, all our values are to be built on Christ.  

"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." Colossians 2:8 

The reality is that we have an enemy that will use anything and everything to keep us from knowing God in Christ. I am not looking to start a witch hunt or to doubt your pastor. What the Bible says is to guard against beliefs that are built on and around human tradition and hollow, deceptive philosophies. Beliefs that in the end will not free you, but will enslave you. 

The basic principals of this world are all about cravings, lust and boasting (see I John 2:15-17). For example the world says we are animals. We have cravings, desires that undeniable and uncontrollable.  Men are dogs is how this sounds as an axiomatic belief. In the church boys are taught that they are dogs and girls should watch out for those boys who only think about sex. Well, the Bible see things a bit differently. I am a man. I am responsible for my choices. I teach my sons that they are responsible for their actions. If you want the Biblical perspective read Proverbs. Sin, is an equal opportunity destroyer. The Bible teaches purity to all and that means men and women have an ability to choose to sin or be holy. 

The principals of Christianity tells me that because Jesus died for my sins I am free from their dominion in and over my life. That does not mean I will not face temptations. The Bible says that Christ was tempted. Yet, he did not sin. Romans 5 highlights the truth that Christ's death on the cross brings salvation from sin because grace reigns in our lives. 

Build your life, your beliefs upon the truth. Jesus , is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (see John 14:6). 

Father, help us to build out lives on Christ. May your Holy Spirit lead and guide us into all truth. Praise be to you in us today!

Don't get out of the car!

If you are driving in a race, you can’t just get out of your car and walk across the finish line. You have to be IN the car. That is like our Christian lives.

 “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7

 Think back to when you first gave your life to Christ. You knew that you were not good enough. Your sinful lifestyle was taking a toll on you and everyone around you. Christ was your only hope. You knew that he alone could save you from your sins. 

I remember beginning to read my Bible before I went to sleep. Then, I would read it and pray when I woke up. I was attending home Bible studies and going to church, looking for every opportunity to worship God. I just knew it was all of Christ and none of me.

I don’t know what it was like for you when you first gave your life to Christ, or if you have given your life to Christ (which I highly recommend you do). I do know that it was, it is, and always will be faith in HIS finished work on the cross, dying for our sins, that will be the foundation of our faith.

Wherever you are at in your Christian walk, continue trusting Christ to be your righteousness. Be thankful for his grace that still rescues you.

Father, thank you for the grace we have in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Thank you that you ever live to intercede for us. Praise be to you in us today!

Don't be Deceived, Be Blessed!

"Blessed is he 
     whose transgressions are forgiven
     whose sins are covered.
 Blessed is the man 
     whose sin the LORD does not count against him
 and in whose spirit is no deceit." 
Psalm 32:1-2 

Thank you Lord Jesus Christ, that you died for my sins and transgressions!
Thank you for forgiving my sins!
Thank you for covering over my sins with your blood!
Thank you for not counting my sins against me!
I confess my sins!

To me the only catch is that we don't deceive ourselves by not confessing out sins. Remember, we are not talking about your spouse, sibling or friend. We are talking about your sin. 

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:8-9

Be strong and take heart! God is your point man!

"Love the LORD, all his saints!
     The LORD preserves the faithful,
     but the proud he pays back in full.
 Be strong and take heart,
     all you who hope in the LORD." Psalm 31:23-24

Our job is to humbly love the Lord and be faithful. God preserves us. Because we know that God is faithful, even when we are not, we can be strong and take heart. 

Are you feeling alarmed? Are you feeling besieged? Do you feel like your problems (enemies) are surrounding you? That is exactly how David felt! 

Yes, there will be times when you just can't see a way out. There will be times when the more you try to figure things out, the worse it seems. From your finite perspective you can not, except by faith, see what God sees. 

You know the scene in a movie where, during an escape, the point man is telling someone else that the coast is clear and it is OK to run to safety. The point man can see but the runner can not. The one running to safety must believe that the coast is clear. Sometimes we look to God and trust him that the coast will be clear. 

God will preserve you. He is faithful and will accomplish in your life what he has purposed to do. 

Father, help us to see you and walk by faith. Help us to be strong and to take heart because you will work all things out for our good. Praise be to you in us today!

What is the end you have in mind?

Have you heard the expression, "If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time"? Just stop for one moment...what is it you are aiming at? What is the end you have in mind?

"To this end I labor, struggling with all this energy, which so powerfully works in me." Colossians 1:29   

The Apostle Paul did a lot of things, went a lot of places, and was involved with a lot of people. But, he had a specific "end" in mind. His end, really should be our end and that is sharing the gospel in whatever way God chooses to use us and with whomever God chooses to use us. 

I think we get caught up in the idea of being "called" and "sent" and end up missing what God has right in front of us. The people we work with, the families we share interests with, the opportunities that today will offer. Those are the "means" to the "end" of sharing the gospel that God has ordained for our lives! 

From that point it's simply realizing that today's "god-incidences" are where you put your effort. You don't need to wait to go, your there! Now, it's simply time to put your back into it and not give up. God, works powerfully in us. We just do what we are supposed to do and that is love people in the Name of Jesus Christ. The rest is up to the Spirit of God. 

My wife and I have been geocaching for a little over a year. You enter in the coordinates, try to follow the hints and the look for the cache. Now, that we have been geocaching for awhile when we see some places we say, "That looks like a good place for a cache!" Sometimes we will go places we would never have gone if we weren't trying to find a cache. That is what serving Christ is like. Serving Christ may cause you to see things and do things you would not do otherwise. I don't mean standing on a corner yelling at people. I do mean that sometimes a simple conversation will open a door to share the love of Christ with someone who would never go to church or may up until that moment been hardened in their heart. Listen and respond with the love of Christ. 

So, to this end I encourage you to be open to opportunities to share the gospel with those God places in front of you today. Remember, you are the light of the world.

Father, open our eyes to see what you have for us today! Praise be to you in us today!

Today we thank God!

"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness
 and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High." Psalm 7:17

Today in America we remember. God has provided. It was not easy for the pilgrims, but the struggle was worth the freedom they searched for. They gave thanks to God. 

Today I am thankful that those who lived before me had the courage and faith in God to look for a better life. A life where they were free to worship God as they pleased. 

Today I am thankful for my family. Thankful for my parents, and grandparents and great-grandparents before them. I am thankful because I was taught to go to church and seek Christ. I am thankful that I was taught to look out for the needs of others not just for myself. I am thankful that the lessons of putting others before myself have led me as  man, a husband and a father. I am thankful for my wife and children and that they know the who God is. 

Today I will thankfully enjoy my family and friends in a country that is free to worship God. 

Father, thank you that we can take a day to remember to thank you for providing for us. Praise be to you in us today!

Everyone Perfect in Christ

Paul was a pretty driven man and he did everything with a purpose.   In proclaiming Christ in you, the hope of glory, his goal was to present you perfect in Christ. 

"We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ." Colossians 1:28

As a guy I tend to see things through a coaches point of view. The point of practice is to perfect your skills. The point of Christianity is to become Christlike. 

We are admonished, you know, "You can do it!" You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Don't give up! Press on!

We are taught: Know the Truth! Live in the truth! Love each other as Christ loved you! Forgive as you have been forgiven! Be pure! Be holy! Be righteous! Be Christlike! 

Be perfect! 

Not too long ago one of my kids said if we won the lotto they would get the best iPhone! My youngest son said, "I'd buy a 7-11." Everyone was a bit taken aback. I asked him why and he said because then it would make more money! (That's my boy!) That was a pretty mature answer, thinking beyond the moment. 

To be perfect in Christ is to be complete and mature in Christ. Not just thinking about going to church to get fed and get warm fuzzies. Maturity is when you realize your place in the church as a servant and that God enables you to do what he has put in front of you. 

So, what is it that you think needs getting done at your church? 

Father, you have made us holy in Christ. You have a specific use for each of us in your kingdom. Open our eyes and give us the courage to step out in faith. Praise be to you in us today!

Hope in Christ is the only Real Hope.

After these last elections I think it is pretty obvious that hope in politics with out God is an illusion. That is why one party changed its slogan from Hope to Forward. But hope in God, hope in Christ in you, that is a hope that will not disappoint!  

"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27 

Hope in Christ is belief in the truth that God is real and that he rewards those who diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6). Every month my check is automatically deposited into my bank account. I sometimes doubt there is an actual payroll department because I tried to find them once and they were in an alley off an alley in an office with no number on the door and the clerks had fingernails too long to actually type. But, every month my check is deposited. We may not "see" God, but, all creation testifies to his existence. 

Hope in Christ is belief in the saving work of Jesus on the cross (Colossians 1:20). Though the world does all that it can to erase the memory of the cross, the truth lives. The blood of martyrs has only served too fertilize the harvest. In the darkest corners of the world, Christ is lifted up as the hope of all mankind. 

Hope in Christ is belief that he is able to saved us completely and he ever lives to intercede for us ( Hebrews 7:25). Christ did not die to give you a second chance at being good enough. He died to make you a child of God. God is the God of second, third, forth, fifth and so on and on chances, but, salvation is not a restart at the attempt to be holy. Christ makes us holy. We live in the light of his holiness, seeking to be holy by faith in his holiness in us.

Father, thank you that our hope in Christ is real and will not disappoint. Thank you, Jesus, for dying for our sins and ever living to intercede for us. Praise be to you in us today! 

God blessings in the sight of men!

"How great is your goodness,
     which you have stored up for those who fear you,
 which you bestow in the sight of men
     on those who take refuge in you.
 In the shelter of your presence you hide them 
     from the intrigues of men;
 in your dwelling you keep them safe
     from accusing tongues." Psalm 31:19-20

This is not a question, it is a declaration of praise! Davis is not asking us how great the goodness of God is, he is simply declare the goodness of God to be great. It is like standing at the rim of the Grand Canyon and saying, "Look how big that canyon is!"

The goodness of God is not for everyone. Only for those who fear him and make him their refuge and who take shelter in the truth of his  Presence. 

Yesterday my family and I were blessed to volunteer for a Feed My Starving Children event. We helped prepare and pack meal pouches that are sent to families around the world. After we finished, a gentleman who was helping in the team my family and I were in said to me, "That is a beautiful family you have." God has blessed me with a beautiful family "in the sight of men". 

I encourage you to stop for just a moment and think of at least one blessing God has bestowed upon you. Thank him for that.

What blessings has God blessed you with? Please share them with us.

Father, remind us of the blessing that you have given us "in the sight of men". Praise be to you in us today!

God is Your Refuge from Shame.

"In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge,
     let me never be put to shame;
     deliver me in your righteousness.
  Turn your ear to me,
     come quickly to my rescue;
 be my rock of refuge;
     a strong fortress to save me." Psalm 31:1-2

Thank God he is our refuge, our rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save us!

There is something embarrassing about struggling. Maybe it is the thought they we can't take care of things ourselves and being dependent on someone else to help seems like failure. On the other had there is nothing like someone coming to the rescue and helping you out of a predicament. The weight of the world is lifted and you feel free to live. 

What is you predicament? God is your refuge. Turn to him for deliverance. Seek refuge in him. He hears your cry.

Father, you know the circumstances of our lives; the struggles, trials and confrontations we are facing. Maybe some are self-induced. Either way we call upon you to rescue us. Praise be to you in us today!

Welcome to the family, this is how we do things.

My beloved Lakers just got a new coach. Magic Johnson is not happy that they hired Mike D'Antoni over Phil Jackson. I really didn't like Phil Jackson before they hired him the first time. I have be fond of calling Mike, D'anPhony. But, now that the Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak hired him I say, "Welcome to the family!" Before we gave our lives to Christ we were alienated enemies of God. Now, we are reconciled blameless and free from accusation. Welcome to the family!

"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of you evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from the hope held out in the gospel." Colossians 1:21-23a 

Now that your a family member, here's the family way of doing things. You continue in your faith, in Christ and his reconciliation. Establish yourself in Christ. I am an educator. I have an established routine at the core of my teaching process that allows my students to learn in a lot of different ways. As Christians we establish within ourselves to live in Christ. Some things are simply disciplines and others are beliefs that govern how we act and react to life. 

Listen to God. Read the Bible. Very simple. If you want to hear from God you have to read the Bible. The Bible is the one place I can go and ALWAYS hear from God. I believe that as you read the Bible daily God permeates your inner being with his truth. It's kind of like taking vitamins. You may not notice their effect the day you first started taking them, but after awhile you notice you feel better. If you don't read the Bible, you can't have it in your heart. Listening to someone else tell you about the Bible is never a replacement for reading it yourself. Establish the daily discipline of reading the Bible. 

Every day we have to choose how we will act and react to the world around us. The Bible tells us how to act and treat others. We are in this world but, we are not of this world. That means we have a completely different belief system of values than the world around us. For example, I don't care what the world says, God says that marriage is between one man and one woman. I don't care if "science" says  I am just a higher animal, God says I am created in his image. God's word tells me that all men are created in his image, even those who deny him and claim he does not exist. So, I treat them, all men and women as valuable humans, created in the image of God, praying that they will all come to know Christ as Lord and Savior. 

Welcome to the family. Be established in Christ and be firm in you hope in the gospel. 

Father, thank you that though I was alienated from you I am now holy in your sight, blameless and free from accusation because Christ in his physical body died for me!!! Praise be to you in us today. 

Home Alone and Reconciliation

A few nights ago my youngest son suggested we watch Home Alone because he was in the mood for a Christmas movie. I still laugh every time I see it. The movie is actually a lot about reconciliation. Think about it. The scary old man who shovels the sidewalks. Kevin and his mom. Kevin and his whole family. Reconciliation is a deep need we all have. In Christ, God meets that need for us.

"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." Colossians 1:19-20 

God, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross, made peace between us so we can be reconciled with him. In the movie we are reminded of a mothers' love for her child because she did whatever she had to do to get back to her son. That is nothing compared to the love God has for us.

In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-31) we see the amazing love of the father. What is missed by our western culture is that when the father sees his son from afar he was filled with compassion and HE RAN to his son. In the middle east men don't run. When he saw his son he broke all cultural and social rules and ran to his son, nothing else mattered! All that mattered was welcoming back his son. That was the message, not just that the son repented. Also, in the end of the parable the father went out and pleaded with the eldest "good" son to remember that all that he had was always there for him to always enjoy. All that matters is that you are reconciled to God.

So, do you need to be reconciled with God? Are you the prodigal son or the eldest son? Whichever one you are God has made peace with you. 

Father, thank you that Jesus shed his blood on the cross  to make peace between you and I . I can do nothing but except your grace, worship and serve you. Praise be to you in us today!

How to give Christ the supremacy in your life.

One class I took in graduate school was memorable. For two reasons. One reason was that the teacher was an absolute nutcase. The other was the "group" assignment she gave the class. The make up of the class was sixty professionals, already in school leadership positions of some sort, seeking their administrative degree/credential in urban school leadership. Sixty A-type personalities trying to vote on a leader and a project. To this day I believe we were actually a test group for a sociology experiment. Who knows who the leader really was because we all thought we should be the leader! Well, in our walks with Christ, and in the church only Christ is the real leader. 

"And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy." Colossians 1:18

Christ must have the supremacy. He is the head. Not a figure head that is there just for looks, but the actual leader, the Lord. 

I don't want to just ask the question. "Is Christ the head of your life? All of it?" I want to apply some real tangible ways we can submit to the Lordship and Supremacy of Christ in our lives.

In my finances I can let Christ reign. I can do this by making biblical choices with my spending. I can trust God to fulfill me, not the things I buy. I can tithe. To tithe is to trust.

I can love my spouse by being patient with them, as Christ is patient with me. I can love and respect them. I can encourage them. Remember actions can speak louder than words. 

I can guide my children in the ways of the Lord. Again, my action, my example is my word. I remember my dad actually saying some pretty stupid stuff about people, but, how I saw him treat people, regardless of their race or gender, shaped how I treat people with respect today. 

I can look out for the needs of others at work and in society as a whole. I am a leader in my sons Cub Scout Pack and I coach my children's sports teams whenever I can. I can treat the other parents and their children with respect. As a teacher and a leader I always try to treat other peoples children like I would like my own treated which I believes is with Christ's love. 

My only question is: By what actions can you give Christ the supremacy in your life? 

Father, may Christ have the supremacy in our lives today! Praise be to you in us today!

Hang on to Christ because he's holding it all together!

We just got through an election and all we have heard about is Obama this and Romney that. In the mail, e-mail, phone calls and television commercials galore all trying to tell us why each candidate was worthy of our votes. I do believe that even more important than knowing who you vote for really is, knowing who you worship is of paramount importance.

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:15-17

Christ is the image of the invisible God. One of the amazing truths about Christ is that he is God made flesh. God did not create us to watch us from afar. One of the saddest portions of scripture is in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve hide from God as he is walking in the garden and God called out, "Where are you?" From that point on God is seeking to reconcile us to him. In Christ, the invisible God made visible we touch the Father. God created us to walk with him in the here and now.

Christ is the creator of all things and in him all things hold together. Scientists explore the inmost workings of the atom. It mysteriously holds itself together. Well, actually Christ holds the entire universe together by the power of his word! Apply that to our lives. Christ is Sovereign Lord above all things. He is in control. He holds our lives together and without him we would completely come unraveled. There is nothing that does not come under his Sovereignty: "things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."

So whatever is going on in your life at this time, hold onto Christ! He is holding all things together. Maybe your life is a bit like mine right now where it just seems that everything is inches away from complete chaos and failure. I am doing the best I can, trying to trust in God. I just would like to see a lot more "victory" than stalemates right now. But, God has brought me through before and I believe he will bring me through again. That is why I encourage you to hang on to Christ. In his time he said he would take care of us. I believe he will. We wait on him....

Father, thank you for sending the Lord Jesus Christ to die for our sins and reconcile us to you. Walk with us today. Praise be to you in us today!

You Have Been Qualified!

You have to love the infomercial expression, "But, wait! There's more!" I have actually had to ban my youngest son from watching them because he wants us to buy all these "great deals". But, you know they always have that "But wait! There's more!" bait line. Paul gives us some of that but, it truly is useful and he paid the price! 

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1: 13-14

Here's what God provides. First, he rescues us from the dominion of darkness and in exchange has placed us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. When I think of darkness a few things come to mind; being alone and not being able to see. Blind and alone, that is the kingdom of darkness. 

When we are taken out of darkness we are placed into the kingdom of the Son he loves. God makes us qualified for an inheritance in this kingdom (vs. 12)! From solitary to family. From doing things all alone to doing things with the family of God. From looking out for number one to looking out for the needs of others, because you KNOW that God is looking out for you. 

But wait, there's more! As part of that inheritance you are given, just because you are a child of God, redemption. You owed a debt because of your sins that you could never pay. No one can. In Christ, God makes that payment. The forgiveness of your sins. Not just the sins before you knew Christ. Not just the sins since you have known Christ. Even the sins you will commit. All your sins. Christ died for all your sins! You are debt free from sin. I am debt free from my sins. Thank you, Lord Jesus!

So, that's the deal. You give your life to Christ. God takes you out of the kingdom of darkness and places you into the kingdom of the Son he loves, as a child of the kingdom. He forgives your sins, redeeming your life to live for him, building up the kingdom. 

Father, thank you for making me you child and placing me into the kingdom of the Son you love. Praise be to you in us today!

"What good would it do moments"

"You turned my wailing into dancing;
     you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
 O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."
Psalm 30:11-12

David had this habit in his Psalms of pleading than thanking. Really it is realizing, in the middle of difficulties, that God is Sovereign and he will answer our prayers. 

David was blunt about what he felt at the moment. I guess I call them his "what good would it do" moments. Maybe you are in one right now. Does it glorify God? Call out for help. I always try to remember that God is trying to mold me into the image of Jesus Christ. Sometimes I need to just be still and know that he is God. Things simply are not how I would like them. 

In the stillness of a "what good would it do" moment, remembering that HE IS GOD I can thankful for what I do have right now. I have my salvation. I have my wife and children. I have several opportunities to serve others. Thank you, Father!

In the stillness what are you thankful for?

The Quantity and Quality of God's Favor

"Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
     praise his holy name. 
 For his anger lasts only a moment,
     but his favor lasts a lifetime;
 weeping may remain for a night,
     but rejoicing comes in the morning."
 Psalm 30:4-5

We sing to the LORD and praise his holy name because his anger lasts only a moment but his favor lasts a lifetime. I don't believe that every trial is a punishment. But, if we view them as discipline (see Proverbs 3 & Hebrews 12) and realize that God's desire is to reconcile us to himself not punish us with distance, we can trust that the "punishment" will not last forever. 

The point is in comparison, a moment to a lifetime, weeping for a night, but rejoicing in the morning. I think that the difference between a moment and a lifetime is the quantity and the weeping to rejoicing is the quality. 

I suppose most people have seen the movie, Gone With the Wind. Near the end of the movie after her entire life is devastated Scarlet says, "But, tomorrow is another day." To be honest, I wanted to throw something at the screen at that point. I sat through what seemed like an eternity of a movie and the climactic line is, "But tomorrow is another day." Yes, and your land is toast and your way of life is gone forever. My point? God's favor is not an existential leap of faith with no tangible or real hope. 

God's favor turns our weeping into rejoicing. Normally, if you have spent a night contemplating an unavoidable and painful consequence you don't just wake up all giddy. You may have resolved to find a way to make it through, but, rejoicing is any entirely different reaction. 

We rejoice because God forgives and he is Sovereign. God's will is not to hold us down and grind our face in the mess we made. No, God favor is forgiving , gracious and merciful. Also, I believe at some point it is tangible. There is something we can see or experience that demonstrates his deliverance. We repent, he forgives. Done deal. Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ.  

Be Filled with the Knowledge of God's Will

Have you ever asked yourself what you should pray for when you pray for yourself, your spouse, your children, friends or missionaries? Look to the prayers of Paul. 

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may please him in every way." Colossians 1:9-10a

Everybody needs to know the will of God and I know I need wisdom, spiritual wisdom to guide me through this life. In James we are told to ask for wisdom if we need it ( James 1:5). I will say that if I ask for wisdom I should also be reading the Word of God. The Bible is the one place I know I will find what God has spoken: wisdom, guidance and truth. 

Wisdom, in one sense, is knowing what the truth is in relation to the circumstances you find yourself. Understanding is how to live according to what you know is true and worthy of God, or in other words how the truth applies to what you are going through right now. 

Pleasing God is the end or reason for seeking to act in a manner worthy of Christ. Does what I ask for please God? Sometimes we have to ask, "Father, are you pleased with this? Are you glorified in this?" 

So, as you pray for yourself, your family and your life...

Father, fill us with the knowledge of you will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. May we live lives worthy of you, pleasing you in every way. Praise be to you in us today!

Get Your Coordinates Set on Christ

Whenever you start something new it always begins at the beginning. At the beginning of the letter to the Colossians Paul starts at the foundations of our beliefs; faith, hope and love. 

"Because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints - the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth." Colossians 1:4-6 

Faith produces love. Faith in God allows us to hope because nothing can thwart his ultimate will. Both faith and love come from the hope we have in Christ Jesus. I think it was a song by the Police that said, "There is no political solution for our troubled evolution." In contrast there is a hymn that says, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' love and faithfulness."  

At the start of Colossians the Apostle takes us back to the foundations of our relationship with God. The gospel, the word of truth, triggered within us the awakening of our spirits. We once were dead and now we are alive in Christ. The fruit that is born in us is faith and love. 

Let's call this refocusing. Take a moment to remember that our hope is in and only in the Lordship and Sovereignty of Jesus Christ. He alone is our salvation. 

My family and I have been geocaching. It is kind of like treasure hunting using a GPS. If your coordinates are off you can end up looking for the "cache" on the opposite side of a building or town. If your coordinates are right all is good. Walking with God is a bit like that. If we are looking for the wrong kind of fruit from our faith in Christ we will end up wandering around aimlessly. But, if your hope is in Christ, faith and love will spring up in you. 

Father, may the hope we have in Christ Jesus bear the fruit of faith and love in all we do. Praise be to you in us today!

No Matter the Politics, Christ Is Still the Truth

"All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household." Philippians 4:22 

I am reminded that the Apostle Paul did not live in a free country but he lived under a most oppressive Roman empire. An empire that despised Christians and fed them to lions for entertainment. Yet, somehow in that world Paul found the freedom in Christ to preach the gospel of reconciliation to God in Christ to the known world. Not, even Caesar's household was exempt.  

One thing the election showed is that we live in a country where "the middle" of America is liberal. Liberalism has never been kind to Christianity. Neither was the Roman empire or any communist country. Islamic believers are seeking to spread their beliefs the world over. The nation of Islam has been brutally opposed to Christianity. 

Yet, God is still on the throne. His will will be done. He is still Sovereign. 

Christians, be prepared to live as a light shining in the darkness. Our mission is eternal, it supersedes and transcends the current political movements. No matter what the current political winds may be, Jesus Christ is still the Truth. Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins and he rose from the dead and conquered death and sin. He sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf. He will come again to judge this world and take his people home. May we be used as lights shining in the darkness. 

Father, strengthen your people to live in the light of your presence. Shine in and through us to this desperate and dark world. Praise be to you in us today!

Your Needs and Gods Riches in Christ Jesus

If you are following Christ, serving him and giving to others sometimes you might find yourself wondering if God is going to take care of you. Whatever your needs, God will provide.  

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 

I must say, I have lived through some pretty lean times and the times we find ourselves in promise to be lean for at least a season or two more. But, here is the deal: God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 

When I take a breathe and look back on my life I see that God has been faithful and never let me or my family go hungry. We have always had enough to eat and a place to live. 

Yes, I have lived through several Presidencies and still had food and a place to live. God reigns.

Father, thank you that you in your glorious riches in Christ Jesus will meet all our needs. Help us to live in faith as giving people to those in need. Praise be to you in us today. 

The Secret to Contentment, Even A-Type People

If you have an A-type personality this may be one of the hardest lessons for you to learn. If you are not an A-type person but are married to one this may be one of those lessons that love will help the most. The Apostle Paul sees it all through having Christ as your center and source of strength and guidance.

"I know what it is to be in need, and know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13

Think about this: If Paul was not a prototypical A-type personality I am not sure who is. He was not just an Israelite, he was of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. He didn't just seek to keep the law, he became a Pharisee. He was zealous to the point of attacking those who were not in agreement, the church. He was considered to be legalistically faultless! Then, after giving his life to Christ, he didn't just start one church. He sought to start churches in every part of the world he could get to. Contentment is not easy for someone like that.

Trying to tell an A-type person to do the whole zen, Jedi sit with your legs crossed and closed your eyes while you wait thing is like trying to tell a chicken not to lay an egg! Yet, the Apostle Paul learned to be content in any and every situation. I guess several days in a jail cell and nights shipwrecked will teach you that only God is Sovereign. That is why Paul said he "learned" to be content. 

We don't just become content, we learn to become content. Learning is not always easy, especially when it involves unlearning or reprogramming our mindsets or habits of thinking and acting. Trials, teach us to wait on God. God often allows us to be put in situations where we can not control anything and try as best as we can, we can't improve the situation. That is when God wants us to realize that he is Sovereign. In plenty or in want, God will take you through. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.

Father, thank you that you have unfailing love for us and that you are Sovereign over all things. Whether we are in a time of plenty or a time of need, we call on you to give us strength in Christ Jesus. Thank you for hearing our prayers! Praise be to you in us today!

What are you thankful for today?

"I will exalt you, O LORD,
     for you lifted me out of the depths
     and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
 O LORD my God, I called to you for help
     and you healed me. 
 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave; 
     you spared me from going down into the pit."
 Psalm 30:1-3 

Today I thank God for my family, our daily bread, the house we live in and that I still have a job. What are you thankful for today?

Need Strength? Need Peace?

"The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
     the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
The LORD gives strength to his people;
     the LORD blesses his people with peace." 
Psalm 20:10-11 

One simple but profound truth and two blessings to hold on to. The truth is that the LORD is on the throne. The throne of the universe, the seen and unseen, the past, present and the future, those who accept his reign now and those who will acknowledge he is LORD on that day. God is on the throne and he is THE KING. 

The blessings are that he provides us with strength and blesses us with peace. How much does he give us? How much do we need? I went to Bible College with a woman who lived through the evil reign of Idi Amin, General and Dictator of Uganda. One day she, her husband and two sons were at  a Bible Study in someones home and Amin's men (the military) burst into the house and told everyone to lay face down on the floor. After a few minutes of chaos they were told not to move for one half hour. When they finally looked up all the men and boys were gone. That was the last time she saw or heard of her husband and two sons. I asked her how she dealt with it because she seemed so fragile as a person. She told me simply, "I don't know how. I only know that God gives me strength each day." I have never forgotten that little lady looking up at me and the surety in her eyes. What I saw as weak was really someone at peace with God, assured that he was on the throne. 

God will give us the strength we need each day and knowing he is on the throne as King forever reminds us that he will work out all things according to his will and his purposes. 

Father, show us yourself today. Open our eyes to see you on the throne. Give us your strength and may the peace of Christ reign in our hearts. Thank you, Lord! Praise be to you in us today!

Where do you aim your actions?

I am sure you have heard the old saying that if you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time. Well, that holds true spiritually too. And for me it often boils down to what do I feed my mind and what choices for my actions am I considering. That is why I believe that reading the Bible on a daily basis is so important. What does Paul, in the Bible, tells us to think about?

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever  you have seen learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9

I want to think about this with relationships in mind. Think about your marriage, your children, your co-workers, the people you hang out with. Are you dealing with others in truthful ways? With nobility? With righteousness? With Purity, loveliness, is it admirable, excellent or praiseworthy? 

Paul encourages us to view and to act in truthful, noble, righteous, pure, lovely, anything admirable, excellent and praiseworthy actions. That is a lot of different yet positive channels for my thoughts and plans to go through. Sometimes, just my attitude can make the difference in how I do something. I wake up about and hour and a half before anyone in the house. I like to have some time alone with God. Often, the dishwasher is full of "Clean" dishes. I will admit that I like it better when it says "Dirty" because then I don't have to empty it. But, if I put the dishes away "as unto the Lord" I don't allow myself to think anything like, "Why are these stupid things always left for my in the morning? I don't need any chores first thing when I wake up." Get it?

I have worked with and for people who value others and treat them with respect. I have also worked for some people who pretty much left me with the desire to punch them in the mouth. (Just being real.) One principal I worked with, Dr. Charles, treated people like professionals and expected them act like professionals. He had a lot of buy-in and cooperation from his staff. I have sought to put that into practice whenever I had the opportunity and it has always payed off. 

So, whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable - aim for it and put it into practice!

Father, help us to see these things and put them into practice. Praise be to you in us today!

Got Anxiety?

One of the wonderful truths about God is that he is real. Being a Christian is not an escape from reality, it is life to the fullest in reality. That means that sometimes I pray for a way out and God gives me strength and wisdom to live through the trial. I am just supposed to seek him and obey him.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Paul realizes that we will face times when our finiteness will push us toward anxiety. If you are a problem solving person and you encounter trials, which are inevitable, you will try to find a way through or out of the circumstance(s). That is natural, normal. The problem is that we can not see the end from the beginning. Only God can! That is why Paul encourages us to pray and petition God about everything. 

If you have ever had an anxiety attack you know it can incapacitate you. Your mind will act like an engine running full bore then overheating and seizing, because you can not see a way out. That is why Paul says "the peace of God, which transcends understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." God is eternal. He not only sees the end from the beginning but works all things for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purposes. There have been times in my life when I could not see how God was going to work. Sometimes my own sin, sometimes my stupidity, sometimes just the "random" circumstances of life seem to leave no way out. The only thing that gets me through is knowing that God loves me! He has unfailing love for me! He is Sovereign over not only my life but the world around me. 

What are you going through right now? Are you anxious? Pray, petition and thank God that he has unfailing love for you, he is Sovereign over your life and everything around it! I don't know how, I just know he says he will, and that is true. The peace of God will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. 

Father, we lift up our lives to you. There circumstances we can not see a way through or out of. God, you not only see the end but work it out for our good. We don't know how, we just thank you that you have unfailing love for us and are Sovereign over all! Praise be to you in us today!