Recognize Your Training

It is God who arms me with strength
   and keeps my way secure.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
   he causes me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
   my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You make your saving help my shield,
   and your right hand sustains me;
   your help has made me great.
You provide a broad path for my feet,
   so that my ankles do not give way.
Psalms 18:32-36 (NIV)

There will be battles. My youngest son and I have been watching the History Channel and the world wars has been the subject. One of the observations I had was that great leaders, great generals prepare their soldiers, not just lead them. In the same way, Christ, our leader trains us. In a way each trial, each testing of our faith is a preparation for the next trial. 

Sometimes I think my problem is that I look at each trial as a depletion of spiritual energy rather than a training and strengthening of my inner being in Christ. Proper exercise may get me tired at the moment but, in the end strengthens me. Likewise, the trials Christ has brought me through prepare me and strengthen me for the battles ahead. 

Stop for just a moment and let the Spirit of God remind you of what your recent "training" has been...what has God been strengthening? Be careful to not get fixated on what you think the issue is but discern what you have been learning. I have been going through some trials/training and I have been fixated on the idea that I needed to learn to hold my tongue (which I do). But, that has not really been what I have been learning. My "training" has more to do with dealing with new challenges that put everyone around me in chaos. 

How are you being strengthened?

To Grow and Know

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 

II Peter 3:18

It all starts with grace. Grace leads to relationship. 

Peter doesn't say to grow in our ability to pray, to witness, to memorize scripture or to do good deeds. Those are all good things and spiritually beneficial. But, he does not point us to this we have to do. He directs us to focus on the grace we have in Christ and the relationship that grace affords.

Knowing Jesus Christ is personal. We know him as Lord because he is and we know him as Savior because that is what he did. The Lord of all things, came to earth, lived as a man, died for our sins, rose again and sits at the right hand of the Father ever living to intercede on our behalf. 

Growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ is not mere facts. Reading the Bible is not about being able to say that you know the Bible, it is about being able to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When we are in the middle of a trail knowing Christ enables us to discern God's hand. Sometimes that is simply acting on the truth that even though we can't see what God is doing at the moment, we know he promised to work all things for the good. He is Sovereign and he is gracious. 

Father, help us to grow in our knowledge you, our Lord and Savior. Praise be to you in us today!

Thank You For Laying Down Your Life

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 

John 15:13

Today is Memorial Day, a day of remembrance. A day we honor soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice that we might enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy today. 

The ultimate soldier in the ultimate battle is Jesus Christ. He died for our salvation, to redeem us from sin and death. 

My prayer is that our country honors the death of soldiers who died fighting for our freedom to live and worship in a manner we see best. 

Don't Miss God

Just a little reminder from one of my favorite authors, A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God.

Another Day for Grace

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)

I am a teacher and there are some things I do every day with my students. We review some basic grammar concepts for just couple of minutes because although every book and teacher assumes all students know and understand basic grammar, they don't. Normally, after about three months it starts kicking in, but I have a class this year that it wasn't until just last week they started to really demonstrate that they knew basic grammar. It took a while but they got there. The key is that I know that if I review  a concept for just a few minutes daily the students will learn retain much more than if they have long lessons spread out over the year. 

God knows what he is doing with our world. He keeps sending his messengers, us, to tell the world of salvation through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Many people misunderstand his apparent delay of judgement. The delay is grace, not neglect. He just keeps offering repentance to the world. Every day we are a testimony to those around us. Each day the Holy Spirit works to bring people to repentance. 

Think about this today as you interact with people at work, school or just when you are out and about. God is giving each person you see another day to accept his grace.

Far or Near, God Restores

I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
   I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
   creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
   says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
Isaiah 57:18-19 (NIV)

God saves us because. Because of his grace, not our goodness. 
He sees our ways, but, he still will heal us. 
We go astray and he still guides. 
We wander and he restores and comforts us.
We could be far or we can be near and he still offers us peace with him in Christ. 
Whatever the wound, he will heal. 

Father, help us to walk with you in humility and willingness. Thank for your healing love for us. Praise be to you in us today!

Time To Call A Professional

And it will be said: 
“Build up, build up, prepare the road!
   Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”
For this is what the high and exalted One says—
   he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
   but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly 
   and to revive the heart of the contrite.
I will not accuse them forever,
   nor will I always be angry,
for then they would faint away because of me—
   the very people I have created.
Isaiah 57:14-16 (NIV)

Amazing! God, is high and lifted up, who lives forever, also lives with those who are contrite and lowly in spirit. My problem is that when I am feeling down I don't always look to God. I kind of want to pull myself together first. 

The truth is that the more I try to pull myself together the worse things get. Once I was going to try to fix a drain pipe below the sink in one of our bathrooms. As soon as I started to remove it I realized it was beyond me. The previous owners had tried to just throw more pipes onto the problem. It was a mess. We had a plumber come and he fixed it. 

This is kind of like us with our problems, we try to fix things and just add more problems. When we are lowly in spirit it means that we realize that God alone can make things right. Joy comes in knowing that God wants to revive us. 

God knows our weaknesses, our frailty and our need for him. He wants to build us up and remove the obstacles from our way. 

Father, we need you to work in our lives, to build us up and remove the obstacles from our ways. We look to you and wait upon you to lift us up in you. Praise be to you in us today!

Voting for Justice?

I have been receiving a lot of voting guides and ads lately. An election is coming up in a few weeks. My son marched in the Torrance, CA Armed Forces Day Parade on Saturday with his school's band. At the beginning was a long group of dignitaries from including our new U.S. Congresswoman, Maxine Waters. Below are a few verses I find enlightening.

“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, and do not show favoritism to a poor person in a lawsuit.

Exodus 23:2-3 (NIV)

“Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits." 

Exodus 23:6 (NIV)

"Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 16:18-20 (NIV)

One of the things that I find sincerely troubling is the corruption in government and how apparently easy it is to manipulate those who consider themselves Christians. You see, during the last presidential election the Democrats were voting on their platform issues. One of the key issues was whether or not to keep God in their platform and the support of Israel. It took three votes to strike it down and it sounded pretty even to me. 

The truly troubling issue is that the Democratic party is considering the idea of removing God from their platform at all. Take away God and you take away justice. 

As Christians we can not be persuaded by the illusion of feigned outcries by politicians about social justice when they do nothing to actually help people get out of poverty. When I saw Maxine Waters in the parade I wondered how she continues to get elected when she does so little. Where are the jobs? With rampant gang activity, senseless killings, drugs and corruption the hallmarks of her district, where is the justice? 

Christians beware. I know that I am taking a controversial position here but, I also know that I can not see how anyone who says they believe in God, can vote for someone whose party consistently denies God to the point where they are voting to remove his Name from their party platform. 

It's Time

Seek the Lord while he may be found;
   call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways
  and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, 
   and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Isaiah 55:6-7 (NIV)

Here is the good news: if you are reading this he is seeking you and you can find him. He is near, that inkling in your heart to seek God is the Holy Spirit working inside you, drawing you to the Lord. Do what you have to do. If you need to confess, confess. If you need to repent, repent. Seek the Lord. He will find you. He will have mercy on you. He will freely pardon you. 

Hang On, His Love Is Unfailing

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,
   yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)

The word of The Lord is good. The truth of his love for us is assurance in moments of doubt. Whatever you may be going through, God's love for you never waivers. 

Father, open our eyes to see your unfailing love in our lives. Praise be to you in us today!

Face It, You 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. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

   My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 1:8-2:2 (NIV)

Facing up to our own sinfulness can be very humbling. The question is not if we are going to sin or even when will we sin. The issue is what do we do when we sin. We confess. Jesus in his perfect faithfulness forgives us and purifies us. Just like a baby in diapers can't clean him/herself, we can't purify our own sin. we confess, Christ cleans. That is God's grace. 

The truth is that Jesus did not die just for our sins, he was the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. I have this friend at work. He needs to know God's grace. I can see it. I know he loves his wife and daughter, but he still needs Jesus. Jesus died for him too and I have been able to tell him, in normal conversations of God's love and forgiveness. 

That is the two sided beauty of the gospel. We are forgiven and we get to share that forgiveness with others. 

Father, forgive our sins. Share you love through us. Praise be to you in us today!

The Day of the Scoffers

First of all, you must understand that in the last day scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires." 

II Peter 3:3

It is as if the Apostle Peter foresaw the twenty first century, the world as we know it today. Atheist's demand that people of faith stop mentioning God on nearly a daily basis. Go to Hot on Google! and you will find someone raging about the evils of Christians and mocking Christians for not believing in their cartoon religion/science dogma known as evolution. 

According to revisionist history every evil ever done was because someone acted in the name of their god. They blame the god they don't believe in for the evil that is the natural outcome of mankind choosing to deny God. 

This world mocks the idea of a literal interpretation of the Bible which states that God created the world in seven days. They scoff at the second coming of Christ. They "forget" that God created and will judge the world.  

Here's the deal: the world mocks out of arrogance and ignorance. We believe and trust in Christ's faithfulness in humility and faith (being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see - Hebrews 11:1). 

Father, help us to stand strong in our faith with hope and certainty in Christ. Praise be to you in us today!

God Will Not Forget You

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
   and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
   I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
   your walls are ever before me.
Isaiah 49:15-16

One of the amazing things I remember about my wife when are children were first born was how atune she was to taking care of them. The baby definitely was her main concern. It is just amazing to see the love of a mother with her child. 

God's love for us is even greater. His concern for us is unwavering. Christ physically bears the marks that serve as reminders of his love for us. In John 16:24-30 Thomas doubted Christ's resurrection until he could see the nail marks in Christ's hands and put his finger where the nails were. Christ stood among the disciples and showed his hands to Thomas and told him to stop doubting and believe. Thomas could only reply,"My Lord and my God!"  

Isaiah's words foretold of God's love in Christ and John's message reminds of the truth and depth of God's love for us in Christ. Both proclaim the God will not forget us. 

Father, thank you for the truth that you will not forget us! Praise be to you in us today!

Do You remember Who You Are?

“Remember these things, Jacob,
   for you, Israel, are my servant.
I have made you, you are my servant;
   Israel, I will not forget you.
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
 your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”
Isaiah 44:21-22 (NIV)

As stubborn and rebellious as Israel was I have been. But, the amazing truth is that God, in his grace, sweeps away our sins. He made and and makes us his servants. When we stray he calls us to return to him because he has redeemed us. 

Father, help us to rest in your grace return to you when we stray. Praise be to you in us today!

Was That Heresy of Truth?

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

2 Peter 2:1-3 (NIV)

In my family growing up no one was afraid to tell you that what you said or did was wrong. I also learned to approach the Bible with humility. So I have a natural skepticism for people who make wild claims about their experiences. A little inner red light starts flashing when I hear some people talk about their "special revelation". 

I have this theory that every heretic was alone when they came up with their idea. No one was there to at least give them that "what are you talking about" look. Then they surrounded themselves with weak and needy people, also known as "yes men (or women)". 

Peter warns us about people who seek to deceive us and the denial of the sovereignty of God is at the heart of those teachings. Any teaching that increases me decreases God. For example, if a teaching emphasizes my faith over God's faithfulness, then that's taking away from God's glory, God's sovereignty. Isn't it telling that greed is at the heart of some modern teachings we hear? The prosperity doctrines talk of faith but it really centers on ones ability to have faith rather than on God's sovereign faithful nature. 

How do you know if you are being taught truth or heresy?

Father, give us humility and wisdom. Praise be to you in us today! 

Do You See Your Stream in the Wasteland?

“Forget the former things;
   do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
   Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
   and streams in the wasteland.
The wild animals honor me, 
   the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness 
   and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
   the people I formed for myself
   that they may proclaim my praise."
Isaiah 43:18-21 (NIV)

Do you notice that God does not say that he will take you out of the wilderness or remove you from the wasteland? What he does say is that he will provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. I think I usually pray to get out of the wilderness and removed from the wasteland. 

When I met my wife, I was at church, trying to serve God. I didn't find her at a dating service or a different church's singles group. I did feel a bit like I was in an emotional wilderness. But, that is where God provided. 

So my point is that you may be in a wilderness, a wasteland where it is really hard to see how God could provide, but, he can and he will. He will provide not just water, but streams. Think about that. When God provides he doesn't just want to give you enough to revive you, he wants you to know what you need is always at hand. I like watching survivalist shows sometimes and they always need water. Having a ready supply of drinkable water is essential for life. God promises to supply us with ready supplies of water to give us what we need. 

Father, open our eyes to see the steams you have provided for our lives. Praise be to you in us today! 

In the Fire, Not Out

But now, this is what the Lord says—
   he who created you, Jacob,
   he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
   I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
   I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
   they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
   you will not be burned;
   the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
   the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom
   Cush and Seba in your stead.

Isaiah 43:1-3 (NIV)

"What's the worse that could happen?" Does that question send a shiver down your back? Does a list start to form in your mind? Is there a catalog of past disasters from your live that you can review? I don't know about you but, sometimes I feel like my life is Murphy's Law incarnate. 

The truth is that God doesn't promise that we won't go through hard times, he does promise to be with us. He does promise that we won't be swept up or burned as we pass through the waters and the fire. He create us, formed us, and redeemed us. 

I think of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3). Because they would not bow down to the ninety foot image of gold they were condemned to death in the fiery furnace. The fire was so hot it killed the men who put them in the furnace. But, God was with them and they were protected from the flames. God was glorified in their trial. I will repeat. God was with them in the flames. 

What flames are you in right now? Know that God is with you. He created you, formed you, and redeemed you. He promises to be with you. 

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

Scripture, Your Guide or Your Tool?

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

II Peter 1:20-21

I recently just celebrated my eighteenth wedding anniversary. I'll tell you one thing I don't do and that is try and use the Bible to get my wife to act a certain way. I do try to read the Bible and by faith do what it says, like love my wife. How does Christ love me? That is how I should love my wife. 

The deal is that we seek to find God's will, not something in the Bible that backs up our will. 

A friend of mine once told me that you could make the Bible say anything you wanted. I said, "Really, what about where it says to not commit adultery?" Actually, you can misinterpret the Bible to say whatever you want, but, that is different than reading the Bible and just manipulating parts to say things the Spirit of God never intended to say. 

The key is God's will. Am I trying to find out what God has for me or am trying to figure out a way to get God to do what I want for me? 

Do You Need a Word?

Does anyone need a word of encouragement? Perhaps this is for you...

“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen,
   you descendants of Abraham my friend,
I took you from the ends of the earth, 
   from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
   I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
   do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 
“All who rage against you 
   will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
   those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.
Though you search for your enemies, 
   you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.
For I am the Lord your God 
   who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 
   Do not fear; I will help you.
Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, 
   do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord,
   your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
“See, I will make you into a threshing sledge, 
   new and sharp, with many teeth.
You will thresh the mountains and crush them,
   and reduce the hills to chaff.
You will winnow them, the wind will pick them up,
   and a gale will blow them away.
But you will rejoice in the Lord
   and glory in the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 41:8-16 (NIV)

Is Your Trial God's Protection?

The living, the living - they praise you,
   as I am doing today;
fathers tell their children
   about your faithfulness.
The LORD will save me,
   and we will sing with stringed instruments
all the days of our lives
   in the temple of the LORD.
Isaiah 38:19-20

It's funny how some "tough" situations can be God's protection. When I first started teaching I was worried that some more experienced teacher might bump me out because of seniority. Finally, one of the veteran teachers said, "No one wants your job. No teacher who is from one of the "good" areas is going to want to come down here to South Central and teach." She was right. Although I got pink slips (saying my position was in danger) for my first few years, never once did I come even close to losing my job or position. God placed me in a class that no one else wanted. I was safe there. 

Where are you now? Are you in a tough position? Maybe a job or assignment that is not all that glamorous? Maybe God has you there to protect you. He definitely wants to reveal his faithfulness to you. Remember that  God's love for you is unfailing and his faithfulness is unchanging. Thank you, Lord!

Father, help us to trust you where we are at and thrive. Praise be to you in us today!

What's Your Anguish?

But what can I say? 
   He has spoken to me, 
   and he himself has done this.
I will walk humbly all my years
   because of this anguish of my soul.
Lord, by such things people live;
   and my spirit finds life in them too.
You restored me to health
   and let me live.
Surely it was for my benefit 
   that I suffered such anguish.
In your love you kept me
   from the pit of destruction;
you have put all my sins
   behind your back.
Isaiah 38:15-17 (NIV)

I don't know about you, but sometimes (well, most of the time) I don't know what God is doing. I mean, I know his ultimate goal is to shape me into the image of his son, Jesus Christ. It's just specifically, at the moment I don't often "see" what God is about. I have to take it by faith that he is working all things out for my good.

King Hezekiah was suffering from a life threatening illness when he cried out to God. God answered and healed him. It was after he was healed that he could say that it was for his benefit that he suffered such anguish. It humbled him. And humility is when we see ourselves correctly or truthfully before God. 

You may be going through some form of anguish. I am. Like Hezekiah we can only call out upon God and seek him. He will keep us from the pit of destruction and put all our sins behind his back. 

Father, hear our prayers and see our anguish. Praise be to you in us today!