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Hold that thought

15 Apr

Hold that thought

James 3:1-2    Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

The heading in my study Bible for this passage is, “The Untamable Tongue”.  James gives examples of how evil our speech can be throughout this chapter. Of how no matter how hard we try to guard our speech, we will ultimately fail and say words that will sting, judge, curse, condemn; the list of could be endless of the harm our words can be. James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. What we seek to build up can be torn down in one wrong statement from that evil tongue. All we can do is to seek God, and spend daily time with God, in preparation to guard our speech. What we put in our mind comes out our mouth.

Early in this ministry the scripture above haunted me. I looked at my life, and the horror of great sins in it, and Satan creeped in. My list of sins is great, my failures endless, but Satan cannot take away what my Salvation through Christ has given me. That was my life before Christ, this is my life after Him. I take that accountability very seriously of reflecting what I see in the scriptures, for I am an uneducated man teaching the scriptures. I only claim to have a heart for God and the things of God, and try to share with you what you can have in the same daily pursuit. I will be held to a stricter judgement, therefore I must be wholesome in my pursuit. James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

I actually ended up in James 3 as I was studying Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. The references pointed to those passages in James. The relation is easy to see, for what we judge in our minds we are likely to speak with our tongues. We are to guard our minds, therefore God will guard our tongues. God grants us discernment as disciples of His, but with that discernment comes wisdom and responsibility. We are not to become fault finding critics of those that do not appear to be holy; we are to use this wisdom to protect ourselves, not become self-righteous. The more time you spend with God, the more not only the sin that surrounds you is revealed, but the depth of your own depravity before He redeemed you. “Sin has left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”

 
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Posted by on April 15, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Merciful Life

14 Apr

Merciful Life

Proverbs 11:24-26    There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. 25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

These wise words of Solomon could be taken in many contexts, and the commentaries seem to lead to them speaking to wealth and how we handle it. God’s monetary system operates outside of our understanding. We are called to give when we have nothing to give. We are called to have faith in the knowledge that He will provide for our needs. In this giving we see His hand at work when our wells never run dry. I have lived that experience over recent years in both my business and personal life. It is truly amazing to see the monetary blessings that seemingly come out of nowhere as God provides over and over again; just in time, right on time.

In the study notes we are pointed to how this scripture may apply to God’s mercy. Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. God will place us in situations in our lives where we must forgive many things; we must not repay with what is due. We are to extend the mercy in a similar, but much smaller form that what He has given us. Mercy has been described as not getting what you deserved. Grace is getting what you do not deserve. (Adrian Rogers). Can you look at those situations in life as God looks at yours? Can you forgive over and over again just as He has done and will continue to do for you? This test of our ability to show mercy is a measure of our relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We have all heard of the Golden Rule that states, “Do unto others as you wish they would do unto you.” That scripture is Matthew 7:12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Can you see how this Golden Rule is woven into those other scriptures? Can you see how that our lives can reflect the God that redeemed us and He is whom we serve? Can you see how a selfish, bitter heart that claims His promises, yet denies those in need is a hypocrisy? How you live your life may be the only Bible that those around you may ever read. A life that extends mercy on those in their time of need, or even those who do not deserve it shows the love you have for Him in your heart. In these selfless acts God is using you to draw others to Himself. Live your life today merciful; for you have life today because of it.

 
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Posted by on April 14, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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It’s gonna be ok

13 Apr

It’s gonna be ok

Matthew 6:25-34    “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (ESV)

I have written in bold print in the margin of my Bible beside this passage, “DO NOT WORRY”. I openly struggle with anxiety and depression, but I do not believe there are many others out there that can say before God they do not worry. Satan is the master deceiver, and a strong tool in his arsenal is the deception wrapped in doubt. When you look at worry in its simplest form it is fear, fear of the unknown. Fear is not from God but from the author of deception and death. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Satan is planting in your mind that you have no security; that your life and the outcome of it could fall at any time. He wants you to think you are a failure, and all your eternity is in question. He may even planted the ultimate deception in your head of life without eternity. This is all there is; get all you can while you are here.

It is no coincidence that this passage falls on the heels of the passage about wealth (Matthew 6:19-25). I bet that the majority of your fears fall under the heading of money. Will I have enough to pay my bills; will I have enough saved for college; will I be able to get that new…….; the list is endless in our lives wrapped around our finances. Believe me, my house of cards fell, and the money worries have been a big part of my life in recent years. But God has shown me that he will never fail me; just enough in the nick of time, every time, to do or pay what must be done. God is even letting that doubt Satan is planting to work for good when you are humbled and must look to Him for it all. 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. There can be a new found strength and relationship with God built as you see Him never fail you. Satan’s plan was to draw you away from God, but if you turn to God you will come to understand this passage about not worrying. When you worry you become introverted, and when you are self absorbed you are not an effective disciple to spread the Good News that He calls you to do.

It has been proven that worry and stress are bad for your physical health. They take years off your life. Christ told us that in this Sermon on the Mount 2000 years ago. 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? Spend today focused on the promise in Matthew 6:33, and do not worry about tomorrow, for you may miss the promise of today.

 
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Posted by on April 13, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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100% guaranteed ROI(return on investment)

12 Apr

100% guaranteed ROI(return on investment)

Proverbs 11:4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.

The first thought that comes to my head when I read this scripture is that old saying, “ You can’t take it with you.” This passage from Solomon could be viewed in many contexts, even the idea of trying to buy your way out of persecution. The seemingly rich may enjoy somewhat power for their short time here, but there will come a day their wealth is meaningless; Solomon described all their hard works as “folly and vanity” here and in the book of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. Solomon had attained immeasurable wealth and wisdom, all as a gift from God. He had  come to realize that happiness was not found in wealth, but in ones relationship with God.

I chased that dream of financial success. I thought the harder I worked, the better it became, and eventually there would come a point that life got easier. There had to be a point that your hard work paid off; a crest that brought balances of finances and responsibilities. If there is such a pivot in life, I failed miserably trying to attain it. Solomon, who was the wisest and richest man in history, failed also.  Maybe you believe you are the one who can find balance in wealth, happiness, and faith; that no rich man before you has attained. You are serving one God or the other, their is no middle ground. Christ made this perfectly clear at his great Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

God has really been working on me for well over six years adjusting my priorities. He first spoke to me through my son, realizing I did not spend any time with him. That was a big part of my testimony when I went against the world and downsized my business in the midst of a booming economy, so I could spend more time with my family. God has continued to sanctify me in the realization of what is important; the removal of all the stuff that cluttered my focus on Him. We are about to sell our big house, and hope to simplify life even more. In this simplicity is found peace. Peace is not found in 90hr weeks to pay for the house, the boat, the car, the next toy that gets your attention. Peace is found in a heart that pursues God and the things of him daily. Matthew 6:33 Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. All you have to do is to put all your focus and energies on God and he will take care of the rest of your needs, for eternity.

 
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Posted by on April 12, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Get to work

08 Apr

Get to work

Ephesians 2:8-10    For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Yesterday I had three instances where Ephesian 2 came before me. Very early this morning I was tossing and turning getting sick; I felt God speak to me about “In His hands”. I have not slept all night, and have been thinking about what He was pressing on me. In Ephesians Two, the central meaning of the gift of the gospel is stated in verses eight and nine. God’s grace is what allowed you access to Him, through the giving of His Son to pay the penalty of your sins. There is no way you will ever do enough good works to earn access to God. If you think that you can earn access to God, you are saying you are better than the perfect sacrifice He gave; you feel your good deeds outweigh Christ’s blood…..really?

Verse ten speaks of that grace that follows the act of Salvation; you have been born again, renewed by that grace through Christ’s blood and you are a new man. Paul speaks much about becoming that new man that Christ created you to be in his letter to Ephesus. Ephesians 4:22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Matthew Henry writes: “Yet God, in his new creation, has designed and prepared us for good works: Created unto good works, with a design that we should be fruitful in them.” Our new man is created by His hand to live a life producing good works.

The apostle James spoke much about the faith and works debate. James understood that we are not saved by our works, but our salvation is to produce good works. James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. We are called by Christ to produce fruit, to make disciples, to live a life in pursuit of Him. If we live a life in true pursuit of Him, the natural product of that pursuit will be good works. We will feel that tug to share what we now possess as a new man in Christ. Jesus spoke to these good works that a come as a result of abiding in Him in John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. Is their evidence in your daily life that you are producing good works as a child of His? Let there be no doubt that you are called to live a life producing good works to honor His name and sacrifice. That is what His hands designed the new creation for, that has been born again of the water and Spirit. John 3:7

 
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Posted by on April 8, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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It is all about the hope

06 Apr

It is all about the hope

Ephesians 1:17-19     that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

The apostle Paul had been called by Christ to spread the gospel to the Gentiles. The Gentiles were simply those nations that were not of Jewish descent. The Jews had lived as God’s promised people throughout history, and those outside their culture came to understand that. But Paul was teaching that Christ, the Son of their God, was now available to everyone. He was teaching that Christ had died on a Cross to pay for everyone’s sins, and to make Himself, by the grace of His Father, available to everyone. Those that feared the Jewish God, could now be accepted, welcomed,  and free to worship Him. They got it; they got what Paul was preaching, and their hearts were stirred by God in their pursuit of Him. 18a the eyes of your understanding being enlightened.

The false teacher throughout the day taught of special sects, only the privileged or selected could gain access to God. Christ paid the price for all; none are special, but all are special that step forward with a humble heart to answer that call that God places on it. If you have felt that tug on your heart, and denied it for any reason, you will pay for your mistake eternally. God chose you, he is pursuing you, and how you respond has eternal consequence. If you respond  with a humble repentant heart, your life will never be the same. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

The gift of the Holy Spirit is Christ living inside of you. The Spirit is the one who brings understanding to the things of God. He begins to open your eyes and mind to the scriptures that seemingly had no meaning before. The light goes on above your head with “ah-ha” moments in what He shows to you. He begins to show you how he has been at work all around you; you just never noticed before. He puts Godly influences in your life to speak words of wisdom to you as messengers of God. He orchestrates coincidences that are better described as, God orchestrated circumstances. All of these place the hope of eternity with Him in you. 18b that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. This eternal hope is what is needed in a world far from God. This hope of your eternal blessing and life guaranteed with Him will allow you to handle your short time here. There is nothing you cannot face that the hope that lies within you cannot overcome as a child of His.

 
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Posted by on April 6, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Hard Bottom

05 Apr

Hard Bottom

2 Corinthians 12:9-10   But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (ESV)

Yesterday I spent some time in an online course in Hermeneutics, which is how to study the Bible. I also spent some time reading a great book by David Platt, who’s heart lies in discipleship and evangelism. It became evident how these two intertwined; the heart of a disciple and the provision of God in His Word for all they need. All throughout the Bible are the evidences of how God miraculously provided for His people in relation to their faith; especially when that faith is rooted in His Word. We must’t respond or rely on emotion, but on the promises written in His Word for our benefit. Satan lies in our questioning God’s Word; “did God really mean?” Platt made a great point to beware of teachers that use that phrase, for that phrase was when man fell into sin in the garden of Eden at the beginning of time.

Paul was speaking of how He had been given great revelations; of how he could easily rest on them and preach a good word rooted in his pride. Of how God had allowed a thorn in his flesh to keep him humble; Satan meant it for evil and God meant it for good. Paul came to realize that in all his problems, he could glorify God. In everything he faced it could draw him closer to the One who was extended him grace through it. When we are struggling with anything, Satan comes in and attempt to plant doubt. He tries to weaken our faith; he is the ultimate deceiver, and if we let him we will take our eyes of God and the promises in His Word. But if we go to God in his Word and prayer, we gain strength and provision to fight the enemy. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Platt also wrote about one of my favorite chapters in the Bible; John 15. This chapter is where we are taught about abiding; a state of being IN Christ. In this chapter we are told of the relationship we should seek with our Savior, of a life focused on that relationship. Outside of the qualifications of a disciple found in John 15 is a scary place to be. But being found in that abiding relationship is the answer to all you need to accomplish the life and work He has planned for you. John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If you try to rest on the religiosity that comes on Sundays alone, you are not abiding or living your life as a disciple. The troubles you face, you face alone in your power, not the grace of God. Humble your heart and seek Him daily. Seek to grow into what He has given you with the power to be as a disciple of His. In that is found everything you need; for even when you are at your weakest point, your strength lies in Him.

 
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Posted by on April 5, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Spiritual cleansing

04 Apr

Spiritual cleansing

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

I am really trying to draw near to God right now. In a whole hearted pursuit, denial of self, seeking an intimacy to be able to hear God’s voice speaking to me. I have a big load on my back that He has placed there, and I do not want to rely on my own abilities for the solutions to it. I understand what He brings me to, he will deliver me through. I know that he uses prayer, his Word, and his servants to speak to me, and I do not want to miss any of those opportunities. I am trying to cleanse myself from all the dirt walking in this world stains me with. Every day comes more distractions, more grime to clog your mind, placed there by the enemy to keep your eyes off Christ. It is good to take a spiritual bath, a cleansing if you will from time to time. When was the last time you did all you could to live for God?

Walking in the light that John describes is that intimacy with God. The fellowship is gained both with God and other believers, all that is strengthening to us. John had begun this passage speaking to the hypocrisy of his day, of how people would say one thing and yet live another. The lofty claims, and the sin filled lives. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. God’s light represents his knowledge and purity; it was a reflection of the Old Testament teachings of that representation of God as light. You cannot claim this intimacy and live for this world. If your life revolves around decisions based on your next venture, your next purchase, your self worth in the eyes of others; you are not walking in the light with God. You are lying to yourself.

The closer you walk with God the more the revelation of your sin becomes evident to you. Light dis-spells darkness, and His light will reveal what you try to hide from others. The closer you become to Christ, the more you feel the weight of your sin, and the more you are led to repentance before Him. This continual repentant heart is a heart that realizes the magnitude of God’s grace in sacrificing His Son. This heart is moved closer to God in thanksgiving for that sacrifices. John 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. These are the keys to living a abiding life in Christ. When you seek God and not the things of this world, He will draw you closer, and your answers to that pursuit will allow you to gain that fellowship that John describes. It can all start today, for you are not guaranteed tomorrow.

 
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Posted by on April 4, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Nooowww I get it.

03 Apr

Nooowww I get it.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Christ was telling his disciples of the days to come, of his death, of their betrayal, of Him leaving them to return to heaven. In all of this they became afraid, for they did not understand the meaning of all of this. But wrapped up in all of this was a promise; a promise of the Holy Spirit that was coming to be with them. They did not even understand how great that gift was, but the Spirit was about to open their minds and understanding to the things of God, and the things that Christ had been telling them. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. It all would soon make sense when their minds were opened to the things of God.

Do you remember a time in your life that the Bible did not make sense to you? Do you have friends that are lost that don’t understand the Bible; that claim it was just a book written by men? Now that you have repented of your sin and accepted Christ as your savior, you now desire to read your Bible, and the same pages bring understanding into your heart. That is the Holy Spirit living inside you revealing the scriptures to you as in John 14:26 above. 1 Corinthians 2:10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. The apostle Paul teaches much about this in 1 Corinthians 2:1-15. You must understand that the Spirit is God living inside you; a member of the Holy Trinity coming to dwell with you; you are a temple of the Holy Spirit. An understanding of that brings about a new revelation of how you go about your day when you realize you are in God’s presence all day.

God can do great works in the salvation of a lost soul when the humble heart desires Him by opening His word and seeking Him. He can reveal himself to the previously blind in the pages of his Holy book that the lost soul had read before. He can save a soul from the pit of hell when one truly, humbly, seeks Him there. But, with a hardened heart the Bible will all make no sense; it will be a seemingly book of no meaning to that person. 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. In this book is found the peace in life that the world cannot understand or take away. In this book are found the words and promises of God that bring about hope for eternity, and peace for the day, with the understanding He is in control of all of it.

 
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Posted by on April 3, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Paddle, paddle, paddle…….

02 Apr

Paddle, paddle, paddle…….

Philippians 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,

My best friend told me in ministry one of the hardest things to do, is to know what not to say. When I gave my testimony a few weeks back I understood what he meant. I struggle with it in this ministry; I know God is allowing these trials in my life, but I struggle with how much to reveal. In my pride I am a contained person; even those closest to me do not know the level of my struggles, I do not wish to reveal them for they have their own burdens. Only God truly knows what I hide behind smiles. I am trying to draw near to God right now for discernment, clarity, and wisdom for these paths I am on. Those big things in life that affect more than just you; they affect those around you. The things that keep you awake, and occupy your mind during the day. Only God knows the level of struggles, and only God can get help you get through them.

I want to have the apostle Paul’s attitude; he understood every single thing in his life flowed through God’s hands and it could be used to draw glory to God. Paul wrote Philippians from prison, and in prison God was glorified. 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. God was using Paul in prison to reach into the Roman military and royal courts. To his fellow brethren on the outside, he was inspiring. They heard of how he was preaching in prison, and that was what had landed him there to begin with. His faith was so strong he feared no man. His life, strength, and focus is found in Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Paul knew that God had his feet where He wanted him for that day. He was to remain there and preach the gospel wherever he was for that day. Paul was in the center of God’s Will for him.

I can just about guarantee that most of you are struggling in some way too. It is seemingly becoming a mark of a Christian to be struggling now. There comes with that an understanding that you are not of this world, and of how this world is headed downstream away from God. You must be constantly fighting against this world to swim upstream to keep your eyes and heart on Him. The enemy will provide you all the comforts of this world to keep your eyes off God. Living in this world and the ways of it, are much easier than living for the promises after it; but in this life determines the rewards, or punishment of it, for eternity.

 
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Posted by on April 2, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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