Reign Everywhere

You know when you watch the weather person on the news and they show a map and point out where there is supposed to be rain? Well, think about your life. There are different areas and relationships. You have your inner life and your outward life, your friends, family, and acquaintances. The question to ask is wether or not the Lord reigns in every part of your life?

This is just a little check. Because if Christ is not reigning who is? The flesh is a tyrant and legalism is chains disguised as jewelry. But Christ's reign is a gentle and protective reign. He is the good shepherd who gave himself up for the sheep, us. His reign means freedom for us, not bondage. 

Today, look at the map of your life and ask, where does He need to reign in your life?

Marvelous!

Praise God Because He Stands Beside Us

With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord;
   in the great throng I will praise him.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy,
   to save their lives from those who would condemn them.
Psalm 109:30-31

I don't know what you have been going through, but, it has been a stressful little season for me. Sometimes when you go through a trial part of the stress is knowing it's going to last another month or so. But, knowing that God is with you, knowing that he is Sovereign over even your debt, mistakes, and life's little issues that come in and out of our lives on a daily basis, knowing God gives you the strength for each moment. Praise God who saves us from those who would condemn us. 

You Intend, God Intends

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 

Genesis 50:20 NIV

I think most of us have quoted Romans 8:28 that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him", but few have been able to say it and with grace like Joseph after going through what he did. 

Nothing hurts more than family. People may hurt you, but when your brother or sister does something, that can leave a scar. Joseph's brothers tried to kill him, but, ended up selling him as a slave! Just put yourself in Joseph's place for a minute. Imagine looking up from that cistern and hearing them argue about what to do with you. They finally pull you out, only to find yourself sold as a slave. Then, your masters wife tries to seduce you and you get falsely accused of attempting to rape her because she's mad you rejected her. Next, you interpret a few dreams but the dreamers forget to tell anyone about you. But God had not forgotten Joseph. 

Joseph tells his brothers flat out that even though they meant harm, he knew God intended it for good. First, think about Potiphar's wife. If Potiphar, the captain of the guard, had believed Joseph tried to "make sport' of his wife he probably would of killed him. So, instead of being killed Joseph was just placed in prison. And you know the rest. He ends up second to Pharaoh, trusted by Pharaoh to run the nation.

Now the amazing thing is that when he sees his brothers, he sees them through the eyes of grace and forgiveness, knowing that God used all things to work salvation through even their betrayal. In verse 17 we are told that "Joseph wept" (sound familiar?). He wept because God's grace had worked in his heart to allow him to forgive and love his brothers. God always intends salvation. 

Where does God have you that even though others may have hurt you, God intends salvation? 

God Still Calls Out, "Where are you?"

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. 

Genesis 3:21 NIV

This is the Father, God. He judges, yet foretells redemption. He disciplines, yet provides covering. The world can only conceive of a god who is either an unyielding judge or a benevolent father who acknowledges no evil. God does judge and he does deal with evil.

The absolute wonder though is that, in Christ, he provides for us while dealing with sin. In Genesis 3:21 the Lord God provided a covering for Adam and Eve who had tried to cover themselves because sin had taken their innocence. Earlier in the chapter God had dealt with sin and its' consequences. He didn't just chuck them out of the garden and leave them on their own. He didn't just tell them about salvation for the future. He clothed them. Imagine that. They new they just sinned and they felt shame and guilt and confusion. God, knowing their needs, clothed them. 

We all sin. Sometimes our sin affects us in a more noticeable and immediately destructive way. One of the wonders of the grace of God is that even in the midst of sin and its' awful consequences God provides for us. God loves us. Even when he disciplines us he does not reject us. Even though Adam and Eve sinned and ate the from the tree God commanded them not to eat from, God still called out, "Where are you?" Have you sinned? Are you hiding? God is calling out to you, "Where are you?" 

Because, That's Why

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! 

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

Hebrews 9:14-15 NIV (emphasis mine)

When I was a kid we used to have stupid arguments and sometimes one person would say, "Ya, but why?" and the other person would say, "Because, that's why." Now, the message of Hebrews, especially in these verses, is not some silly argument, rather, it one of crucial importance to our faith. 

The writer of Hebrews takes chapters six, seven, eight, nine and ten, to solidify in our hearts and minds the truth about the ministry of Christ as our High Priest. Christ's sacrifice sets us free from sin. His blood cleansed us so that we can serve him, the living God. 

Our conscience, sometimes paralyzes us. We fixate on the act of our sin. We need to fixate on the act of Christ. His sacrifice, which was once for all. For me, one truth that I must remember is that Christ didn't die to give me a second chance to be good enough, he died to cleanse me from all sin, so that I might serve the living God. If I am cleansed then I need to be focusing on serving him, not being good enough to serve him. 

The Eternal Tense of Forgiveness

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your 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 accusation— 

Colossians 1:21-22 NIV

God's goal, his end in mind, is to present you holy in his sight. He will deal with the blemishes and accusations. Sometimes the problem for us is that we still live as if we are alienated from God. We make choices as if we are still an enemy of God. 

In a way there is no tense that can adequately express the depth of the work of Christ on our sins. To say that we are forgiven doesn't just mean from the sins of the past and now we get to try to be perfect again. The reconciliation of death of Christ is eternal. Not just past, not just present, not just future, but eternal. When Christ died on the cross he knew we would sin, our whole life. He views us from eternity. His purpose is to present you holy, unblemished and free from accusation. 

Whatever you are struggling with, whatever you are going through, keep seeking Christ because he died to free you, not watch you try to be good enough. 

You May Grow Up

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1 Peter 2:1-3 NIV

A pastor of mine once asked, "How long have you been a Christian, ten years? Well, has it been ten years or one year ten times?

The point is: are you maturing or are you stuck in perpetual baby mode? Do you know not just that you sins are forgiven but, him who is from the beginning? Do you know that in Christ you have overcome the evil one? Have you learned to walk by faith even when you don't feel like it?

You know the Lord is good. You know you live in a world that is diametrically opposed to everything you believe. The world hates you because the world hates God. Jesus said, "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." Maturity is knowing that God is Sovereign and has unfailing love for us and acting accordingly whatever the circumstances are around us. 

A Prayer for Good Feet

And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is

written:“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Romans 10:15 NIV

Lord, wherever you send me today, whoever you put in front of me today, use me to bring the good news. Open a door, open a heart, open my mouth at the appointed time for someone to hear of your great love in Jesus Christ the risen Savior. Praise be to you in us today!

Not a Warm Fuzzy Post

A little while ago I saw this article on line about a guy who thought he was pretty tough, apparently, so he called out a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter online, repeatedly. After a while the fighter offered to meet the guy and fight. They met and off course the MMA fighter easily beat the living snot out of the online big mouth. I have no idea why this normal guy thought he could take on a real MMA fighter, but, arrogance can get you into a lot of trouble. 

I think many people today want to set themselves up as equal with God and sort of call him out on the basis of how they see reality. Atheists love to set up their version of what they think the Bible teaches or how they choose to view reality as the obvious way to see things. I find the fact that atheists want to blame the God they don't believe in and choose not to obey, for all the results of those choices. 

God is Sovereign and he does what he wants. He is also just and merciful.  Romans 9 reminds us that God has his plan and he will do what is right because he is Sovereign Lord. I don't fully understand God's will or his ways, but, I do understand that he is Sovereign Lord over everything and I am not. He does what he wants, not what I want. He is not a cosmic Santa Claus giving me everything I want just because I say a magic prayer. He has given all people a choice to believe in him and recognize him as Sovereign Lord. Some think they will stand before him and list their grievances and all that they perceive as unjust and God will be unable to answer. Remember the online bigmouth. 

This is not a warm fuzzy post. This is a check. Check myself. Check yourself. God sent his One and Only Son to die on our place, for our sins. Then, with his power, raised Christ from the dead. No other so-called god, messiah, savior or religious leader has an empty tomb. To be blunt: if you can't die and raise yourself from the grave, your not God Almighty, Sovereign Lord. 

The Word of the Day: Righteousness

Remember, he is our righteousness. It's not something we did or do, it what he did on the cross. May God bless you and keep you in his grace.

His Face is Shining on Us

May God be gracious to us and bless us         

   and make his face shine on us—

so that your ways may be known on earth,

   your salvation among all nations.

Psalms 67:1-2 NIV

A great blessing, a great prayer to start the week. I thank God for his grace to me and my family and the blessings we often take for granted. The health of my family, the daily bread we enjoy with little worry if there will be enough. God is gracious. God is blessing us. Thank you, Father. May our lives shine with your salvation in this dark and evil world. 

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!

The Upside Down Kingdom

Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!"

Mark 15:29-30

The world just doesn't get it. Jesus didn't come to save himself, he came to save sinners, to save you and me.

The Kingdom of God is not like the world's kingdoms which are all about who's on top, no, the Kingdom of God is the upside down kingdom. Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, came not to be served but to serve. Jesus was not on the cross to make himself king, he already was king. Jesus was on the cross to get us into the kingdom.

Thank you, Jesus, that you died for me. Thank you that you endured the cross so that I might be in your kingdom. Thank you, my Lord and my King. 

The LORD Most High Over...

The Psalm for today is Psalm 47. I like to take word from the Psalm I am reading each day that expresses God's nature. I try to remember that word throughout the day when I am feeling anxious or stressed. "The LORD Most High" is the phrase of the day. God is the LORD Most High. 

What am I encountering today that I need to remember that God is the LORD Most High over? What are you encountering today that you need to remember that God is LORD Most High over? 

Whatever you are struggling with, whether it be within yourself or outside yourself, God reigns and he is the LORD Most High over even that. 

I am thankful for...

What do you have to be thankful about? 

The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;
   he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and delivers them;
   he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
   because they take refuge in him.
Psalms 37:39-40 (NIV)

I am thankful for my salvation. The truth is that without the Spirit of God reminding me every day to read the Bible and pray, I would just go on about my day. I am thankful that my salvation is for today, not just yesterday. 

What are you thankful for?

It's Time to Contend for Your Faith

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 

Jude 1:3 (NIV)

Amongst the intellectual elite, the press and many average citizens Christianity is considered an obsolete myth. It is also to blame, according to some, for most of the evils of the day. Somehow churches who have always fed and cared for the homeless are evil. Missionaries who seek to love the world in Jesus' name are just part of an imperialistic western world. Telling someone that Jesus loves them and can free them from the chains of sin is an evil of unspeakable terms.

Why aren't we standing up to these lies? I think we just don't really recognize that we have a president that says we aren't a Christian nation and public education is run by people who want to erase Christianity and the rid the world of its' influence. I have interacted with quite a few "atheists" on Google+. They all want to blame the god they don't believe in for the problems they have created. Mankind will shake it's fist at the God who sent his one and only Son to save them from death and sin. It's time for us to realize the world needs to hear the gospel despite it's hatred for God.   

I think most of us will naturally avoid conflict if we can. I understand that. I just don't think we can avoid this conflict any longer. It's time to contend for your faith.

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 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!

What is your burden?

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
   who daily bears our burdens. 
Our God is a God who saves;
   from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.
Psalms 68:19-20 (NIV)

God does not bear our burdens, occasionally. We don't have to wait in line or make a request via email, fax or in writing. He started working in our lives before we knew we needed him and before we even asked! He daily bears our burdens.

His work in our lives is on a daily basis. Salvation's work is every day. It isn't a once at the altar, once at the pearly gates deal. Salvation is God working in us every day. Maybe I don't see, understand or like what God is doing, but he is still working. Christ Jesus always lives to intercede for us. 

What is your burden today? What is the death that God is leading you to escape? He is Sovereign which means he has ultimate power over everything. He works everything out for the good of those love him. Look to God because he is looking after you.

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