Salt & Light Blog

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 We are not Alone in Striving for Jesus’ Glory

9/3/2015

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 On Photo of Aunt Sarah’s Rose Bush by Donna Campbell

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

What is our purpose as Christians? What is it we strive for? Ultimately what we strive for on this earth, is what will be gifted to us in eternity, the perfection of the image of Christ. One day we will be made complete in Jesus, wholly holy, no sin, no flaws, and no shortcomings. We hope and do our utmost to glorify Christ, our Lord. But on earth we still have our flesh and while The Holy Spirit makes us more like Jesus every day, and we endeavor to be like Him. While we live on this earth we still have our flesh, the sin nature we were born with. Verses 13-14 read,

“But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The first century Christians are the firstfruits. Firstfruits is defined as “the earliest gathered fruits offered to God in acknowledgment of the gift of fruitfulness, and the earliest products or results of an endeavor” They were the first results of Jesus’ ministry. They were gifts to God as thanks for Jesus richness and blessings. We are the results of their faith and glorification of Jesus. Our lives, like theirs are gifts to God for His blessings. The way we live our lives affects other people. We can glorify Christ, that is project Jesus’ character and love to the world, or we can live in stagnation and never impact the Kingdom of Heaven. Romans 12:1-2 reads,

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”

We are not alone in our effort to be like Jesus. We are not alone in our hopes to be firstfruits to future generations and living sacrifices to The Lord. We have our Lord Jesus as an example and our Holy Spirit as our teacher, sanctifier, and comforter. We have each other. We have the Christians of the past and the Apostles who have taught us so much. Verse 15 says,

“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”

Ritual is not meant to replace relationship but the traditions of our faith can teach us and enhance our relationship with God. He doesn’t want ritual, He wants love and He wants us to grow in that love. (Hosea 6:6). It is not legalism to understand and practice the traditions passed down to us from Jesus to the Apostles and to us. Jesus told us to continue the practice of The Passover Seder that we know as The Lord’s Supper. (Luke 22:14-23). When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He told them to wash one another’s feet. (John 13:1-17 verse 14). We practice these customs because Jesus told us to and because they glorify Him. These traditions give us a practical lesson in Jesus’ salvation and love. They remind us of what Jesus did for us. They encourage us to continue walking the walk with The Lord and with one another. Verses 16-17 read,

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”

Because The Lord is indwelled in His people, it is He who teaches us, even when it is our pastor, brother, sister, or mentor who lets God use Him. None of us is finished and so we can understand what we’re going through, help each other, and encourage one another. We are not perfect, but we are comforted in knowing that God began working in us and one day that awesome work will be completed and we will be perfected. We take consolation in knowing that God will never give up on us, and we do not give up on each other. Our salvation is not due to us, it is due to Jesus’ grace. Philippians 1:3-7 reminds us,

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.”

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1 Thessalonians 1 Your Life is a Testimony to Your Heart

8/25/2015

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1 Thessalonians 1

In my church body we are careful to remember that we cannot see a person’s heart, that we cannot judge by the outside if person is a believer or not. And I believe we are right not to make such assumptions. But The Lord God does not indwell a person without making it evident that He is there. There is a major change that takes place within a person when The Father chooses him, Jesus saves him, and the Holy Spirit seals him. The fact is our lives are a testimony to our heart condition. While outsiders may not recognize who or why, they should still note a peculiarity in the believer.

Paul’s greeting to the people of Thessalonica in verses 1-3 reads,

“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace.

2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul immediately remarked the Thessalonian church for their work resulting from their faith in Christ. Faith is not merely a feeling or sureness of the heart. Like love, faith is not real until it is articulated by action or obedience. One can say, “I have faith that the bridge will hold” but if he refuses to walk across the bridge then his faith doesn’t matter. One can say he has faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, but if his life doesn’t testify it, his words mean nothing. There is a big difference in intending to do something and doing it.

God is awesome, He doesn’t choose a person and leave them “as is.” He doesn’t take someone from the world and make them a citizen of Heaven and not affect them. The power that saved us is the power that raised Jesus from the dead. (Romans 8:9-12). The power given to us, is the same power that healed countless people, fed thousands out of one boy’s lunch, and taught the radical message called The Sermon on the Mount. The power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is miraculous, revolutionary, and world-shattering. Verses 4- read,

“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”

The Holy Spirit leads us to be and do. He leads us to act, to trust and obey. He enables us to recognize His Spirit in others. As John leapt in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary pregnant with the unborn Savior, Jesus met his mother, The Spirit within us leaps for joy when we recognize one another. (Luke 1:41-44). Jesus described Him this way in John 14:15-24 in The Message,

“If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!

18-20 “I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.

21 “The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.”

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said, “Master, why is it that you are about to make yourself plain to us but not to the world?”

23-24 “Because a loveless world,” said Jesus, “is a sightless world. If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him—we’ll move right into the neighborhood! Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn’t mine. It’s the message of the Father who sent me.”

You can and do recognize The Holy Spirit in others because you already know Him since He lives in you. You know God, so you know it when you are able to distinguish Him, His voice, His Word, and His Love. Followers of Christ, begin looking and acting like Jesus. We grow and mature over time to become more and more like Jesus. He is glorified in His followers. We do not imitate, like a celebrity impersonator, we imitate Him as emulators, living up to the awesomeness and beauty of The Lord. Because we do that, those who have been following Christ for longer, those who can be called elders, leaders, and teachers should so emulate Jesus that we can say, “If you don’t know how to act like Jesus, watch me and see Him in me.” We are examples to everyone around us. Our lives are a testimony. Our lives will testify, “Jesus is Lord” or “I am lord.” Our actions speak louder than mere words ever can. Verses 6-10 read,

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

We used to look like the world. Now we look like Jesus. We used to worship ourselves and other false gods. Now we worship the One True Living Almighty God. Believers are just not like the world, we cannot be. God’s imprint is evident on us. The Father’s anointing is seen and heard. The Holy Spirit’s power changes us and makes us new. When people look at us, they see Jesus image, not ours.

If no one can look at your life and see you are different maybe you’re not. If the church can’t be certain that you are a follower of Christ, maybe you are merely a follower of Christianity.

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Psalm 73 Evil Men Prosper, But Only on this Earth.

8/2/2015

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Photo Shack in Denton, NC by Donna Campbell

Psalm 73

This Psalm is one of 12 attributed to Asaph. Asaph was the priest in charge of ministering in front of the Ark of the Covenant each day. (1 Chronicles 16:4-7). He was a “worship leader” as well as a talented singer, poet, composer, and a prophet. (2 Chronicles 29:30).

Do you ever feel like following Jesus is getting you nowhere? Our heart’s desires are many and various. For me the longing was always to be married and have children. I try very hard to always make the right choice, the responsible choice and the choice I believe is God’s will. But I have been envious of people who made the wrong choices and have what I always wanted. I committed myself to purity to glorify The Lord and they had sex with anyone they chose. They have husbands, children, and grandchildren. I do not. I have had times when I wondered if I should have given in and given up my virginity, maybe then I would have the family I always dreamed of having.

Asaph felt similarly. This Psalm echoes some of my feelings. Verses 1-7 read,

“Truly God is good to Israel,
    to those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,
    my steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was envious of the arrogant
    when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 For they have no pangs until death;
    their bodies are fat and sleek.
5 They are not in trouble as others are;
    they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace;
    violence covers them as a garment.
7 Their eyes swell out through fatness;
    their hearts overflow with follies.”

Sometimes it can seem like the less a person cares about humanity, compassion or justice, the happier, wealthier, and more powerful he is. It seems like the immoral get everything they want. And that may be true on this earth.

They have hardened their hearts, so they can’t hear The Holy Spirit. They talk a good talk and lead people down the slippery slope to Hell with them. They are on top of the world and they are proud of it. They laugh at us, the believers. They think God is merely a crutch. They think the proof is in their bank accounts. Verses 8-12 say,

“They scoff and speak with malice;
    loftily they threaten oppression.
9 They set their mouths against the heavens,
    and their tongue struts through the earth.
10 Therefore his people turn back to them,
    and find no fault in them.
11 And they say, “How can God know?
    Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12 Behold, these are the wicked;
    always at ease, they increase in riches.”

Comparing our lives to theirs can be discouraging. It can cause bitterness. If we look too much at this present earth and not enough at the whole picture we can lose hope, and we can cause others to lose hope. If we spend our time wishing for what others have, we can’t enjoy what we have. God has given us so much, and there is joy and wonder in life with Him. If my eyes are on the women who made the choices I knew were wrong and now seem to have the life I wanted, then my eyes are not on Jesus. If my heart is bitter because the one thing I wanted as a child is not mine, then my heart cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit and His overflowing love. If I spend my time wanting what I do not have instead of enjoying all I do have, who would want to know Jesus because of me? Verses 13-17 read,

“All in vain have I kept my heart clean
    and washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all the day long I have been stricken
    and rebuked every morning.
15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
    I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

16 But when I thought how to understand this,
    it seemed to me a wearisome task,
17 until I went into the sanctuary of God;
    then I discerned their end.”

But whatever pursuits, gains, and benefits the sinful have on this earth on for this earth only. Putting our eyes on the temporary delights of this world makes us lose sight of our eternal hope, of our Lord, and of our mission on this earth. It makes us ineffectual Christians and the enemy is elated at about it. 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 encourages us,

“Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

It is not the princedom of the earth that holds our joy and purpose it is the Kingdom of Heaven. The lost who have hardened their hearts and blasphemed The Holy Spirit will enjoy this life and then burn forever in the torment of Hell. But not all the lost have silenced The Spirit of Life. And the Father calls to them. He lets them make their choices and sends the consequences down on them. We can be a part of the great work of bringing the lost children to The Father through Jesus Christ. We can let The Holy Spirit pour out of us and show them how beautiful God is. But we can’t do it if we are so busy coveting what others have that we do not use the gifts and life we have been given. Verses 18-22 read,

“Truly you set them in slippery places;
    you make them fall to ruin.
19 How they are destroyed in a moment,
    swept away utterly by terrors!
20 Like a dream when one awakes,
    O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.
21 When my soul was embittered,
    when I was pricked in heart,
22 I was brutish and ignorant;
    I was like a beast toward you.”

Lord, forgive me. I have been ignorant and brutish too often. I have let bitterness for what I didn’t have drown out the joy of The Lord. But He is always with me and He forgave my witlessness and my wrongly placed anger. He removed the bitterness that filled me up and satiated me with Himself. He filled me up and permeated my heart, soul, mind, and strength. He made me new when I became a follower of Christ, and when I forgot who I was, He reminded me I was no longer dead and I have eternal life, beautiful everlasting hope, and more joy than any lost person can ever know. Verses 23-28 read,

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
    you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
    you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
28 But for me it is good to be near God;
    I have made the Lord God my refuge,
    that I may tell of all your works.”

Believer, are your eyes on Jesus or your neighbor? Are you comparing your lawn to his and coveting all the things he has? Does he have Jesus? Does he have The Holy Spirit? Does he know The Father? Will the joy and praise you live your life with lead him to God? You have entered the glory of God, does your life and love show that?

Enjoy God. Live joyfully. Remember God’s grace is sufficient. We do not need anything that God doesn’t give us.

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Psalm 72 Glorify Jesus the Righteous King

8/1/2015

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Psalm 72

This psalm of Solomon is a prayer to The Lord as Solomon became king in his father’s place. But his prayer holds more meaning than a simple prayer for himself. As believers we can take this prayer to encourage ourselves as well. And it is messianic prophecy as Solomon describes the ideal king, Jesus. Verses 1-7 describe the Righteous King.

“Give the king your justice, O God,
    and your righteousness to the royal son!
2 May he judge your people with righteousness,
    and your poor with justice!
3 Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
    and the hills, in righteousness!
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
    give deliverance to the children of the needy,
    and crush the oppressor!

5 May they fear you while the sun endures,
    and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
    like showers that water the earth!
7 In his days may the righteous flourish,
    and peace abound, till the moon be no more!”

True righteousness comes only from God. Jesus lived, died, and resurrected to give us His righteousness. The Holy Spirit works in us to make us more like Jesus and so more righteous every day. And The Father calls us to be holy as He is holy.

Jesus is the ultimate Judge and He is our justice. He makes us righteous so that we can be reconciled to God, know Him, and have a relationship with Him. Jesus cares deeply about the poor, the widows, the orphans, and the prisoners. He has compassion for all the needy. And He avenges us against the enemy who oppresses the people. We may not prosper financially or in any way that the world would notice but we prosper spiritually and we prosper in the Kingdom of God.

One day the children of God, the faithful followers of Jesus Christ will be forever with Him in the mansions of Mount Zion instead of the tents of this world. There will be no sun to light the day nor moon to light the night. The Glory of God, Jesus Himself will be our light. (Revelation 21:22-24).

We are royalty as well. We are righteous kings and queens in Jesus. He has given us His name in adoption. We walk with His authority and that means we walk with His love and mercy. If we are to be like the King of kings then we walk with compassion and justice for the oppressed, the poor, the needy, the widow, and the orphan. We love them as Jesus loves them. We want the lost to know peace with God. We want the tyrannized to know freedom. We want the persecuted to know justice. Jesus is our Peace, Freedom, and Justice.

Solomon wanted to be a good king. He wanted to rule well. We too want to be the best royal priests we can be. When the Lord asked Solomon what he desired most in order to be a righteous king, Solomon asked for wisdom. God granted him that as well as wealth, long life, and military victory. (1 Kings 3, 1 Kings 4:29-34). He gives us wisdom as well when we ask. He is happy to grant us the gifts that will make our walk that much more glorifying, loving, and effective. James 1:5 reads,

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

And 1 Corinthians 12:

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

And I will show you a still more excellent way.”

Love is that more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 13). We are to love as Jesus loves us. We do that by being the royal children of God that we are called to be. We manifest the traits of Jesus described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, love, patience, kindness, humility, justice, joy in righteousness, faith, and steadfastness, the fruit of the Spirit.

Jesus is Judge and King over all the earth. There is nothing He does not have sovereign authority over. Verses 8-11 read,

“May he have dominion from sea to sea,
    and from the Rive] to the ends of the earth!
9 May desert tribes bow down before him,
    and his enemies lick the dust!
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands
    render him tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba
    bring gifts!
11 May all kings fall down before him,
    all nations serve him!”

Every person on earth whether they acknowledge Jesus as Lord or not must submit to His rule. One day every knee will bow to Him. One day every person will acknowledge that Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of all. Philippians 2:8-10 reads,

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Even nature must obey Jesus. He created the world and the world concedes to His authority. Jesus spoke and storms stopped and seas calmed. (Mark 4:35-41).The Lord spoke and trees grew and trees died. (Jonah 4:5-11, Mark 11:12-25). He even gave us the authority to command nature as His royal and righteous ambassadors. Mark 11:22-25 reads,

“And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

We are not arrogant in our royalty. We like Jesus are humble. We don’t boast or take pride in great works, because they are not ours, they are Jesus’ works. We know that we are completely in need of God. We can’t even breathe without Him. We can’t have faith without Him. (Isaiah 42:5). The Lord has mercy on those who need it and ask for it. The Lord died for sinners, not for righteous men. A king has no kingdom if people do not submit to his authority. So we submit to Jesus, our Righteous King. He frees the prisoners, provides for the needy, and feeds the hungry. Verses 12-15 describe Him.

“For he delivers the needy when he calls,
    the poor and him who has no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy,
    and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
    and precious is their blood in his sight.”

These verses describe Jesus. Do they describe us? They should. As His followers we should have His compassion, mercy, and longing for justice. We should act in Jesus’ love for people. His love wasn’t lip service it was action. He brought people to salvation. He healed, He spent time, He taught, and He served. He is our King, we should exemplify Him.

Do we long for His name to be known throughout the earth? Do we cry out “Long live the King!” Are we making disciples of every nation? Verses 15-19 read,

“Long may he live;
    may gold of Sheba be given to him!
May prayer be made for him continually,
    and blessings invoked for him all the day!
16 May there be abundance of grain in the land;
    on the tops of the mountains may it wave;
    may its fruit be like Lebanon;
and may people blossom in the cities
    like the grass of the field!
17 May his name endure forever,
    his fame continue as long as the sun!
May people be blessed in him,
    all nations call him blessed!

18 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
    who alone does wondrous things.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;
    may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!

Believer, you and I are the glory of God! You and I are the ones to make Jesus’ name famous. Our ancestors have passed away and passed the job onto us. David worshipped God. He brought light to Israel. When David died the torch was passed to Solomon. We carry that torch now. Let us light the world on fire for Jesus. Verse 20 says,

“The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.”

David could no longer be the king. That job fell to Solomon. Now it is we who must take on the responsibility and glorify The Lord.

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Psalm 66 Why Do We Praise The Lord?

7/26/2015

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Psalm 66

There is always a reason to praise God. We praise Him for what He has done. We extol Him for Who He is. We magnify Him for what He is doing and for what He has told us He will do. God is great, He is awesome, mighty, tremendous, faithful, splendid, merciful, and loving. Verses 1-4 incite the entire earth to praise Almighty God.

“Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
2     sing the glory of his name;
    give to him glorious praise!
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
    So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
4 All the earth worships you
    and sings praises to you;
    they sing praises to your name.” Selah”

Praise to The Lord is glorious. God becomes known to the world, He is made famous to all those who hear the praise of the saints. His name is exalted, His works are celebrated, and He is lauded by our praise and worship. There will be a day when every person will come before The Lord for judgement. On that day the every person will bow to Jesus, and that includes His enemies. The people whose hearts are hard and filled with rage at the idea of The King of kings, who are to prideful to acknowledge Him will bend their knees to Him and proclaim that Jesus is the Lord of lords, King of kings, and God of the Universe. (Isaiah 45:22-25, Philippians 2:1-11). They will wince and shudder, because they will see the Truth, and it will be too late, too late to choose Him and too late to know Him.

What has God done? How has The Almighty God shown His love to His children? Verses 5-12 read,

“Come and see what God has done:
    he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
6 He turned the sea into dry land;
    they passed through the river on foot.
There did we rejoice in him,
7     who rules by his might forever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations--
    let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah

8 Bless our God, O peoples;
    let the sound of his praise be heard,
9 who has kept our soul among the living
    and has not let our feet slip.
10 For you, O God, have tested us;
    you have tried us as silver is tried.
11 You brought us into the net;
    you laid a crushing burden on our backs;
12 you let men ride over our heads;
    we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.”

God brought Israel into Egypt where their numbers grew from 70 people to a strong and mighty numerous, and were eventually made slaves. (Genesis 46:26-27, Exodus 1:7-8). But the Lord brought them out of Egypt, divided the Red Sea so Israel walked safely through it, brought them through the wilderness, brought them into The Promised Land, and made them a nation.

The Lord has done the same for us today. We were slaves to sin, we were in the chains of the enemy. God loved us so much He sent His Son Jesus to us. He stepped out of Heaven, He lived, died and rose from the dead for us. Holy Perfect Jesus who never sinned was made sin so that we who were the slaves of sin were made to be righteous and holy. (2 Corinthians 5:16-21). Now we are a nation. 1 Peter 2:9-10 reads,

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

Our response is to rightly worship, praise, and glorify Him to magnify His Holy Name to every nation and person. Our response is to obey Him, to love Him above all with everything we have and are, and to love the people He made as He loves them. Verses 13-15 say,

“I will come into your house with burnt offerings;
    I will perform my vows to you,
14 that which my lips uttered
    and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.
15 I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals,
    with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;
I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah”

Our response in that love and in love others as He loves is to tell the world what God has done and who He is, the Savior Jesus, our Lord. Verses 16-20 read,

“Come and hear, all you who fear God,
    and I will tell what he has done for my soul.
17 I cried to him with my mouth,
    and high praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened.
19 But truly God has listened;
    he has attended to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God,
    because he has not rejected my prayer
    or removed his steadfast love from me!”

The Gospel is so simple that it is too simple for some. They just cannot accept that all we have to do is repent from our sins by asking the Lord God to forgive us and that He does. We do not have to earn His favor, he already chose us. We do not have to work for His reward, He gives us eternal life just by our faith.

There is no magic in the words of the sinner’s prayer. If we simply repeated the words yet treasured sin and never planned to obey the Lord then the prayer meant nothing, just as if it had never been said. God hears and knows our sincerity. He knows our hearts. When we pray with remorse for our wrongs and with faith that Jesus is the Christ, He hears, He listens, He attends, and He saves.

We have so much reason to praise the Lord! He has done great things. He created the world. He chose to love us and save us. He brought us from slavery to freedom. He wants to save every person in every nation. They can know the awesome Love of God by that praise.

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Titus Chapter 2 People Are Watching You. Who Do They See?

4/20/2015

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Titus Chapter 2

In the second chapter of Paul’s letter to Titus he exhorts us to behave in a manner worthy of the name we’ve been given. We are Christians and our actions should reflect our state of grace, the great name of Jesus, and His Spirit who indwells us. Verse 1 reads,

“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.”

This is a continuance from the previous chapter when Paul warned Titus to not allow false teachings to get mixed up in the truth. When we teach, it is our responsibility to ensure the doctrine, instructions, and principals are sound. Sound means healthy, whole, comprehensive, good, and intact. Whether receiving or giving instruction make sure it is supported by the Bible, does not contradict the Gospel, and that the voice of God is recognized in it. If you are not yet able to discern The Lord’s voice because you are a young Christian, then continue to seek Him and He will make Himself known to you.

The mature Christian walks in a manner that reflects Jesus to the world and to other believers. In faith we endeavor to live a life that is pleasing to God and brings Him an aroma of worship, praise, and knowledge.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 reads,

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?”

We teach one another with lives lived well for God. We demonstrate to the world the goodness of God by our lives. We are not responsible for their response, we are responsible for our actions and words which will either present Jesus as Awesome Loving Savior or present us as no different than the world. Verse 2-6 read,

“Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.”

Verses 9-10 say,

“Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.”

We are being transformed day by day to the image of Christ. As we learn more about God, as we exercise our gifts, and express the character of Jesus, we become examples for one another. Glorifying God is reflecting His image, it is the exhibition of the Spirit in us.

Why should we strive to be the way Paul describes? So that we are training the less mature and so the word of God will not be reviled. Our actions will make people say, “Where does love like that come from” or it will make them say, “Their god doesn’t exist and if he does he is powerless.” Much of the world hates Christians and that is okay, but much of that hate is because we acted in the flesh and gave them reason to hate us, and that is not okay. We are supposed to be a light in the darkness leading people to Jesus, not giving them reason to hate Him. Verses 7-8 say it this way,

“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.”

Regardless of where we are, who we are dealing with, or playing or working, we are to walk in a manner worthy of the name of Jesus Christ. We are His ambassadors. People get to know who Jesus is by their interactions with us. So in every aspect of our lives we have to remember people are watching us to see who this Jesus is. Verses 11-14 read,

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

More so than our words it is our lives that lead people to Jesus. He wants everyone to come to Him. He wants salvation for the world. He saved us and He transforms us so that the world will know Him. He is our hope. We know He is coming back, and we will be resurrected and rise with Him to eternity. That same hope for us, is a terrible day for the lost. On that day they will know Jesus is The LORD. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could let them know before it is too late? When He comes and they see Him with their eyes and hear the trumpet sound, it will be too late for faith.

The way we live matters. We do not follow the law, but we do follow Jesus. Jesus acted in love and in submission to God. Jesus asked us to love one another as He loves us. His grace is revealed best when we who used to be of the world, walk like the new creations we are.

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Philippians 2:12-18 Intentionally Choose Goodness

4/14/2015

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Philippians Chapter 2 Verses 12-18

Do you behave differently in front of your pastor than you do when you’re with friends? Do you act another way when you are with Christians than when you are with outsiders? Who is it you are trying to impress with your character? Is it your church, your friends, your pastor, or the world? Or does it depend on who you are with? We shouldn’t be trying to impress anyone. Yet, it is natural to want to please people and to want people to like us. So maybe when we’re in church we use Christianese, speak in fortune cookie scripture or bite sized encouragements. Maybe when we’re with the lost we cuss and drink like a sailor. We should be glorifying and exalting Jesus with our genuine walk. Our everyday conduct should reflect our maturation in Christ and show the results of the Holy Spirit in us.

It doesn’t happen automatically. We do not naturally choose the Spirit over the flesh. We have to deliberately exercise the traits He is building in us. Verses 12-13 read,

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

We opt to obey, we opt to be patient, kind, and humble. We decide to speak goodness, blessings, and love. With maturity and regular exercise it becomes easier to be faithful rather than anxious, to think of others instead of focusing on ourselves, and to be thankful rather complain. God is doing a great work in us, but He doesn’t do it against our will. Most of us are not suddenly mirror images of Jesus when we’re saved. We have to let the Holy Spirit do His work.

If we’re going to act the fool, it is better to do it in front of our fellow believers instead of the world. Let’s strive for sincere godliness in front of the lost. Our lives are a testimony to Jesus. We must purposefully choose the fruit of the spirit over the desires of the flesh. Verses 14-16 read,

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”

The Lord hates grumbling and complaining, not only does it reveal how very ungrateful we are, it shows our lack of faith in God’s sovereignty. He also dislikes disparity among the believers. How can we expect the world to believe the awesomeness of God if they watch us arguing over ridiculous points and see discord among us? How can we say we share the same wonderful Spirit and be in conflict with one another? We are supposed to strive for godliness, seek the Kingdom of God, and pursue righteousness. We are expected to be lights in the dark, beacons of hope leading people to Jesus. We are not supposed to be people who claim to be Christians but act like the world or worse.

Paul pursued righteousness with passion. When he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he didn’t go out the next day as the man we think of who wrote so much of the New Testament, spread the gospel to places far and wide, and eventually glorified Jesus in his death as much as he had in his life. Saul was changed immediately in many ways, but it took time for Paul to mature. He gave up being a Pharisee to become a tent maker, he studied under the apostles, and he studied under the Holy Spirit for fourteen years before beginning his missionary journeys.

Paul wanted the believers to know the spiritual maturity, he knew. He urged them to earnestly pursue godliness. He knew he might very well be killed for living for Jesus and he was willing. He encouraged the church to rejoice in that just as he did. He was in a dank dark underground prison and he could still rejoice, because he understood the great benefits of suffering for Christ. Verses 17-18 say,

“Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.”

Celebrate with your fellow believers the work God is doing in them and in you. Salvation takes a moment, living out salvation takes effort, and maturity takes time.

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2 Peter 1:1-4 Live an Extraordinary Excellent Godly Life. Be Like Jesus

4/6/2015

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2 Peter Chapter 1 Verses 1-4

Who in Christendom do you admire? Who are your heroes of faith? Is it Peter, Paul, or James? Is it Billy Graham, your pastor, or an elder of your church? You have the same potential for great faith they do. The Gospel that saved Peter is the same truth that saved us. The Salvation that redeemed Paul is the same that redeemed us. The same God chose us, the same Savior died and resurrected for us, the same Spirit that sanctified them sanctifies us.

Verses 1-2 read,

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Confirm Your Calling and Election

Jesus didn’t have to work harder to forgive our sins than theirs. He died once for all of us. He died once to forgive all sins. Hebrews 9:24-28 says it this way,

“For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”

The grace we received was the same grace. Peter is known just as much for his blunders as he is for his great faith. He famously denied knowing Jesus not once but three times on the night before the crucifixion. And Jesus forgave him. He went on to become a champion of the faith. Paul was Saul before he met Jesus. Saul persecuted the church with such fervor that he was known to and feared by all the Brethren. Yet Paul became the man who suffered for Jesus more than any of the other apostles. He exemplified Christ to the point that he could say, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1). And we all should be able to say that. We all should reach a point of maturity that we know we are emanating Jesus, and there is more Spirit than flesh radiating from us.

That level of sanctification is not reserved for some Christians. It is for all of us. We all received the Holy Spirit. He doesn’t choose to transform some and leave others the same as they were the day they were saved. He doesn’t decide to purify some less than others. He is the Spirit of the Living God. He is Almighty God and He chose to indwell us. We have the same potential to be as effective for the kingdom as any of the Christians before us or with us. Verses 3-4 read,

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”

There is nothing and nobody who can stand in God’s way of conforming us to His image. He through His great power has given us everything we need to follow Him and live godly lives. Godliness is glorifying Jesus. God chose us, He called us. He didn’t call us so we could live ordinary lives and look like the world. He called us to His own glory! He called us to be like Him. He didn’t call us to mediocracy but to excellence. If some of us are not living extraordinary lives it is because we are not pursuing God, we are not letting Him reform us. He has to revolutionize us before we can revolutionize the world through Him.

The Holy Spirit is indwelled in us. We live by the promise of His seal. We live by the hope of Christ’s resurrection which is our resurrection. We are no longer part of the world, fallen, and headed for Hell. Because of Jesus we have overcome that. We died to sin, and live in Christ. We partake, join in God’s awesome power. It isn’t some but all of us with the potential to do great things for Jesus.

There is no reason any of us have to live mundane lives. God is awesome and He wants us to live excellent exceptional lives that venerate Christ. In John 14:12-14 Jesus said,

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

You see you have the same Lord, the same faith, the same redemption that Peter, Paul, and any of the great heroes of faith have. You were called by the Father. You put your trust in Jesus. You have the Holy Spirit. Start living the God glorifying life of distinction that He made possible for you.

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1 Peter 1:1-12 Rejoice in the Eternal, Imperishable, Undefilable, and Unfading Hope of Christ.

3/28/2015

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1 Peter Chapter 1 Verses 1-12

Peter wrote this letter to Christians scattered across Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, modern Turkey. He calls the believers elect exiles of the Dispersion. Just as in the days of the Old Covenant when Israel was exiled to places that were not the Promised Land, their home, today during the New Covenant believers are exiles because our Promised Land is Heaven, our home is New Jerusalem and we are exiles among the world. But we are not hopeless. We know where our home is, we know who our family and fellow pilgrims are, and we know who our Lord is. He keeps our citizenship for us. Verse 2 describes believers.

“according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.”

Our Father knew us and chose us from the beginning. The Spirit consecrates and purifies us. He makes it possible for us to walk in obedience to Jesus Christ who saved us by His blood. That is wonderful news. And because of that we have hope. Not some distant fantasy, but confidence we live in and with, in the everyday. Because God is with us. He loves us, sanctifies us, and saves us. That is a living hope.

Peter describes that hope beautifully in verses 3-5.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Jesus is alive! His life gives us life. Peter describes eternal life as an inheritance, the legacy or bequest we receive from our Father. Normally to leave an inheritance the father would die, but in this case God rose from the dead and it is through His life that we live and receive eternal life. We died to our previous life, to sin and eternal death and live as new creations, sons of God eternally. Romans 6:8-11 reads,

“Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Our salvation, our eternal life is kept safe for us by God. Peter describes it as imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us. Imperishable means permanent, eternal, and enduring. It cannot be destroyed. Undefiled means pure spotless and unpolluted. It remains perfect. It can’t be corrupted. And unfading means it can’t even lose a little of its richness or vibrancy. And it is being kept in Heaven for us. Not far from us, not for one day but for us now, since we live in the Kingdom of Heaven. It is protected and will remain safe until Jesus is fully revealed in us on The Day when we are in New Jerusalem face to face with Jesus.

That awesome hope, our eternal life, which we live now and it is guarded and protected by The Lord Almighty is what gives us reason to rejoice. Life is messy, hard, and difficult. Tragedy and calamity happen. But because we have Jesus Christ our hope, we can celebrate and be glad though all of it.

Do you realize that the precious treasure of eternal life can actually become more pure, more vibrant, and stronger? It does. It does when we go through the fires of life clinging to our Hope, rejoicing in our Peace, and remaining faithful to our Lord. Can you imagine what the world sees when you go through some awful experience and rather than break and curse God, rather than grumble and whine, you praise the Lord and allow the Spirit to build you, strengthen you, and make you more like Jesus? They see Jesus revealed in you. They hear about the awesome power of God’s Spirit. They see the proof of El Shaddai. And so do you. He becomes more concrete to you. Verses 6-9 say it this way,

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Think about what an awesome gift salvation is. There is no earning it. There is no buying it. The only way to get it is by the grace of our Father, the blood of Jesus, and the power of the Spirit. It is eternal, guaranteed, and perfect. Eternal life is a wonderful legacy. It is ours now. It can only get better, stronger, and bigger. It is an inheritance that we receive not through our Father’s death but because Jesus lives and brings us out of death. May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Bless the Lord! Praise Him forever. He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. He is keeping it safe for us with Him, imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.

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James 3 What's Down in the Well, Comes up in the Bucket. Don't Let it be Poison.

1/31/2015

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James Chapter 3

Maurice Switzer said, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.” That phrase echoes Proverb 17:28.

“Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

I cannot tell you how many times my yap has not only proven me to be foolish, but mean, jealous, petty, and bitter. If only I would control my tongue, I would stop showing the world the worst of me. Now that I blog and through this blog teach people, and now that I mentor some, it is more important than ever that I use the filter God gave me called a brain and exercise the spiritual fruit of love called self-control.

In the third chapter of James, James addressed the same issue. Verses 1-2 read,

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

Believer, whether you set out to teach others or not, you do teach. You follow Christ and the world watches, and they judge. They judge you harshly because you claim Christ, they judge the pastors, the teachers, and church leaders even more severely. As a Christian every negative act you perform, and every negative word you speak is amplified by them so they can justify their non-belief. You and I have a responsibility to speak and act wisely so that what we do and say will not cause others to stumble or reject Jesus.

The tongue is small but powerful. Our words can build or destroy. Our words can encourage, inspire, augment, and increase. But they can more easily discourage, hurt, cut, and diminish. I have been on the receiving end of words that influenced me not to try, or hurt me deeply. I have been the speaker of those terrible words as well. James described the power of words with a few metaphors. He compared the ability to control our tongues to the bit of a horse. When a bit is placed in a horse’s mouth, the rider controls the entire animal. He also likened it to a ship’s rudder, the whole vessel is steered by the small part. We use the tongue to decide which direction we will take a conversation, a lesson, a day, and even a life.

James also compared the control of the tongue to a forest fire. In 2012 wildfires burned 9,326,238 acres, killed 11 people, and cost millions of dollars in damage. Many wildfires are started with something as small as a dropped cigarette. (CNN, 2014). That is immense damage from one little spark. Our words are that formidable. I can tell you stories of what negative words have done to me. I can share stories of kids being teased so ruthlessly that they committed suicide. I watched a program about a woman driven to such depths of depression from a co-worker’s relentless mocking that she got a gun and shot up a grocery store killing the man who joked with her every day. (Poole, 2015). Words are potent. More potent than we who are careless with them want to think.

Verses 6-8 read,

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

No human being can tame the evil poison tongue. Does that mean we don’t bother? We just say whatever comes to mind whenever we think it? Absolutely not. No human can tame it. But we do not rely on our human nature for our behavior, we rely on the Holy Spirit. He is conforming us to the image of Christ and the consequence of that transformation is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.[1] The fruit of our human nature is sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, and debauchery. [2] When we follow our flesh we sin, we speak without love and self-control, we let bitterness take root and grow and sprout out of our mouths causing the terrible damage it will. But with the Holy Spirit our mouth should spring out the fruit consistent with His love. Verses 9-12 read,

“With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.”

The old saying goes, “What’s down in the well, comes up in the bucket.” And it is true. Your mouth speaks what is in your heart and spirit. If the Spirit is there, unquenched and working, then we will glorify the Lord. If we have quenched Him, then our human nature will speak. In Matthew 12:34-36 Jesus said,

“You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

I cannot tell you how many careless words I have spoken. The amount of damage I have done with my vile tongue is incalculable. We must be vigilant to exercise love and self-control over the weapon of our mouths. We have to be conscientious and choose not to exercise the fruit of the flesh. We have to choose to glorify Christ. Verses 13-18 read,

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Self-control is just as important to the command to love another as any other fruit of the Spirit. It is the characteristic that lords over how we choose to behave. It is the one I too often hear excuses against and sometimes out of my own mouth. “You know how I am!” or likewise. The world may know how you are, but do they know how God is? Do they see Him when they interact with you? They should. We are supposed to exemplify Christ, for the world and for one another. I challenge you to exercise the self-control given to you by the Spirit, and choose to use your words to build, teach, encourage, inspire, and in other ways, love.

Works Cited CNN. (2014, May 16). Wildfire Facts. Retrieved from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/21/us/wildfires-fast-facts/

Poole, T. (2015). Unravled: Supermarket Slaughter. Retrieved from IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4341554/?ref_=tt_eps_cu_n

[1] Galatians 5:22-23

[2] Galatians 5:19-21

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2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 We are not Alone in Striving for Jesus’ Glory

1 Thessalonians 1 Your Life is a Testimony to Your Heart

Psalm 73 Evil Men Prosper, But Only on this Earth.

Psalm 72 Glorify Jesus the Righteous King

Psalm 66 Why Do We Praise The Lord?

Titus Chapter 2 People Are Watching You. Who Do They See?

Philippians 2:12-18 Intentionally Choose Goodness

2 Peter 1:1-4 Live an Extraordinary Excellent Godly Life. Be Like Jesus

1 Peter 1:1-12 Rejoice in the Eternal, Imperishable, Undefilable, and Unfading Hope of Christ.

James 3 What's Down in the Well, Comes up in the Bucket. Don't Let it be Poison.

Donna Campbell

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