Author: rbeaird

MANIFESTATION OF ABUNDANT JOY – [Continued]…


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Philippians 2:1-11 – “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.  5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  NKJV

 

Let’s consider the SUBMISSIVE MIND.  Contrary to what some seem to think this does not mean that the believer is to live at the beck and call of everybody else or that he/she is a religious doormat to be walked on.  Some people try to gain friends and maintain church unity by “giving in” to the whims of everyone else. That is not what Paul is teaching!  Paul gives some definitive and clear examples of a person exhibiting a “Submissive Mind.”

Jesus Christ – – [vv. 1-11], Paul himself – – [vv. 12-18], Timothy – – [vv.19-24], and Epaphroditus – – [vv. 25-30].  Clearly, the greatest example is Jesus.  In Christ Jesus, we find the four primary characteristics of a person who has a Submissive Mind and one in whom is Abundant Joy.

  • He Thinks of Others Above Himself – – [Philippians 2:5-6].

Having the ‘mind’ of Christ means to have the ‘attitude’ of Jesus.  Our attitude should be the same as that of our Lord Jesus Christ.  [v. 5 NIV].  I have often used the thought that “Attitude determines outlook and outlook determines outcome.”  When Paul speaks of the “form of God” he is not talking about a particular human shape but rather the “outward expression of the inward nature.”  He is talking about God’s nature and character, not some physical shape.

Jesus had need of nothing and we find our LORD repeatedly demonstrating that He did not think of Himself but was constantly focused on the needs of others.  His outlook (Attitude) was that of unselfish concern for others.  The mind or attitude of Christ says, “I cannot keep my privileges for myself, I must use them for others; and to do this, I will gladly lay them aside and pay whatever price is necessary.”

A Good Illustration:

There was a reporter who interviewed a successful job counselor who had placed hundreds of workers in their vocations.  When asked what the secret of his success was, the counselor said, “If you want to find out what a worker is really like, don’t give him responsibilities give him privileges.  Most people can handle responsibilities if you pay them enough, but it takes a real leader to handle privileges.  A true leader will use his privileges to help others and build the organization; a lesser man will use the privileges to promote himself.”  Jesus used and uses His heavenly privileges for the sake of others, “Whosever will…”  YOU AND ME!

A contrast that is worthy of consideration is the attitudes of Jesus, Lucifer, and Adam as seen in Isaiah 14:12-15, and Genesis 3:1-7.  Lucifer was once one of if not the highest ranking angelic beings and had a position near the Throne of God.  [Ezekiel 28:11-19].  But he was not content with his position and wanted more for self.   He wanted to be “on the throne” not just “near the throne”.  Thus we find the proclamation, I WILL whereas with Jesus we hear THY WILL not MY WILL.  Lucifer was not satisfied to be a creature he wanted to be a creator.  Jesus was the creator but willingly became the creature.  The Humility of Jesus is a powerful rebuke to the Selfishness of the devil.  The devil was not satisfied to be a rebel himself but sought to enlist others thus the scene in the Garden of Eden with Adam & Eve.  Adam had all he needed in the Garden and in God.  In a very real sense, he was “king” of God’s creation on earth.  Satan, advanced the idea, “You shall be as God” and that triggered the selfishness in Adam & Eve and they rebelled.  Man deliberately reached for something that was beyond his reach, and as a result plunged the entire race into sin and death.  Adam & Eve were thinking only of themselves whereas Jesus always thought of others.

That is a clear picture of Humility and Submissiveness of Mind and a source of Joy unspeakable and full of Glory.  I need to add a bit more so we will look more deeply at this subject in the next devotional.  God bless you is my prayer and desire!

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DEMONSTRATION OF ABUNDANT JOY…


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Philippians 2:1-11 – “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.  5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  NKJV

 

Years ago I saw a comic strip where the main character said, “I love mankind, its people that I can’t stand.”  Through the years I have witnessed and heard people declare that someone robbed them of their joy.  Frankly, that is not possible but people do play a significant role in ‘stealing’ our joy.  In Philippians 1:15-18 Paul addressed various people and actions and how that affected others.  He was facing some incredible times of difficulty and the church in Philippi were very concerned for his welfare.  Epaphroditus brought a generous gift and provided tremendous encouragement to Paul’s heart but he also brought bad news regarding division in the church. There was a double threat, false teachers had come in from the outside and were spreading false doctrines and there was personal and theological disagreement among the people.  Paul knew what is sometimes missed in today’s Christian world that there is a difference between UNITY and UNIFORMITY.  True spiritual unity comes from within.  It is a heart matter whereas uniformity is the result of pressure from without.  That is why, in my view, that Paul took the action or made the declaration he did in Philippians 2:1-4.

This message was to believers and should have been a source of encouragement to work toward UNITY, LOVE, rather than DIVISION and RIVALRY.  Paul seemed to be saying, “Your disagreements reveal that there is a spiritual problem in the fellowship.  It isn’t going to be resolved by rules and threats; it is going to be resolved when your hearts are right with Christ and with each other.”  Paul attempted to help them see that the Basic or Root of their problem and difficulty was “Selfishness” and the root of selfishness is “Pride.” There can be NO JOY in the life of a believer who elevates himself above others!

If there is a secret to Joy in spite of circumstances is we must attain “Singleness of Mind”.  The secret to having Joy in spite of people is developing a “Submissive Mind.”  Philippians 2:3 declares, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”  In Paul’s Epistle to the Church at Philippi reflects Christ First in Chapter One and Others Next in Chapter Two.  We see, Paul the soul winner in Chapter One become Paul the Servant in Chapter Two.

I am convinced that too many believers fail to grasp what the Bible is talking about with it speaks of HUMILITY.  The Humble person does not think badly of himself or put himself down, he simply does not think of himself at all.  It is Christ first and others next and self is pushed so far in the background it virtually does not exist.  Andrew Murray defined Humility as being “that Grace, that when you know you have it, you have lost it.”  I believe that the truly humble person knows himself and accepts himself (Romans 12:3).  He yields himself to our LORD as a servant and desires God to use him in whatever capacity He chooses for the glory of God and the benefit of the Kingdom of God.  Many have discovered there is virtually no greater JOY than serving others and seeing them become victorious in life.  I believe it is when our eyes shift from SELF to GOD and OTHERS the door to Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory opens mightily.

I have only begun to scratch the surface and have laid a simple foundation for next time as we delve deeper into the thought of Having Abundant Joy in Life!   God bless you richly as you travel today’s journey.

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THE MATTER OF TRUST… [Conclusion]


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Psalm 56:3 – “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.”  NKJV

Isaiah 12:2 – “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the LORD is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.'”  NKJV

 

We are repeatedly directed to TRUST in Scripture.  Psalm 37:3 instructs us, “Trust in the Lord.”  Isaiah 26:4 directs us to “Trust ye the Lord forever…”  Then in 1 Peter 6:17 we read, “Trust…in the Living God…” 

The immediate question for me is, “What is there in God that is specifically to be depended on or trusted so completely that we can roll our entire souls and eternal destiny upon?”  Let me offer the following thoughts hoping they will encourage your hearts.

  • We are to TRUST God’s Self-Existence, Independence, and Eternality.

He is!  He was and is before all things.  He is totally without dependence upon anything outside Himself.  He is eternally existent.  HE IS!  We must learn to trust that reality.

  • We Can Confide in and Lean upon His Dependability and Infallibility.

We read in John 14:6 that He is Truth.  In Numbers 23:19 we are told that He is not a man that He should or could lie.  Then in Romans 3:4 we find that God is truth and every man a liar in comparison.  If God declares it, then it is truth and totally trustworthy being forever settled in heaven.

  • We Can and Must Depend on God’s Omnipotence.

God is without limit in power and there is nothing He cannot do.  Ephesians 3:20-21 tells us, “Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all the ages, world without end. Amen.”  Not only is God able He is active and involved in our lives.

  • We Can and Must Trust with Great Hope in His Expressed Love and Availability.

There can be no better passage to anchor that than John 3:16.  God is not only love by nature, but He consistently and continually expresses that love to us and makes that love unceasingly available to us.  So we are to COMMIT (galal) our way unto the Lord; Trust (batach) also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:5).  We are to roll our way or lives and our cares upon Him, run to Him for refuge and He will bring it to pass.  HE IS TRUSTWORTHY!

Trust forms a basis for Faith but is not faith in and of itself.  Trust is a basis of reliance, faith, and hope.  Faith is the assurance that God will do what He says and is who He says He is.  Trust is an inner confidence that rests and waits contentedly for God’s time and action.  In that sense, we need strength in Faith and Trust to move into that realm God has designed and desired for our lives.    Trust is the confidence that God will do what is best because of Who He is even in the absence of a specific word from Him.  Trust is a key ingredient for mature victory producing faith.  God is not a man that He should lie and if He says it He will bring it to pass.  Therefore TRUST HIM in all things and at all times!

            May the Lord richly bless you as you embark on today’s journey in Him!

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THE MATTER OF TRUST… [Part Two]


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Psalm 56:3 – “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.”  NKJV

Isaiah 12:2 – “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.'”  NKJV

 

Let’s proceed in considering the matter of TRUST and how it relates to Faith and to our Christian walk.  There are “Five Separate Words” translated TRUST in Scripture that I’d like us to briefly consider.

  • Galal (To Roll) – – Psalm 22:8, “He trusted on the Lord.”

This speaks of Christ in the hours of His crucifixion and David wrote that “He, Christ rolled Himself on the LORD.”  He TRUSTED or placed His full confidence in the Father.  This is the confidence of complete and total dependence.

  • Chul (To Wait or Stay Upon) – – Job 35:14, “Therefore trust thou in Him.”

This is the confidence that exhibits patience borne out of that confidence and trust.  Elihu said to Job, “Wait for Him.”  Trust, be patient and WAIT on the LORD.  One of the most difficult task we are ever assigned in times of difficulty and uncertainty.

  • Yachal (The Hebrew word for HOPE) – – Job 35:15, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him…”

Even in the face of death Job refused to relinquish His confidence in God and affirmed that even if it meant death He would die trusting God’s character, nature, power, and promises.

  • Chasah (To Flee for Refuge) – – Psalm 91:4, “He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt though trust…”

God is our strong tower or refuge in the time of a storm.  He is our shelter and our rock. If we cannot trust Him what can we trust?

  • Batach (To Confide in or Lean on) – – Used in multiple places and is the most commonly used word translated

Therefore, TRUST seems to be rolling our needs and cares upon God, followed by a patient waiting for Him to act in His time.  It is Hope even when things seem hopeless and it means to flee to God and His Promises for refuge when doubt and fear make a frontal assault on us.

Therefore, David and Isaiah are both correct!  The difference is not in the fact that they TRUSTED it is WHEN they trusted or got around to trusting.  David trusted AFTER fear had made a frontal assault and was gripping him.  Isaiah trusted BEFORE fear took control.  There is a difference and illustrates another powerful reason to study the Word of God, pray, and develop a deep relationship with the LORD.

I suggest that TRUST is somewhat inherent in our natures for we are made in the Image and Likeness of God.  In fact, we could not live without some level of trust.  For example, we sit in chairs with no thought of them not holding us up.  We flip the light switch expecting lights to come on in our homes.  We turn on the ignition in our automobiles trusting it to start and become our conveyance to where we wish to go.  We trust a metal tube built by the lowest bidder to fly in an airplane.  TRUST is a part of life.

Paul instructs in 2 Corinthians 1:9, that we should not trust ourselves but God and he instructed Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:17, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded or trust in uncertain riches, but in the Living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.”  Dwight L. Moody suggest the following:  Trust self and be doomed to disappointment.  Trust friends and they will leave you.  Trust money and you will have it taken away.  Trust reputation and some slanderous tongue will blast it.  Trust God and you will never be confounded in time or eternity.

There is just a bit more I wish to communicate so I will pause here and pick this up next time as we consider my final words on the matter and activity of TRUST.  God bless you richly as you embark on today’s wonderful journey into the realm of the unknown in life.

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THE MATTER OF TRUST…


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Psalm 56:3 – “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.”  NKJV

Isaiah 12:2 – “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.'”  NKJV

 

In these two passages, we have the words of David and the words of Isaiah and they reflect two different conditions and perspectives at a particular time in their lives.  Both of these passages address “fear” and “trust”.  It is good that David could say, “In the time I am afraid, I will trust…”  But, I would suggest that the perspective from which Isaiah spoke is a superior one when he says, “I will trust and not be afraid…”  I do not mean to diminish the faith or commitment of either of those men but simply seek to point out that there is the good and then the better in our faith relationship with God.  Charles Spurgeon said, “All who get on board heaven’s train will arrive in heaven, but those who follow the mindset from which David spoke will ride ‘third class’, while those who follow Isaiah will ride ‘first class.'”  Again, not to diminish the faith or commitment of either but to point out the difference in perspective.

TRUST is not and will never be a product of ‘fear’; it is a preventative of ‘fear’.  I recall some years ago hearing an illustration that has benefited me numerous times in seasons of difficulty.  There was a commercial airliner flying in a violent storm.  The passengers were beginning to panic and even the flight attendants were reaching for the air bags.  The passengers were in a state of panic and terror.  Some were crying, some cursing and a few were praying.  Everyone was in a state of total disarray except one lady in 1st Class.  Someone noticed she was unmoved by the storm and asked WHY?  She calmly replied, “My husband is the pilot and he is well qualified to get us to the airport safely.”  SHE TRUSTED!  Another story I have often related is one reportedly about Stonewall Jackson and his sister-in-law who were crossing the river below the Niagara Falls and his sister-in-law in somewhat of a fit of panic began to question the boatswain and finally Stonewall took her by the arm and said, “Unless you feel you are better qualified than the boatswain to ferry us across the river, sit down, be quiet and TRUST HIM.”

Webster’s Dictionary defines TRUST – – Assured reliance on the character, strength, or truth of someone or something and lists confidence and dependence as synonyms.  Isaiah was saying, “I will have assured reliance on the character, strength, and truth of the Almighty God and therefore will not be afraid.”  FAITH, in the general usage of scripture, is “Trusting in God’s Testimony.”  It is receiving all that God has revealed to us and resting in that revelation.

Let me give you something to muse on.  FAITH is not an Old Testament word.  It is used only twice in the Old Testament but TRUST is used over 140 times and yet Hebrews 11 credits many of the Old Testament characters with having faith and powerful faith.  But, the Old Testament does not speak of their faith but their trust.  Therefore, we understand that they were men and women who exhibited COMPLETE RELIANCE upon God and that affected their attitudes as well as their actions in life.  That is a powerful revelation we all need to grasp for it can be liberating.

Someone said to me once, “God said it so that makes it true.”  I said, “No, God said it because it is true.”  I am not trying to split hairs but I believe there is a difference and when we realize that what God says is true because it is true we can TOTALLY TRUST what He says.  We must develop an unrelenting confidence in the person, character, nature, power, and promises of God.  TRUST is the thing that we need to propel us to the realm of faith that moves mountains.

I want to address more on the matter of TRUST but will pause here and pick up next time considering five separate words translated trust and hope to inspire confidence in each of our hearts.

            God bless you richly as you venture forward into the unknown of this day!

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WHERE CAN I GET A FIX??? – – [Continued]


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Colossians 2:8-10 – “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”  NKJV

 

Back to the concluding question of yesterday, “Is there an answer?”  Clearly, God is the answer but the outworking of that is much more inclusive and expansive.  It is my observation and belief that many churches who could bring healing and resolution for many of today’s problems are not doing so.  That, in my view, is in part, because they have allowed themselves to become overburdened with busyness or they have become so frustrated they have largely given up trying.  It is a sad indictment or realization that too often the entity that is supposed to be God’s Glorious Church has frequently turned the problem over to the world to deal with SYMPTOMS when we are the only ones who have a real SOLUTION.

It is not the outside of the cup that is important but the inside.  It is not the exterior but the interior or the heart that is important.  But if we are asserting there is an answer, what is the problem?  I believe there are several problems in the Church not taking the battle to the devil and breaking down the barriers, walls, and chains the forces of hell have placed upon lives, communities, homes, churches, and nations.   I have talked with pastor after pastor and church leader after church leader and a consistent theme is “Lack of Vision.”  It is not that there is no vision but there is no corporate or identified vision that people can rally around.  Another issue is FEAR.  In today’s politically correct world with the threats and accusations being hurled at churches, believers, and ministers too many are operating out of fear and timidity has taken control.  There is fear of the PC world but there is also a hesitancy because of fear of failure causing many to be unwilling to venture beyond the known and safe.  The fear of rejection is a powerful tool used by the devil and it can produce paralysis and that is tragic.

I have also discovered, that with the availability of information and the power of technology some have allowed it to replace anointing.  There was a time in the church when ministers dared not ascend to the pulpit without a knowing they had heard from God and when they spoke God’s word the anointing opened the door for holy conviction and the demonstration of God’s power was present powerfully.  Also, I am fully aware that there have been those who have misused the gifts God has given and become manipulative for their own purposes.  That is a problem with the heart, not the gift.  I also realize that we have relegated training to institutions rather than men of God making disciples and as Moses of old, training people to function according to Ephesians 4.  We need to inform, but we also need to give practical place for people to develop their gifts and callings in God.  Where better than in the protective shelter of the local congregation under the watchful eye of the leaders whom God has appointed, called, and released?

Our society, it appears, has fallen prey to the mentality of consumerism and that is impacting the church negatively.  People are conditioned through advertising and technology to ‘shop around’ for the best deal or that which is most pleasing or interesting.  That has spilled over into how people find a local church to become planted in.

I’m not sure where I saw this questionnaire but it has validity.  I believe it was a questionnaire that a pastor presented to his congregation and I offer it to you for your consideration.  Pastor’s if you choose to use it, feel free to do so.

Honestly Evaluate Your Fellowship or Church:   [Rate each category with a 1-10, with 10 being the best possible and 1 being the worst.]

  • Is it genuinely open to the Holy Spirit?
  • Do the Bible teachings presented stress practical daily living?
  • Is there a healthy emphasis placed on relationships?
  • Is the church still rigidly encumbered with flattering titles or is there an openness to informality?
  • Does the church understand the family, its problems, and needs?
  • Do the members share their faith by their words and deeds?
  • Does the church recognize and value the ability of both men and women?
  • Does the church place a high value and emphasis on Worship? (Not just singing songs but worship).
  • Is the church diverse or open to diversity without compromising its core principles?
  • Is the church action oriented more than program-oriented?

 What is the score?  Here is the key, given for them to evaluate the local congregation:

65 or Less – – Dramatic improvement needed.

66-80 – – – – – -Not too bad.

81-100 – – – – -People will miss the NFL pre-game show and arrive early to get a good seat.

Obviously, this pastor used a bit of humor but the message is impossible to miss.  We can either become rigidly religious or pursue righteousness.  We can focus on symptoms and miss the disease or problem and direct our focus, efforts, and energy wrongly or we can move beyond symptoms and address the root problems.

I believe that most believers want to be invested and active in THE GLORIOUS CHURCH Jesus declared He was building and is now building.  My prayer is, “LORD, I want to decrease so you can increase in my life and I want to move from simply being religious to being a living breathing manifestation of You!”

            God bless you as you enjoy this day in our LORD!

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WHERE CAN I GET A FIX???


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Colossians 2:8-10 – “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”  NKJV

 

Before I venture into this and explain what I’m talking about let me ask that you read:  Colossians 2:8-3:2 and Ephesians 4:11-16.  Now let’s get to the heart of my message for today.  I asked you to read those verses because I believe that those, along with others are vital foundations upon which I hope to build my thought in the hopes of inspiring, encouraging, and helping some break free of what I can only call the “religiousness of religion or the religious” which is often nothing more than a rekindling of the mentality and philosophy of the Pharisees and Secularist.

The fix I am speaking of is not drugs albeit Karl Marx said, “religion is the opium of the people” usually translated “religion is the opiate of the masses.”  Sadly, for some who profess to be followers of Christ that may be a more accurate description than we care to acknowledge.  While I understand what many are saying when they decry religion, in my view, it is not religion, but the ‘religiousness of the religious’ that is a larger problem.

Spiritually, our world is at war!  Tragically, that is often also a description of the condition in the natural through the interactions of man to man and nation to nation.  In the church today, I am not sure that we always realize where the real battlefield is or what the real battle is.  I have become convinced that we, too often, focus on symptoms and believe them to the disease or the battle.  The only consistent result of that is frustration, disappointment, despair, disillusionment and ultimately defeat.  That is not the Church that Jesus described in the Gospels that He was building. We have problems in the world today but making war on symptoms will not solve the problem it will only frustrate our purposes.

Jesus declared in Matthew 24:14, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations and then the end will come.”  That is truth and being fulfilled powerfully through the means of technology but let me ask a probing question.  “What is the Gospel of the Kingdom?”  I am not trying to get into a lengthy debate over an issue that has divided much of the church today but to simply suggest that the Gospel of the Kingdom focuses on LIFE, not symptoms.  It is the Life of God that is to be lived in each of our hearts.  It is more than salvation and going to heaven when we die it is about LIFE NOW!  The words of John in 1 John 4:17 ring in my mind as I write, “…because as He is, so are we in this world.”  AS HE IS not was or will be but IS and that is IN THIS WORLD right now!

As I study the Book of Acts and the First Century Christians I realize that what they had would be and is often called radical today but it was the norm of the Christian life and that norm has not changed.  It could be called Traditional Christianity and if that is true then what would you call what we have today or most have today?  They turned the world upside down with their Religion or Christianity!  I argue that what we call Radical Christianity is actually Normal Christianity and that kind of Christianity is always innovative and captures the hearts and minds of people.  It does not do so with entertainment but truth, life, and power.

Inside and outside the realm of the Church or Christian circles our world is ravaged by divorce, betrayal, child abuse, addiction, battering, and many inadequacies.  Many within our churches are ensnared by some sin or thought process that is destructive, beaten down by rejection, wounded and are like caged animals and filled with despair.  The problem is of epic proportions and demands the question, “Is there an answer?”  The immediate and obvious answer is, “Yes!”  The answer truly is in God but there must be more to the pursuit of a remedy if we are to become the Church Triumphant that Jesus spoke of that the very gates or powers of hell would not be able to resist.

I want to say more on this matter but will pause here and pick this up next time as we focus on the War, Warriors, and Warfare in which we can pull down strongholds and see the captive set free, the blind eyes opened, and true deliverance come in lives spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, and in every way.

            God bless you as you embark on today’s leg of your life’s journey in Christ!

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COMMITMENT – – (Continued…)


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Matthew 16:24-27 – “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”  NKJV

A pressing question that each of us should be asking ourselves is, “Am I truly committed?”  Are we committed in our finances?  Are we committed in our attitudes?  Are we committed in our Actions?  Are we willing to DO whatever Jesus asks us or commands us to do?  Are we willing to BE whatever God wants us to be?  Are we willing to GO wherever the Spirit of God directs us to go?  Is the LORD truly NUMBER ONE in our lives? 

I have long believed that we have had enough preaching about Who God is and an incredible amount of preaching about Who we are in Him.  Knowledge is lacking if it is not applied and knowledge of God and who we are in God is not complete without and until we come to a place of TOTAL COMMITMENT.  Grace is Free but not Cheap.  We are not called to membership in a church but to be committed disciples and members of the Body of Christ.

It is the expressed desire of God to come into our lives and enable us to live out His will in our lives on a daily basis.  I talked to a person some time ago who expressed a fear that God would ask Him to do something he could not do.  That is a tragic error in thinking for the Bible is expressly clear that God is not asking us to DO what He would DO but He offers to come into our hearts and live His life through us.  His grace ‘enables’ us to fulfill His purposes.  It is not us but Him.  Remember Paul’s explanation in Philippians 2:13, “…for it is God who works in you both to will and do His good pleasure.”  Therefore, it is imperative that we totally commit ourselves to Him not just believe in Him.  I would suggest that what we need to do is follow the prescription of Scripture and ask Him to fully possess and enable us to not just DO but to BE what He desires.  We need to ask Him to come in and live His life through us.

I believe that when we make that commitment and receive GOD not only as Savior but LORD we will find Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory.  We will find a peace and joy that the world cannot give, take away or explain.  I will not sugar-coat the issue but will openly tell you that if you make that commitment to God you will find that ‘sorrow’, ‘suffering’, ‘trials’ and ‘difficulties’ will be familiar companions in your life but they will be mild in comparison to the Peace & Joy!     Jesus warned us that the world would hate us and in the world, we would have tribulation and trials.  Christianity is not the absence of problems but it is having the heart and mind of Christ so that we can respond to problems as God responds.  Suffering is a reality in this world. 

I have learned the truth and reality that God sometimes gets angry.  When we commit ourselves to Him fully and totally we will know His anger in a very real and personal way.  But we will also know His SMILE!  John tells us in 1 John 3:8 that one of the major purposes of Jesus was to “destroy the works of the devil.”  When I see the works and deception of the devil I get angry.

The Gospel is not simply that we go to heaven when we die.  The Gospel is much more than that.  The Gospel is living a life where Jesus in the here and now comes into our hearts and begins the process of removing those things that are not harmonious to His word, will, and way.  What we need today is a Jesus invasion that will transform us into something quite other than what we have been in the past.  My prayer is, “Lord, shape my attitudes, mold my will, and direct my life so that who I am and what I am is pleasing in your sight.”

            God bless you as you go through this day in Christ!

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COMMITMENT…


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Matthew 16:24-27 – “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”  NKJV

 

Through the years I have been amazed at the number of “self-help” books that are in print and the number of those books sold.  I have found it interesting how the church has gravitated to preaching, teaching, and promoting programs that are designed to help people feel better about themselves often more than discovering where they are and breaking free.  I have heard scores of people in church talk about their desire to “find themselves” and discover the “real them”.  People are flocking to conferences and seminars searching for answers and, often finding none.  It’s like the old country song, “searching for love in all the wrong places” we are searching for answers in the wrong places.

I heard a story (I believe told by Tony Campolo) about the reply a college professor gave to one of his students who had decided he was going to go on a quest to ‘find himself.’  The student informed the professor that he would not be returning to school the next semester.  The professor inquired as to the reason for that decision and the student informed him that he felt the need to ‘find himself’.  He said, “Doc, I’m tired of playing all these roles that society says I must play.  I’m tired of being the me that my friends expect me to be, the me that my family and church except me to be.  So, I’ve got to peel away each of these socially prescribed identities.  I feel the need to peel away each of these socially constructed roles society imposes upon me.  I have to come to grips with the core of my being, the essence of my personality.”  The professor mused on that statement for a moment and then gave an incredible response.  He said, “Young man, just suppose that after you peel away each of those socially prescribed identities and you peel away each of those socially prescribed selves, you discover you are an onion!”  That is an incredible response for when you peel away all of the skins of an onion, what is left?  NOTHING!  An onion is nothing more than the sum total of its skins.

We do not find our self we create our self and the only real way to create that person, character, or being and meaning in life is GOD or COMMITMENT to God.  The call of God is COMMITMENT in totality to Jesus accepting Him as SAVIOR and LORD.  The most real reality that exists is Spiritual Reality and that which we are in God.  I have used an illustration for years about the tightrope walker Charles Blondin, who in late 1890’s strung a cable across the Niagara Falls, and as thousands of fans gathered to watch he inched his way from the Canadian side to the U.S. side and as he completed the task the crowd was chanting his name.  After a short time, he silenced the crowd and shouted to them, “I am Blondin… Do you believe in me?”  They chanted back, “We believe… We believe… We believe…”  Then he informed the crowd that he was going back across the falls with someone on his back and asked if they believed.  They chanted, “We believe… We believe… We believe…”  Then, he stunned the crowd with his next question and asked, “Who will be that person?”  There was eerie silence and finally one man stepped out of the crowd and climbed on the shoulders of Charles Blondin and for the next 3 1/2 hours, he inched his way back across the falls.  One person’s belief was manifested in COMMITMENT! 

It is one thing to declare our belief but often quite another to translate it or demonstrate it in COMMITMENT.  True belief is not simply saying, “I accept the facts” it is “giving ourselves completely over to that which expresses our belief.”   True Believing involves Commitment!  I believe that one of the most serious and pressing problems in the church today is that while multitudes profess belief there is a very large void of those who have and will make a total commitment.  Believers are everywhere but commitment is not everywhere apparent.  In America, many know about God and believe that He is real, but that does not make them Christians.  The thing that makes a person a Christian is not professing to believe the right stuff it is COMMITMENT to the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is surrendering our lives to the LORD and becoming His disciple.

I want to address more about commitment but will pause for now and pick up next time.  May the LORD watch over you, guard and guide you as you embark on today’s journey. 

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DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE? [Part II]


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Psalm 8:1-9 – “O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! 2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.  3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? 5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.  6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, 7 All sheep and oxen — Even the beasts of the field, 8 The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!”  NKJV

 

There are many factors in shaping who we are and our ‘World View’ is one that is a definite contributor.  If we believe that all reality is physical and material and life is limited to whatever we experience in this natural body where death ends it all we will be MATERIALISTIC.  Our focus will be the physical and material in both possessions and pleasure because that is all we will have.  There is no hope of a future beyond the grave.  Another view is that the Present is Primary and therefore the focus is on instant gratification.  Yet, another view makes a person willing to postpone some gratification for a richer and more meaningful life later or ‘Delayed Gratification’.  Still, another perceives not only the Physical, Material, and Temporal but also the Spiritual and views Eternity as holding paramount significance.  Within that view are two views.  One is Futuristic or “Some Day, Some Way.”  The other is Eternal Life Now where the belief is that the Life that we now live in the flesh we live in Christ Jesus and we are not waiting for Eternal Life we have experienced it and are living it in the present waiting for our transition to that other world beyond this one.

Victor Frankl said, “Everything can be taken from man, except the last of human freedoms, his ability to choose his own attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose his own way.”  Consider this illustration or description.  You can have a fine person who is honest and dependable but incredibly negative and focused on what they do not have rather than what they have.  This person focuses on what is wrong not what is right and looks for defects, notices flaws and corruption rather than focusing on the incorruptible.  This person has a teenage son who worked in the yard for 2 hours totally unsolicited.  This individual came home, changed clothes and went to work in the yard, criticizing everything the son did.  He defeated the initiative in the teenager and failed to value the beauty of the development of the investment parenting had achieved in the son.

Attitudes are a part of character and every great achievement comes from a progression of small achievements.  We eat a meal one bite at a time, read a book one page at a time, take journey one step or mile at a time.  Our attitude more than our aptitude will determine our altitude.  In a very real sense we are what we think.  We are not necessarily what we think we are but we are a direct product of what we think.  By filling our minds with lovely, wholesome, uplifting thoughts we open the door and plant the seeds of peace, joy, and fulfillment.  There are two primary sources of motivation – FEAR and LOVE.  Through fear of failure, opinions, rejection, etc. people find motivation.  Through love comes a powerful and healthy source of motivation that brings life.  If we grasp who we are in God we will learn to value the Imagination because that is an ability God gave us which allows the soul to put the mind or the reasoning component of our being in places we cannot be physically present.  Every designer or artist sees the product then does it.  Noah saw the Ark then built it.  Then we will allow our WILL to play the God-designed role and enable us to make right choices and stick to the prescribed path.

Do You Know Who You Are?  You are created in the Image and Likeness of God and are unlimited in your potential in Him!  God bless you as you enjoy this day’s journey in Christ!

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