Do You See God's Faithfulness?

Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
   you who have done great things. 
Who is like you, God?
Though you have made me see troubles,
   many and bitter,
   you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth 
   you will again bring me up.
You will increase my honor 
   and comfort me once more. 
I will praise you with the harp 
   for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
   Holy One of Israel.
My lips will shout for joy 
   when I sing praise to you—
   I whom you have delivered.
My tongue will tell of your righteous acts day long,
   for those who wanted to harm me 
   have been put to shame and confusion.
Psalms 71:19-24  (NIV)

Thank you, Father, that even though I have been through some pretty tough times (every heart knows it's own sorrow), you have mercifully and faithfully brought me through. Praise be to you!

No Matter Where You Go, There He Is

No matter where you go and what you have been through, God is with you. Sometimes we feel the pressure of the battle, but, God is still Sovereign over all. 

As for me, I will always have hope;
   I will praise you more and more. 
My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
   of your saving acts all day long—
   though I know not how to relate them all
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;
   I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
   and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray,
   do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
   your mighty acts to all who are to come.
Psalms 71:14-18 (NIV)

Did You Throw Out Your TV?

My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.

Ezekiel 33:31-32  (NIV)

This is where the rubber meets the road, spiritually speaking, isn't it? I went to church last Sunday, I don't know if I put any of what I heard into practice. 

I'm not into straw man spirituality. I've heard pastors rankle about the evils of TV and R rated movies and challenge the congregation to throw out their TVs if it was causing them to sin. Please, let's get real. I asked one of my pastors if he threw his out. He had just bought a new one. I don't think he chucked his.

Paul, Ephesians 5:6b says that the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. I guess, in a way, it just boils down to this: I am doing what I am doing just for my self (greed) or am trying to serve others? 

Father, thank you for sending Jesus to die for our sins and show us how to live by faith in love. praise be to you in us today!

No Welcome Mat for That

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house to welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.

2 John :10-11

There are some things you just shouldn't let into your house. When 2 John was written teachers would travel around and stay in peoples houses. So, when John is talking about taking him into you house he meant it quite literally. 

It's telling that he doesn't say to love them and try to convince them of their error(s). He plainly says to not take them in or welcome them. The apostle then says that if you welcome a false teacher you share in their wicked work. This makes me ask myself, "Is there false teachers that I let into my home?" 

It's easy to tell my kids that all the stuff from PBS and some other stations is obviously coming from a humanistic and atheistic point of view. What's not so easy is the many other influences that affect all of us. We are constantly bombarded by depictions of men as not so bright, dogs who have no real control over their desires. Those are not Biblical points of view, by-the-way. That is just one example. TV mini series about the Bible and Jesus that are heavily influenced by liberal theologians water down the reality and truth about Christ. 

I am not one of those people who say to throw out your TV. I can choose what to watch and what is ok for my children to watch. I can talk to my kids about what is said and taught. I can teach my children the truth about God found plainly in the Bible. Frankly, I can be "unwelcoming" to teachings and ideas that do not accept that Jesus came in the flesh and died and rose again for our sins. I admit I sort of mock evolution because it is a cartoon belief. I say cartoon because of the "illustrations" that are used to "prove" that man came from monkey, which came from some fish thing that supposedly came up from the sea and started to walk on the land. There is no welcome mat for false teaching. 

It's Time

No matter where you are at, it's time to call on God. In thanksgiving and cries for help, God is on the throne and Christ is at the right of the thrown interceding on our behalf.

Hasten, O God, to save me;
   come quickly, Lord, to help me. 
May those who want to take my life
   be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin 
   be turned back in disgrace.
May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
   turn back because of their shame.
But may all who seek you
   rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say, 
   "The Lord is great!” 
But as for me, I am poor and needy;
   come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
   Lord, do not delay.
Psalms 70:1-5  (NIV)

Do You Feel Like You Look Like You're Losing?

My wife hates it, but I like watching MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fights. At the end of the match they interview the combatants and by the looks on their faces (the cuts and bruises) it's not always apparent who the winner was. Sometimes the battle with the flesh and the world leaves us a little beat up. You may stop for a moment and look at yourself and feel pretty beat up and think you must be losing this fight. Remember, our salvation protects us. The battle is ultimately God's and he is faithful to bring us through. 

But as for me, afflicted and in pain—
   may your salvation, God, protect me. 
I will praise God’s name in song
   and glorify him with thanksgiving.
This will please the Lord more than an ox,
   more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
The poor will see and be glad—
   you who seek God, may your hearts live!
The Lord hears the needy
   and does not despise his captive people.
Psalms 69:29-33 (NIV)

Thank you, Father, that you hear our prayers and you don't despise us. Praise be to you and the victory you give in us!

You Can't Follow From Ahead

Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

2 John 1:9-11 (NIV)

Have you ever walked with someone who does not know where they are going but they walk ahead and you have to catch up to them and then get them back in the right direction? In a way that is what the Apostle John is talking about. 

Back in eighties one budding group of churches started to really explore the depths of the movement of the Holy Spirit. I think their intent (to know Christ in a deeper way) was good, but, they ended up doing a lot of questionable stuff. They went from "singing in the spirit" to "laughing in the spirit" to being "slain in the spirit". When people started to say things like, "If you read something in the Bible yet sense the Spirit telling you something different, go with the Spirit," then I knew for sure they had gone to far ahead. 

It is good to want to know Christ in a deeper way, but remember God is not the author of confusion so he won't give you conflicting directives. Paul said he wanted "to know Christ in the and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death," (Philippians 3:10).

Remember, you can't follow Christ if you try to run ahead of him. 

Father, help us to follow you and not get ahead and off track. Praise be to you in us today. 

You Can't Select Your Savior Options

I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.

2 John 1:7-8  NIV

Let's face it and say it how it truly is. If you don't get Jesus as the Bible says he is, straight up, no changes, you don't know Jesus. He is not the brother of any angel, he is not just a prophet, he is not just a good man, he is not a god. He is the God of the universe, Creator of all things and he came to earth as a man, in the flesh, died and rose again, conquering death and sin. 

Get this straight. You don't decide on the options you think would be nice in a god and a savior. You choose to believe in Jesus as he declared himself to be or don't. Jesus who came in the flesh declared, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except me." (John 14:6) To know Christ on a deeper level is to understand the depths to that which is true. 

I once visited a seminary to see if I wanted to go there. I sat in on a class. The teacher was from England and he was lecturing on the implied teaching of the trinity in the old testament. Frankly, I had a tough time staying awake. After he was done some of the students asked me what I thought of him. Well, I was blessed to spend a year at Capernwray Bible school in England so I was used to British accents, so, I wasn't that impressed. I actually thought he spoke a lot to say a little. My point is that sometimes in our desire to know Christ on a deeper level we listened to eloquent teachers who say all kinds of things, right or wrong. If what is taught isn't taking us back to the depths and riches of the love of God found in Christ who came in the flesh, then be very careful to not lose what you already have.

Father, thank you for the truth in Christ. Open the eyes of our understanding to know the depth of you love for us in Christ. Praise be to you in us today!

People, Problems and Love

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

2 John :6

It's the start of a new work week. The challenges that will present themselves having to deal with people, policies and problems will come. We need to walk in love. 

Here is the truth: God has unfailing love for us and he is Sovereign over everything, whether we perceive it or not. That means that whatever comes our way he will provide the wisdom we will need to deal with them. To walk in love is to trust God. To walk in love is to treat others (as in anyone you deal with) with the same love that Christ has loved you with. 

Father, thank you for your love for us in Christ Jesus. Thank you for loving us even when we were your enemies. Help us to love others with that same love. Praise be to you in us today!

Deliver Me, Lord, In Your Great Love...

But I pray to you, Lord,
   in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
   answer me with your sure salvation.
Rescue me from the mire,
   do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
   from the deep waters.
Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
   or the depths swallow me up 
   or the pit close its mouth over me. 
Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;
   in your great mercy turn to me.
Do not hide your face from your servant;
   answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
Come near and rescue me;
   deliver me because of my foes.
Psalms 69:13-18 (NIV)

Father, look upon me with favor. You sent your Son, your One and Only Son to die that I might have eternal life. Rescue me from the mire in my life. I look to you and you alone. Hear my prayer. Thank you, Lord. 

It's Not About the Bling, It's About Jesus

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

1 John 5:20 (NIV)

Back in the late nineties the Lakers had a pretty good team but they just couldn't break through in the playoffs. They won a lot of games during the regular season but always faltered in the playoffs. Then they hired Phil Jackson and one of the first things he did was invite Shaq to his Montana ranch. Jackson showed him his championship rings and then Shaq was like, "It's all about the bling!" Whatever Phil said to Shaq and then the team gave them an understanding of what it took to win. 

In a similar way, when we come to a saving knowledge of Christ, we gain an understanding of the truth. We come to know Christ who is the truth and we gain eternal life. It's all about knowing Jesus. 

It's about knowing Jesus as he truly is, not as we make he out to be. Christ is who he says he was, who his death and resurrection declare him to be. He is the true God and eternal life. If you know Christ, you have eternal life.

Lord Jesus Christ, we acknowledge is the only True God, our Savior and Lord. Show us yourself. Praise be to us in you today!

Have You Sinned Too Much?

We know that anyone born of God does not continue in sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.

I John 5:18

Sin. Everyone deals with it. I think we would all like to find a way to not have to deal with sin, to overcome all possible temptation and automatically steer clear of any situation that might allow sin to have its way in our lives. But John already told us that if we claim to be without sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 

In my experience condemnation comes when we are confronted with our own sinfulness as repeat offenders. What did Paul do when he was confronted with his own sinfulness? In II Corinthians 12:7-10 Paul discusses his thorn in the flesh. In the end God's message was that his grace was sufficient for Paul. God did not remove it, he just promised that his grace was sufficient. God kept Paul safe, in his grace. 

What about our struggle with sin, our thorns in the flesh? God's message remains the same. The one who was born of God keeps us safe. His grace is sufficient. I don't know what the sin that leads to death is, but, I do know that if the Spirit of God is working in me in such a way that makes me think of turning to God in any way (even questioning if his grace is sufficient) then God is still working in my life and his grace is sufficient. 

The evil one will seek to condemn us, telling us that if we are truly born of God that we won't keep struggling with the same temptations and the same sins. That is a lie from the father of all lies. Like Paul we cry out and accept that God's grace is sufficient. 

Father, thank you that we are kept safe in Christ. Forgive us our sins. Thank you and praise be to you in us today!

Ask Anything...

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him

1 John 5:13 -15  (NIV)

What's the point? The point is that we know we have eternal life. The point isn't that we know the secret faith formula to get whatever we want. 

To know we have eternal life is to know we are in Christ, receiving his love and loving others with his love puts us securely in his will. If we seek his will and pray accordingly, his word says he will give us what we ask. Since Christ loves us enough to die for us, he surely listens to our prayers. 

OK, so let's get real here. I have prayed and not gotten what I have asked for. It is easy to say, "Well, that wasn't God's will then." Maybe. I have prayed for people's salvation and they seem to reject God and I know it is God's desire that all men be saved (I Timothy 2:4). I think we must consider that God's will is ultimately that we are made new in the image of Jesus Christ and sometimes waiting in him to answer prayer shapes our faith in ways we cannot perceive or imagine. He may hear us but may be doing something we just don't understand or see. 

Faith is believing that God loves me and is working out everything for my good according to his will and in his faithful timing. 

Father, help us to pray and wait upon you to work you will in our lives. Praise be to you in us today!

Summon Your Power, Show Us Your Strength, Oh Lord

 Summon your power, God;
   show us your strength, our God, as you have done before.
Because of your temple at Jerusalem 
   kings will bring you gifts.
Rebuke the beast among the reeds,
   the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations.
Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver.
   Scatter the nations who delight in war.
Envoys will come from Egypt;
   Cush will submit herself to God. 
Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth,
   sing praise to the Lord,
to him who rides across the highest heavens, 
   the ancient heavens,who thunders with mighty voice.
Proclaim the power of God,
   whose majesty is over Israel,
   whose power is in the heavens.
You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary;
   the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
Praise be to God!
Psalms 68:28-35 (NIV)

Father, there is so much about you, your power and strength, that we forget and miss. You have acted in our lives. You have provided jobs, relationships, and most importantly peace with you through salvation by faith in Christ Jesus! Lord, summon your power again and show us your strength! Praise be to you in us today!

Be Strong! Take Heart!

I remain confident of this:
   I will see the goodness of The Lord
   in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
   be strong and take heart
   and wait for the Lord.
Psalms 27:13-14 (NIV)

I love David because sometimes  I can just feel him as I read. It's as if he is coaching himself up in his faith. 

Did you ever watch John McEnroe play tennis? He was notorious for his rants on the tennis court. He often challenged the umpires decisions and made his disapproval with the call known to anyone who could hear. Once while watching him play and listening to him carry on I noticed the he was, for the most part, talking to himself. Telling himself to "get it together!", "I can't believe you missed that shot!", "come on!" And of course, "You cannot be serious!" It was kind of amusing because I couldn't tell who was winning the argument! I always liked watching him play because he played with such hustle and intensity. He constantly exhorted himself to play better and keep hustling.

When it comes to our faith in Christ as we seek to live it out on a daily basis I think we can take a lesson in self motivation. The deal is that we can't wait around for someone else to motivate or encourage us. Sometimes we need to be like David and remind ourselves of God's goodness and to press on in Christ.

Father, help us to remember your goodness and to be strong and take heart. Praise be to you in us today!

Have the Son. Have Life.

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

I John 5:12

It's pretty straightforward isn't it? If you want to have eternal life, you must have the Son of God. 

In John 10:10 Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." There are a plethora of religious and spiritual offerings out there that appeal to a lot of different emotions and inner needs. But, unless they believe that Jesus, the Son of God came as a real person, died and rose again, they are just thieves seeking to steal your soul and keep you from eternal life in Christ. 

There really isn't much to say after that. Some beliefs may offer self satisfaction through works. Some may deny all deity and look only to themselves and so called reason for answers. But, all are deceptive lies that will lead people away from the truth, from eternal life in Christ. 

Do you have the Son?

Love and the KISS principle: Keep It Simple Saint

My mom had this friend who if you said something and she didn't necessarily go along with it would just nod her head and say, "Hmmm...really...OK..." in the most no threatening manner. But, you didn't know if she was agreeing with you or not. It made you think about what you said. What do you think it means to love God and love each other?

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

1 John 5:1-5 (NIV)

I don't know about you, but when I start thinking about what it means to love God and each other, even after reading these verses I find myself trying to explain my actions or reasons for treating others the way I do. I can almost hear, "Hmmm...really...OK..."

Let's go with the KISS principle: Keep It Simple Saint. I think that it was the Apostle John is getting at. If you believe that Jesus is the Christ you're born of God. If you love the father you love his child. If you love God you follow his commands to love one another. If you love God and one another, you will have victory. 

I don't want to get too specific here because I think the Spirit is working in each of us in different ways and what I may need to do to love my wife may be different than what you need to do to love you spouse. I just want you to ask yourself, "Was that in love?" If you have to explain it or justify it, maybe you might want to check yourself.

The point is simple. Love God. Love each other. 

Father, help us to simply love you and each other. Praise be to you in us today!

Love Real People

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever who loves God must also love his brother.

1 John 4:19-21 (NIV)

Love begins with Christ. He loved us first, when there was no compelling reason to do so. We were his enemies, yet, he chose to love us by dying on the cross in our place, taking away our sin and placing us in his family. 

Let's get real here. It's easy to say you are a Christian and that you love everyone. What's difficult is when someone acts in a very unloving way toward you and you must respond in some way. I think, sometimes, that the closer the person is to you the harder it may be to respond in love. If a random person says something hurtful to me I can blow it off, but if my wife does, then I can be a little defensive. (And of course this goes the other way too.) 

The lesson is that loving each other in Christ is not necessarily easy.  Most of the time we need to sit down before the throne of grace and ask for grace. We need to remember that he first loved us and he forgives us, multiple times, on a daily basis! If you think you are easy to deal with, you probably aren't. 

I am a sinner saved by grace. I may accidentally step on someones toes or I may purposely step on someones toes, but I will step on toes. We all will. Humility, knowing who I am in Christ, should lead me to remember that because Christ first love me, I should love whoever God puts in my path.

Father, help us to love others just like Christ loved and loves us. Praise be to you in us today!

Mr. Brow: A Scout is Courteous

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 

Romans 12:17-18 (NIV)

I decided to call him Brow. I thought about scowl, but, that would've been too obvious. You see last week my son went to Boy Scout summer camp at Forest Lawn Scout a Reservation in the San Bernardino Mountains. I attended as an adult leader for his troop. We arrived a week ago on Sunday. After checking in, setting up in our area, and taking the swim test we started mingling around the mess hall and talking to people from other troops. 

I noticed a guy giving me the dirtiest look, scowling at me like I took his sons ice cream cone just as he was about to take the first bite. My buddy, the assistant scoutmaster, said, "What's that guys problem? He looks like he wants to bite our heads off!" I gave a little nod and a smile. He kept scowling. I stared back. He finally turn away, still scowling. 

Because a scout is clean they have daily campsite inspections. My compadre and I volunteered to help. One day I went by the campsite for Brows' troop. Apparently he had demanded that my buddy ask for permission to enter the site the day before, so I announced myself before entering. I had a pleasant conversation about what needed to be done by his troop to achieve a top score. 

On Friday, we had steak (not filet mignon or New York cuts). We had a bottle of A-1 sauce on our table. Brow came by, asked if we we using it, we said no, and he snatched the bottle up, scowling all the way. I said, "You're welcome." A few minutes later he back, set it down rather firmly and declared, "Some words don't come out of my mouth!" As he abruptly turned and marched away. A scout is courteous. 

I saw brow many other times and he scowled even at a kind, "Hello".  My point is that it doesn't matter if someone else has an issue with you or everyone in general, the Bible tells us to live at peace with everyone. Even if, like my "friend" Brow, someone isn't kind or courteous, you still try your best to show the love of Christ. Remember, Christ didn't love us because we were nice, he first loved us when we were his enemies.

Father, help us to love even when we will only receive evil in return. Praise be to you in us today!