DON'T GO, COME

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:7-8 (NIV)

If you're looking for a warm fuzzy, the book of James may not be the place for you. If you want to really get down to what you need to deal with in order for your relationship with Jesus to be real, it's a definite must read. 

In these verses he reminds us to submit to God rather than trying to wrestle everything we want from the universe. Striving verses submitting. Striving is not God's way, it is the devil's way of obtaining not just things but satisfaction and fulfillment. 

In contrast to striving is seeking God. James says to come near to God and he will come near to you. Do you notice that he doesn't say go, he says come? It is more of an invitation than a command. For all his harshness James is pointing out that God is calling us. Remember the parable of the lost son (or the prodigal son)? The younger son went back to the father and the father ran to him (this was totally against the culture of the day, men don't run). The father also went out to the older son. This is God. He calls us. He seeks us. 

Come to God. Come near to God. Hear his call to you...

Father, thank you for calling me to you. Praise be to you in us today!

HOW HAS THE WORD CUT YOU?

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

The context of this passage is the middle of a call to obedience rather than disobedience, faith instead of unbelief and the supremacy of Christ as our Great High Priest. 

I worked under a few people about six out of the last eight years. One finally moved to another location and the other retired. They did some things and treated people in ways that are completely opposed to just about everything I believe. It is very hard to not speak about either of them without feeling some disgust and anger and maybe a bit of bitterness. 

For a while now when I speak about them I sense the Spirit of God convicting me to not let my anger motivate how I paint them verbally to whomever I am talking with. It's tough. Mostly, it boils down to me trusting God to work out all things for my good.

How has the Spirit of God used the Word of God in your life to lead and guide you? 

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us. Speak to our hearts and help us to act in obedience by faith. Praise be to you in us today!

WILL LEARN VS WON'T LEARN: Titus 3:5-7

"He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:5b-7

Did you notice that everything in those verses is what God does? All we do is receive and reap the benefits. Now, there is a process that we are active recipients in. Yes, he saves us. Yes, he washes us through rebirth. Yes, he renews us by the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. But, we must let God do those things in our lives. 

For the last couple of years I have been working with middle school students who struggle with their English language skills. What it usually boils down to is those who "will do" and those who "won't do". If a student will give any kind of effort they will learn something. But, if they choose not to learn there isn't much I can do. I can work with them one-on-one, set up individualized software programs, and allow them extra time, but, if they choose to not learn, they won't.

Isn't that how we are with God working in our lives? God speaks to us in ways that only we could understand, sets up individualized learning experiences (trials), and even patiently allows us extra time to learn. And yet... The point is that God is not done with you. God is still patiently teaching you that he loves you and is sovereignly in control of your life. There is hope. 

Father, help us to learn the lessons you put before us. Open our eyes to see your gracious, sovereign hand in our lives. Praise be to you in us today!

GOT HOPE / Titus 2:13

"While we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." Titus 2:13

Well, it's Friday. Thank God it's Friday! That is a sentiment echoed by many people every Friday. Maybe it has been a very stressful week, or you just looking forward to being with people or a person who you really enjoy being with. 

Waiting for our Savior's return is that to the nth degree! In Revelation 7:14 and 21:4 we are told that God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. Have you ever been in that place where you just know God is in control and everything is going to work out for the best and all is well? That is eternity with Christ...

When our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ comes again he will come in victory. He will fight the final battle and destroy the enemy. Whatever is against us now will be forever defeated. Yes, in this world we will have tribulation. But, when Christ comes again, all that is against us, every power and every accusation, will be destroyed by the power of his word!

Lord, give us hope and help us to see the hope we have in you. Praise be to you in us today!

ACTIONS TEACH: Titus 2:7-8

"In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." 

Titus 2:7-8

One thing about teaching kids is that they pretty much know if you actually care or not. They aren't afraid to tell you either. I think that what is truly in your heart comes out in your actions. You can hold your tongue or sort of control what comes out of your mouth and you can even be very deliberate with what you do, but, the attitude with which you do things often unveils your heart.

You know, your wife and kids know you too. They see you when you are at your best and worst, ready or not. Since our actions speak louder than words we "say" a lot more than we speak. They needs to be a sameness to what we say and do.

What we are supposed to teach is godliness. That can only be done if we are reading the Bible and trying to live by faith. We aren't talking about perfection, we are talking about faith. Faith trusts God for mercy, forgiveness, and grace. Faith looks to God to provide for our daily bread. Those daily acts of faith set the example and demonstrate with integrity godliness in action.

Father, help us to live by faith and to be examples of integrity and faith. Praise be to you in us today!

SELF CONTROL: Titus 2:6

"Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled." 
Titus 2:6 

If there is one thing our culture does not teach young men to be it is self-controlled. I have been dealing with middle school students for about the last eight years as an educator. So many of these boys are lacking a father figure, or at least one of any substance. Quite often the ones that I have been the strictest with, end up wanting to hang around after class. I think it has to do with I always take time to explain why I discipline them and why I won't allow them to act certain ways. 

When the Apostle Paul tells Titus to "encourage" young men he uses the word "parakaleo" which has to do with calling to one's side, admonishing, exhorting and encouraging. I get the picture of mentoring. I have three men who really mentored me when I was in High School and entering college. My wrestling coach, my youth pastor and the principal of Capernwray Bible School in England. My coach encouraged me to focus my efforts and not give up. My pastor and principal taught me to focus on Christ and bring myself under his control. None, told me it would be easy. They each just told me to do it. 

I think that's the point, just give yourself to Christ and live for him. Live under his reign. He is able to bring you through. Just follow.

Father, help us to live under the control of Christ. Thank you that you help us serve you, not our emotions or desires. Praise be to you in us today!

I KNOW WHO I BELIEVE: II Timothy 1:12

"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." II Timothy 1:12

That are a lot of things that are important but knowing God has got to be at the top of the list. To say that you are a Christian and yet not know Christ is a contradiction in terms. Knowing Christ is all about believing that what he said is true and acting like it. 

This is not about feeling warm fuzzies and spending your day in spiritual bliss. Knowing Christ is believing he is Sovereign Lord and has unfailing love for you when life is a blessing and life is a bummer. 

Knowing Christ as your Savior and Lord is more than a mere repetition of words. Knowing Christ is acting according to the truth in Christ. If Christ says to seek first his kingdom, I need to seek first his kingdom. My faith determines how I act with my wife and children. My faith determines how I go about my job and how I treat others at my job. My faith determines how a manage my son's baseball team and lead his Cub Scout Pack. My faith is to love as Christ loved me. 

To know Christ is to know his love. To live by faith is to share his love. 

Father, thank you for your love for us in Christ. Help us to walk by faith. Praise be to you in us today!