Keep Holding Tight

But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.

Joshua 23:8

Sometimes we just need to remember to hold on to the Lord our God, not ourselves, not our own wisdom and understanding, just remember to hold on to the Lord. 

Joshua and the Israelites had been taking the land. Under Joshua's leadership they were learning that God was faithful to fight their battles for them. Joshua knew his time was just about up and he would soon go see the Lord. He gives the Israelites good advice. Keep holding fast to the Lord. 

Isn't it easy after you have had some victories to sort of take your foot of the gas? Maybe make a few "treaties" with the enemy, let down your guard. But, Joshua told the people to keep holding fast. Thanking God for the victories and remembering that it's all about the Lord's faithfulness. 

Hold tight because the Lord is holding on to you!

Leave No Survivors

So Joshua subdued the whole region, including the hill country, the Negev, the western foothills and the mountain slopes, together with all their kings. He left no survivors. He totally destroyed all who breathed, just as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded. 

Joshua 10:40

Joshua and Israel were taking the land the God had promised. They had just been tricked by the Gibeonites and made a treaty with them. They had to defend the Gibeonites because of it. They had to expend their time and effort defending them rather than taking the land. So, from then on Joshua made sure to obey the Lord and totally destroyed their enemies. Remember God was judging the inhabitants of the land because their sin was so great. 

The idea I want to hit on this morning is that like Joshua we need to leave no survivors and totally destroy all who breathe, so to speak. Of course I'm not saying to physically attack non-believers. Paul teaches us to "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual desires and greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). Those are strong words. 

I seem to gather stuff on my desk and every now and then I just have to take stock of it all and toss some stuff out because it's not useful and in the way. Spiritually, we need to take stock of things and see if there is anything we need to get rid of. We need to check and see if there are any "survivors" of things that should not be in our lives. I think this is a normal part of being a Christian over time. Has any "enemy" snuck back in or have we allowed some things to just hang around? Are we making "treaties" with some enemies? If something is popping up in your mind maybe it's time to go to battle...

Why Suffer?

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 

1 Peter 4:1-2 NIV

What do you live for? What's your attitude? I worked with a guy who lived to fish. His attitude was "work hard, play hard". Even though fishing was definitely more meaningful to him them work, his attitude made him a good person to work with. 

As Christians, aliens in this world, our attitude, based upon what we know is true about God and his will for us and this world, our attitude can help us deal with the temptations, trials and sufferings we will encounter. 

Christ suffered for the joy that was set before him (Hebrews 12:2). We are not told that he enjoyed the suffering.  The joy was knowing that we would become children of God, the sheep of his pasture. As Christian we will at times endure suffering. That means pain. That means you would rather not. That means God has counted you worthy to share in his sufferings. Paul, at his conversion, was told how much he would suffer for Christ's Name (Acts 9:16). He wasn't told he would write a huge portion of the New Testament. He wasn't told he would be one of the central figures in early church history. He was told he would suffer. 

The deal is this: suffering gets our eyes off of earthly desires. Maybe it's because when we are truly suffering we wish to be rid of these bodies and their pain. In some way God uses that pain to focus our attention off ourselves and he brings our focus around to realizing that we must live for the will of God. It's not the pain of the moment, it's the promise that gives up hope, courage and strength. 

Control Is Yours

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

1 Peter 1:13 NIV

Have ever heard someone say, "Just go with your heart." (Maybe you said it?) You can find the scripture for that in I Fleshalonians. Well, actually, the Bible tells us that the heart is deceitfully and beyond cure (Jeremiah 17:9). 

I may not be able to control my emotions but, I can choose my actions and reactions. One of the great lies of the devil is that we are subject to our emotions. Acting against what we feel is, according to the world, dishonest. No, acting according to my emotions can prove to be not only foolish, but, very costly. 

The Bible, here in I Peter tells us to "prepare your minds for action". We do need to think ahead. How do we prepare our minds for action? We can choose ahead of time to try to act in humility (I am a sinner too), mercy (Christ was and is merciful to me) and grace (God does not treat us as our sins deserve, otherwise we'd all be wiped out). Remember, we are here to demonstrate the love of Christ to the world, not inform everyone else where they fall short of the glory of God. Control is ours, but we must choose it.

The Encouragement of Hardships

Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 

Acts 14:22 NIV

This is not what some seem to preach these days. I hear a lot about asking for what I want, not what God wants. I see much about Christianity for success and prosperity, rather than righteousness and being a servant. 

According to Paul and Barnabas we need to be concerned about being true to the faith and hardships will be the tests that lead us to the kingdom of God.  I know this is true, yet I am often caught off guard when I encounter hardship, as if it was unexpected. This verse reminds me that hardships are part of the process. I need to be faithful and remain true to the faith. 

Lord, help me to remember that hardships are neither punishment or failure, rather, they are pathways to the kingdom of God. Strengthen me that I may remain true to the faith, true to you. Praise be to you in us today!

Drop a Sacrifice of Praise in the Comment Section

I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you;
   I will praise your name, O LORD,
   for it is good.
Psalm 54:6

OK, here's the deal. I am not going to suggest you kill a dove, goat or a bull. Neither will I challenge you to set apart an hour of your day to read the word and pray. 

I will encourage you to take a moment and thank God for something in your life that he has done recently. Write it in your journal, text it to a friend, or put it on your calendar. Maybe post it in the comment section below. 

Thanks be to God because he is good!

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!

Do You Just Do It?

Why is Nike's slogan, "Just do it!" so powerful? Because it reminds athletes that in order to be successful you have to set aside how you feel or other distractions and just go do what you need to do.  Like practice when no one's looking. Spiritually we need to do the same. 

Too often we look to our feelings to inspire us to act in a loving way, to put the other person first, to read the Bible, to pray, or even go to church. Just seek God and his kingdom purposes, love as you have been loved. 

Therefore let all the godly pray to you
   while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
   will not reach them.
You are my hiding place;
   you will protect me from trouble
   and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalms 32:6-7 (NIV)

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!

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! 

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)

Being Sure of Yourself in Christ

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make you calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

II Peter 1:10-11

First of all I think that you only worry about your salvation if you  are saved. If you are not saved you don't care. Peter is talking to people of faith. Not just faith in general, but, faith in Christ. He's talking about knowing Christ. Peter is all about effective and productive knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Sometimes we don't see the work of Christ in our lives because we  sense the battle within ourselves. For example, I am a teacher and this year I am teaching sixth graders English and History. An aide who works with some special needs students I have in a few classes tells me she doesn't know how I stay so calm because there are several students who struggle with their behavior. I don't always feel so calm, but my reactions apparently reflect that I am continually trying to be patient and redirect students to be on task and help them understand the tasks at hand. 

My point is that sometimes while we are fighting the good fight we may only sense the tension of the battle, but, because we are seeking Christ our faith is becoming effective and productive, even if we don't notice it. Remember, Christ is faithful to complete the work he started in our lives (Philippians 1:6). 

Father, help us to keep sowing seeds of righteousness. Open our eyes to see the effective and productive fruit your Spirit is producing in our lives. Praise be to you in us today!

Efforts of Faith, Not Works

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV)

Even though the verse says to "make every effort" I know that legalism is not part of the meaning. In other words, this is not a to do list that must be followed to the letter, and if I miss one part then it all falls apart. Legalism puts it all on me and that is not faith.

Faith in the finished work of Christ is what I am trying to grasp. I do, at times, feel ineffective and unproductive in my relationship with Christ. So, trying to add goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love to my faith does not mean acts that earn me God's favor. 

I think it was Zig Ziglar who said, "If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time." What will you seek today? By faith you can aim at several things that God promises to use to make us effective and productive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Don't aim at nothing, aim at goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. 

Father, help us to walk by faith and may our knowledge of you be effective  and productive. Praise be to you in us today!

Godliness is not wimpy

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 

2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV)

Godliness has got to be a trait with little meaning to our modern  world. Our modern culture does not value godliness. Growing up the message I heard about godliness was a lot about what you didn't do. You don't get angry. You don't hit someone back. You don't think to highly of yourself. You don't lust. You don't drink. You don't go to R-rated movies. It made me see godliness as sort of advanced wimpiness. 

In contrast to much of what people think, the men of God found in the Bible were quite strong, bold and anything but wimpy. 

Think of Job. He was a strong powerful man who sought the Lord with all his heart. 

Then there was David, the warrior psalmist. He was a man after God's own heart. And he led his nation in battle. 

The Apostle Paul was definitely an A-type personality if there ever was one. Persecutor of the church  turned follower of the way. He preached the gospel to basically the know world and wrote a good portion of the New Testament. 

What about Peter, the fisherman turned fisher of men, disciple and apostle? I don't think you would call him wimpy. He stood up to the ruling Sanhedrin and declared, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God" (Acts 4:19b). He wrote this very epistle we are studying. He would die a martyr's death. 

Godliness is strength governed by grace and justice tempered with mercy. Living my life in godliness is not about things I don't do, it is loving others as Christ first loved me. 

Father, help us to be godly in all we say and do. Praise be to you in us today!

I Almost Waited Long Enough

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 

2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV)

All I can think of is the story of Saul in I Samuel 13. Saul waited seven days in the face of the enemy and the army of Israel looking to him to lead them. He was waiting for Samuel the priest. He panicked and offered the offerings himself. Just as he got done, Samuel arrives.  Samuel tells him he acted foolishly by not keeping the command God gave him. 

What hits me, is the question of how many times I have been impatient and not persevered and tried to take things into my own hands? 

I don't want to condemn myself or anyone else because I know that God is forgiving, merciful and gracious. He is faithful and just to forgive us from all unrighteousness. I do want to remind us to patiently endure in our present circumstances. Whether that be a situation at work or at home, God, who began a good work in you, is faithful to complete that work. 

Father, help us to remember, even when confronted with unbearable pressure, to wait on you, to persevere. Praise be to you in us today!

IT WILL FEEL BETTER LATER

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:10-11 (NIV)

I have been pretty busy lately. One thing that I have neglected is my personal fitness. I finally got in a little exercise this past week. I feel a bit better. You see, I have seen the result of exercising. I know that if I keep a consistent routine I will be healthier and feel better all around. 

I know this is a bit of a stretch trying to connect the idea of exercising and I Peter 5:10-11, but, let's go with it. Yesterday I was getting in a little cardio. My left calf muscle kept cramping up a little. When I got home and stretched, drank some water and relaxed, I felt a lot better. The connection is that in our lives we may suffer for a while, but, God himself will restore us and make us strong. In the same way that exercise can make us stronger, trials make us stronger in Christ. 

Whatever the trial you are going through know that God's plan is to bring you through it and then restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 

Father, bring us through our trails, restore us and make us strong, firm and steadfast. Praise be to you in us today!