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Satan’s hole in his camo

12 Nov

Satan’s hole in his camo

2 Timothy 2:3-4   You therefore must endure[ hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

This is a day we remember those who were and are serving our country in our military. They are those who dedicated their lives to obtaining the goal set before them at all costs. No veteran should be so weak as to not lay down their life for their cause. It is instilled in them in training for their focused purposes that may lay ahead. They are to be honored for their service in the face of all types of dangers to protect what so many take for granted in the freedom we so cherish. They serve with a honor and dignity under their commander for the nation they are sworn to protect. It mostly comes with a cost; pain and sometimes death; but that is what they understood upon offering themselves up as a soldier for our country.

The Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy to encourage him in what he knows he will face in the difficulties of being a disciple of Christ’s; even as a soldier for Christ. He is encouraging him to remain focused as soldier to please his commander; to accomplish the goal through any hardships he may endure; to press on. When you begin to step forward in your walk with Christ; that is when it may get difficult. Distractions come in all sorts; but they will come to take your eyes off the mission at hand; to spread Christ’s gospel to those in your circle of influence. The affairs of this life may seem to be blessings, anxieties, timetables, sickness, pain, the list goes on. All of them to take your eyes off Christ; all of them from the enemy as John 10:10 says; 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

I live a life of being pulled in all directions. A husband, father, business owner, sole provider, student. I struggle just like all of you in time management with all these titles and more. I am indebted to lenders, indebted to my family, but ultimately indebted to Christ. Being a soldier for Christ does not mean you remove yourself from the world; it means you show Christ to your world. It means that in everything you do, in all that you face, you take that opportunity to share your faith. God gives you opportunities to witness where Satan seeks to bring distractions and strife. When you begin to see and understand all that you face has passed through God’s hands; it becomes easier to remain focused on sharing your faith with those around you. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. A good soldier for Christ can see Satan’s camouflaged distractions and press on to the goal that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

 
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Posted by on November 12, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Square pegs in round holes

11 Nov

Square pegs in round holes

Ephesians 5:15-17    Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (ESV)

Do you ever have that feeling of being an outsider? That feeling of just not belonging where you are? The closer you get to God; the closer you get to understanding how far this world we live in is apart from God. I could go down the path of listing the evidences of this reality, but if you argue with them, or you are blind to them, you are not grounded in the Word, but in the world. The more you surround yourself with the things of God on a daily basis, the more you will realize how your spiritual senses have been numbed before. All of the media that invades our minds daily dulls our senses to God. There are ways to heighten your senses and become more keen to how God sees the world; but it takes effort on your part.

The Apostle Paul was trying to unify the church at Ephesus to live like Christians. He writes in Ephesians 4-6 of how we “were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”(5:8). Paul is writing to those that are being persecuted; himself being in prison at the time of this Epistle. There was evidence in his life of his belief in Christ. There should be a before and after point in the testimony of your life with Christ. You cannot remain idle once you become saved; idleness is backsliding. You are either moving forward in your pursuit of Him, or you are falling away from Him; you cannot sit still. This pursuit is gained in the time God has given us and how we utilize that time. Matthew Henry said, “Our time is a talent given us by God for some good end, and it is misspent and lost when it is not employed according to his design. If we have lost our time heretofore, we must endeavour to redeem it by doubling our diligence in doing our duty for the future.”

The more you begin to seek God every day; the more you will begin to remove yourself from the ways of the world. There will be a hunger that grows, a desire to know more of Him. If you follow that desire in a conscious effort, God will open your mind through your heart. Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Your life will never be the same once you begin to pursue God every day. You will find joy in being that outsider; apart from the world; separated to God. Romans 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.

Application: I felt God work in my life in the music I listened to. When I changed my radio to contemporary Christian music and left it there, it made a huge difference in my life. You cannot seek God’s heart one moment and listen to Highway to Hell the next.

 
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Posted by on November 11, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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This is what I get?

10 Nov

This is what I get?

Galatians 6:7-10    Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

This week has been a week of intense physical and mental strain. My workload has been overbearing and alone; requiring sun-up to sundown most every day. The physical strains have proven to be a challenge, but I do whatever it takes to get the job done, and do it well. The mental strain has come from events this week that have commanded my thoughts during all this time alone. I had a discussion yesterday of this scripture, and it has remained in my mind. In my typical self I have thought it to death; even realizing our societies entitlement ideals that have come as generational handouts from parents and government. I thought of Newton’s Law of “every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”. What is our society going to be in the following generation raised on entitlements and the lack of Biblical values and understanding?

Paul has spent much of Galatians arguing the fact that good works do not save, but good works are a product of your Salvation. These good works may become wearisome in a society that seems to not care, or ask why, or feel entitled to them. But as Christians we are to show these good works solely on the merit of the hope that lies within us. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Those around us may see we still continue to sow into whatever tasks God has placed before us; even if the reward seems unlikely or even unseen. God is watching how you handle the drudging tasks of sowing in the hope of a harvest you may not reap. That person you pray for continuously; that ministry you support faithfully; that child that you invest your faith in that may stray. I was that son.

God knows every detail of your life; every hidden agenda, every conversation, every motive for your every action or in-action. We simply cannot expect God to continue to provide for our every need, when we don’t pour our everything into service for Him. A half hearted attempt to seek God in His Word and prayer will likely hear little. A heart that desires the material possessions and doesn’t tithe in what God has given him is a thief. Where is God on your priority lists? God has designed us for a relationship with Him in all areas of our lives; material and spiritual. We will reap what we sow in all aspects of our lives; material and spiritual. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Only a heart that is investing itself in God and the things of God will reap the rewards of God in eternity.

 
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Posted by on November 10, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Do you see the red dot on the target?

09 Nov

Do you see the red dot on the target?

Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Even as I tried to pray this morning the world rushes in. The tasks of the day, of the next day, of all the busyness of life. All these things that we all try to do, so many times trying to do too much. In today’s rough economy if we are lucky enough to have a job, most likely we are expected to be doing more for less; to make up for the budget cuts. We then take the personal side of our lives and try to pack in every activity possible; even church is hopefully made the cut on the itinerary. Satan smiles; our eyes are on the tasks and not on Christ. Well played Satan; well played indeed. Time we feel is our enemy; and we may pay for it for eternity.

The Apostle Paul was writing to refute all the false teachers in Colosse. and Laodecia.  They had come and presented their “to do” lists to the believers. They had led them astray in all of the ritualistic religion tasks they were tell people they must do to be saved. The pressures of the tasks pointed to people earning their salvation; and not the grace God has given them through Christ. They were taking their eyes off Christ and focusing on what they saw as required tasks. Paul pointed them back to focusing on Christ. Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight– 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. Grounded and steadfast – focused.

There is the busyness; then there is the pain that may take our eyes off Christ. It may be the loss of a job, the strain of relationships, the pain of sickness, and the list goes on. The trials of life designed by Satan is to draw our attention away from the target. Satan wants us to lash out at God; to be angry in the “why me”? God allows the trials to grow us and draw us near to Him; Satan’s plans backfire; so Satan will form another plan. A mark of a true Christian is a life of struggle; a life of desiring God in all that they face. A life marked by the pain of the trial, and the ever-growing heart for God. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. We must press within ourselves to realize all we face can seem small when we focus on God. I even feel trapped in my current situation in so many ways; but I strive to not let it get me down. For when I begin to look down into worry, my eyes are no longer looking up to my eternal King sitting on the throne; and I get to join Him for eternity.

 
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Posted by on November 9, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Timeless freedom and joy

08 Nov

Timeless freedom and joy

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Yesterday was a roller-coaster of emotions. An outpouring of love for my birthday from friends, coupled with discussions of pain in the same circle. Some of the pain was from the political scene, yet it is time to move on and pray for our country. Most of this talk was more of the personal sort; more about the realization of the trials of life that God seeking people are facing. I said yesterday it seems to be the mark of a disciple to be under strain in their lives right now. Intense personal tribulations of many sorts I have heard from many of you. God’s leash on Satan and his limitations are reaching deep into Christianity. Satan is peaking; but we must keep our eyes on eternity, and focused on Christ at all costs for our temporal time here. These pains too shall pass.

Christ had been speaking to His disciples regarding His second coming. He spoke in Luke 21 of all the wars and pain before His return. He spoke of the signs of His return and the redemption of His followers. Luke 21:28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Christ exhorts them to keep their eyes on Him and to pray diligently for strength during all they face. He is pointing even us to remain focused on Him in the trials in our lives today; to set Him as the goal. Luke 21:36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” All our pain is temporary; all our pain now is but a speck of sand in the ocean of eternity in God’s eyes.

In our minds we cannot grasp eternity. We are drawn to it; to long for it; but we cannot understand it. The power of sin weighs us down to the present tribulation. The power of sin robs us of the joy of seeing the freedom of eternity. In 2 Peter 3 above, God looks at earthy time as one thousand years here, is equal to one day in eternity. Do the math. Is what you are facing at this very moment so grand that it robs you of the joy of eternal paradise? Satan is the ultimate deceiver, and a strength he has is anxiety as a deception of the mind. I know this personally. The closer you grow to Christ, the stronger his attacks with worry. So much of our worry is focused on tomorrow when tomorrow may never come. Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Can we just strive to spend today focused on eternity and what awaits us there? Can we spend today knowing whatever we are facing God has never given us more than we can handle? Can we spend today sharing our hope with someone who is facing a mountain alone, without God?

 
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Posted by on November 8, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Our Nation has become a missionary field

07 Nov

Our Nation has become a missionary field

2 Timothy 4:3-4   For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Our country was at a crossroads, and yesterday the majority has spoken and selected our path. The path we have selected has changed the nations face for eternity. We were once founded on the principles of  “in God we trust”, and now we have turned our backs on God. Both choices left little hope for our nation, but the choice made went against Biblical doctrine in the support of abortion, homosexuality, and the sanctity of marriage. Our nation turned our backs on God and we will have to answer His call for judgement. Our once great nation has become a missionary field itself; a call for pastors and disciples to preach the truth at all costs; to go against society and point those lost to the err of their ways and the forgiveness in Christ.

Paul was warning Timothy of how his followers may go down the paths of whatever felt good. They would steer away from what they knew was right and the pain of it; to go listen to whomever made them feel good. They did not want to hear they were living in sin; they wanted someone to tell them it was ok. Apostasy can become the road you’re headed down when you start with denial of sin; and the eventual turning your back on the sin you have become convicted of. 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. Do you turn away from Christ when His Spirit living inside of you begins to prick at what you hold dear? Do you have the idea that God sees that you are a good person outside of that sin? Do you feel that the scales of good and evil weigh in your favor? No such scale exists.

Paul charged Timothy to preach the Truth at all costs. 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. Matthew Henry said, “Convince wicked people of the evil and danger of their wicked courses. Endeavour, by dealing plainly with them, to bring them to repentance. Rebuke them with gravity and authority, in Christ’s name, that they may take thy displeasure against them as an indication of God’s displeasure.” There is a call to all of Christ’s disciples to become missionaries in your own country now. We who profess Christ, must proclaim Christ to those He has placed in our circle of influence. Stand for Christ and be bold to point out the sin; and point out the forgiveness of that sin in Christ. There is only Good News if you know the bad news first.

 
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Posted by on November 7, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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More than a political savior

06 Nov

More than a political savior

Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Today is the day we can exercise our freedoms protected by our soldiers throughout history, and vote for our next leader of our country. It has been pressed into our minds of how this may be the most important election in history. That would be debatable, but the truth is that our country is struggling and needs strong leadership. This election is one of the choices of the lesser of two evils. One is a Mormon and Mormon’s are not Christians. One believes in same sex marriage and abortion. I do not believe either will run this country from their knees seeking my God in prayer. This country desires a political savior; and neither candidate has that ability to save.

What do you want out of life? Bigger question: what do you want after this life? We are all wired with the inquisition of what comes next. The pursuits of the afterlife may be behind many decisions you make unknowingly. All things were created by Christ; all things flow through Christ; and all things point to Christ. Christ will return soon and this election will no longer be so important. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. The day is approaching where we must all answer how we lived our lives; of what the focus of our lives rested on. Was it political; was it career; was it self; was it____________? Where is your focus?

You and I are sinners; we cannot escape that reality. We are born into sin and if we do not see the Light of forgiveness, we will die in that sin and go to Hell. To understand the Good News you must first understand the bad. A payment for that sin debt is owed to God who is a righteous judge. The only way to pay for that sin debt was a perfect sacrifice that He provided in Jesus Christ. When Christ died on the Cross, all the worlds sins were place on Him for eternity. All you must do is humbly accept that sacrifice and remove the pride where you feel you can earn it yourself. The acceptance and realization of all of this should draw you to a life of service to Him as His disciple; sharing what you have with others. He gives us what no president can; Saving Grace. John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. My prayer is that you will place your hope in the only leader of your life that will never disappoint; never break promises; and reward you eternally for your short time of life focused on Him here.

 
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Posted by on November 6, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Whack! Chip chip chip…..

05 Nov

Whack! Chip chip chip……

1 Peter 5:6-7   Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Yesterday Dana gave her testimony to our small group. It was a heartfelt cry from a woman who was seeing God work in her life. I told everyone I wanted to hear it too; I had only witnessed half her life of it. As I listening intently, she opened up of pains of death, family struggles, personality and career struggles. I began to notice a common thread in our testimonies, that until I heard her say it, I guess had only been noticed. Her testimony is also rooted in pride. This morning as this scripture above was on my phone inbox, I felt God open my eyes to our similarities even more. God has designed the changes in the securities of both our careers & lives to strip away that pride.

The Apostle John points us to this; to the draw of living for a temporal world vs living for an eternal God. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world. When your drive is the pride of your ability to reach the goal, the goal is useless and laden in sin. The walls that you build, the roads that you pave to reach what drives you take your eyes off the One who is providing the means to attain it. Everything you think you can do; all that you accomplish that is not for the kingdom of God will fade away. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

God has humbled both Dana and myself the past couple of years. He has stripped away what we held dear; taken away what we placed above Him. He is showing us what truly matters, and showing us our sins in that pride of life. Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. God may bring His hammer and chisel to chip away at what you consider your rock of pride. He took away my ability in physical strength of my right arm. He took away Dana’s career that she worked for since childhood. God got our attention, and now our attention is focused solely on God. Every day that you spend puffed up in the goals you attain; may be a day closer to God pointing out your sin of pride. The realization of that sin, with a humble repentant heart before Him in a plea for forgiveness, could prevent the hammer and chisel effects. The realization of how big God is, and how small you are, is a life changing step for the remainder of your time here and into eternity.

 
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Posted by on November 5, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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It ain’t that bad

04 Nov

It ain’t that bad

Acts 9:16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

This week, last night, this morning, God is opening my eyes through my heart. It has been a tough week of closed doors and realizations. It has been a time in my life I am seeing those around me hurting. Last night in study I came to this scripture above, and the textbook listed Paul’s testimony of these sufferings for Christ. The list humbled me. I have not yet suffered for Christ; I have barely become uncomfortable. This morning in prayer that realization was even more clearly put to me. In all my trials I still have all the necessities and more luxuries than I will ever need. The luxury list has been shrinking, and with it has come a cleansing feeling of the removal of “stuff” that does not truly matter.

Saul had been persecuting Christians even unto death before his Damascus road experience. Christ had come to him in a literal blinding light; Saul could not see but knew he had seen Christ and spoken to Him. Saul had been led to town where he waited for Ananias to come as a messenger of the Lord to restore his sight. That blindness for three days was the beginning of sufferings for the soon to be renamed the great Apostle Paul. The rest of Paul’s life was solely focused on preaching Christ alone. 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The once great Saul; a great educated, wise man in all the laws of the church; had been humbled by Christ on that road. Saul had realized how small he was, and how great Christ is.

Paul’s life changed at the moment his suffering began. Paul went from being a great leader; resting on his wisdom and the power granted to him; to a person focused on the power of Christ alone. He knew his every day rested in Christ’s hands. It humbled him in this realization and he focused his ministry on Christ’s power alone. 1 Corinthians 2:3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. When we suffer as children of God, there may be an underlying purpose behind it; to point us to God. In all these trials of life, may we move to becoming focused on God; on the reward of eternity with Him. To hear what we should all strive to hear upon meeting Him. Matthew 25:21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

 
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Posted by on November 4, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Solid ground

03 Nov

Solid ground

Psalm 62:5-8  My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

This has been a week of closed doors. I have spent the week in discussions with the banking industry looking at options for our financial future. God has allowed my house of cards to fall, and brought about a reality I have not experienced. I once experienced the life of excess in the unlimited availability of credit, and ghost funds of money I did not really have. The past couple of years has brought about the reality of the debt, and the ghost funds have disappeared. I am close to a financial bottom, and closer to God as a result. Even in my years of prosperity and thanksgiving, pride would still creep in. God has shown me that and left me relying only on Him alone. I am thankful for God taking me down roads I would have not chosen to travel.

In the restless nights and in the early morn, I plea to God. Honestly, I struggle to pray for myself, and rely on those closest to me to be interceding on my behalf. You must have those close to you that you confide in to pray for you also. I know so many of us right now are struggling; don’t try to do it on your own. Don’t get angry with God in the rebellion of “why”? 8 Trust in Him at all times. God is Sovereign (all knowing); He truly knows what is best for you every day, and for His eternal plans for you. Rest in that assurance. Your faith in these times of trouble is where you either grow closer to Him, or you rebel against Him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. When times get tough do NOT let your faith waiver. The book of James speaks about these trials of life, and this type of weak faith. James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

James speaks to the reality of God’s work in our lives. He speaks of how God is working to strengthen us as a result of what we are enduring. God is either allowing or designing what you are currently battling with right now. But you can come out the other side of it either closer to Christ by that design, or headed in the wrong direction. James1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. Instead of the “why me” in the face of these obstacles, why not the “use me” there? God will stretch you, grow you, and strengthen your faith if you will stand on the rock he is providing in the storm.

 
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Posted by on November 3, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 
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