“...but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
A.J. Gordon, former prominent pastor and founder/first president of Gordon College, frequently told the story of an American who with an Englishman was viewing Niagara Falls...
Taking the Englishman to the foot of the falls, the American said, “There is the greatest unused power in the world.” “No, no, my friend,” the Englishman replied. “The greatest unused power in the world is the Holy Spirit of the Living God.”
We have been given all the power we need to live, minister, and do the work God has called each of us to do. Our problem is not having enough power, but appropriating the power we have been given. God helps us to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Look What I Did!
“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:5-7
There is a little fable that expresses a great truth:
A woodpecker was pecking away at the trunk of a dead tree. Suddenly, lightning struck the tree and splintered it. The woodpecker flew away unharmed. Looking back to where the dead tree had stood, the proud bird exclaimed, “Look what I did!”
That fable may remind us of the proud man who arrogates to himself all the glory for his accomplishments.
Daniel 4:30-32 reminds us, “The king reflected and said, ‘Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’ While the word was in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you, and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes.’”
There is a little fable that expresses a great truth:
A woodpecker was pecking away at the trunk of a dead tree. Suddenly, lightning struck the tree and splintered it. The woodpecker flew away unharmed. Looking back to where the dead tree had stood, the proud bird exclaimed, “Look what I did!”
That fable may remind us of the proud man who arrogates to himself all the glory for his accomplishments.
Daniel 4:30-32 reminds us, “The king reflected and said, ‘Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’ While the word was in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you, and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes.’”
Friday, November 27, 2009
Attitude = Altitude
“For as he thinks within himself, so he is...” Proverbs 23:7
Some more thoughts to ponder as you continue to digest what you ate yesterday....
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” - Melody Beattie
“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that ever step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” - Brian Tracy
“Every time we remember to say ‘thank you,’ we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.” - Sarah Ban Breathnach
“Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life.”
- Christiane Northrup
“Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you.” - Eileen Caddy
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” - Epictetus
Some more thoughts to ponder as you continue to digest what you ate yesterday....
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” - Melody Beattie
“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that ever step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” - Brian Tracy
“Every time we remember to say ‘thank you,’ we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.” - Sarah Ban Breathnach
“Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life.”
- Christiane Northrup
“Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you.” - Eileen Caddy
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” - Epictetus
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Give Thanks
“A Psalm for Thanksgiving. Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:1-5
Some thoughts to ponder...
“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues.” - Cicero
“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” - Albert Schweitzer
“If you can’t be content with what you have received, be thankful for what you have escaped.” - Author Unknown
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” - Albert Schweitzer
“Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting” - Author Unknown
“Difficulties are opportunities to better things; they are stepping stones to greater experience. Perhaps someday you will be thankful for some temporary failure in a particular direction. When one door closes, another always opens.” - Author Unknown
“Gratitude is something of which none of us can give too much. For on the smiles, the thanks we give, our little gestures of appreciation, our neighbors build their philosophy of life.” - A.J. Cronin
Happy Thanksgiving!
Some thoughts to ponder...
“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues.” - Cicero
“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” - Albert Schweitzer
“If you can’t be content with what you have received, be thankful for what you have escaped.” - Author Unknown
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” - Albert Schweitzer
“Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting” - Author Unknown
“Difficulties are opportunities to better things; they are stepping stones to greater experience. Perhaps someday you will be thankful for some temporary failure in a particular direction. When one door closes, another always opens.” - Author Unknown
“Gratitude is something of which none of us can give too much. For on the smiles, the thanks we give, our little gestures of appreciation, our neighbors build their philosophy of life.” - A.J. Cronin
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
You are Already Dead
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” 2 Tim. 2:1-4
During the height of a bloody battle behind enemy lines during the D-Day invasion of German-help France, an older American paratrooper counseled a young private who was petrified with fear as he witnessed the carnage of dead and mangled Germans and fellow Americans strewn all around him. The young man paralyzed by fear, as he envisaged an almost certain, similar fate for himself in the days ahead.
The older soldier’s counsel was chilling but poignant: “Accept the fact that you are already dead. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you’ll be able to function as a soldier is supposed to function... All war depends upon it.”
Oh, what a biblical truism in the life and spiritual war in which we find ourselves as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ! Truth in the natural often portrays truth in the spiritual. The Apostle Paul used similar words....
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20
“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3
“And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.” Romans 8:10
Remember, we are in a spiritual war. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
A Christian cannot be an effective soldier in this fight and live for our Lord until he has died to self.
During the height of a bloody battle behind enemy lines during the D-Day invasion of German-help France, an older American paratrooper counseled a young private who was petrified with fear as he witnessed the carnage of dead and mangled Germans and fellow Americans strewn all around him. The young man paralyzed by fear, as he envisaged an almost certain, similar fate for himself in the days ahead.
The older soldier’s counsel was chilling but poignant: “Accept the fact that you are already dead. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you’ll be able to function as a soldier is supposed to function... All war depends upon it.”
Oh, what a biblical truism in the life and spiritual war in which we find ourselves as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ! Truth in the natural often portrays truth in the spiritual. The Apostle Paul used similar words....
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20
“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3
“And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.” Romans 8:10
Remember, we are in a spiritual war. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
A Christian cannot be an effective soldier in this fight and live for our Lord until he has died to self.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Send it on Ahead
“Honor the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
When candy manufacturer John S. Huyler started out in business, he pledged 10% of his earnings to God. He opened a special bank account that he initialed “M.P.” which stood for “My Partner.” As he kept his promise to God, his industry grew at a phenomenal rate, and each week the Lord’s treasury received increasingly larger sums. His many gifts and contributions were always accompanied with the request that the recipient offer praise to God alone, for Huyler said, “After all, the money isn’t mine; it’s the Lord’s!”
Dear friend, do you want God as your partner? Then put Him first in your finances. Tithe to your church and donate generously to His Kingdom. Remember that giving to the Lord can be sweet business! You can’t take money with you when you die, but you can send it on ahead.
When candy manufacturer John S. Huyler started out in business, he pledged 10% of his earnings to God. He opened a special bank account that he initialed “M.P.” which stood for “My Partner.” As he kept his promise to God, his industry grew at a phenomenal rate, and each week the Lord’s treasury received increasingly larger sums. His many gifts and contributions were always accompanied with the request that the recipient offer praise to God alone, for Huyler said, “After all, the money isn’t mine; it’s the Lord’s!”
Dear friend, do you want God as your partner? Then put Him first in your finances. Tithe to your church and donate generously to His Kingdom. Remember that giving to the Lord can be sweet business! You can’t take money with you when you die, but you can send it on ahead.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Keep the Right Perspective
“Then he answered and said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.’” Zech. 4:6
Keep this verse before you as you pray for the needs in the lives of those whom you love. Claim this verse as you pray, for it will help with your perspective in dealing with family pressures. It will help relieve the frustration where children fail to meet your expectations; give you a mindset with which to use authority wisely. Trust God, the Holy Spirit, in other believers and pray for His leadership in your response to their needs. We may not understand how God is at work in others. Therefore our peace in times of testing is to be found only in trusting Him.
Return to your journal and review the names of loved ones for whom you are praying. Remind yourself of the goal or objective you had in mind when you first began to pray. Always be specific. Note the date you began.
Now - what has happened? Change in circumstance? Change in attitude? Change of any kind? Or, do you really know? The answers to each of the questions will suggest how you should praise God - how you should continue to pray.
Write your praise in your journal. Clarify your prayer objective and write it there also. In everything give thanks - this is the will of God. David said, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1
Keep this verse before you as you pray for the needs in the lives of those whom you love. Claim this verse as you pray, for it will help with your perspective in dealing with family pressures. It will help relieve the frustration where children fail to meet your expectations; give you a mindset with which to use authority wisely. Trust God, the Holy Spirit, in other believers and pray for His leadership in your response to their needs. We may not understand how God is at work in others. Therefore our peace in times of testing is to be found only in trusting Him.
Return to your journal and review the names of loved ones for whom you are praying. Remind yourself of the goal or objective you had in mind when you first began to pray. Always be specific. Note the date you began.
Now - what has happened? Change in circumstance? Change in attitude? Change of any kind? Or, do you really know? The answers to each of the questions will suggest how you should praise God - how you should continue to pray.
Write your praise in your journal. Clarify your prayer objective and write it there also. In everything give thanks - this is the will of God. David said, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Prayer with Confidence
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
Is there someone whom you’ve prayed for many times without an apparent change? Considering the power of prayer, you can more readily be patient for God’s timing and not lose heart.
Are you making this prayer with boldness? Isaiah gave us a prime example for intercessory prayer. His people had turned from God, and God had hidden His face from them. The Bible says that He delivered them into the power of their iniquities. Tragic state.
Recall Elijah’s contest with the prophets of Baal at Mt. Carmel. He prayed, “‘Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that Thou, O Lord, art God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again.’ Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”
1 Kings 18:37-38
Who will you pray for with greater boldness? You say - how can we make such requests? I say to you - read our text for today once more, then pray with boldness!
Is there someone whom you’ve prayed for many times without an apparent change? Considering the power of prayer, you can more readily be patient for God’s timing and not lose heart.
Are you making this prayer with boldness? Isaiah gave us a prime example for intercessory prayer. His people had turned from God, and God had hidden His face from them. The Bible says that He delivered them into the power of their iniquities. Tragic state.
Recall Elijah’s contest with the prophets of Baal at Mt. Carmel. He prayed, “‘Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that Thou, O Lord, art God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again.’ Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”
1 Kings 18:37-38
Who will you pray for with greater boldness? You say - how can we make such requests? I say to you - read our text for today once more, then pray with boldness!
Friday, November 20, 2009
God Still Heals
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:14-16
In a small church in a little known town, a group of believers had just finished a Wednesday evening prayer service. A woman rushed in, visibly shaken as she shared the news that her sister had been diagnosed with cancer.
Doctors offered little or no hope. A matter of time. Weeks. Maybe months. But the agonizing sister would not accept the prognosis. My God can do anything, she said, as she solicited the prayers of her Christian friends.
Two weeks later, doctors announced a medical miracle - for there was no cancer to be found. When the news reached the body of believers who had prayed faithfully, the room was electric, joy written across each face as all offered praise and gave glory to God for His medical miracle.
“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High; To declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness by night....For Thou, O Lord, hast made me glad by what Thou hast done, I will sing for joy at the works of Thy hands.” Psalm 92:1-2, 4
Do you believe God can do anything? Do you live with the assurance that nothing is too hard for your Lord? Claim the promises in God’s Word. Remember what Paul says in Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”
In a small church in a little known town, a group of believers had just finished a Wednesday evening prayer service. A woman rushed in, visibly shaken as she shared the news that her sister had been diagnosed with cancer.
Doctors offered little or no hope. A matter of time. Weeks. Maybe months. But the agonizing sister would not accept the prognosis. My God can do anything, she said, as she solicited the prayers of her Christian friends.
Two weeks later, doctors announced a medical miracle - for there was no cancer to be found. When the news reached the body of believers who had prayed faithfully, the room was electric, joy written across each face as all offered praise and gave glory to God for His medical miracle.
“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High; To declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness by night....For Thou, O Lord, hast made me glad by what Thou hast done, I will sing for joy at the works of Thy hands.” Psalm 92:1-2, 4
Do you believe God can do anything? Do you live with the assurance that nothing is too hard for your Lord? Claim the promises in God’s Word. Remember what Paul says in Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Persistent Prayer
“And He said to them, ‘Suppose one of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him”; and from inside he shall answer and say, “Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened.’” Luke 11:5-10
“There is no power like that of prevailing prayer! Abraham pleading for Sodom, Jacob wrestling in the stillness of the night, Moses standing in the breach, Hannah intoxicated with sorrow, David heartbroken with remorse and grief, Jesus in sweat of blood. Add to this list from the records of the church your personal observation and experience, and always there is the cost of passion unto blood. Such prayer prevails. It turns ordinary mortals into men of power. It brings power. It brings fire. It brings rain. It brings life. It brings God.” - Samuel Chadwick
Today as you meet God in prayer - for our nation - consider Moses’ words to Israel.
“For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the Lord our God whenever we call on Him?” Deut. 4:7
“But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days, you will return to the Lord your God and listen to His voice. For the Lord your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.” Deut. 4:29-31
Prevail with God - for a Holy Spirit revival across your nation. Today, tomorrow, day after tomorrow, and on, and on.
“There is no power like that of prevailing prayer! Abraham pleading for Sodom, Jacob wrestling in the stillness of the night, Moses standing in the breach, Hannah intoxicated with sorrow, David heartbroken with remorse and grief, Jesus in sweat of blood. Add to this list from the records of the church your personal observation and experience, and always there is the cost of passion unto blood. Such prayer prevails. It turns ordinary mortals into men of power. It brings power. It brings fire. It brings rain. It brings life. It brings God.” - Samuel Chadwick
Today as you meet God in prayer - for our nation - consider Moses’ words to Israel.
“For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the Lord our God whenever we call on Him?” Deut. 4:7
“But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days, you will return to the Lord your God and listen to His voice. For the Lord your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.” Deut. 4:29-31
Prevail with God - for a Holy Spirit revival across your nation. Today, tomorrow, day after tomorrow, and on, and on.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
“Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14
Before God, you, the believer, are perfect. Then there is the growth toward perfection which Paul speaks about in Philippians 3. This is a process of maturing spiritually. In this, we all remain travelers until we reach heaven. It is not as though progress is never made - milestones never passed. Paul keeps right on going so that he might perfectly fulfill God’s purpose for his life.
Continually forgetting those things which are behind, routs out any unbecoming pride in accomplishments - or disheartening defeat. Either will encumber you in the race ahead.
As you press on to perfectly fulfill God’s purpose for you, you need not tire of the process.
Slogan: Keep on Keeping on.
Goal: Triumph in Christ.
Before God, you, the believer, are perfect. Then there is the growth toward perfection which Paul speaks about in Philippians 3. This is a process of maturing spiritually. In this, we all remain travelers until we reach heaven. It is not as though progress is never made - milestones never passed. Paul keeps right on going so that he might perfectly fulfill God’s purpose for his life.
Continually forgetting those things which are behind, routs out any unbecoming pride in accomplishments - or disheartening defeat. Either will encumber you in the race ahead.
As you press on to perfectly fulfill God’s purpose for you, you need not tire of the process.
Slogan: Keep on Keeping on.
Goal: Triumph in Christ.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Conformed to His Death
“...that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Phil. 3:10-11
Wouldn’t you like to experience the resurrection power of Jesus Christ in your daily living?
Taken alone, these verses could be constructed to support a 'works righteousness.' But this is the same Paul who wrote: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9
Paul was a firm believer in God’s grace. What he is talking about in Philippians 3:10-11 is the area of Christian growth. In this context he makes it clear that such growth does not come through dedication to a rules system, but through experiencing the reality of Jesus Christ. Knowing Him. Knowing His resurrection power.
Paul does not stop at experiencing the power of Christ, for it is only a part of the whole. There is also the fellowship of His suffering - and being conformed to His death.
To be conformed to Jesus’ death is the total submission of your will to God - as Jesus said to the Father, “Not My will but Thine.”
Is it worth it? Paul knew it was, and he eagerly awaited the return of the Christ he served. This was his hope. Is it worth it?
Wouldn’t you like to experience the resurrection power of Jesus Christ in your daily living?
Taken alone, these verses could be constructed to support a 'works righteousness.' But this is the same Paul who wrote: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9
Paul was a firm believer in God’s grace. What he is talking about in Philippians 3:10-11 is the area of Christian growth. In this context he makes it clear that such growth does not come through dedication to a rules system, but through experiencing the reality of Jesus Christ. Knowing Him. Knowing His resurrection power.
Paul does not stop at experiencing the power of Christ, for it is only a part of the whole. There is also the fellowship of His suffering - and being conformed to His death.
To be conformed to Jesus’ death is the total submission of your will to God - as Jesus said to the Father, “Not My will but Thine.”
Is it worth it? Paul knew it was, and he eagerly awaited the return of the Christ he served. This was his hope. Is it worth it?
Monday, November 16, 2009
No Confidence in the Flesh
“...although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith...” Philip. 3:4-9
Have you ever met anyone who insisted that they have ever done anything wrong? Believe it or not, there are a few out there who make that claim. Trying to talk with such a person about Christ seems pointless. Unless he knows he has a problem, why should he want a solution?
Though few people claim to be perfect, many claim to be better than average and it follows that they have nothing to fear from a kindly God. Their morality becomes a barrier to faith in Christ.
As you think about our text, Paul was not simply above average. With his race, religion, record, and personal righteousness, he could have run for almost any office and won. Yet Paul said he, at a point in time, "counted all these things as nothing." Keep in mind his conversion cost him dearly.
As he became influential in the rapidly growing Christian movement, surely there was the temptation to take pride in the new areas of accomplishment. Yet Paul continued to count all things loss in order that he might experience a deeper knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ truly satisfying? If you have submitted yourself to any bondage (rules) other than to the Lord Jesus, Himself, you have yet to experience Him in the way Paul speaks of here.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you today any area in which your personal righteousness makes it impossible for you to know Christ in His fullness.
Have you ever met anyone who insisted that they have ever done anything wrong? Believe it or not, there are a few out there who make that claim. Trying to talk with such a person about Christ seems pointless. Unless he knows he has a problem, why should he want a solution?
Though few people claim to be perfect, many claim to be better than average and it follows that they have nothing to fear from a kindly God. Their morality becomes a barrier to faith in Christ.
As you think about our text, Paul was not simply above average. With his race, religion, record, and personal righteousness, he could have run for almost any office and won. Yet Paul said he, at a point in time, "counted all these things as nothing." Keep in mind his conversion cost him dearly.
As he became influential in the rapidly growing Christian movement, surely there was the temptation to take pride in the new areas of accomplishment. Yet Paul continued to count all things loss in order that he might experience a deeper knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ truly satisfying? If you have submitted yourself to any bondage (rules) other than to the Lord Jesus, Himself, you have yet to experience Him in the way Paul speaks of here.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you today any area in which your personal righteousness makes it impossible for you to know Christ in His fullness.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
It’s Faith, Plus Nothing
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.”
Eph. 2:8-9
What is it that sets genuine Christianity apart from other religions or cults in the world? Most religions or cults center around a person and his work. Some even bring about positive changes in the individuals who join them.
The exclusivity of a biblical Christianity is that salvation cannot be earned, but is based solely on faith in Jesus Christ. Sadly, even among those who call themselves Christian, there are some who require more, as if Jesus Christ’s payment for sin were deficient in some way.
The believers a Philippi faced the same issue. Paul warned: “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh...” Phil. 3:2-3
Are you of the true circumcision? Ask yourself: Are you empowered by the Holy Spirit? Separated unto God? Is your boasting in Jesus Christ? How impressed are you with your own accomplishments? The different aspects of Christian living are important, but God wants your lifestyle to be the extension of a heart devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul called those who were legalistic, dogs. Dogs eat scraps. You can sit down today to a feast prepared by the grace of your God. He is enough. Worship Him in your lifestyle.
Eph. 2:8-9
What is it that sets genuine Christianity apart from other religions or cults in the world? Most religions or cults center around a person and his work. Some even bring about positive changes in the individuals who join them.
The exclusivity of a biblical Christianity is that salvation cannot be earned, but is based solely on faith in Jesus Christ. Sadly, even among those who call themselves Christian, there are some who require more, as if Jesus Christ’s payment for sin were deficient in some way.
The believers a Philippi faced the same issue. Paul warned: “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh...” Phil. 3:2-3
Are you of the true circumcision? Ask yourself: Are you empowered by the Holy Spirit? Separated unto God? Is your boasting in Jesus Christ? How impressed are you with your own accomplishments? The different aspects of Christian living are important, but God wants your lifestyle to be the extension of a heart devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul called those who were legalistic, dogs. Dogs eat scraps. You can sit down today to a feast prepared by the grace of your God. He is enough. Worship Him in your lifestyle.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Rejoice in Your Redemption
“And as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God.” Job 19:25-26
If not read in faith, the book of Job reads about as enjoyable as the front page of a newspaper...'depressing.'
Job’s wife came to him after all his friends had deserted him to say, “Why don’t you curse God and die?” And she was supposed to be his helpmate? Yet Job, in the face of all his trials, said, “I know that my Redeemer lives.” He had only the promise of the coming Messiah. But you know Jesus Christ. How much easier to trust in One whom you can know intimately.
“For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves.”
2 Cor. 4:6-7
God knows we are weak. It is His plan to shine through us, weak as we might be. The apostles suffered beyond what most of us have ever experienced. Yet their confidence in their Redeemer grew. Here is Paul’s statement of faith: “...we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” 2 Cor. 4:8-10
What do you face? Boredom, rejection, physical illness? Rejoice in your Redeemer. Allow the light of His glory to shine through you.
If not read in faith, the book of Job reads about as enjoyable as the front page of a newspaper...'depressing.'
Job’s wife came to him after all his friends had deserted him to say, “Why don’t you curse God and die?” And she was supposed to be his helpmate? Yet Job, in the face of all his trials, said, “I know that my Redeemer lives.” He had only the promise of the coming Messiah. But you know Jesus Christ. How much easier to trust in One whom you can know intimately.
“For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves.”
2 Cor. 4:6-7
God knows we are weak. It is His plan to shine through us, weak as we might be. The apostles suffered beyond what most of us have ever experienced. Yet their confidence in their Redeemer grew. Here is Paul’s statement of faith: “...we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” 2 Cor. 4:8-10
What do you face? Boredom, rejection, physical illness? Rejoice in your Redeemer. Allow the light of His glory to shine through you.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Our Confidence in Redemption
“By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” 1 John 4:17-18
Have you ever had to appear in court before a judge? Even for a traffic ticket? It can be a disquieting experience even for those who on many occasions meet with important people. It is humbling to stand before a judge, knowing his authority - and your subservient position.
Imagine, if you can, one day standing before the judgement seat of Christ. How do you feel? Confident? This is God’s will for you - that you be confident always.
“Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord...”
2 Cor. 5:5-6
It may surprise you that God wants you to always be confident before Him. But it is true, for it is taking Him at His Word. It is trusting in Jesus, your Redeemer - not in yourself. To have confidence, you must first be walking in obedience to Him. Your salvation is not secured by this, but your fellowship is. You must know your Redeemer, love Him, to have confidence in Him.
Check your confidence level. Talk with your Redeemer and rest in Him.
Have you ever had to appear in court before a judge? Even for a traffic ticket? It can be a disquieting experience even for those who on many occasions meet with important people. It is humbling to stand before a judge, knowing his authority - and your subservient position.
Imagine, if you can, one day standing before the judgement seat of Christ. How do you feel? Confident? This is God’s will for you - that you be confident always.
“Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord...”
2 Cor. 5:5-6
It may surprise you that God wants you to always be confident before Him. But it is true, for it is taking Him at His Word. It is trusting in Jesus, your Redeemer - not in yourself. To have confidence, you must first be walking in obedience to Him. Your salvation is not secured by this, but your fellowship is. You must know your Redeemer, love Him, to have confidence in Him.
Check your confidence level. Talk with your Redeemer and rest in Him.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Benefits of Redemption
“But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” Galatians 4:4-5
You are a child of God because you have been redeemed. But Jesus accomplished much more when He paid your sin debt in order to buy you back for Himself. Your redemption means forgiveness. Because of your Redeemer, you stand before God fully justified.
“For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Cor. 6:20
You are His special possession. Yours is the promise of a special inheritance, eternal fellowship with God, with your Redeemer.
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” Romans 8:16-17
Which of these benefits of redemption means the most to you today? Realizing you are a special possession to God can go a long way toward boosting damaged self-esteem. You are special to Him.
You are a child of God because you have been redeemed. But Jesus accomplished much more when He paid your sin debt in order to buy you back for Himself. Your redemption means forgiveness. Because of your Redeemer, you stand before God fully justified.
“For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Cor. 6:20
You are His special possession. Yours is the promise of a special inheritance, eternal fellowship with God, with your Redeemer.
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” Romans 8:16-17
Which of these benefits of redemption means the most to you today? Realizing you are a special possession to God can go a long way toward boosting damaged self-esteem. You are special to Him.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Our Kinsman Redeemer
“And it happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet. And he said, ‘Who are you?’ And she answered, ‘I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative.’ Then he said, ‘May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. And now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning.’” Ruth 3:8-13
The story of Ruth and Boaz is a romantic one. Ruth, the Moabite widow of an Israeli, returned with her mother-in-law (also a widow) to the promised land. The family land had been sold. In that society these two women were in a precarious position. There was little they could do for themselves but to gather enough leftover grain from the field to avoid starvation. The only hope for Ruth and her mother-in-law lay in the Levitical law. If one of their relatives would pay the price to buy back the land and marry Ruth, they could have security and honor again.
Boaz, a man of integrity, was qualified to redeem Ruth and the land of her husband’s family. He was wealthy and able to afford the price. Importantly, he was a kinsman, related by blood. Motivated by love for Ruth, Boaz undertook all the necessary cost to make her his bride in order to restore dignity and honor to her.
This story demonstrates your redemption by Christ. God saw the need of men whom He loved. Christ became our kinsman, a blood relative, in order to qualify as our redeemer. Though Christ could afford to cover our debt - it was expensive.
Hebrews 2:13-15 says, “And again, ‘I will put My trust in Him.’ And again, ‘Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.’ Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”
Through His death you were delivered from the power of sin. Christ’s purpose: to present you holy and unblameable, and unreprovable in His sight. Praise Him today.
The story of Ruth and Boaz is a romantic one. Ruth, the Moabite widow of an Israeli, returned with her mother-in-law (also a widow) to the promised land. The family land had been sold. In that society these two women were in a precarious position. There was little they could do for themselves but to gather enough leftover grain from the field to avoid starvation. The only hope for Ruth and her mother-in-law lay in the Levitical law. If one of their relatives would pay the price to buy back the land and marry Ruth, they could have security and honor again.
Boaz, a man of integrity, was qualified to redeem Ruth and the land of her husband’s family. He was wealthy and able to afford the price. Importantly, he was a kinsman, related by blood. Motivated by love for Ruth, Boaz undertook all the necessary cost to make her his bride in order to restore dignity and honor to her.
This story demonstrates your redemption by Christ. God saw the need of men whom He loved. Christ became our kinsman, a blood relative, in order to qualify as our redeemer. Though Christ could afford to cover our debt - it was expensive.
Hebrews 2:13-15 says, “And again, ‘I will put My trust in Him.’ And again, ‘Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.’ Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”
Through His death you were delivered from the power of sin. Christ’s purpose: to present you holy and unblameable, and unreprovable in His sight. Praise Him today.
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Need for Redemption
“No man can by any means redeem his brother, or give to God a ransom for him -- For the redemption of his soul is costly, and he should cease trying forever.” Psalm 49:7-8
When you refer to Jesus Christ as “Redeemer,” you are making a reference to your need before you knew Him. In the Bible, “redeemer” means “deliverer or someone who would buy back an individual (or land) who had perhaps sold himself into slavery to pay his own debts.”
You were, in a very real sense, a slave to sin and to the law. Until one acknowledges his own bankruptcy, there is no way he can go to Jesus Christ in faith and become a recipient of His redeeming power.
Only as you remember where you were before you knew Jesus Christ, can you sing of your Redeemer with a heart alive with gratitude. Trying to understand your previous debt to sin is something like trying to comprehend the federal deficit.
Imagine that your personal financial indebtedness equaled that of the U.S. government and someone writes a check clearing your obligation. How do you feel toward your deliverer? The only debt you now owe is one of love. Love to your Redeemer and to one another.
“...and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Eph. 5:2
When you refer to Jesus Christ as “Redeemer,” you are making a reference to your need before you knew Him. In the Bible, “redeemer” means “deliverer or someone who would buy back an individual (or land) who had perhaps sold himself into slavery to pay his own debts.”
You were, in a very real sense, a slave to sin and to the law. Until one acknowledges his own bankruptcy, there is no way he can go to Jesus Christ in faith and become a recipient of His redeeming power.
Only as you remember where you were before you knew Jesus Christ, can you sing of your Redeemer with a heart alive with gratitude. Trying to understand your previous debt to sin is something like trying to comprehend the federal deficit.
Imagine that your personal financial indebtedness equaled that of the U.S. government and someone writes a check clearing your obligation. How do you feel toward your deliverer? The only debt you now owe is one of love. Love to your Redeemer and to one another.
“...and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Eph. 5:2
Sunday, November 8, 2009
The Rocks
“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim. 3:14-17
“Have you studied Voltaire, Thomas Paine, Ingersol, or any of those fellows?” asked a friend of a Christian steamship captain. “No,” he replied. “Well, you should. You can’t fairly turn down their argument until you have thoroughly investigated for yourself,” argued the friend.
“I’ve been the captain of this ship a long time,” returned the captain. “The chart that was given to me pointed out the deep water that would carry me safely into port. As a young captain, I never considered it advisable to investigate the rocks; the experience I’ve known others to have with them has been sufficient warning for me.
So the Bible I learned at my mother’s knee, in Sunday school, and from my pastor, is my chart for the sea life. It brings me a knowledge of the fathomless sea of God’s love and mercy, which if I cast myself upon, will carry me safely to the heavenly port.”
“Have you studied Voltaire, Thomas Paine, Ingersol, or any of those fellows?” asked a friend of a Christian steamship captain. “No,” he replied. “Well, you should. You can’t fairly turn down their argument until you have thoroughly investigated for yourself,” argued the friend.
“I’ve been the captain of this ship a long time,” returned the captain. “The chart that was given to me pointed out the deep water that would carry me safely into port. As a young captain, I never considered it advisable to investigate the rocks; the experience I’ve known others to have with them has been sufficient warning for me.
So the Bible I learned at my mother’s knee, in Sunday school, and from my pastor, is my chart for the sea life. It brings me a knowledge of the fathomless sea of God’s love and mercy, which if I cast myself upon, will carry me safely to the heavenly port.”
Friday, November 6, 2009
Love Notes
“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.” James 1:22-25
At an elementary school, each child was asked to make a small valentine, writing on it who they loved the best. A bulletin board was filled with these valentines. Some names recurring there were “Mommy,” “Daddy, “Grandma,” “Pappy,” and so forth. One had in bold letters “ME!” and one had in bold letters “GOD!”
Jesus taught that each one should love the Lord our God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength. When doing this, it will be easy to love others. Some use flowery words, telling God how they love Him, but all too often they fail to prove their love in service to Him.
Don’t just say you love God - prove it!
At an elementary school, each child was asked to make a small valentine, writing on it who they loved the best. A bulletin board was filled with these valentines. Some names recurring there were “Mommy,” “Daddy, “Grandma,” “Pappy,” and so forth. One had in bold letters “ME!” and one had in bold letters “GOD!”
Jesus taught that each one should love the Lord our God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength. When doing this, it will be easy to love others. Some use flowery words, telling God how they love Him, but all too often they fail to prove their love in service to Him.
Don’t just say you love God - prove it!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Useless Enough to Be Used
“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, that no man should boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, that, just as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” 1 Cor. 1:26-31
When someone asked Francis of Assisi why and how he could accomplish so much, he replied, “This may by why. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the earth and said, ‘Where can I find the weakest, littlest, meanest man on the face of the earth?’ Then He found me and said, ‘Now I’ve found him, and I will work through him. He won’t be proud of it. He’ll see that I’m only using him because of his littleness and insignificance.’”
Here is the question for you to answer - How usable are you really in the hands of God? Someone once asked Vance Havner what they would have to do to be used by God. Havner said, “You get usable, and God will wear you out!”
Are you usable, or are you wanting to set the agenda, make suggestions, or pick and choose what you will do? You get a heart that wants to serve, and watch what God will do with you.
When someone asked Francis of Assisi why and how he could accomplish so much, he replied, “This may by why. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the earth and said, ‘Where can I find the weakest, littlest, meanest man on the face of the earth?’ Then He found me and said, ‘Now I’ve found him, and I will work through him. He won’t be proud of it. He’ll see that I’m only using him because of his littleness and insignificance.’”
Here is the question for you to answer - How usable are you really in the hands of God? Someone once asked Vance Havner what they would have to do to be used by God. Havner said, “You get usable, and God will wear you out!”
Are you usable, or are you wanting to set the agenda, make suggestions, or pick and choose what you will do? You get a heart that wants to serve, and watch what God will do with you.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Just a Little Bit Off
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble.” 2 Peter 1:5-10
Two young masons were building a brick wall - the front side of a high house. One of them, in placing a brick, discovered that it was little thicker on one side than the other. “It will make your wall uneven” the other cautioned. “Pooh!” answered the first, “what difference will such a trifle as that make? You’re too particular.”
“My mother,” replied the second, “taught me that truth is truth, and ever so little an untruth is a lie, and a lie is no trifle.” “Oh,” said the first,” that’s all very well, but I’m not lying and have no intention to.”
“Very true, but you are making your wall tell a lie, and I have read that a lie in one’s work is like a lie in his character - it will show itself sooner or later and bring harm, if not ruin.” “I’ll risk it in this case,” answered the first, and he worked away, laying more brick, carrying the wall up higher until the close of the day, when they gave up and went home.
The next morning, they went to resume their work, and found the lie proclaimed. The wall, getting a little slant from the untrue brick, had gotten more and more uneven as it got higher, and had collapsed in the night.
Just so with every little untruth in your character; it grows more and more untrue if you permit it to remain, until it brings you sorrow and ruin.
Remember - “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23
Two young masons were building a brick wall - the front side of a high house. One of them, in placing a brick, discovered that it was little thicker on one side than the other. “It will make your wall uneven” the other cautioned. “Pooh!” answered the first, “what difference will such a trifle as that make? You’re too particular.”
“My mother,” replied the second, “taught me that truth is truth, and ever so little an untruth is a lie, and a lie is no trifle.” “Oh,” said the first,” that’s all very well, but I’m not lying and have no intention to.”
“Very true, but you are making your wall tell a lie, and I have read that a lie in one’s work is like a lie in his character - it will show itself sooner or later and bring harm, if not ruin.” “I’ll risk it in this case,” answered the first, and he worked away, laying more brick, carrying the wall up higher until the close of the day, when they gave up and went home.
The next morning, they went to resume their work, and found the lie proclaimed. The wall, getting a little slant from the untrue brick, had gotten more and more uneven as it got higher, and had collapsed in the night.
Just so with every little untruth in your character; it grows more and more untrue if you permit it to remain, until it brings you sorrow and ruin.
Remember - “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Not Impressed
“I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:10
On September 26, 1960, the first televised presidential debate between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy aired. Each candidate put his best foot forward in attempt to impress the electorate. Today, many historians agree that Kennedy’s charisma in that debate won him the election.
Earlier that same day, Cuban strongman Fidel Castro attempted to impress the whole word with his rhetoric. Fresh from his rise to power through revolution, he proudly address the United Nations. For almost four-and-a-half hours, Castro contemptibly droned on about how awful the West was.
It would be interesting to discover how much time we spend attempting to impress others, for good or bad. For persuasive speech, though, Chuck Swindoll suggests “Make it clear; make it simple; emphasize the essentials. Forget about impressing!”
The lesson is that we should stop attempting to dazzle God with our pompous prayers and supercilious service. He said, “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:10
God is the only one to whom we should cater, and He is looking for holiness, fidelity, obedience, and love - not anything that we find “impressive.” God is only impressed with Jesus. Why not let Him do the impressing though you?
On September 26, 1960, the first televised presidential debate between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy aired. Each candidate put his best foot forward in attempt to impress the electorate. Today, many historians agree that Kennedy’s charisma in that debate won him the election.
Earlier that same day, Cuban strongman Fidel Castro attempted to impress the whole word with his rhetoric. Fresh from his rise to power through revolution, he proudly address the United Nations. For almost four-and-a-half hours, Castro contemptibly droned on about how awful the West was.
It would be interesting to discover how much time we spend attempting to impress others, for good or bad. For persuasive speech, though, Chuck Swindoll suggests “Make it clear; make it simple; emphasize the essentials. Forget about impressing!”
The lesson is that we should stop attempting to dazzle God with our pompous prayers and supercilious service. He said, “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:10
God is the only one to whom we should cater, and He is looking for holiness, fidelity, obedience, and love - not anything that we find “impressive.” God is only impressed with Jesus. Why not let Him do the impressing though you?
Monday, November 2, 2009
Notes and Music
“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” Col. 1:9-12
The master musician was finally ready to listen to the results of his students’ efforts. He had done all that he could do to teach them to play the music. Now the moment had come for his prize student to play his instrument.
Bill was a very talented fellow. He had mastered every note of the difficult composition and did so with great pride. On cue, he proceeded to show off his talent as the notes flew out of his instrument. When he had finished his piece, he took a deep breath and asked his teacher, “Well, what do you think professor? Did I pass?”
To Bill’s amazement, his professor was not pleased with his performance. Using phrases filled with passion, the master musician said, “you played all of the notes, but you did not play the music!”
It is not good enough merely to know the truth; we must live it!
Remember, the devil knows the Word, but he doesn’t obey it. There are many who read the Bible, but don’t live it out in their lives. We are called to know and do! Live in such a way that you take biblical knowledge and make a joyful melody with your life.
The master musician was finally ready to listen to the results of his students’ efforts. He had done all that he could do to teach them to play the music. Now the moment had come for his prize student to play his instrument.
Bill was a very talented fellow. He had mastered every note of the difficult composition and did so with great pride. On cue, he proceeded to show off his talent as the notes flew out of his instrument. When he had finished his piece, he took a deep breath and asked his teacher, “Well, what do you think professor? Did I pass?”
To Bill’s amazement, his professor was not pleased with his performance. Using phrases filled with passion, the master musician said, “you played all of the notes, but you did not play the music!”
It is not good enough merely to know the truth; we must live it!
Remember, the devil knows the Word, but he doesn’t obey it. There are many who read the Bible, but don’t live it out in their lives. We are called to know and do! Live in such a way that you take biblical knowledge and make a joyful melody with your life.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
That You May Know...
“...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.” Eph. 3:17-19
How would you explain the color of green grass to a person blind from birth? Or the taste of green beans to someone who has never eaten them?
Your physical senses are like your emotions in that they are not understandable apart from experience. It is impossible to comprehend what it is to lose a child through death unless you have suffered such a loss. How can you expect to comprehend the love of Jesus Christ until you have experienced it? Personally?
Paul knew this. He prayed “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.” Eph. 3:17-19
Christ’s dwelling in your heart not only roots and grounds you in love, but also makes it possible for you to comprehend His great love. When you abide in Christ and He in you, there comes a marvelous new capacity to know Him.
There is a progression in Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians (Eph. 3:14-19). He built one petition upon another, each a prerequisite for the one that follows.
The summit of this expedition? To be filled up with all the fullness of God!
How would you explain the color of green grass to a person blind from birth? Or the taste of green beans to someone who has never eaten them?
Your physical senses are like your emotions in that they are not understandable apart from experience. It is impossible to comprehend what it is to lose a child through death unless you have suffered such a loss. How can you expect to comprehend the love of Jesus Christ until you have experienced it? Personally?
Paul knew this. He prayed “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.” Eph. 3:17-19
Christ’s dwelling in your heart not only roots and grounds you in love, but also makes it possible for you to comprehend His great love. When you abide in Christ and He in you, there comes a marvelous new capacity to know Him.
There is a progression in Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians (Eph. 3:14-19). He built one petition upon another, each a prerequisite for the one that follows.
The summit of this expedition? To be filled up with all the fullness of God!
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