God's Will For Our Life

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that." James 4:14, 15

When graduation ceremonies take place all around us we hear a lot about:  "You can be whatever you want to be!"  The intention of that speech I believe is to inspire higher goals and greater ambitions for the graduates.  Yet, while we all appreciate encouragement, we must be wary, as Christians, of any promise that leaves God out of the picture.  There are many who do not seek the Lord's will in their planning.

James noted that even as Christians we are sometimes tempted to make our own plans without considering the will of God.  We, who live under a loving God, depend on His good pleasure.  When we plan for the future, we must seek His guidance and direction.  But many times as we add, "If the Lord wills," we are doing nothing more than tacking on a pious phrase.  Those words must express our willingness to change or abandon our own selfish plans in favor of God's design and not merely be a token acknowledgement of God’s oversight.

Life brings disappointments and questions to all of us.  And often we find ourselves asking, "Why?"  Well, you probably have the answer your own questions if you didn't include God in your planning in the first place.

 [ send green star]

Is There Conflict?

.

"So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."   Romans 12:5

Often on life's trail, our desires conflict with those of someone else.

.  

"Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Philippians 2:4  God's creation is filled with variety.  He has given His children unique personal identities and perspectives.  Yet sometimes we allow differences to develop into barriers.  Too many times when it's merely a matter of our way instead of another, because of Jesus, we can willingly yield for the other to pass.

"Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus."  (Romans 15:5)  Many times people are unwilling to observe and rejoice in the differences that make us personalities, but instead, let them grow into hard or hurt feelings, into resentment or quarrels, causing conflict.

"And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose name are in the book of life." Philippians 4:3   Apparently, conflict had arisen between two women in Philippi; Paul tried to reconcile them one to another.   Sadly enough,  too many times, neither side is best or particularly ‘right’  it is merely a matter of personal preference.  Today s then, our Heavenly Father speaks to us through Paul's writings as He did to the Philippians through Paul.  There's no room for conflict!  We must be a part of the solution in helping one another work out differences that can rob us of closeness and unity.

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:10  God is  concerned about preserving His family of believers.  He sacrificed His only Son so that, by His sacrifice and glorious resurrection, we all could be part of His family,  united together in love.  God's plan for avoiding conflict is quite clear: Be completely humble and gentle; be pleasant, "forbearing one another in love." Many conflicts are simply a matter of letting the other go his own way; some require some cooperation and compromise on both parts.

.

We should be concerned with making peace rather than making a point.  Only with the indwelling of the Spirit can we show the same forbearance with others, as God does with us.  With His Help we are able to comprehend different points of view.  Through His Grace we can make allowances for the mistakes of our brethren.  God's family is united in Christ and is called to function together in love.  There is no room for conflict: "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." 

 [ send green star]

Seek That Which Is Good

"For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.  The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the Word of the Lord endureth for ever."  1 Peter 1:24, 25

We live in a world of unprecedented change.  In one generation, we went from horse travel to the space shuttle.  Technology continues to accelerate, making more and more advanced computers, new medical procedures, and conveniences unheard of years ago.

There's nothing wrong with progress.  But we must take care amid the rapid changes occurring today that we don't drift from our Christian moorings.  God and His Word never vary.  They are our secure anchor during life's tempests. God tells us through His Word what's right and what's wrong.  And His Word is RIGHT!  People and their ideas flower quickly and fade with time, but God's Word is permanent, enduring forever.

Technology, medical advances and scientific progress only change the ease of our everyday living.  They should have no bearing on morality and God’s way of living.  Unfortunately, some developments that should have been for help have been misused to permit lower standards of ethics and morality.  The child of God maintains his personal principles in line with the Word of God.  He is not influenced by the general consensus of society.

May we give thanks to God, that in our ever-changing world, we have His changeless promise of forgiveness through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  Let us make progress daily in the knowledge of God’s Word and His desires for our life

 [ send green star]

Oh, yes I know her: That's grandma!

 [ send green star]

Amen, Damaris!  ( I wonderf if we know the same grandma!LOL)  Thank the Lord for those Grandmas and old saints who have been  examples to us.  It makes me weep when I think about the many who have been that example to me.  Our prayer should be, I know mine is, that WE can bet that same example to those who come after us!

 [ send green star]

I Bring You Hope!

"I find then a law, that, when I do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?   Romans 7:21-24

Too many Christians today struggle with two natures.  There is the determination of the flesh and the righteousness of the mind going on at the same time. We know what the right thing to do is, yet we yield to do things in our own flesh.  The difficulty is in deciding which part of man to follow.  As this one verse stands alone, it appears that Man will always be caught in a dilemma that almost forces him to sin on occasion.

But if we look at the context of this verse we find that it is sandwiched between hope and greater hope. Throughout several chapters here in Romans, Paul is contrasting his life with Christ and his life without Him.  He repeats the lesson in more than one illustration.  This verse of seeming hopelessness is preceded by the beautiful words of Chapter six, verses 14 & 15:   For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.  Anytime God forbids something He makes a way to accomplish His will.  

He explains how in chapter 8: 1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Here then is the solution to hopelessness.  I meet so many who cry,“ I sin you sin we all sin.  We can’t do otherwise.  I love God but I can’t keep from sinning.”   That was David’s cry.  That was Solomon’s cry.  That was the cry of the Israelites throughout their history.  It doesn’t have to be our cry!  Praise the Lord.

Jesus, coming in the flesh, a man like us, was able to be our perfect example and through His death He made us free from that old law that mandated us to following the flesh and living with sin in our lives. Thank the Lord it isn’t necessary any longer!  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid!  There is no need for us to continue to struggle with that old tendency to sin, that predilection to sin, that nature to sin! There is victory over that.  It will always be present with us, but we need not fall victim to it!  Paul said the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through Jesus we have power to live victoriously!

 [ send green star]

Do You Continue To Go With Jesus?

"Ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations."  Luke 22:28

It's true that Jesus Christ is with us in our temptations, but do we go with Him in His temptations?  Many of us cease to go with Jesus from the moment we have an experience that tries our devotion to depicting His righteous life in us. Watch your reaction when God shifts your circumstances, and see whether you're going with Jesus, or siding with the world, the flesh and the devil.  We wear His name, but are we going with Him? We find that when the way became difficult: "From that time many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him."

The temptations of Jesus continued throughout His earthly life, and they will continue throughout our life because we are showing forth the life of the Son of God in us.  Are we going with Jesus in the life we're living now?  Or do we hesitate and draw back?

We have an idea that we should be shielded from some of the things that happen and the things Satan brings upon us. Never!  God controls our circumstances and whatever they may be we have to see to it that we face them while abiding continually with Christ in His temptations.  They're His temptations; they are temptations to the life of the Son of God in us.  The honor of Jesus Christ is at stake in your earthly life.  Are you remaining loyal to the Son of God in the things of life?

 Do you continue to go with Jesus?  The way lies through Gethsemane, through the city gate, outside the camp, to the death of all our Self; the way lies alone, and the way lies ahead of us until there's no trace of our way left, only the voice, "Follow Me."

 [ send green star]

What Kind of Reputation Do You Have?

³⁷And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,  ³⁸And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

 ⁴⁴And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.  Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

⁴⁸And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven  (Luke 7)

"When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.  For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.  For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her."   (Matthew 26:10-13_

When people speak of you, what kind of things do they say?  Jesus honored that woman who anointed him with perfume by including mention of her good deed.  She was well thought of by her Lord, and wonderfully respected.

How others perceive us is established by our consistent behavior.  We need to live such honorable lives that even when someone speaks ill of us, others will not believe it of us.  We should conduct our lives in such a manner that it will be easy for others to recognize Christ in us.

Some “Christians” live such lives that they are looked upon as trouble makers. They drive people away from Christ. They have no witness for Christ.   Though we read our Bibles, worship God, and even pray fervently, just how do neighbors and friends consider us?  Are we known for being faithfully involved in living a life worthy of the name Christian? Do we show out the life of Christ in our actions and words and attitudes.  Or do we have the reputation of being hard to please and difficult to live with?  Do others looking on wonder how we can claim to be a Christian.  Are they left with a bad feeling toward Christians?  Do the ridicule the declaration we make of being saved?  Many times so called Christians say it is because of their witness, when actually it is because they are saying one thing and living another.

Consider the woman in today’s text.  She said nothing, but her witness was a tribute to people of God through generations!  Jesus told us that this deed that the woman had done will be told for a memorial of her; what can be said of us?  Would we be remembered as a faithful, zealous, dedicated child of God?  Or would we be remembered as being an anxious, unhappy, critical, selfish, bitter, unloving, uninvolved, opinionated hypocrite?

We can't build a noble reputation on what we say we are.  Our reputations qre affirmed and established by the things we do daily.

 [ send green star]

Our Unchanging Father!

"God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high."   Psalm 7: 11,17

We presently live in the time of the "new morality", which is really just the old immorality.  God doesn't go along with it.  He's not changing His standards to conform to modern thought. 

God will always deal with sin and wickedness; He will never embrace it but He will finally eradicate it.  If there is any changing to be done it will be on man and society’s part.  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.  Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts   Malachi 3:6-7  If we read the surrounding context here in Malachi we find that the Lord’s prophet is admonishing the people to return to obeying the word of the Law and His standards. 

Mankind feels that they can do as they like and because there is no immediate repercussions many believe they have ‘gotten away with it’ like naughty third graders.  But the preacher knew the truth of this train of thought:  Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.  Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:  Ecclesiastes 8: 11-12 The world may go on it choosing its own course and believing that the rule of the majority makes sin right, but the wise child of God knows that His word will stand.

Regardless of society’s reasonings the Bible tells us Christ will stand before the nations of the World on a white horse to judge the world in righteousness. He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge… Rev.19:11.

Only those who live righteously before Him can face the Faithful and True Judge,  that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. I Peter 2:24

 [ send green star]

( I found today's study in my files.  I don't believe I've posted it before and if I have, well, we still need to think about it!  It is something that is contrary to what we usually think.  Temptation is generally thought of as a BAD thing, but this presents it from another point of view!)

The Good in Temptation

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man."  1 Corinthians 10:13

The word "temptation" has come down in the world; we're apt to use it wrongly.  Temptation in and of itself is not sin, it's a thing we're bound to meet if we're human.  Not to be tempted would be to be beneath contempt.  Many of us, however, suffer from temptations of which we have no need to suffer, simply because we've refused to let God lift us to a higher plane where those temptations would be behind us we would face temptations of another order.

A man's disposition on the inside, that is what he possesses in his own personality, determines what he's tempted by on the outside.  The temptation fits the nature of the one tempted, and reveals the possibilities of the nature.  Every man has the potential of his own temptation, and the temptation will come along the line of his ruling disposition.

Temptation presents a way to realize our most compelling human desire--towards what I want as good for me.  The temptation will fit the human proclivities of the individual.  A person always wanting more than his share may be tempted to steal.  The man who has an eye for a pretty woman may be tempted to commit adultery.  The person who likes to have his fleshly desired quickly gratified may be tempted to over indulgence or alcohol or drugs.  Temptation yielded to is lust deified, and is evidence of a deeply buried tendency of the personality.

Temptation is not something we may escape, it is essential to the complete life of a man. It is the yielding to temptation that is the sin and it is not necessary.  Beware lest you think you're being tempted as no one else is tempted.   What you go through is the common inheritance of mankind, not something no one has ever experienced before. God doesn't save us from temptations; He helps us, comforts us and ultimately guides us to victory over them in the  midst of them (Heb. 2:18).  Through temptations, He proves the worth of our dedication to Him and He proves the power of His might to us.

 [ send green star]

Gentle Ripples

"O GOD, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee."  Psalm 63:1-3

Early in the morning, a lake is usually very still.  No animals, no people, no noise, no boats.  All is quiet. This is the best time to skip rocks! By taking a small flat pebble and throwing it at the right angle, you can skip it across the water leaving circles of ripples as it makes conta ct with the lake's water. The ripples form small and very defined circles at first, then they spread out and break apart until they vanish.  If several people skip rocks at the same time, the ripples cross over one another and make mini-waves across the lake. The impact can be quite amazing.

For many of us our days are filled with many things that need our attention that time alone with God is easily pushed aside.  However, the Lord set a marvelous example for us by rising early to listen to God.  His soul yearned for fellowship with the Father just as David described in our text.  So He, God’s Own Son, made a conscious effort to find a time alone with His father.

If we make no no effort to establish a time with God, we often find there is also no time for God during our busy day.  Then we end up going to bed with regret or guilt.  Maybe another day, we think.  Spending time in Bible reading and prayer makes us acquainted with Him and we start becoming like Him.  But it must be a conscious decision to set apart some period during the day to focus only on Him and our relationship with Him.

Throughout our days, the ripple effect of our time alone with God will impact the lives of those with whom we have contact.  And when these ripples blend with others who spend time with God, we create mini-waves of love and joy.  It all starts with a quiet time and a gentle ripple. "Thus I will bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name."  (verse 4)

 [ send green star]

Communicating With Others

"A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!" Proverbs 15:23

The lack of communication multiplies our problems as it destroys bridges over which we need to travel.  People can be lonely in a crowd or in a marriage when there's no communication.  Lines of communication should be carefully built and maintained, especially in our homes.  Communicating with one another is as important as communicating with God.  Joseph E. Newton once quoted, "People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges."

Communication is more than just speaking.  How well do we listen?  The Scripture admonished us: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19).  Listening is essential to communication.  Parents often fail to really hear what their children may be saying.  Some teenagers run away from home because it's the only way they know how to cope with a family that has forgotten how to listen and communicate.  Listening has a way of saying that "you are important to me, I appreciate you, I want to hear what you have to say, and I love you."  It's only by listening that we can correctly and effectively communicate with others.

Communication is a rich source of blessing.  What a joy it is to talk and listen!  "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver" (Proverbs 25:11).  Let's begin our day communicating with others.

 [ send green star]

Prioritize your Life for God

"Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven." Proverbs 23:4,5

Life consists not in an abundance of things, but in an abundance of relationships.  We are our brother's keeper.  God gives us things to support us in our service to one another, but often those ‘things’ are valued above our friends and family.  Our primary goal in life is to love people, not gather things.

How easy it is to confuse the means of living with the meaning of life.  We find it necessary to care for our family that we forget that the family itself is more important than the things that we think we need.  As Paul  told Timothy, “having food and raiment be therewith content” yet the simplicities are not enough; we need designer jeans, meals that are not only sufficient but cause us to gain weight and four bedroom houses with a den and family room with a home theater.  Supporting the lifestyle is prioritized above building close and secure family relationships.

We can become so busy with the jobs that earn the money to support that lifestyle that we have no time for the needs of people who work with us.  We shouldn't be so consumed in collecting a paycheck that we have little time left for ministering to the needs of those around us.

Jesus wisely prompts us to narrow our concern over provisions to the needs of this day and to pray, "Give us today our daily bread."  Keep the emphasis where it belongs.  "Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness."  ^“Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life.” Trust that "all these things will be given to you as well."

Things are only provisions for living, not life itself.  Live to love, as Jesus loved us enough to die for us.

 [ send green star]

 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;  Philippians 1:29

I'm only posting a scripture here this morning because I want you to go read the message by brother David Chancellor that I posted on the thread, WE WILL SUFFER.   (http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=2892&pst=1128704) 

Be encouraged!

 [ send green star]

Godliness With Contentment

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." 1Timothy 6:6, 7

I've been on vacation this past week and have been doing my Spring house cleaning.  The kind of cleaning where you not only wash windows, shampoo carpet, and all that normal twice-a-year chore.  But also digging in closets, cabinets, dressers, and even "junk" drawers.  Needless to say, I accumlated more than our trash pick-up men probably care to dispose of for me.

What a waste!  As always, while rummaging through my piles of "stuff", I couldn't help but look to the less fortunate folks in the world today. We, here in America are blessed far more than we realize. Gosh, I had clothes I hadn't worn in years that I finally got rid of.  I read not long ago in an e-mail that if you haven't worn something in a year, get rid of it ~ chances are you won't wear it anyway, so why clutter your closet with it?  And there is someone who would be thankful to have just that item of clothing or that

"I'm so tired of these” pair of shoes or handbag.  Guess what?  My stuff is on its way to Christian Missions for some poor soul in need.  I'm not proud of myself for doing a kind deed, but more upset with myself for taking advantage of God's blessings bestowed upon me.  I should have been more

thoughtful in giving to the unfortunate a long time ago. Or better yet, not to buy in the first place, but send the finances to help those in need.  For I remember, as a young mother myself, struggling to make ends meet.  Shame on me for hoarding!

Oh!  How we accumulate!  The person who has everything, also needs a place to put it.  Closets running over, big homes with two-car+ garages, storage buildings adjacent to the yard acreage, and much more!  But has this richer life produced a better life?  If abundance brings happiness, we should then assume that the people who have the most possessions, have the greatest happiness.  Yet even the most casual observer can see this is not true.  In their accumulation of things, are they not still searching for contentment?

Aren't they filling their lives with material things in their never-ending search?  The bottom line, according to Apostle Paul is not how much you have.  The bottom line on personal gain and loss is finding godliness with contentment.

.(contnued next)

 [ send green star]

(conclusion)

 "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drove men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (Verses 8-10)

Now, what do we need to be “therewith content?”  Paul's statement is almost heretical to our materialistic ears.  All that's necessary is food and clothing!  These should be the limit of our earthly desires.  The necessities of life are the bounds of a true Christian's desires.  Truly, the secret of contentment is not having much, but wanting little.  This is not to say we cannot have more than food and clothing, it simply means as Paul states in verse 9, that having more than these presents more and greater temptation.

May we, God's redeemed children, refuse to let the world squeeze us into its mold, and refuse to imitate it as it seeks everything to live with and nothing to live for!

May the Good Lord bless you this day as you pursue the heavenly things you need for fulfillment in life.

 [ send green star]

The Love of God      

In I John 3:1, we read, Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not..

When we are born again we become as different from the world as Jesus was. This thing of fusing the Church and the world together under the Love of God is an act of Satan.  He has tried to work it all down through the ages, but real salvation makes you and keeps you as separate from the world as Jesus Himself was. The reason why you are different is that the love of God has been shed abroad in your heart.

God is love. That is His very nature, but today there has been a perversion of the Gospel by men who know nothing of the love of God.  They endeavor to drag Him down to a human level when they begin to tell you how God loves and what God loves.   We must realize that God is angry with the sinner every day.   No man can have the love of God abiding on them when they commit sin.   Read I John, II John, and III John.  Only the wrath of God abides on the sinful man. 

Even bumper stickers now say, "Smile. God loves you."  Somebody said, "Don't you think He loves the world?" Certainly, He does; but I am talking about experiencing and being able to rely on the love of God.  That only comes when you have allowed Him to make a real change in your life and the way you live it. God loves the world in that He holds out the offer of Salvation to all.  But it is there that His demonstration of love stops.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8. There you have demonstrated the Love of God. But that is where His demonstration of love for the world stops. If we refuse to submit to Christ and His Word, there is nothing remaining for us but the wrath of God abiding on us.

God's love is wrapped up in our experience of salvation in Christ Jesus.  However, we cannot continue to live a life of sin, being slaves to sin, and still be "OK" with God!   God's love for the sinner is shown in that He gave His Only Begotten Son to die on an old rugged cross, to take our sins FROM us.  Through that sacrifice we might live in a right relationship with Him!

Somebody asked, "Are you sure that sinners can’t  knows the love of God?"   Yes.  The Word makes it plain that no one knows anything of the love of God until he has been truly born again and regenerated.  Sinful men and women are told repeatedly today that God loves every one and that nothing can separate them from that love. The scripture in Romans 8:38 - 39 is misused to demonstrate that: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.   That beautiful verse  with all its promise is entirely dependent upon our salvation through Jesus.

If you are not born again through your commitment to Jesus , you have nothing of the love of God.  Only when you come in old-time repentance and regeneration can you be grafted into the living Vine and baptized by one Spirit into Jesus Christ.  Only when you are part of Christ, can you lay hold on the all encompassing promise of the love of God.

 [ send green star]

We Can Triumph

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  Ephesians 2: 1 – 2

"The Prince of the Power of the Air" -- who or what is it?   Are there men arriving in spaceships to invade our earth?   Many think so.   But we know that there's a negative power---a field of power, if you will---that fights   against our spiritual progress.   It's a little like the principle of gravity.   Gravity is no immediate problem as long as you're not trying to lift something.   But when you try to move a large stone, the force of gravity is very real.  

In the same way, if you're not trying to live by spiritual laws, you don't feel the strength of the power of evil.   But when you make a serious attempt to live righteously, to pray, to fast, and to study God's word you feel the resisting power of something---or someone.   Paul calls this the “rince of the power of the air,” the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.

In our world, the devil is caricatured as having a red suit, a pointed tail, and horns like a  goat.   If he were like that, we could "laugh him away" and tell him that the masquerade party was in the next apartment.  But it's not that easy.  And Satan's wiles are not so easily recognizable.

Disobedience is the door by which Satan enters our life, or perhaps he   makes us believe that it's the cause.   At any rate, we disobey because of who we are, and because of who he is.  In the first chapter of Ephesians, Paul, in celebrating the power of Christ, says:  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,  (Eph. 1:19 - 22).  In recognizing the power of Christ we must also acknowledge that we have the same power to stand against all sin and evil habits and every kind of disobedience. (How wonderful!)

Obviously all of these issues are motivated by the prince of the power of the air because Paul connects wrong doing directly to that source in our text.  Jesus gives us victory over them if we will only take hold of His Power and put forth our sincere effort to overcome them, but let's not imagine that we're free from conflict.  

God does not magically make every conflict disappear. Not only must we wrestle against our humanity (our nature), but we also must wrestle against sin prompted by these powers. Later in this letter, Paul gets specific:  Put on the whole armor of God,that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.   For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:11-12).  God has given us every tool that we may need to triumph.

There's no victory without a struggle.   And without the power of God's spirit working within us, there is no victory.   The nature of our flesh drags us down and the power of the ultimate adversary shoots us down. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:57)  Only in our devotion to Christ can we triumph!

 [ send green star]

The Two Foundations

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock; And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that  house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."  Matthew 7:24-25

If you've come to Christ, He's the foundation. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1Corinthians 3:11).  When we're resting on Christ’s Truth, we build on that foundation.  By yielding to the Holy Spirit, we can build a life which the Bible likens to gold, silver, and precious stones. 

But there's another kind of building . . . "And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." (Verses 26, 27) What is the sand? It is Error, the false doctrines, human goodness and human effort.  It is the old weakness of the flesh.  And, my friends, we need to have something better than what the flesh has to offer. Matthew concludes this section by saying: "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." (Verses 28, 29)

Our Lord Jesus was that kind of teacher---He taught with authority!  He wasn't just repeating something He had heard or read somewhere.  And we need to recognize that no man has anything worthwhile to say unless it's with the authority of the Word of God and unless it's based on the Word of God.  Today, we have a gospel to give, a message of salvation.  We know it works because it has worked in our case.  And we have seen it work in the lives of others who have come to Christ.

The Sermon on the Mount is a glorious passage of Scripture.  Don't overlook it (It's recorded in Chapters 5 through 7 of Matthew.  Excerpts of it are found in other gospels, but Matthew gives it in its fullest extent).  If you read it aright, it will bring you to the person of Jesus Christ.  It will show you how we fail to measure up to its precepts.  It will show you that you are weak and guilty.  It will make you cry for mercy and will bring you to the person of Christ for salvation. 

When you accept Christ as Savior,  He will give you the Holy Spirit who will enable you to live a life worthy of His high standard.  It gives us the basis for building on that Strong Foundation.

 [ send green star]

The Wellspring of Life   

"Keep thy heart with all diligence: for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23)       

We are apt to regard our thoughts as fleeting and unimportant.  As a result, we imagine that it matters very little   what we think, as long as we say and do what is right. Yet, in the final analysis, everything depends on our initial thoughts. 

Our thoughts are the products and proof of our character. But they are infinitely more than that! But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders,adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness,blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man:  Matthew 15:19-20 They are the reflections of the hearts desires, the very materials out of which our character, lives, and destinies are built. Evil thoughts mar and destroy. Good thoughts build up, encourage, elevate, and refine. What we shall be in the future is based on what we think today. For what we think today, provides the basis from which all our words and actions spring.

Above all, as we allow Christ to rule in our hearts, His radiance will beautify our thoughts. He will enable us to keep our thoughts above all that is sinful and to keep them steadily in the presence of God. Paul had this in mind when he said, ". . . whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,  whatsoever things are just,  whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8 

This is the peace that Christ earned for us by His death on the cross and that enters our hearts by faith in Him.   It is our r esponsibility to keep the focus on Him.

 [ send green star]

Prepare Your Hearts

"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments." Ezra 7:10

I love to read the stories in the Old Testament about the tremendous faith, trust and love that God's chosen people portrayed up until their last days  on Earth.  There were so many who sought the law of the Lord.  Ezra is one of those. 

Ezra did the law of the Lord.  Unlike the scribes of Jesus' day, who said they did but did not (Matthew 23:2).  Ezra practiced what he studied.  Studying the Bible must not be just an academic exercise.  We must not be forgetful hearers, but doers, in order to be blessed (James 1:23-25).  We may pride ourselves on knowing the Bible, but Jesus didn't say "This know and thou shalt live." He said, "This do and thou shalt live" (Luke 10:28).

Ezra lived and taught the Lord's statutes and judgment in Israel.  So must we. "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught of God.'  Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes to me" (John 6:45).  What we have learned we are to teach to others, so that they can teach others also (2Timothy 2:2).  We are to be converted our selves then we are to teach the converted (Matthew 18:3, Matthew 29:19-20)  

A preacher is a teacher who pleads with his students to do what they've been taught.  Ezra set his heart to seek, to do, and to teach the law of the Lord.  No one accidentally becomes a faithful servant of God.  No one is a casual Christian. We can only be dedicated and faithful; we will be good students, faithful workers, and effective teachers only if set our minds to be, if we decide to be, and deliberately lay aside things that hinder us.

When we really know what God has revealed to Man, we know something helpful and worthwhile to teach.  When we teach what is true and leads hearts to God, people will come to hear and learn.  They will not come again and again for empty platitudes or recycled outlines.  Man cannot find God through platitudes and pretty philosophies.  Not even hogs will keep coming back to an empty trough. 

Study.  Seek the Word of the Lord and the Will of the Lord. When we find it lets us set our hearts to do it.  Let Ezra be our model.

 [ send green star]

Increasing Our Faith  

 Jesus said unto him,” If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears,” Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." Mark 9:23-24

The words spoken by this frantic father also speak of the conflict in which Christians often find themselves.  It's the struggle between belief and unbelief; between faith and doubt.  Our faith, though sometimes shaken, will maintain the upper hand if we’re a Child of God.

The direction our life takes, whether toward greater faith or toward unbelief, depends on whom we want to serve: God---or ourselves.

When we allow God to be the central focus of our life, follow biblical examples in our daily living, and in all things seek the kingdom of God first, then we are going the way of faith.  This often involves a struggle for us.  For going God's way takes us in an entirely different direction than what our fleshly nature would take.

We must remember how obedient our Lord Jesus was to His Father. He was obedient enough to go to the cross for us.  What faith that portrayed!

And thanks to His atoning work, our sins are forgiven.  When we stumble because our faith is unsteady and weak, or when we find that we're not ready to place God first in our life, we need to pray as the distraught father did-“help thou mine unbelief”.  God hears such a prayer as this.  May the Lord increase our faith through His Word and Spirit.

 [ send green star]

God's "Box" (this from a friend)

Allow me to share a recent experience…
 
As most of you know, our part of the world has been suffering from a very severe drought.( Colorado)   As farmers and ranchers, we can't help but be extremely concerned about this drought and its consequences.   Two weeks ago, our church body joined hands and prayed for rain.   Low and behold, it rained.   Some of us received two nice rains.   God is great!   God answers prayers!
 
While I was extremely happy and thankful for the rain I received, other church members received absolutely no rain.   How could that be?   They were in the same prayer circle.   Their faith was just as strong as mine.   Why did God answer this prayer for some of us, but not for all of us?
 
The same storm that brought a nice rain to most of my ranch, brought  terrible hail storm to our neighbors to the east.   Some of those neighbors are a part of our church.   They were in the same prayer circle.   Their faith was just as strong as mine.   How could God allow this storm to totally wipe out what little crops and grass they had?
 
I'm not questioning God – and I'm not doubting the power of prayer.   I am just beginning to realize that God's perspective is often MUCH different than our perspective.   What we perceive to be of utmost importance may not be that important to God.   God knows that whether it rains or does not rain this week (or this year) won't matter 100 years from now.   
 
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my wayshigher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:8-9

( My friend is trying to get us to think of other perspectives when we consider the things God does or does not do for us.  He has a good point here, I think)

 [ send green star]

God Has Control

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." Genesis 50:20

Joseph's jealous brothers sold their young brother into slavery.  Despite this evil deed, Joseph was, through the course of  time, promoted by the Lord to become prime minister of Egypt.  When his brothers came to Egypt to buy food for their families, Joseph revealed his identity to them and forgave them. "You intended to harm me," he said to them, "but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

Our God has laid out His plans, and we can't alter them.  He foresees the schemes of evil people and He plans around them, turning evil into good.Peter proclaimed on Pentecost that Jesus crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men, was delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.  But God raised Him up, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him! (Read Acts 2:24)

Knowing the power God had then, and stills has today, we can be certain that He is turning apparent evil into good in our lives also.  The only difficulty comes when we step in and try to control things according to our limited vision.  Let’s keep our thoughts out of the picture; we can fully trust that God is in control...of this world and of our lives.

God has a plan for each of us!  May we seek His guidance as we watch it  unfold, trusting in Him and following Him always

 [ send green star]