Come Rest Secure

I read this last night while studying for a Sunday School class I participate. It spoke to me and I pray that the Spirit of the Lord will comfort and encourage you with these words. 

No Other

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
You shall have no other gods before me.

Deuteronomy 5:6-7 

Sometimes in the simplicity is the profoundness. The Lord is our God and he is to be the only God in our lives. It is important to remember that God is the one who sent his One and only Son to die for us, to save us from our sins, to redeem us, justify us and will one day take us all home to be with him in heaven. 

Reality is not just the way that God, the God of the Bible, sees it to be. Reality is the way that God created it to be, the way that it is. Matter, space and time were all created by God. Scientists, theoretical physicists, and philosophers may conjure up fine sounding arguments, theories and explanations for the world and universe, but, the Lord is God, and there is no other. 

Father, you are the only true God. We praise you and acknowledge you as the LORD, our God who brought us out of sin and into life in Christ Jesus. Praise be to you in us today!

Thank You, Lord, for Your Compassion

Suffering for...

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 

Colossians 1:24 NIV

I participate in a Precepts Bible Study class at my church on Sunday mornings and we are studying the book of Colossians. I made a comment about these verses and the person who was leading asked me to review these verses next week when I lead the study. The guy next to me looked at me and said, "Good luck with that."

I'm not going to get into the "Why do good people suffer?" topic. I'm just going to point out that like Paul, we sometimes suffer and God uses that suffering to strengthen his body, the church. Paul taught the Corinthians that "just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ" (II Corinthians 1:5). Now, we usually just hear the previous verses about God comforting us so we can comfort others, but we tend to overlook the suffering that needs comfort component. The point is that God uses our suffering for the sake of his body, the church. 

Remember we are the body of Christ, the living, visible, and active extension of Christ hear on earth. I don't know if someone needs to necessarily see us suffering so much as God uses our suffering. Not everyone saw Paul get forty lashes minus one, beaten with rods, pelted with rocks or shipwrecked ( see II Corinthians 11:23ff). He was beaten and pelted because he was preaching Christ crucified and shipwrecked and imprisoned because the enemy did not want the truth of Christ to be heard. So, if you suffer, look to Christ for comfort and press on to serve the Lord with all you heart, mind and soul.    

So You May Know

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord.”

Exodus 10:1-2 NIV

Here's the bottom line: we may not understand the depths of free will, choice and all that doctrinal stuff, but, the desired end of it all is that we may know that He is the Lord. God's ways are not always discernible to us. We are  finite created beings. The Lord, is infinite and eternal, the everlasting one. 

The Lord was showing Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and the Israelites that He was the Lord. At first it didn't seem that great to the Israelites because they just had to make more bricks with less straw. Then, as the plagues progressed they saw how God protected them. I am sure it was quite a site to look over from Goshen and see the rest of Egypt infested with gnats and locus, darkness. 

The point is that God shows himself Sovereign and faithful in many different ways. It's not our choice, except to live by faith. Sometimes we need to just watch and see what God is doing. Crazy things may be happening around us, but God is still the Lord and working his will as he so chooses. 

You vs. the World: You Got This

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 

1 John 4:4 NIV

When we were kids we used to try to pick the best person to be on or team because we figured if we had the best player, we'd win. Pretty good strategy, and it usually worked. Now, as Christians, I believe we are in the fight of our lives and it is imperative that we submit ourselves to Christ because the battle is really heating up.

The world, the spirit of the antichrist, has become more openly hostile to Christ and his followers. If you have walked with Christ for a while you have overcome the world, to some extent, otherwise you wouldn't be even attempting to walk with Christ. The world is trying to tell us that our beliefs are wrong, outdated and unloving. If we don't buy into their agenda we will be ostracized, condemned publicly, and even punished financially. 

I don't want to get into a big description of the end times and the persecution of the saints. What I want to press into our thoughts is the truth that Christ in us is greater than all the world against us. When Judas betrayed Christ (see John 18) and they (soldiers and officials) said they wanted him, Jesus said, "I am he," and they drew back and fell to the ground. The power of his word just knocked them all backwards and they fell down. The power that would raise him from the dead was leaked out just to demonstrate that Christ chose to die for us. 

Hold on to Christ as he is holding on to you. He ever lives to intercede for you. He is faithful, even when you are not. His love never fails. Remember, Paul encourages us at the end of I Thessalonians 5:24, "The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it."

Fear and Honor

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear  God, honor the emperor.

1 Peter 2:17 NIV

Fear God. Honor the emperor. We fear God because HE is above all and all will one day answer to him. We honor our leaders because God in his sovereignty allows them to be there. 

The question of civil disobedience will come up at some time when we consider submitting to every authority instituted among men (I Peter 2:13).  If we are asked to do something we know is against God, we choose to obey God rather than man. If we suffer, we suffer with grace.

To submit to the authorities God has put over us does not mean we have to agree with them. As long as we aren't being asked to violate what we believe, we trust God with the outcome. I'm not saying that this is easy for me. It's not. The point is that we look to God as sovereign even over the self-serving, truth-challenged, politicians we have in government. It may cost us to live according to our convictions. But, remember what happened to the early Christians who stood firm in their beliefs: they were scapegoated and killed.  

He Told You So

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NIV

The desired state of being is peace. The reality is there's going to be trouble. The need is to be courageous in Christ. The reason is because Christ overcame the world already! 

Lord, we look to you to be our peace in the trials that we will encounter today. Give us the strength and courage we need to fight the good fight in Christ. Thank you that you have already overcome the world and sent you Spirit within us to give us the courage and strength we need. Be glorified in us today!

You Are Always With Me

   The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him...

  "My son," the father said, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours." 
Luke 15:28, 31

God, always makes the first move. His Spirit is the One who works within us to desire to even think about God. If you are seeking God in any way (even reading this blog), that was not your innate spirituality causing you to do that, no, it's the Spirit of the Living God drawing you to Himself. Every thought of God is proof of the Spirit of God within you. God goes out to you. 

It's easy to forget that God is with us. It shouldn't be, but it can be. Yet, the truth is that God will never leave us or forsake us and even if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful. Notice that in the parable it says, "you are always with me." It does not say, "I am always with you." Jesus is placing the focus on the son knowing where he was. Where are you with God? If you are a Christian the answer is that you are always with God. 

Stirred, not Shaken

Waking up this morning you're probably, like me, started thinking about all the things you want to do and have to do today. But, one thing we absolutely need is to find rest for our souls in God alone. 

Today, while you are taking care of the needs of your family know that God is your rock, your mighty rock and no matter what may happen, in him, you will not be shaken. 

Be stirred to trust in Christ to be your rock and don't be shaken by the trials of the day!

Lose It To Save It

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self ?

Luke 9:23-25 NIV

By His Might

David wanted to be saved and he wanted to be vindicated. He knew if either of those were going to happen it had to be by God's hand, by God's MIGHT in his life. David might fight the battle but he knew it was God working through him that would bring the victory. 

I've coached several of my kid's sports teams. Every now and then there are a few kids who are just sort of there. Maybe their parents made them participate, but, clearly it wasn't their idea. Once I was coaching a soccer team and a couple of girls were out on the pitch and the ball went by them and they didn't even notice because they were so engrossed in their eleven year old girl conversation, intently listening to each and giving each other their full attention. Both girl's parents were screaming, "Get the ball! Stop talking and get the ball!!" (Yes, one was mine.) They both jerked to attention and ran futilely after the ball.  

Here's the deal: we must realize that we are in a spiritual battle and that our victory is in Christ in order to attain the victory. We must look to God, because the victory is by his name and by his might, not ours. It is easy to get sidetracked and distracted and miss what God has for you. Sometimes God will use something to sort of jolt you to get your attention refocused on the spiritual battle you are in. Refocus and get after what ever God has before you!

How Can I Help?

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:41-45 NIV

You know the difference between a "Here I am" person and a "There You Are" person? The first is all about themselves and the other is all about others. Christ, who is God, always has been God, and always will be God, came to serve, not be served. We should be like him. 

As you approach each person, as yourself, are you maneuvering to get something for yourself or are you looking for an opportunity to serve? 

Let me ask you, how can I help you?

Who You Gonna Call?

To sacrifice a thank offering almost sounds contradictory to me. Sometimes, it can be hard to be thankful, especially when you don't see the hand of God or you didn't get the answer you were hoping for. 

What God does call us to do is to seek him, like we said we would when we gave our lives to him. In a way, I think that until Christ returns we live in "the day of trouble". Jesus told his disciples in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." 

The amazing truth is that the Lord says to call upon him in the day of trouble and he will answer us! Maybe it's that so often we look to ourselves or others and expect help from them, when God wants us to look to him for help. When God answers our prayers and we know it's him, we will honor him. 

Proclaim the Righteousness of God in Christ!

Baby Jesus, the Mighty One!

The Mighty One, God, the Lord,
   speaks and summons the earth 
   from the rising of the sun to where it sets.

From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.

Our God comes and will not be silent;
   a fire devours before him,
   and around him a tempest rages.

Psalms 50:1-3 NIV

Christmas is coming and I love this time of year. It always amazes me that Jesus came as a baby. He came down to earth and lived as one of us. Except without sin. This Jesus who humbled himself and became obedient to the point of dying on the cross for our sins. He is the Mighty One, God, the LORD of the whole earth. He is who we worship, trust and follow. 

Whatever the chaos, drama, or stress the season may bring, the real point is that we remember, celebrate and worship Jesus, who came in the flesh, lived and died for our sins and now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf. 

Praise be to the Mighty One, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Is Jesus Welcome Here?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Matthew 18:1-5 NIV

Do you welcome Jesus? 

You can seek success, do your best and try to be the best at what you do. But, do you welcome Jesus? 

I ask myself, is Jesus welcome in my life? Today as I go to work and deal with middle school students, fellow teachers and staff members and probably a parent or two, I have to ask myself, is Jesus welcome? 

As a child I didn't know how my parents provided breakfast, lunch and dinner. I just knew they did. I didn't know they had to pay the mortgage. I just went home, and lived in our house.  

I think humility is knowing who you are in Christ. A child is just a child and they generally don't even think about it, they just are. Every now and then parents do remind their children they are still children, they're not adults yet. If you have a teenager you know what I mean. The funny thing is even when a teenager tries to tell you they are an adult they still expect you to pay.

My point: Know Jesus. Welcome him. Remember that he is your Lord. He is your Redeemer and Savior. Trust him. He is faithful and will complete the work he is doing in your life. 

Is Jesus welcome in you life?

Bless or Curse, You Choose.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

James 3:9-12 NIV

Today I will encounter people in many different settings. My choice is: will I be a vessel of blessing or cursing? 

I need the Spirit's wisdom and guidance to say things that will build up each person. My prayer is that the Spirit of the living God will use me and rivers of living water will flow through me to others in Jesus' Name.

Show Me Your Faith

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

James 2:14-17

Someone once said, "It ain't bragging if you can back it up." On the other hand, if your actions don't match up with your words, you're deceiving yourself. A fellow teacher used to talk like she was just the most awesome teacher ever. To listen to her you would think that her students were always on task and just learning up a storm. But, whenever I walked by her room the students were swinging from the chandeliers and she was up there in front of the class oblivious to what was actually going on in front of her. During meetings we would look over data and her class always went down. 

The Christians who James wrote to were trying to say that they had faith that saved them but he was showing that their actions did not match up with their words. Let me put it this way: I can tell my wife I love her all day long but if I don't spend any time with her, if I don't help around the house, if I don't ever do things she wants to do, and spend time with someone else, how am I loving her? 

Christianity is not about the pie in the sky, salvation when we die. Christianity is about loving others by faith, today. I think this section of scripture is really about where reality hits our walks with God. James is talking to his readers about poor people of their congregations who they were pretty much blowing off so they could get the best seats to enhance their own status.  The point is that faith in action is meeting the needs of those around us. 

What need is right in front of your face? Frankly, I tend to think that if someone is sort of in my way, maybe that is who I am supposed to serve, by faith, at this moment. This year there has been several occasions where I was trying to get a certain amount of tasks completed by a certain time and someone asked me a question and I ended up helping them with anything from getting a printer to print to dealing with an immoral aggressive supervisor. The cool thing is I got to share my faith with some and pray for one colleague in his room! 

How do you live out your faith, today? 

Faithfulness Friday

I will betroth you to me forever;
   I will betroth you in righteousness and justice,
   in love and compassion.
I will betroth you in faithfulness,
   and you will acknowledge the Lord.
Hosea 2:19-20 (NIV)

The faithfulness and forgiveness of God never cease to amaze me. The desire of God is always our repentance that leads to fellowship with him. His discipline is to never meant to estrange us from him, it is always his desire that we  would turn to him. That is why Paul encouraged Timothy saying, "If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself" (2 Timothy 2:13).