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1 Peter 4 Suffering with a Purpose, Grace with a Mission

5/26/2016

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Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer Romans 12:12
​1 Peter 4
Yesterday we read about how we are different from the world and that difference is expressed by how we treat people. Today, we see how that difference is exhibited by our behavior. Verses 1-3 read,
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.
Jesus suffered so much and it was for our benefit. Our own suffering, which for most of us will never be as bad as Christ’s can also be for our benefit. We can learn from it and we develop the character of Christ because of it. Romans 5:1-5 says it like this,
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
 
We cannot let Jesus sacrifice on the Cross and His victory over death and sin mean nothing to us by not letting his suffering or own transform us. The past is the past. God no longer sees our sins we He looks at us, He sees us as new righteous creations. There is no sin in Christ. Christ was sinless, He took our sin away, and we no longer have sin in us or on us. 1 John 3:4-6 reads,
Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.
 
Although we can and sadly often do act the way we did before we knew Jesus, we do not have to be compelled to sin any longer. Even though we may do things that are considered sins, we are not under the law any longer so theoretically nothing we do is sin. But there are things which produce goodness and things which do not. There are practices, behaviors, and attitudes which exalt God and there are those which exalt ourselves. 1 Corinthians 6:12 says it this way,
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
 
We are just not the same as we used to be. Exalting ourselves and feeding our basal desires just doesn’t hold the same charm anymore. The world will undoubtedly take note of the difference and they will not like it. The old friends we used to party with, won’t recognize the new person we’ve become and they will want their old friend back. Why? Because our new desire to be good shows them that their actions are not so good. Verses 4-7 read,
 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
 
Judgement Day is coming. They will be judged. But our walk with Jesus in the Spirit can speak volumes to the lost. We can tell them the wonderful news of Jesus Christ and they can be saved!  But if we act the way we acted before we knew Jesus, if we sin the way we used to, they won’t see Jesus as real and they won’t see His power and saving grace.
Living by grace doesn’t mean sinning as if there is no such thing as law, it means exercising the power of God within us and living the holy righteous lives we can because God is able to transform us. Verses 8-11 read,
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
 
Grace is wonderful and miraculous. We are not yet perfect but we have been perfected, even while God is still making us perfect. The law is no longer something we follow to be called good. It is part of us, written onto our hearts, so that we understand the crux of it which is reconciliation with God. We are free to love as God loves. Hebrews 10:14-18 reads,
For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them
    after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts,
    and write them on their minds,”

17 then he adds,
“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”
18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
 We will make mistakes but if we strive to act out of God’s love, we will not make those mistakes as often. Even when we do, love will cover the mistake with grace. People need God’s grace and we have it! We can show them His marvelous grace through exercising the gifts we’ve been given. We use those gifts for our benefit, the church’s benefit, and the world’s benefit. If we don’t use them, we are not serving Jesus Christ as we could, we are serving ourselves and hiding the Gospel from those who desperately need it.
We will suffer. We do suffer. And there are different kinds of suffering. Sometimes we go through awful things because we acted in certain ways and we have to experience the consequences of those choices. That suffering can discipline us. But sometimes our suffering is undeserved. Sometimes it is because we are standing up for Jesus, walking in the Spirit, and refusing to deny Christ by giving in to sin. That suffering can also teach us but in addition it glorifies God and points the world to Jesus. Verses 12-19 read,
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
 
Jesus suffered for our sake and the sake of every person on this planet. He was lifted up and hung on a cross as the world tried to humiliate Him. But the curse they tried to inflict on Jesus became a blessing and honor for us. So when people slander you, try and hurt you, or try to shame you undeservedly, remember Jesus will be glorified. Rejoice, you are being honored and your suffering can be a blessing to those living under the curse of death. Rejoice because the trials you are suffering are making you more like Jesus. If your life is changing to look like Jesus, then maybe you ought to question if you are walking in Christ. If your suffering isn’t reshaping your character into Jesus’ character, then perhaps you ought to question if The Holy Spirit is in you. Judgement Day is coming for all of us.
 
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Sons and Daughters Share the Father's Nature

10/21/2015

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​Believer, you are a child of the Living God. He calls you His son or daughter. Do you understand the depth of what that means? This is who you are. He not only calls you His son or daughter but He chose for you to be His. He adopted you. He made the choice to make you His child. Ephesians 1:3-6 reads,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”
The word used in this verse is hyiós. It means son by birth or adoption but it means more than that, it means the person (male of female) shares the same nature as the father. We share our Father’s nature. What is His nature? At its essence, God’s nature is Love, because He is Love. 1 John 4:8 says,
“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
Of course we are not perfect yet, so we do fall short of perfect love, but since we are the sons and daughters of God and share His nature, we have the ability to love and we can live up to that.
Revelation 19:11-16 tells us more about His nature.
“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
This passage tells us so much about who we are as sons and daughters of God. Jesus is portrayed here as Faithful and True. So we too are capable of being faithful and true, committed and honorable. He judges righteously. He cares about justice. The war He is fighting is for us and for the lost who could know Him.
He is The Word of God, God’s will manifested. We too have a part in bringing about God’s will, which is that we will make disciples, that no one will perish, and that He is glorified. (Matthew 28:16-20, 2 Peter 3:8-10, Romans 15:6).
He is the King of kings. That makes us royalty, it makes us kings and queens. Kings and queens are noble and confident that the words we speak are taken seriously. And what are the words we speak? We speak the word of God, the Bible, His will, and His message.
Being the sons of God also means we have an inheritance. Ephesians 1:11-14 reads,
“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
Our inheritance is eternal life in the presence of God now and in New Jerusalem for eternity.
Believer, you are the son or daughter of God. Are you living up to that? Are you honoring your Father and King by being like Him and expressing His nature? I encourage to embrace who you are in Christ. Be the gallant, faithful, loving, and righteous king or queen you were predestined to be.
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JEHOVAH-TSID-KENU The LORD is Our Righteousness

10/3/2015

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The LORD is Our Righteousness. Jehovah-Tsid-Kenu
Jeremiah 33:14-16 says,
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.”
Think on that today. This is God we are speaking of. This is His plan for you and me. This is one of the names He gave Himself. The LORD is Our Righteousness.
We are not righteous because we are so good. No, we have all sinned. Everyone has fallen short of being who God created him to be. Romans 3:21-26 says,
“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
We are righteous because Jesus is righteous and gave us credit for His goodness through His death and resurrection. Nothing we could do could ever earn the title of righteous. We cannot earn salvation 1 Corinthians 1:26-32 says,
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
It is in Jesus Christ that we are made good, we are redeemed and sanctified. To be sanctified is to be blessed, made holy, consecrated, set aside for a divine purpose. Isn’t that amazing? And we didn’t earn it! It is a gift from the Lord. Ephesians 2:1-10 reads,
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Is the Lord your righteousness? Have you considered the magnitude of your sin? Have you been forgiven? It is easy. There is no magic trick, no special charm or recitation. You simply acknowledge you need Jesus, remember everyone has sinned, everyone needs Jesus. Once you’ve admitted you have sinned, you repent (that means are sorry and you choose not to continue sinning), make Jesus your Lord (the one in charge of you) and believe that He resurrected from the dead for you, and proclaim it, shout it to the world. Romans 10:8-13 puts it this way,
“But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Are you already a believer is Jesus your righteousness? Then love people enough to tell them about Jesus. Romans 10:14-17 says,
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
The LORD is our Righteousness! Righteousness is being virtuous, moral, just, and honest. To be those things, implies you are doing good, acting in a fair and appropriate manner, and telling the truth. We do not do to earn salvation, we do in response to salvation. The Holy Spirit is making us more like Christ every day. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 says,
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Thank you Lord, for your salvation. Thank you for forgiveness and redemption, justice, security, and eternal life. You God are my righteousness. It is only because of you that I can be blameless. You are my LORD. I praise you Lord and I am so deeply grateful for your never-ending love and sovereignty.
In Jesus’ Name Amen.
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Psalm 39 Be Mindful of Your Short Life

6/29/2015

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Psalm 39

Recently my pastor encouraged the church to be mindful, to be aware and present during all activities during the day whatever it is we do, be it driving, washing dishes, or drinking and eating so that we could worship The Lord in everything and through everything. So as I drink my tea I think about the tea, the satisfaction of it, and the source of it. I reflect about how thankful I am to have this tea and the time to enjoy it. And I praise God for my morning, my tea, and my life. This is one way to making one’s life a life of worship.

This mindfulness or awareness not only leads believers to a life of worship it also helps us to walk in the Spirit rather than the flesh. Attentiveness to our deeds helps us to choose right over wrong, good over bad, virtue over sin. This Psalm of David encourages us to be alert to our actions and walk. Verses 1-3 read,

“I said, “I will guard my ways,
    that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,
    so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
2 I was mute and silent;
    I held my peace to no avail,
and my distress grew worse.
3     My heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue:”


The tongue is one of the most powerful tools we possess. With that tongue we can praise the Lord, we can bless, testify, and encourage, or we can curse, hate, and destroy. James 3:5-12 says,

“So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 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.”

Most of my sins occur via my mouth. David was aware of that same problem, so his wise choice and good advice was to not speak when he was in the midst of his enemies. He wanted to stay silent in his ire rather than let loose, sin, and give those witnesses pleasure over his iniquity.

It wasn’t easy. He burned with a desire to answer them, to defend himself, and to pay them back with the kind of pain they inflicted on him. He knew what was right and he wanted to tell them, even though he knew they wouldn’t hear it. He wanted to shame them the way they shamed him. But he knew that would lead to sin. It would lead to destroying his testimony to the goodness, greatness, and awesomeness of The Lord.

But he was human and he let go and satisfied the burning desire of the flesh and sinned. He wasn’t patient enough to wait on The Lord for his justice. In his repentance God reminded him how short our time in this earth is. We live only 120 years at the longest, most never get close to that age. That is nothing compared to eternity. A year or a decade may seem eons to us, but they are specks compared to forever. God is bigger than time. He made time. He has already been to the future. He has already conquered the enemy. When we choose not to give in to temptation we are trusting God to be God for us. Verses 4-6 read,

“O Lord, make me know my end
    and what is the measure of my days;
    let me know how fleeting I am!
5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
    and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
6  Surely a man goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;
    man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!”


When we look at our lives in comparison to eternity it becomes easier to let God be God. Vengeance belongs to Him. (Deuteronomy 32:35). He vindicates us. (Psalm 17:2). He is our Salvation, our Refuge, and our Strength. We are free to rest in Him. It is in leaning on Him, waiting on Him that our lives testify to Him, our Peace and our Joy, even through the worst of suffering. Verses 7-11 read,

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
    My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions.
    Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
9 I am mute; I do not open my mouth,
    for it is you who have done it.
10 Remove your stroke from me;
    I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
11 When you discipline a man
    with rebukes for sin,
you consume like a moth what is dear to him;
    surely all mankind is a mere breath!  Selah”


David’s failures, his sin ate at him. He became physically ill because of the turmoil his sin caused him. The Lord’s conviction and discipline caused him deep sorrow. He didn’t wallow in the conviction, though. He let the discipline teach him. He knew The Lord was still his Hope and Deliverer. He praised God for forgiving him, instead of cursing God for chastising him. He recognized that the correction he got was not the punishment he deserved. He allowed discipline to lead him to repentance. Verses 12-13 say,

“Hear my prayer, O Lord,
    and give ear to my cry;
    hold not your peace at my tears!
For I am a sojourner with you,
    a guest, like all my fathers.
13 Look away from me, that I may smile again,
    before I depart and am no more!”


Discipline is not fun. It causes sorrow in us. But we don’t stay stuck in the muck of misery. We let God convict us and we repent. We make amends and we learn. And the next time we are faced with that temptation, we are stronger for it, we can use God’s strength and we can choose to trust God rather than sin.  And though discipline is not fun we can rejoice in it, because we know The Holy Spirit is growing us to be more Christ-like. We know it is for our good. We know Discipline means our Father loves us. We know that discipline results in a richer life, treasures for this life and treasures in Heaven. Proverbs 3:11-14 says,

“My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
    or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
    as a father the son in whom he delights.


13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
    and the one who gets understanding,
14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
    and her profit better than gold.”


My precious loved brothers and sisters I encourage you today to let God be your Defender, keep silent rather than open your mouth and sin. I encourage you to pay attention to your life and live a life worship. I encourage you to be aware of your walk to avoid sinning. I encourage you to take note and appreciate God’s chastisement and grow.

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Psalm 26 The Lord is Our Vindication

6/16/2015

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Psalm 26

What is vindication? What does it mean that God vindicates us? Merriam Webster defines Vindicate as to clear, as from an accusation, imputation, suspicion, or the like” It is to afford justification, to uphold justice be evidence or proof, to assert, maintain, or defend against opposition, regain possession or to assert one’s right to possession, and lastly to avenge.

God, our Lord does all that for us. He clears us of our wrongs. He justifies us and gives us evidence of our justification through The Holy Spirit. He claims us as His own and He avenges us against the enemy. This Psalm celebrates our vindication by God and our response to that exoneration. Verses 1-3 read,

“Vindicate me, O Lord,
    for I have walked in my integrity,
    and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
    test my heart and my mind.
3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
    and I walk in your faithfulness.”


We are not delivered because we are good. We are called good and able to be good because we are saved. When we accept Jesus, we are not only forgiven of every sin past, present, and future, but we are also given God’s Spirit, His nature and we are then able to follow Jesus and come to know our Awesome God. He opens His heart, His character, and His mind to us. We get to know Him and He makes us like Him.

It is through the proving, the testing of our heart and mind by the various difficulties and situations that God does His amazing and miraculous works in us to transform us. He knows our hearts and minds completely, the test and the proof is for us to know who we are. And we are able to “pass” those tests not by our power but because we know God loves us completely, and unwaveringly. We walk not by our faith but by His, which He gives us. Each testing and each proofing grows our faith more and more.

Verses 4-5 read,

“I do not sit with men of falsehood,
    nor do I consort with hypocrites.
5 I hate the assembly of evildoers,
    and I will not sit with the wicked.”


These verses do not mean that we never spend any time with the lost, it means we do not abide with or join with people of emptiness and vanity, whose words are lies and lead to false religions, idolatry, and selfishness. They are hypocrites, pretenders and we will not consort, partner or walk with them. It is picture, not of caring for them and loving them enough to share Jesus, but of being with them, on their side. We do not take part in their works. We walk with and partner with the Lord and with His church. Verses 6-8 say,

“I wash my hands in innocence
    and go around your altar, O Lord,
7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,
    and telling all your wondrous deeds.


8 O Lord, I love the habitation of your house
    and the place where your glory dwells
.”

Washing one’s hands is symbolic of removing guilt and cutting off any association with something. In this case David and we wash our hands of who we were before salvation. We wash our hands of the false prophets and false teachers who lead people to Hell. We wash our hands of Satan. We are vindicated and we tell the whole world how marvelous our Father is, how Jesus died and rose to save us, and how beautiful the Spirit is.

And it is amazing to be with God in His house. In David’s day that meant the Temple. But today we are the Temple of God. He is with is and in us always. He abides in us. And it is truly lovely to be with Him. We magnify that wondrous thing when we are with the church, the body of Christ. Each of us glorifies or reflects and adulates the Lord and together that glory is exponentially increased. If you don’t know the joy of tangibly sharing God’s Spirit with one another, of feeling His presence thick amongst you, I am here to tell you it is pure joy and greatness. He is marvelous.

The Holy Spirit is our seal, our deposit, and our identity. We cannot be mistaken for the lost. We will not be condemned with them. Remember we are vindicated. Verses 9-10 read,

“Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,
    nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 in whose hands are evil devices,
    and whose right hands are full of bribes.”


The lost live for themselves lusting after selfish desires, seeking to fill the whole in their souls with pleasures and destruction. But we, the vindicated seek God’s will not our own. We walk in truth and honor as we manifest the Holy Spirit within us and live a life that testifies to the goodness and greatness of the Lord, Jesus our Deliverer, our Vindication. Verses 11-12 say,

“But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
    redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on level ground;
    in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.”


We are part of a unit, the body of Christ and together with them our foundation is firm. Jesus is our firm foundation, our rock. It is together with the family of God as we bear the fruit of the Spirit and love another that we uphold each other and corporately bless the Lord.

We are vindicated, no longer guilty as the enemy accuses us. We are holy. We are rescued and called God’s own.

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Psalm 19 The Heavens and The Earth and All Within Creation Declare God’s Majesty.

6/9/2015

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Psalm 19

The Lord, Creator of Heaven and Earth is evident in every part of His creation. From the sky to man His mark is clear. The creation shouts the proof of its Creator. All creation carries the Hallmark God. His children are evidence of His perfection and love. We are amazing complex masterpieces who have to have been formed purposely. He is perfect and calling Him Lord is a joy.

Verses 1-4 read,

“The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,”


Have you ever spent time just admiring His creation? I know when I am in a place of natural beauty I can see God in everything around me, the magnificence of the mountains, the brilliance of the sky, and the music of the birds, wind, and water. In Brazil’s Amazon I slept on a boat in the open air. Night was dark with no man made lights except what the boat produced. The stars were more numerous than I had ever imagined. The sky seemed so close. It was truly awesome. I was filled with wonder and amazement for God. All of nature testifies to the Lord.

Look at David’s description of the sun in verses 5-6.

“which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.”


Have you ever had the chance to watch a sunrise? As the sun rises the colors of the once velvet black sky change to the most beautiful hues of blue, purple, orange, and pink. It is as if God is kissing your soul as you watch Him make a new day, a new beginning.

The rising of the sun, the dawning of a new day is a testimony to Jesus Christ. He is the bridegroom in all His splendor and magnificence. He never tires. He did all He did with joy, even dying on the cross with joy. With His death He brought us reconciliation with The Father. With His resurrection He gave us hope. With His ascension He gave us The Holy Spirit, His promise. Just as the heat of the sun affects every part of creation, so does Jesus touch every heart. While not every person acknowledges Him or accepts Him, every person on earth seeks to fill the need for God in their soul. Look at the most isolated of peoples, the tribes hidden deep in the jungles and you will see they all have created religions, worship gods, and acknowledge there is a Creator.

Just as God made the laws of physics, He also made laws of righteousness. Look within your soul, look at the universal laws of morality and it is clear. All men know that harming another is wrong. There is no nation, tribe, or people on earth who do not have rules against murder, stealing, and hurting people.

We are not perfect and we will mess up and break His laws, but God is perfect. He cannot break His laws. His perfection and tremendous love made Him come to us, live perfectly and pay the price of death for sin for us. He attributed us with Jesus’ perfect goodness. He did that just to give us the chance to know Him and be forever with Him.

The Holy Spirit within us allows us to see clearly the true Laws of God and follow them. We are able to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength because His Spirit is in us. We are able to love others as He loves us because we know what His love is. His Spirit transforms us, conforms us to Jesus’ image. He teaches us who He is and allows us to be love as He is love. Verses 7-8 read,

“The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;”


We once were dead. We once thought that to be good we had to follow countless rules. Following the law made people appear good on the outside. Following Jesus by faith makes us new and makes us righteous from the soul which then shows on the outside. He gave us new life. He makes us wise with His wisdom which is love. He gives us joy even through suffering because we know His love. He opens our eyes and lets us see with His eyes and heart, with His love.

Attaining the perfection of God’s love, being like Him is our goal. Our relationship with Him is worth more than anything on earth. He is more valuable than we can even comprehend. And do you know that He cherishes us even more than we cherish Him? We love Him with His Spirit and with our imperfections still in there. But He loves us completely, perfectly, and purely. Verses 9-11 describe it this way,

“the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.”


The people who tried to keep the laws of the Old Covenant weren’t filled with joy. But they had it wrong, even before Jesus, they had it wrong. They missed the basics. God didn’t want rituals. He didn’t want every rule He made to have five more slapped on to it. He wanted people to know Him, love Him, and have faith. One of my favorite Bible Verses is Hosea 6:6.

“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
    the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”


It was never about keeping over 600 laws. It was always about loving God, experiencing Him, and being loved by Him. That is what made David righteous. That is what made Abraham righteous. That is what the Pharisees missed. They loved the rules not God. They loved the rules so much they missed what God’s Word really had to say. David didn’t miss the true message in the scriptures. He sought God, he loved God, and he reveled in God’s love for him. Verses 12-14 read,

“Who can discern his errors?
    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
    let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.


14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”


God is perfect. In Jesus we are made perfect too! Seriously, when the accuser throws up all your sins in your face recognize his feeble lies as just that. God forgave you, you are perfect, holy in His sight. Since He is God, the Creator what He declares as righteous cannot be declared sinful. Don’t wallow in the sins of your past. Don’t flounder in the accusations of the enemy. Instead, meditate on the perfecting and perfect love of God. Consider your redemption and don’t devalue it.

You are the crowning glory of creation. The grandeur of the mountains, the majesty of the oceans, and the brilliance of the skies have nothing on the glory of you. Psalm 8:3-6 describes you like this,

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?


5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
    and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
    you have put all things under his feet,”


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Titus 3 Saved by Faith for Good Works

4/21/2015

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Titus Chapter 3

Who were you before you were saved? What were you like before you were born again? What you’re your desires, your plans, and your hopes? They were likely different from your current desires. You were probably a very different person. But when you recognized Jesus as your savior, His Spirit entered you and made you new. He changed you and He continues to change you. Your will aligns more closely to God’s will.

We must be diligent about standing out from the world and being the image of Christ to them. They are lost and we can be the light that leads them to the Truth, the Life, and the Way. Paul encourages us to be different and live out our salvation, and to always be ready to do good for people. Verses 1-2 read,

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

What if the other person is mean, rude, or a really bad sinner? Do we have to be kind to them? Do we have to do good for the person who is trying to con old ladies out of their pensions or the drug addict? Paul tells us to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Everyone needs Jesus, no one deserves His grace and mercy. You were once lost. What was it that brought you to Jesus? Did someone argue with you, judge you, and tell you to turn or burn? Is that what brought you to redemption? I doubt it. Or did someone lead you to Jesus with love, kindness, and truth? Verses 3-7 say,

“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life”

What He did for us, is not meant to be kept for us alone. He washed us and renewed us. He changed us. He poured Himself into us lavishly. We are saved by grace and now have the hope of eternal life for a purpose. We can’t continue living the way we used to live anymore because we are no longer the people we used to be. We are saved by grace but we are saved so that we can do good works. The good we do doesn’t justify us. It doesn’t make up for any sin. But it does give an expression to the Holy Spirit. It does testify to the greatness of The Spirit, the power of Christ, and the love of The Father.

The lost are lost because they’ve been led astray by the prince of this world. Jesus gave us the authority to show them the way to salvation. We show them the Way, the Truth, and the Life through good works, which is God’s love expressed and God’s word manifested. Faith saved us. Grace justified us. But it is good works, the exercising of our spiritual gifts and the fruit of the Spirit that builds the church and leads the lost to Jesus. Verse 8 reads,

“The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.”

Good works not only include working outside the church building but within it. Good works include using our gifts to edify one another, grow in knowledge and love, and become more like Jesus. Building up of the church and loving one another makes us more unified. Unity is a sign of maturity and shows the Holy Spirit in us. Union allows Him to work within us as a group and be manifested even more powerfully than He is as individuals. When Jesus was teaching about church unity and how to handle sin among the brethren He said,

“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

How He wants to do great and good things with us and through us! Jesus’ promise is not a little thing. He promised that our unity would make anything we ask happen. He promised that even if only two of us come together to agree that He would grant us our request. He promised that even if only two or three of us come together in His name (that is as His representatives doing His will) that He is there with us.

So it is very important to maintain unity. It is extremely important to ensure no one among us is teaching lies, starting arguments, and causing dissention. The dissident causes us to look like the world. He makes us take our eyes off God’s work and puts our minds on foolishness. We are not able to do good works if we are busy arguing over the size of the church bell or whether eating pork is a sin. Verses 9-11 read,

“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”

We are not saved by good works. We are not saved by our behavior. We are saved by faith. It is His grace that redeems us. But following Christ means we will do as He wants. We want to obey Him. We want to love as He loves. We want to communicate our gratitude. We want to express the Holy Spirit within us. We are not saved by our good works. We are saved by Jesus’ good work. We were led to Christ because a brother or sister did good works and we saw Jesus in them.

Verse 14 says,

“And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.”

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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 3 Are You So Good, You No Longer Have To Pursue Godliness?

4/15/2015

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Philippians Chapter 3

How much do you strive to be like Jesus? Do you expect that your transformation will happen eventually and so you wait on the Lord and keep walking in the flesh? He’s ready, He’s begun, and He’s waiting for you. Are you determined to be righteous and so you keep as many laws as you can recall and hope the Lord won’t count it against you when you come upon laws impossible to keep? Neither of these paths bring you to the hope of Jesus.

The first step to Jesus is Salvation and salvation comes by faith. Romans 10:9-10 tells us,

“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

But you can’t just stop believing after that, your faith doesn’t just evaporate and you either live in the flesh or live by the law. Faith continues, believing in Jesus’ grace carries on. Salvation isn’t fire insurance, it is an active lifestyle in which you choose to exercise faith.

But some people forget the great miracle of redemption, the mystery of the Gospel, and the beauty of God’s grace. In Philippians chapter 3 Paul reminded the church that righteousness is something to pursue, but not by the law but by faith in Christ. If anyone had reason to believe the law could save him, it was Paul. Verses 1-6 read,

“Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.”

But not one iota of Paul’s impressive résumé mattered when it came to salvation. It was garbage to him. His greatness in the world, his piety, and his passion for the law nearly kept him from knowing Jesus. All he strove for before Jesus saved him was waste. He put it like this in verses 7-11,

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”

Our righteousness doesn’t and cannot come from ourselves. Righteousness comes from faith in Jesus. It comes from depending on God, it comes from letting the Holy Spirit do His great work in us. Paul was one of the greatest Christians of all time. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. He was mature. Acts 19:11-12 describe how powerful Paul was, not in himself, but in the Lord.

“And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.”

But Paul didn’t stop and sit in his haunches. He continued to strive toward Jesus righteousness. If Paul had to keep endeavoring toward the actualization of Jesus, how much more so do we? God is immense. We can’t even begin to fathom the depth and breadth of His Love, much less anything else of His nature.  He wants us to know Him and to know Him deeply. There is always more of Him to know. Verses 12-16 say,

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”

One day, we will be changed in an instant. We will have reached the goal. But while we still live, while we wear suits of flesh and walk this earth, we have not yet reached that objective. And it’s not alright to just sit back and say, “I’ll change eventually” or “I can sin as much as I want because of grace.” We are not part of this world, we are part of the Kingdom of God. Our path should be one that leads to Jesus and we should be walking that path, ever-growing ever-maturing.

We are meant to glorify Christ. That means we are meant to reflect His image. We can’t do that if we don’t know Him intimately. He gave us His Spirit, He gave us His name, and He gave us His nature. We must, like Paul earnestly pursue a profound knowledge of God so that His Love and Righteousness, Jesus shines out of us. Our lives should lead people to faith in Christ not worthless hope in the law. Verses 17-21 read,

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

Are you maturing? Are you different today than the day you were saved? Are you different today than you were last year? Or are you fooling yourself and trying to follow the law or floundering in your flesh? Believer, the Spirit of the Living God is in you! You are united with Jesus. He has made possible your transformation. He is there waiting for an intensely beautiful and profound relationship. You are His bride. He adores you.

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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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    Donna Campbell

    As I read the Bible every day, I take what God teaches me, what He says, and write it out. I then share that with you. It gives me a deeper understanding of the Word and I hope that it will encourage you as it does me, to put your love and faith into action.

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    September 27th 2015
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