Giving God the Glory!

 “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down,

I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”

John 21:14

Jesus did many, many miracles that were recorded and that we, centuries later, remain in awe of.

He walked on water, He turned water into wine, He calmed the storm, He raised the dead and the list goes on and on...well beyond what was recorded!

What might Jesus have done that never made it into the written record?

We likely will never know this side of heaven, left only to speculate.

In any event we are told elsewhere in the scripture that because Jesus went to the Father and sent the gift of the Holy Spirit to us that we would do greater works. One could argue that these ‘greater works’ are greater than the unrecorded miracles of Jesus.

So that, if we see miracles done at the hands of believers today in Jesus’ Name that we do not have recorded in scripture we need not necessarily fear that they are not truly acting in Jesus’ Name.

Are the miracles consistent in principal with the Word of God?

Are they bringing glory to God or does ‘flesh’ receive the honor?

Just something to consider as we live in the days that we do and

the enemy of God tries to appear as an ‘angel of light’.

“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”

II Corinthians 11:14

Let us walk wisely and in a way that gives God all the glory!

Are Some Introductions in Order?

“This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.”

John 21:14

 

In John 21:14 we are told Jesus had appeared to the disciples for the 3^rd time after His resurrection.

None of these appearances was ‘scheduled’ or expected by the disciples but each was at Jesus’ own choosing.

While we cannot ‘command’ an appearance by Jesus we must, at the same time, realize that His presence is with us at all times.

He declared: “I will never leave you, I will never forsake you.”

Are people around you desperate?

You carry the answer within you!

Are those you ae around confused?

You carry His wisdom!

Are people you rub shoulders with every day lost and without hope?

You carry the presence of the Hope of the Ages within you!

Let that sink in.

Then let me ask you – are some introductions in order?

Kingdom Constitution

Today’s blog post was contributed by David Trotta:

Most countries in the world have adopted a constitution (body of fundamental principles) they choose to be governed by.  Each constitution is different depending on the desires of that country.

The Kingdom of Heaven also has a “constitution” of sorts.  It’s called the bible.

Can you imagine living in the United States, but trying to follow the Belgium Constitution?  Or can you imagine living in Brazil, but trying to follow the US Constitution?  It would be difficult to say the least, because the fundamental principles by which the country is governed is different than the principles you are trying to live by.

Yet, as Christians and citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, we often live our lives by the world’s philosophy, instead of a Kingdom philosophy.  They are quite different.  Jesus points out some of those contrasts in the Matthew, chapter 5:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (v1)

“Blessed are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.” (v3)

 “Blessed are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.” (v8)

Much of our world’s philosophy is in direct contradiction to the above verses.  Value is placed on being significant, instead of insignificant.  Indulgence is celebrated, instead of self-control. Godly character is looked down upon as out of touch and irrelevant.

Which set of principles (constitution) will you live by?  To experience all God has for us as His children and citizens of His kingdom, there is only one choice.

Are You Listening Today?

 “Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

John 20:16

There are those who say they believe in God, but their belief is in some distant, cold force at work in the universe.

In John 20:10-18 Mary encounters Jesus at the tomb.

Because Jesus had not yet ascended to the Father, Mary does not recognize Him in whatever ‘form’ His physical body had taken.

She actually mistook Him for the gardener.

Then Jesus, the God of the universe, but also Her Lord and Her friend, called her by name.

Immediately she knew who it was!

God knows each of us by name too.

He calls out to each of us – calling us to Himself and to a life filled with purpose.

Sometimes we disbelieve the call of His voice, at other times we discount it as someone or something else.

Most often, though, we are simply too distracted by our own cares and concerns that we fail to hear His call.

Are you listening today?

Let this song minister truth to you -

https://youtu.be/ZtlDVleJBtA

Come Out, Come out Wherever You Are!

 “Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.”

John 19:34-42

The ‘secret’ disciples Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimethea sometimes take heat from others for not being ‘public’ with their faith.

Yet they both took the lead at Jesus’ death when Peter, James, John and the rest went into hiding.

They certainly went ‘public’ to ask for the body of Jesus, then preparing it for burial and finally, in providing the garden tomb.

Certainly God knew that had the twelve tried to take his body the

‘they made it look like He resurrected’ conspirators would have clamored even more than they already had.

No, God kept them in ‘hiding’ for the time that they would be called upon to publicly identify with Jesus.

And when that time came, they certainly did!

When the twelve went into hiding they came out of hiding.

Because Gods’ purposes would need to be fulfilled!

They were used by God and blessed by Him for their courage and willingness to publicly declare their love for Him.

Is it time for you to come out of hiding?

The Green Eyed Monster

“Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,

    but who can stand before jealousy?”

Proverbs 27:4

Certainly one of the greater dangers “hidden from view” in this verse is that jealousy can be covert.

It can be stealthy, hidden below the surface creating its havoc and damage.

Anger and fury, on the other hand, are seldom hidden.

They are usually more evident to and there is little ‘secretive’ about them.

Some people are very “out there” when it comes to their feelings and emotions.

While it may make them more difficult to deal with at times, their positions are clear!

They are neither hidden nor below the surface.

Jealousy can be less obvious.

It can hide in our hearts undetected but destructive.

It can impact our lives and the lives of those around us, and that, without an apparent cause.

Perhaps that is why the writer asks:

“...who can stand before jealousy?”

Don’t allow this bitter fruit in your life.

Ask God to replace it with a thankful and contented heart.

Apply the Lessons of Life!

“I applied my heart to what I observed

    and learned a lesson from what I saw:”

Proverbs 24:32

It is so easy to be busy with the circumstances of life

 – rushing here and there –

that we seldom take time to observe and see and then learn and apply to our own lives.

“Observe and see what?” you ask.

Exactly the point!

There are lessons that can be learned every day through simply observing and seeing what is going on around you.

Step back for a moment.

What can that confrontation at work teach you?

How can you apply that lesson to grow and mature in your life?

How about the quiet kindness you saw one person do for another?

Let it be an opportunity to remind you of kindnesses you too can share with others.

Sometimes we move so quickly from ‘seeing’ and ‘observing’ to ‘judging’ and ‘sentencing’ others that we miss the wisdom of applying and learning in our own lives.

Many will remind you not to let life pass you by.

That is true – but let’s also remember not to let the lessons of life go unapplied!

Symbol of Freedom

Today’s blog post is contributd by David Trotta:

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of hope to the rest of the world.

For many decades, people from all over the world have sailed past the Statue of Liberty on their way to America.  They fled from countries where tyranny, poverty, and hopelessness was a way of life to live in America, where freedom, opportunity, and safety abound.

To those people, the Statue of Liberty represented that place where a better life was offered.

As Christians, the Spirit of God dwells within us, so wherever we go, the Spirit of God also goes.  And wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

As citizens of the Kingdom of God, we are called to be a living statue of liberty pointing people who are lost and bound to the Kingdom of God where love, forgiveness, healing, and freedom abound.

God is drawing people away from a life of hopelessness.  Who can you be the Statue of Liberty to this week? 

Looking in the Mirror

“Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus.

Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.”

John 18:15-16

 

It is interesting to me that in the two verses above the other unnamed disciple was immediately allowed into the High Priests court while Peter initially was not. Was this other disciple as outspoken as Peter had been in times past?

Probably not!

Why do we sometimes face trials that others in the same boat seem to skip?

I believe that because God knows men’s hearts, He knew there was something about Peter that had to be revealed to Peter himself.

We are sometimes unwilling to admit some things about ourselves until we come face-to-face with the behavior or attitude in a moment of personal crisis.

Peter had boldly declared in front of many witnesses that he would never deny Christ yet his words failed to match his actions.

Peter was confronted that night by his own failure.

I believe God allowed the test of Peter’s words that night to show him what was in his own heart.

This also served as an opportunity to later reveal to Peter the profound love, grace and forgiveness of God.

That same profound love, grace and forgiveness that is available to all of us!

Stomach Upset?

 “From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;

    with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.”

Proverbs 18:20

So how is your stomach?

Are you full?

Did you fill up on honey or vinegar?

“...out of his belly will flow rivers of living water...”

John 7:38

The words that Jesus spoke were life giving.

Our words can also be life giving.

Has your tongue been transformed?

If your stomach is filled with the fruit of your mouth do you need an antacid for it because of the words you speak?

Enjoy a full and content stomach, without upset,

by changing the words of your mouth.

How do you do that?

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Let God create in you a clean heart and a heart overflowing in the abundance of His love, grace and mercy.

Then you will see your words transformed!

It is a work of sanctification accomplished through

 cooperation between you and the Holy Spirit.

Follow Me?

“Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,

    but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.”

Proverbs 10:17

Everyone’s life is an example!

Yours and mine included.

Saying we are not does not change that fact.

Some are poor examples to follow and may even loudly tell you that they are not influencing anyone else to follow in their footsteps.

Maybe that sounds a bit noble on their part but it is simply not true.

We can show others the way to life or we can lead them astray by how we choose to deal with discipline and correction.

          There is a significant portion of the population – some of them even follow Christ – whose best effort at correction is to blame someone else.

“It is the fault of him, her and them but certainly not me” they declare!

Living that life before your children, co-workers or friends sends a clear message to them.

But another message that is certainly nobler is that of personal responsibility.

It is also rarer.  

Live in the rarified air of personal responsibility.

Take credit, but, be willing also to take blame when it is warranted.

In doing so you will show others the way to life.

Are You Guiding Others?

“So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees.

They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.”

John 18:3

As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to be His witnesses.

Our lives should guide others to Jesus so that

they will surrender their lives to Him!

Judas guided people to Jesus in order to betray Him.

Those he guided to Him, arrested Him,

persecuted and ultimately had Him crucified.

Are you guiding other people to Jesus?

What is your life revealing about Him to others?

Are those following you carrying their burdens to Him to lay them

down at His feet or are they carrying weapons to come against Christ?

We have been given the wonderful ministry of reconciliation.

We have the privilege of guiding others with our words,

our actions and our lives.

Daily, we can guide those who are lost, hurting or bewildered to the only one who has the answers they need to make sense and purpose out of their lives.

Are you guiding others to Jesus today?

A Kingdom Moment

Today’s blog post is contributed by David Trotta:

Philosopy - the most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group.

As we learned this week, our philosophy is either aligned to the world or aligned to the Kingdom of God.

A world philosophy puts limitations on our life.  To live a life without limits we must stop living our life by the world’s philosophy and start living our life by the Kingdom of God’s philosophy.

Peter is a classic example of someone with a Kingdom of God philosophy.  In Matthew 14: 28-29 we read Peter replied to Him, “Lord, if it is really You, command me to come to You on the water.” He said, “Come!” So Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

Peter’s Kingdom of God philosophy allowed him to walk on water, even if for a brief period.  The other eleven disciples stayed in the boat where it appeared to be safer, but who do you think had a bigger grin on his face afterwards?

I can imagine Peter describing the feeling as the other disciples listened intently.  They had the knowledge of the miracle that had just occurred, but Peter had the experience.  The feeling you get watching someone jump out of an airplane is much different than actually jumping out of an airplane yourself.

Learn to live your life with a Kingdom of God philosophy and you will be more likely to recognize the Kingdom moments when they are presented, just like Peter did.

I can’t help but think that Peter’s Kingdom moment on the boat paved the way for many other Kingdom moments in his life.  What about you?  Do you want a Kingdom moment?  It all starts with a Kingdom of God philosophy.

Limited by the Resources of Heaven

“Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,

Ephesians 3:20 (Amplified)

Your life is limited or unlimited based on the philosophy that you choose to live your life through.

A worldly philosophy is limited, while a Kingdom philosophy is unlimited.

You make the choice.

So many people look at those who follow Christ and say it is nothing more than a series of ‘do’s and don’ts’!

Sadly, we, as the church, have been partly to blame by misrepresenting the Kingdom to the World.

We have lived far below our inheritance and often settled for a hybrid philosophy that picks and chooses from both.

But God...

He is bringing new understanding to the church and reminding us that we are seated in heavenly places and our ‘limits’ are the very resources of heaven.

May He pour us out as a blessing upon those who have lived in the only within the limits of a fallen world.  

You Are Not in it Alone

“Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,

Ephesians 3:20 (Amplified)

The philosophy of the Kingdom of God can be summed up in the Sermon on the Mount, or more specifically in the Beatitudes.

We find that at its foundation is Truth based on the Word of God.

The focus of the Christian philosophy is an others-centered view of existence.

Our motivation is that our lives are God’s to do with as He will with a goal of living my life to please God.

We find these (foundation, focus, motive and goal) stand in stark contrast to the worldly philosophy we looked at previously.

The wonderful news is that we do not turn over a new leaf or make resolutions to change from one to the other.

The Holy Spirit comes alongside to guide us in the process of transformation and sanctification.

That is a wonderful promise we have from the Lord.

You are not in it alone!

As a matter of fact I cannot live the life described in the Beatitudes apart from the Spirit of God empowering me.

Each and every day thank God for the equipping and empowering that is done in your life through the work of the Holy Spirit in you!

A More Excellent Way

“Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,

Ephesians 3:20 (Amplified)

Previously, we looked at how our philosophy shapes us.

What is the common philosophy of the world?

At its foundation are facts based solely on science.

If you can’t prove it, it doesn’t exist.

That, of course, leaves no room for the divine, the supernatural or miracles.

The focus of the worldly philosophy is a self-centered view of existence.

Me first, me last and me always.

It is easy to see how that is contrary to what Jesus taught and lived.

It is also easy to see how futile that philosophy will be in solving problems.

The worldly philosophy is motivated by the belief that my life is mine to do with as I want.

No one can tell me otherwise!

That leads to a goal of living my life to please me – it little matters what others want or need.

Don’t agree with my goals?

Then I’ll divorce you, quit the job or break the law,

whatever works for me!

Does any of this sound familiar?

It probably does because it is being lived out by most every day.

There is a better way – or – as the Bible puts it “...a more excellent way.”

Let’s take a look with our next visit together.

Your Philosophy

“Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,

Ephesians 3:20 (Amplified)

Philosophy

Leave it to Plato, Aristotle and Socrates?

What about you?

You have a philosophy for life.

Yes, you do.

It’s seen in how you spend your time, what you do with your life and what matters most to you.

A textbook definition for philosophy is:

the most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual

What are your basic beliefs?

Perhaps many would say – “I haven’t really thought about it.”

I hope that is not your response.

As a follower of Christ our philosophy needs to be rooted in the word of God.

The philosophy we live by will determine how we treat others, how we want to be treated by them and most importantly – what we think concerning God.

Philosophy

Don’t leave it to others...

Stay Grounded or Fly

Today’s blog post is contributed by David Trotta:

From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)

In the early 1900s, I’m sure a lot of naysayers laughed at the Wright brothers as they tried to get their contraption to defy gravity and fly.  I’m guessing the brothers even had their own person doubts and feeling of discouragement from time to time.  I wonder how many times they felt like throwing in the towel.

Yet they stayed the course, and because of that, millions of people crisscross the globe every day without touching the ground.  The Wright brothers wouldn’t let anyone put limits on their lives.  They believed in what they were doing.

Earlier this week we learned that our personal culture (how we think) sets the limits on our lives.  We have the presence of God living inside us, and because of that, it is our destiny to live beyond our natural lives.

The question is, will we change our old way of thinking and see God’s greater purpose for our lives?  Will we choose to live without self or other-imposed limitations?

Others tried to put limitations on the Wright brothers, but they resisted, and because of that they learned to fly.

God is calling us to soar too, but in order to do so, we have to be willing to repent of our worldly personal culture with its limitations and align our thinking with the kingdom of God. 

What’s at stake?  Jesus said the “kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  How you believe will determine if you stay grounded in this worldly kingdom or learn to fly as a citizen of God’s kingdom.

Stop the Spin Cycle

“From that time Jesus began to preach and say,

“Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking,

regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance;

seek God’s purpose for your life],

for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 4:17 (Amplified)

We have probably all heard of the definition of repentance that says it is a 180 degree turn in our behaviors from where we were headed to where we are headed.

While that is an accurate description of repentance perhaps you wonder sometimes: “Why do I seem to be constantly turning 180 degrees.”

In other words, you ask, why does it feel like I am going in circles in my journey with Christ?”

Because changing our actions is only half the picture.

The root of the problem is our thinking.

If we only change our action and do not change our thinking we will repeat and repeat and repeat those things we do not want to repeat.

Jesus spoke of changing in the inward man.

When we do that through changing our thinking then the outward actions begin to change.

It does not work the other way around.

The ‘other way around’ method will keep us going in circles!

Repentance is more than feeling sorry for what you did.

While that may be a good start it must be followed with the change in your thinking that causes you to conform to the will of God for your life in that area you struggle with.

That stop the spin cycle!

A New Picture Emerging

“You are the one who put me together inside my mother’s body,

and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me.

Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt.”

Psalm 139:13-14 (CEV)

Let a friend snap a picture of you.

Now take that photo to one of those kiosks at the mall or send it to a website and have them create a 500 piece puzzle out of that photo.

Allow that puzzle to serve as a reminder of this –

The meaning of a personal culture is: a system of thoughts attitudes, behaviors and practices that naturally flow out of my life.

Now think of each individual puzzle piece as one of those thoughts, attitudes, etc...

Those are what make you, you...how you think, what guides your choices and decisions, what satisfies you in life.

Don’t like the picture or see room for some changes?

Guess where you need to start?

With the one who created you!

His view of us may look quite different from the puzzle picture we have put together on our own.

Start by asking Him to reveal your true identity through His word.

Let that picture begin to form in your thoughts and actions.

Watch how the picture puzzle begins to change, piece by piece...