What a Privilege!

“they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing

in this service to the Lord’s people.”

II Corinthians 8:4

What a privilege it is to carry the Good News of the Gospel.

What can compare?

We carry the most wonderful news that could ever be given or received.

Some will scoff, some will reject but some will receive the message we carry.

We cannot choose for another what they will do with that message.

Our responsibility is to faithfully carry it to the ends of the earth.

I was reminded of this privilege as we prepare to receive children from the community to minister the love of Christ on the same night many will minister anything but the message of the Gospel.

As we closed our prep time in prayer one of the ladies expressed her excitement at the opportunity we had been given.

It is a good thing to remember both the privilege and the responsibility.

We are entrusted with a message of grace and a message of divine love for all.

Take a few moments when you finish reading this and thank God for the ministry of reconciliation – the Gospel of the Kingdom that He has entrusted to you.

We do well to often marvel in Him partnering with us to see others brought into the Kingdom.

Amen?

Amen!

I am Thrilled for You!

“Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy],

 and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].”

Romans 12:15 (Amplified)

Can you rejoice when others are blessed?

When others are hurting through tragic events in their lives can you weep with them?

Can you share in the joy or the grief of others?

Sadly, today many cannot because we so often isolate ourselves from others.

When they rejoice – we become jealous instead of sharing in that joy.

When their hearts are heavy we secretly think to ourselves – better them than me.

But we are called to be a compassionate people.

We are to be as joyful at their success as if it were our own.

We truly must grieve with them over events that weigh them down.

Ironically, social media has done more to contribute to our isolation than it has to bring us together.

We sit and stare at a screen rather than face-to-face with our neighbors.

Our conversations and interactions take place from one keyboard or screen swipe to another.

We are called to a better way.

Will you rejoice today with those who rejoice?

Can you weep with those who weep?

Reach out today to someone who needs to know you are there for them!

A Whole Lot of Insulting Going On!

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

I Peter 3:9

There’s a whole lot of insulting going on!

We think we are justified in repaying evil with evil or insult for insult.

You may even feel inclined to say:

“Well, after all, the Bible does say an eye for an eye...”

Yes, it does but that was under the law and not under grace.

Do you really want to live under the law?

Let me answer that for you – No, you certainly do not!

In so many places today we hear insults to others:

the political arena, the workplace and yes, even in our churches.

Shame on us if we practice that type of ‘repayment plan’.

It is not the pattern we are taught as followers of Christ.

Peter reminds us that we are to be like our Master, we are to repay evil with good.

We are to bless those who curse us.

It may not always be easy but it is always right.

Jesus’ words – “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” – are such a poignant reminder to us that He has called us to behave in a way that He modeled for us under circumstances where it certainly might seem justifiable to react in a hundred different ways other than forgiveness.

Yet that is exactly what Jesus did and what He has called us to do.

So today, if by chance, someone is less than kind to you – consider your response and bite your tongue if you are inclined to insult and not bless.

Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of what each of us is called to do! 

One Bad Apple...?

“Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,

    but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.”

Proverbs 10:17

Contrary to the old saying you have probably heard – one bad apple can spoil the bunch and bad company does corrupt good morals.

How do you respond to discipline or correction?

Do you resent it?

Does it make you dig in your heels and take your own way regardless of those who counsel otherwise?

Or do you humbly receive words meant to redirect a wrong direction you may be headed in or a poor choice you are about to make?

Peers, friends and acquaintances, even family, can bring influence that leads to life or leads astray.

More importantly though is that you can be that one who listens well to correction and by so doing show others the way to life.

It is so simple to buck correction and discipline.

We can offer a million and one reasons why we refuse it.

But the reward of receiving it in your life is that it is then multiplied from you to others.

You can be the one who shows others the way to life.

Don’t reject discipline or turn away from correction.

Others are counting on you.

Words – The Fingerprint of our Heart

“Keep your mouth free of perversity;

    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.”

Proverbs 4:24

May I ask you a personal question?

Do you use mouth wash?

“Why, of course!” you say – “Why do you ask?”

Well, how about a mouth wash that rinses away perversity and corrupt talk?

There isn’t a mouth wash on the market capable of doing that!

How do we accomplish it?

If the words Jesus spoke are true – and certainly they are – then it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.

Our talk is a reflection of our heart.

What we meditate on, what we cherish and value will eventually make its way out of us through our words.

Our talk is like a ‘fingerprint’ of our heart, revealing our true identity.  

Do you want to follow the counsel given in today’s verse?

It can only be accomplished with a new heart given as we surrender our all to Christ combined with the on-going sanctification work of the Holy Spirit.

Have you surrendered your all?

Love and Faithfulness

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

    bind them around your neck,

    write them on the tablet of your heart.”

Proverbs 3:3

Jesus said “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

Today’s verse from the Book of Proverbs carries, in part, some similar words.

We are admonished to never let love and faithfulness to leave us.

They are not to be cyclical, seasonal or present when the ‘mood’ strikes us.

Love and faithfulness are not to be turned on and off in our life like a light switch.

On for those we like and off for those we don’t.

We are not given that option.

We are to love at all times.

We are to remain faithful even in the face of faithlessness from others.

We have no less than Jesus as our example.

He did not turn back at the Garden of Gethsemane knowing full well what He would soon face.

His love for us and His love for the Father drew Him forward to face the unspeakable punishment He would take for our sin.

That is love!

He pours His love into us that we might love others as He has loved us.

Will you take the time today to consider that admonition –

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you...”

Path of Safety or Trail of Trouble?

“The path of the virtuous leads away from evil;

    whoever follows that path is safe.”

Proverbs 15:5

He is headed for trouble who is headed headlong with evil intent.

But there is an alternative.

The path of the virtuous goes in a different direction, one which leads away from evil.

There is safety for you when you follow the virtuous path.

Whether we are talking virtue as in sexual behavior, business plans or anything else; you can choose a path of safety or a trail of trouble.

I think of those who say they want to live in safety but court wrong directions in their life.

When they reap the consequences they are quick to blame God, not recognizing that they are eating the fruit of the seeds they themselves have sewn.

But those who walk along the path of righteousness live in safety.

They have followed a sure and stable path!

Any Way You Slice It!

“A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,

    but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.”

Proverbs 15:5

Are you teachable?

Are you able to be disciplined?

Maybe you are reading this and thinking to yourself:

“Well, I’m a parent or a grandparent and am too old to be disciplined.”

But the truth of the matter is as long as we are in the flesh we are prone to mistakes (aka – sin) and therefore we are never too old to be taken to the woodshed.

Maybe it won’t be your mom or dad any longer.

It could be a boss, it could be a family member, it might even be a Pastor or your heavenly Father that applies the rod of discipline.

If your pride reared up at the mention of any of those you might not be as teachable as you think!

It is easy to justify our mistakes, it is tougher to surrender to the correction that follows.

But thank God, He brings correction.

It is the wise person, regardless of age or social standing, who receives it.

Remember the last portion of today’s verse in particular...

“...whoever heeds correction shows prudence.” (NIV)

“...But he who [is willing to learn and] regards and keeps in mind a reprimand acquires good sense. (Amplified)

“...welcoming correction is a mark of good sense.” (The Message)

“...whoever learns from correction is wise.” (NLT)

So you see, any way you slice it, it makes good sense!

Friend of God

The Bible has much to say about friends and friendship’

Below you will find just a sampling of some of those scriptures to consider and meditate on when considering who your friends are and to whom you are a friend.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

Proverbs 17:17

“The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs.”

Acts 27:3

“Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.”

Job 6:14

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

John 15:13

“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

Proverbs 12:26

Going Up?

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on

toward love and good deeds,”

Hebrews 10:24

There are two choices in an elevator.

Up or Down.

Sideways is not an option.

How about friends?

Do you choose friends that will elevate your standards?

In other words, friends that challenge you to do better.

It is a good thing to surround yourself with people who always provoke you to do better and reach higher.

A ‘repeat offender’ for a friend and accountability partner is not a good idea.

Please understand – we all have struggles in life and will go through challenges.

So will those we have as friends.

But the man or woman who is always down and out with no motivation to turn things around in their own life will not be the one to elevate your walk.

Remember the elevator can go both up and down.

Choose friends that will push the “Up” button in your life.

Choosing Friends Wisely

“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

I Corinthians 15:33

I think a legitimate question you might ask after reading today’s verse is:

“Who’s the misleader?”

Who would mislead you into believing that bad company has no impact on character?

Those who want to hang with you but don’t want to change their own character.

They are content to do those things that do not strengthen a man but bring him down.

They want to be an influencer but not for good!

So let’s not be misled.

Let’s understand that character does matter.

Let’s be deliberate and wise in choosing our friends.

It cannot simply be those who have something in common.

I am a 63 year old man living in the United States so it is safe to say that I have that much in common with many other men.

But not all who share my birth year or citizenship would make good friends.

So how do we choose friends carefully?

Well, certainly one thing to do is to have friends who are heading in the same direction you are; that is to say – those who encourage you and strengthen you in your walk with God.

Does that mean all your friends are followers of Christ?  

No.

But they know what matters to you and will have your best interests at heart.

They will not demean or disrespect what is important in your life.

There are other things to consider in choosing friends wisely and we shall dig deeper as we continue to look at this topic this week.

The Influence of Friends

“As iron sharpens iron,

    so one person sharpens another.”

Proverbs 27:17

For good or for bad – friends influence you.

An old proverb – not in scripture but true just the same – says:

“Show me with whom you walk and I will show you who you are.”

Talk about a revelation!

The scripture from Proverbs above should serve as a warning to us.

Be careful who you hang around with.

Be choosey when it comes to your friends.

Now let’s not get confused.

We should always extend ourselves to be friendly but we need not allow people into that close fellowship with us who are an evil influence.

I should be courteous, respectful and kind to all.

But, I cannot and should not have just anyone as a friend.

If we are told to guard our hearts, it only makes sense that we also are cautious concerning those who can most influence our heart.

Choose wisely!

I Go to the Rock!

“Truly he is my rock and my salvation;

    he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

Psalm 62:2

I will never be shaken!

Can you honestly make that declaration?

Many boast of being able to, but when something happens to rock their world the words that they once boasted in can no longer be heard.

Like a ‘fair weather friend’ they abandon the Lord faster than you can say ‘amen’!

Honestly, I think we are all guilty of it.

That makes His faithfulness to us all the more marvelous.

I stand in awe of one who has promised –

Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you.

When I am shaken and afraid or when I am in doubt or unfaithful, He remains faithful!

That is why the Psalmist could confidently say of Him –

He is my rock, my salvation and my fortress.

Do you need a fortress today?

Do you need a place of protection and defense?

Maybe you just need a place of rest and quiet.

He is all those things and so much more.  

He is so worthy of all our praise!

To Tell the Truth

“What is truth?” retorted Pilate...”

John 18:38

What is truth?

It was a question asked of Jesus by Pontius Pilate.

It is a question all of humanity asks in one form or another.

But how do you answer it?

Truth is not relative.

It does not change with the whim of society or to suit a particular point of view.

Nor is the sole possession of any political party or elected leader.

Truth is absolute and it is absolutely found in Jesus Christ.

Here is what He spoke concerning truth:

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus Christ is the truth.

That fact is not changed by those who refuse to believe it.

It is not changed by cultural acceptance or denial.

He is eternally the truth.

Why does it matter?

Because it can be held onto as bedrock when all around us is being shaken.

We spoke previously of holding fast to God.

Be assured in uncertain times that you can confidently hold fast to Him who is truth.  

What is truth?

Jesus Christ is the truth!

Hold Fast To Him

“It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere.

 Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.”

 Deuteronomy 13:4

This verse follows a warning to the Israelites not to be fooled by a prophet who tells you to follow another god even if that prophet foretells of a sign or wonder that comes to pass.

It is dangerous to be ‘star struck’; to revere a man or woman over God Himself.

What would you consider the most incredible sign or wonder?

How would you respond if you saw someone tell you to look for it and it came to pass?

Then, suppose that same person led you away from your devotion to the one, true living God?

You protest – “That could never happen”!

You sound as convincing as Peter denying his denial to Jesus.

But it can happen.

How?

When what we see holds greater influence in our lives than who we believe.  

There is an array of gods you can follow today.

There is only one true God.

So, as the scripture instructs us: “...hold fast to Him.”

No Other Gods

“You shall have no other gods before me.”

 Exodus 20:3

It is a firm command but we have watered it down.

We neuter that word ‘god’ as it were.

We say to ourselves –

“Well. I certainly don’t pray to statues or saints as others do”

Then we go on to routinely place other gods in our life before God.

What of that career, that bank account or even the other person we have placed on a pedestal?

We protest that these things are important.

No one would argue that point.

But when we elevate these things above God, they become gods.

We spoke recently of God never failing, yet all of these other things we so often place above Him fail over and over.

He never will.

We can confidently place Him above all else in our lives.  

No other gods before our God!

Unfailing

“My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

 Psalm 73:26

Have you ever failed?

Of course you have.

Me too!

And, unfortunately it’s not like the clock has to be turned back too far for that failure in my life.

So often it is measured in seconds or minutes rather than hours, days or months.  

We are all less than perfect.

But God NEVER fails.

Turn the clock back eternally and there still is no evidence of God failing.

That is why David could acknowledge God as his strength and his portion.

Because we fail we have a hard time understanding how we could say of anyone that they never fail.

But our failure to acknowledge or understand does not change the truth of it.

God is unfailing in His love for you too.

Despite the stumbles, the falls, the reversals and rebellions, His love for us does not change.

What a comfort that is to me, even as it was to King David.

Let’s exalt the unfailing love of God rather than magnifying our own failures.

As you do, know that He will strengthen you and lift you up.

GOD NEVER FAILS!

(Forgive my shouting, but it’s true)

Unrelenting

Only those who are unrelenting will see their expectations come to pass.

Unrelenting is defined as: not letting up or weakening in vigor or pace.

Paul encouraged us with this verse:

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.

Let nothing move you.

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

I Corinthians 15:58

To relent is to give in, give up and to throw in the towel in the face of opposition.

What greater example can we have of someone who was unrelenting than Jesus.

“...For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

All of hell was arrayed in opposition to the Son of God.

But it was not enough to stop Him from completing the Father’s will.

We too have a wonderful inheritance that we can walk in now.

But it will not be realized if we surrender to those who come to oppose what God wants to do in your life - whoever or whatever it may be!

Should you be struggling now with opposition, remind yourself of Paul’s words –

“...Let nothing move you...”

Indeed!

They Said...

“The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

Jeremiah 31:3

“But what will they say?”

Their words are often enough to cause us to stop believing for our expectations.

Who are they that they wield so much control over your life?

Simply stated – they are anyone who speaks contrary to what God says.

Could be family, could be friends, could be coworkers, could even be you because our self-talk can so often be destructive.

We need to take the time to dig into Gods’ word.

In it we find who we truly are in Christ.

We are sons of God.

We have a Father who loves us and pours blessings upon blessings on our lives.

We must train ourselves to hear Him above all others.

It is easy to listen to the naysayers.

The valuable and true words God speaks to us can be crowded out.

Take some time today to dig into His word.

Let Him speak louder into your spirit than anyone else!

Let Him speak louder than the “they’s”.

The “Loyal” Opposition

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”

Isaiah 5:20

 

Righteousness, peace and joy – who could oppose such things?

Listen to what Romans 14:17 declares:

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,”

Jesus brought a Kingdom.

Yet, He was opposed at every turn.

It was a Kingdom of good and honorable things as we read above.

Still, the kingdom of darkness stood in opposition to it.

Sadly, it is no different today.

            As the people of God we must be wise and discerning.

It is easy to follow the crowd, to be captivated by the culture and to follow along to get along.

Yet we must be careful to be a people who bring the Kingdom to the earth.

Even when the opposition seems overwhelming, popular and persuasive!

Let God rule and reign in your life.

Don’t allow the opposition to deter you.

“Plan B”

Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.

Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.”

Mark 2:3-4

The people had heard that Jesus was in the house!

Desperately, they filled every room to overflowing.

The mob, which it had become by now, was spilling over outside like rising floodwaters.

The narrow street that passed the homes door was packed with humanity ‘till there was no longer any hope of entry into the house where Jesus was visiting.

Imagine if you were trying to force your way past all the people attempting to gain the same access to the Savior that you seek.  

You might expect a little opposition, don’t you think?

Perhaps even a riot.

Maybe they had naively planned on walking right up to Jesus.

That wasn’t going to happen!

Some probably suggested to them that the wisest course was to turn around and go home.

But they knew better.

Like the woman with the issue of blood or like blind Bartamaus, they were not about to surrender to the opposition, no matter how fierce.

Truly it was as if it made them redouble their effort.

One of them had an idea...

Let’s climb on the roof and set him down at the Messiah’s feet.

The opposition they faced was now met with steely determination to see their “Plan B” through.

Would you?

I Shall Not Be Moved

Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.

Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.”

Mark 2:3-4

Opposition

We’ve all faced it.

We face opposition to who we are, what we are doing or where we are going.

Maybe you’ve begun something with the best of intentions:

a diet, a New Year’s resolution or breaking a bad habit.

But as soon as opposition comes – whether from our own flesh or whatever other form it takes, we fail to complete what we set out to do.

We can’t always blame the devil either – as much as we might like to!

Today’s scripture reveals some friends who – even in the face of opposition in the form of a very large crowd – refused to be dissuaded from what that had set themselves to do.

Their tenacity was rewarded by Jesus and I am certain the friend they carried in was grateful for their perseverance.

How about you?

Are you ‘carrying a friend’ to Jesus in prayer?

Or maybe you are called to do something for God and have felt the sting of opposing words and actions.

Don’t surrender, don’t give up.

Don’t let the opposition win.

God has these words of encouragement for you –

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Stand firm then...

Will you stand firm in the face of opposition?