2 John 10-11 – “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” NKJV

3 John 5-8 – “Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.” NKJV

Some definitions are appropriate here:

Precept – – Comes from Latin and means to teach.  It is a commandment, instruction, or order intended as an authoritative rule of action.

Principle – – Is a law or rule that has to be, or usually is to be followed, or can be desirably followed, or is an inevitable consequence of something, such as the laws observed in nature or the way that a system is constructed.  The principles of such a system are understood by its users as the essential characteristics of the system, or reflecting the system’s designed purpose, and the effective operation or use of which would be impossible if any other of the principles was to be ignored.

It is not an easy task to follow biblical directives.  It is one thing to know and understand the biblical directive and another to have the moral fiber and faith to carry it out.  This can sometimes become incredibly murky and filled with shades of gray that an individual truly desiring to fully follow God’s Precepts and Principles could easily become confused.

Example:

Exodus 20:13 – “You shall not murder.” NKJV

The commandment of God against murder is as relevant today as it was when it was given to Moses here in Exodus and should be followed as a precept today.  I believe that we would all agree to that.

Let’s take another to illustrate what I’m saying about murky waters.

Acts 1:4-8 – “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”  6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.  8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” NKJV

Look at verse four – – “do not depart from Jerusalem…”  How do we follow that literally today since most of us do not live in Jerusalem?  Do we move to Jerusalem and wait for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit then begin to evangelize?  Do we begin in Jerusalem then move out to the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and then finally be free to go “to the ends of the earth” and whatever land the Lord might have put in our hearts to evangelize?

But there are several principles that we can draw from Acts 1:8 that are essential:

1. The power of the Holy Spirit is essential for effective evangelization.
2. Potential missionaries should begin evangelizing right where they are, before heading off to some foreign field.
3. Reaching the large cities first is a good strategy, so the gospel can ripple out to the countryside.  Reach the masses.

So, we follow Exodus 20:13 as a precept and Acts 1:8 as a principle.  In the passages that we used in our text; we face another dilemma.  Do we follow this as a precept or principle?  I believe that we should be incredibly cautious about accepting anyone into our homes that bring another Gospel other than that of Christ.  I do believe that it is okay to have a friendly discussion with them about the error of their teaching, but we must also be incredibly careful about how closely we align ourselves with them. Likewise taking money from non-Christians for the work of the Gospel should always be done with the certainty that there are no strings attached.

Something to think about:

1. Biblical directives can always be followed by drawing out valid principles.
2. In interpreting Scripture always proceed from then to now.  Take the passage in its historical context to help you determine if it is a precept that transcends all timelines or a principle to follow.
3. In interpreting and applying Scripture it is good to always find as much common ground as possible between the interpretation and the application.  That makes knowing the original setting crucial and why knowing the “Manners and Customs” of the Bible is very important.  We tend to read the Bible with a Western mentality and it wasn’t written to Westerners it was written in the Middle East.

I hope that I have not been too confusing, and may God be with you as you go through your day and always know that just because someone else has a little different understanding of something biblical than you doesn’t make them wrong both of you may need more clarification that God will give in time and with study.

God bless you richly is my desire and prayer this day!

1 Timothy 5:3-8 – “Honor widows who are really widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 And these things command, that they may be blameless. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” NKJV

America has become a Welfare Nation and the Church has largely divested itself of the responsibility of caring for the needy in far too many cases.  The Bible is quite clear about whose responsibility it is to care for the needy.  It is ours collectively as individuals and as a Church, not the Federal Government.  But, to attempt to avoid being political in a devotional let me address what the Scripture says about caring for the needy.

We are told in Proverbs 19:17 – “He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.” NKJV.  Additionally, we see in Proverbs 28:27 – “He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.” NKJV

In the passage above we find explicit directions for caring for widows who are truly widows.  Paul goes on to say in verse 8 that anyone who will not care for those of his own family is worse than an unbeliever or as the KJV says “worse than an infidel.”  Compare that to some politicians and public figures who have known families that they do not care for although they themselves are worth millions.  That is not godly.

Paul wanted and believed that God wanted people to work for in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 – “…If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” NKJV God is not interested in us being lazy but diligently involved in being productive.  He wants us to share that which we have with those who are less fortunate than ourselves, but the restriction is that if a person is lazy and refuses to work, they Get No Help and Get No Food!  It won’t take long until they move out of that mentality if we put that policy into place.

As a believer, I should take care of the needy!  The family should care for its own and the church should and could do the job that it has been commissioned to do.  In doing so, I am totally convinced and have proven through the years that God will supply abundantly when this takes place. 

It is high time that we, as believers, take up our mantle of responsibility and as leaders demand that biblical guidelines are followed not giving handouts to those who are unwilling to do anything to better themselves.  We should be about “hand ups” not “handouts” per se.  Anyone can fall on hard times and most of us have experienced that fate.  Yet, most of us have been willing to work at any job to provide for ourselves and our families even if it was beneath our training or skill level and even if it was, in our view, demeaning.  It was temporary!

Like Alan Jackson said in one of his songs, “I’ve shoveled manure till my pride hurt” just to get ahead.  I’ve done many menial and lowly tasks to earn a dollar to buy food, clothes, gasoline, or pay a doctor bill for my children.  I never felt that anyone owed me anything and that if I put forth an effort that God would come through on my behalf and He Always Has!  It was not always in the way I expected it or in the time frame that I requested it but It Always Came Through! 

Therefore, trust God and be willing to get your hands dirty if need be!  Be a doer, not a taker!  One day you will be in a position to be a giver as a result of your willingness to work and your willingness to help others. 

God bless you as you go through your day!

John 10:10 – “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” NKJV

I could go completely political here, but I will resist the temptation and keep my focus on the most important, the spiritual.  We have a complete record called the Bible that identifies the purpose and intent of the devil is to destroy, kill, steal, wound, and discourage.  That same record declares that it is God’s purpose to give life and not just life but Abundant Life!

I am always amazed at how many choose to believe the “lie” of the devil rather than the “truth” of God.  I should not be because man, in human flesh, operates out of his carnal nature with is depraved and base.  It focuses on the immediate, the feelings, and is completely self-centered, whereas the spirit of man attuned to the Spirit of God and receptive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ operates on a higher plane and God is the center, not self.

No wonder the Bible says that “the pleasures of sin are but for a season.”  I never said that sin did not contain an element of fun in it or pleasure it just said that it was temporary and would not last.  On the other hand, the Life that Jesus comes to bring is Eternal, not temporary. 

We can satisfy the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life and perish or we can reach outward and upward to the Life that God offers and Live Forever!  It is a simple choice if you use any semblance of logic or reason.  Even the Scripture tells us “come now let us reason together….”  Showing that the mind is involved in the Salvation experience, for Jesus warned of a man beginning the process of building a house and not counting the cost.  We need to be aware that following God will cost us something with regard to the flesh, but the rewards far outweigh the costs.

So, if you are still wrestling with the decision of trusting and following Jesus or following your own selfish desires please make the choice to follow Jesus.  He is standing at the door now knocking and if you will open the door to your heart He will come in and dine with you and bring you the fruit of Eternal Life!

May God be with you as you go through your day!  Blessings!

Matthew 10:16-20 – “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.  17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.  18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.  19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” NKJV

We know that “perilous times” are coming to our world and in many respects are here now!  The Bible foretold this, and Jesus emphatically warned His followers of that time.  The Bible closes with the dire situation of the Book of Revelation, so we know that no matter if we have heard it all our lives – The Time is Much Nearer Than When We First Believed! 

I find Jesus’ statement quite interesting and revelatory in verse 16 – He is sending us, His followers, into the world as “sheep” in the midst of “wolves.”  We all know that wolves devour sheep whenever they have the opportunity.  Sheep for the most part are defenseless creatures that willingly follow their shepherd and are in total dependence upon him for their protection.  So, Jesus is telling us that danger is in the world that He is sending us into, and we need to be fully aware of that danger.

However, He followed up that statement with one that furthers the imagery, at least for me by saying we are to be – “wise as serpents and harmless as doves”.  I guess other than the display of cunning that I find in Genesis regarding the serpent I have never thought of a snake as being particularly wise, but the point is well taken.  He is telling us that those that come against us are coming in the wisdom or cunning of the diabolical one – the devil.

ThenJesus brings it home in a much more visual way and one that we can wrap our heads around when he says in verse 17 – “But beware of men….”  Now we come to the clincher.  It is human flesh that we are going to have a problem with.  It is human beings operating under the influence and often control of the devil that will be the problem.  They will attack us because of our faith!  That day is already upon us to some degree but will intensify as the time of the Coming of the Lord draws even closer.

Finally, Jesus gave us an incredible word of comfort when he said in verses 19-20that we don’t even have to give it a moment’s thought about how we will answer them because The Holy Spirit will speak for us and through us!  That is incredible!  We can face the coming pack of ravenous wolves with a calm assurance that nothing they do or say can ultimately harm us “eternally.”  Oh, they may kill these bodies, but they cannot touch our souls!  Hallelujah!  We are Children of the Most High God and our Eternal Destiny is Heaven! 

So, as you see the days growing darker and darker do not lose heart or fret.  God is not finished with us yet.  God is still God and as long as He is God, I refuse to live my life in fear, fret, or worry!  I AM FREE!  Free in Jesus!

May God be with you as you go through your day!

Luke 12:4-5 – “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.  5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” NKJV

There have been a few times in my life when I can honestly say that I “feared a man.”  Oh, I still have trepidation in the presence of some people but even with the possibility of that individual taking my life in the natural I “no longer fear them.”  They may assault me or do harmful things to me physically, financially, emotionally, psychologically, or some other way but even if they kill me that’s all they can do.  They have no further power over me.

On the other hand, there is one that after He has allowed the “death angel” to come and my life is snuffed out in the natural that One has the power to determine my eternal destiny, Him, I fear!  Not with a “fear” as in terror but in reverence.  I give Him the honor and reverence that He rightfully deserves knowing that He not only “knows” all things, but He “sees” all things, and has “all power.”  That One is God! He and He only do I fear in the Biblical definition of that fear!

We are living in times when it is not safe to walk down the street without concern of being accosted, mugged, robbed, assaulted, or abused in some manner. Accousted or assaulted by ruffians who would go beyond moral decency and do the despicable things that they do in their lawlessness and that will get worse in the days to come.  Yet, we need not fear them because they can do nothing more than send us home early if we are Christians.  If we are not, then by all means fear them because they will send you before the one that holds your eternity in His hands, and you will go there unprepared.

What is the motivation for this devotional? Simply to encourage everyone to prepare their hearts to live each day as if that day was your last on this earth.  Live as if in the next minute you would find yourself standing before God in heaven to answer for your life here on earth.  Live as if there were no tomorrow for you.  If you live in that manner, then you live Free from Fear and live in anticipation of the day of your promotion to a Higher Life in Eternity. 

That condition and confidence is a source of strength that shakes even the most villainous of people that you encounter.  They truly do not know how to respond to someone who Lives without Fear! 

It is also a witnessing tool and I’ve seen the time when my Lack of Fear because of my position, condition, and relationship with the LORD afforded me.  I’ve had incredibly mean-spirited people threaten me physically and when they found that I did not tremble in their presence that frequently opened the door for me to tell them why and on a few occasions resulted in their conversion. 

So, as you go through each day go through it with the confidence that your eternity is settled, and therefore man can do nothing more than send, you to your eternal reward early and nothing more.  Living above the plane of fear is a beautiful place to live and that is not only regarding the physical but every facet of life.  Life in the confidence that you belong to God and He has your life in His hands!  That will give you a renewed and new confidence and allow you to enjoy the Blessedness of the Abundant Life that Jesus came to bring!

May God be with you as you go through your day!

Ecclesiastes 11:3-4 – “If the clouds are full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth; And if a tree falls to the south or the north, In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie. 4 He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.” NKJV

There comes a time in our human finite existence on planet Earth that this scripture will apply to us and that is the day of our death.  The condition that we are in on that day will determine for eternity our eternal destiny and will not be changeable. 

I don’t want to get into differing theological stances of various denominations and religious groups but that is my belief.  That “after death is the judgment,” and we will each give an account of our lives before the Heavenly Father.  It will either be a joyous time as Jesus steps forward and testifies on our behalf or a time when He remains silent because of the hardness of our hearts and the lack of repentance while alive.

Too many are taking risks with their eternity and living a delusion that at the last minute they will be able to repent, accept Jesus and all will be well.  Yet, each day the Holy Spirit is dealing with their hearts and bringing conviction of sin to the forefront of their minds and offering them an opportunity to repent and receive the mercy of God.  Sadly, for some, the words spoken to John in Revelation will be applicable.

Revelation 22:6-11 – “Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place 7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” 8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” NKJV

It will be “he who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”  The condition that you live in is the likely condition in which you will die.  What is the condition of your life today?

May God be with you as you go through this day!

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “To everything, there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:” NKJV

Solomon acclaimed to be the wisest man on earth went into a lengthy treatise under the inspiration of the Spirit of God on this and it leads me to the question of the title of this devotional word – – “What Season Are You In?”

Solomon listed a great number of things all interesting and worthy of discussion but rather than taking them individually I ask you to do some introspection into your life and examine where you are spiritually right now.  Are you in a time of planting or harvest?  Are you in a time of tearing down or building up?  Are you in a time of mourning or dancing?  Are you in a time of keeping or throwing away?  Are you in a time of silence or speaking?  Are you in a time of war or a time of peace?  Where are you personally right now?

I hope that each of us can attest that we are in a time of diligently seeking God’s Perfect Plan and Purpose for our lives.  I hope that we are actively engaged in pursuing His purposes in our lives for this moment in which all other moments have brought us to.  I hope that we can honestly say that we are in a season of “seeking God with a whole heart.”

Sadly, sometimes we find ourselves in a season of self-perpetuation and self-interest and become self-centered rather than God-centered.  We are focused on “what’s in it for me?” rather than “what would God have?”  If that is the case, we should immediately enter into a Season of Repentance and allow the Holy Spirit to purge out the dross in our lives and allow us to go through the refiner’s fire so that we can come forth as pure gold in the eyes and kingdom of God.

Sometimes examination of our purposes, thoughts, intents, desires, and plans is a good thing.  Providing we lay them all on the altar before the Holy One of Israel and allow Him to return to us those things He desires and cast aside those things He does not.  I have one single major objective in life and that is “To Do Thy Will Oh LORD!”  

I want that more than I want anything.  I find myself repenting far more than I would like to admit but my desire to please the LORD is greater than my desire to appear something I am not and hide my flaws.  I would rather be exposed completely before man than attempt for one second to hide something from God, which is impossible.

I want the inscription on my tombstone if I go by way of the grave before the Lord returns to be: “He fulfilled the purposes of God in His Generation then He died.”  That is my objective, my desire, my goal, and my ambition.

May God be with you as you go through this day!

Ephesians 5:15-21 – “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.” NASB

I love the writings of the apostle Paul and how beautifully applicable his inspired words are regardless of what generation, era, or century they are read.  Consider these few verses and the powerful life application found in them.  It would take an entire book to be remotely exhaustive on the content, but we will let a few paragraphs suffice at this time.

He begins with wise instruction telling us how to live our daily lives (our walk).  We are to do so not like the unwise but with wisdom and in so doing utilize our time in the most efficient manner possible as we realize both the brevity of our time and the condition of the world in which we live. 

He makes it a double admonition by following that statement with those in verses 17-18 tells us to avoid being foolish but seek understanding of the will of God; also addresses the issue of drunkenness with intoxicants other than the Holy Spirit which he encourages.  That saturation with the presence and person of the Holy Spirit brings revelation and understanding in the things of God that are gained in no other way.

Then he comes to the part that I really want to discuss just a moment and that is “How we talk to ourselves.”  We’ve all been told it’s okay to talk to yourself as long as you don’t answer yourself.  Well, I disagree.  I believe that it is wholesome and healthy to speak to oneself and even have a conversation with that inner man or woman as the Holy Spirit guides and come to concrete conclusions and decisions that impact one’s life for the duration of that life on this planet.  But, back to what the writer says regarding “How to speak to oneself.”

In Psalms.     Now that is interesting because the word in the Greek is psalmos” which is a piece of music a sacred ode accompanied with the voice, harp, or some other instrument.  Collectively it is the Book of Psalms. 

Try singing them to yourself and you will understand how David encouraged himself in the Lord and why the prophets of old would ask for a minstrel before giving their word from the Lord.  It is liberating to the Spirit.   Remember when an evil spirit would come upon Saul and David would play the harp and the spirit would be dispelled?  This is a powerful tool in preparing the heart to hear from God.

In Hymns.   The word in the Greek is “humnos” and apparently comes from a simpler (obsolete) form of “hudeo” which means “to celebrate” and is a hymn, religious ode, or one of the Psalms.  Again, making melody in the heart to music in worship and adoration unto the Lord.  The heart is softened, the field is plowed, the soil tilled in preparation for the planting of spiritual seed.

In Spiritual Songs.   Two words “oide” which is a chant or ode the general term for words sung and is a religious metrical composition and even more specific a Hebrew cantillation.    Then, “pneumatikos” identifies the song as “non-carnal” but spiritual, supernatural, regenerate, and/or religious.  This is singing that springs forth from the inner being as prompted by the Holy Spirit.

Singing and Making Melody in the Heart to the Lord.                     

Multiple words here:

1. “aido” – to sing
2. “psallo” – to twitch or twang – to play a stringed instrument and celebrate the divine worship with music and accompanying odes.
3. “kardia” – the heart, the thoughts, the feelings, and the innermost being.

Giving Thanks Always for All Things in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ unto God our Father.

No matter where we begin in this set of instructions, we find the guidance to seek wisdom, the will of the Lord, allow the heart to express itself in worship, praise, and adoration unto God.  We follow a progression in our expression of adoration as is fitting to the particular need, situation, and condition in which we find ourselves.  We are doing it as an offering of Love to the Lord which brings the heart into a state of Thanksgiving. That is the logical conclusion of all worship – Thanksgiving.  It brings one to a place of recognition of Who God Is, who we are, what God has done, what we need, and our utter hopelessness and helplessness without Him.

That is another reason that I love the Psalms and many of the Old and Powerful Hymns of the Church.  Not just the words but the story behind the words the heart condition of the writer taking us by the hand and leading us into the very presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

So, today why not try it you might like it – go through the day quietly or loudly singing to yourself as you sing to the Lord Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, Singing and Making Melody in your hearts to the Lord.  I will guarantee that you will be unable to do that without it positively impacting your life and you will receive an Attitude Adjustment in the process! 

Blessings as you venture into something new or rekindle something old and relive the blessings afforded in this simple practice and experience!  God Bless You Richly is my prayer!