Psalm 115:16 –  “The heavens are the heavens of Yahweh, but the earth He has given to the sons of men.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, a single word kept echoing in my heart and mind – “Character.”

Psalm 115:16 fascinates me.  “The heavens are the heavens of Yahweh, but the earth He has given to the sons of men.”  Some make that an environmental mandate and focus on things like global warming and climate change.   I suggest being good stewards of the planet is wise and necessary, but something larger is at stake.  

In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam the garden and used the word subdue in His instructions regarding the planet and the creatures on it.   People are our focus, not just the terrestrial ball upon which we live.

But that is not my thought today.  Psalm 119 always challenges me. Psalm 119:9-11 The question was about young men staying pure.  The young are driven by passion and raging hormones.  The Word (precepts) of God is an anchor.

Psalm 119:27 – “Make me understand the way of Your precepts so that I will muse on Your wondrous deeds.”   The way?   In this context, the way refers to character.  God’s and what is produced in us.  The precepts (Word) of God produce in us the character of God.

In verse 33, we realize that character becomes our anchor.   In verses 57-59, we see the incredible power and value of that character-producing word, which transforms us.

Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The Revelation of God’s character and nature transforms us with illuminated truth.  Verse 130 says, “The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”   We can never be the manifestation of Jesus without being transformed by His word.

Romans 13 calls upon us to awaken not just because time is short and it is the Last Days, but because it is our last days (brevity of life).   The world needs God, but will never receive Him unless we become transformed by the character of God.  

The Word is not to be studied for information but for transformation.  Not for revelation but application.  The precepts of God will always challenge the flesh.  Character is not a status reached; it is an experience encountered.  It is an anchor that will not fail.

Psalm 119:89 – “FOREVER, O Yahweh, Your Word stands firm in heaven.” Notice it says Forever!

Father, help us to embrace and be transformed by Your Character!

Isaiah 1:16-20 – “Wash!  Cleanse yourselves!   Remove your sinful deeds from my sight.  Stop sinning.  ¹⁷ Learn to do what is right.  Promote justice.  Give the oppressed reason to celebrate.  Take up the cause of the orphan.  Defend the rights of the widow.  ¹⁸ Come, let’s consider your options,” says the Lord.  “Though your sins have stained you like the color red, you can become white like snow; though they are as easy to see as the color scarlet, you can become white like wool.  ¹⁹ If you have a willing attitude and obey, then you will again eat the good crops of the land.  ²⁰ But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” Know for certain that the Lord has spoken.”

Last night and for several nights, my sleep has been troubled as I mused on life, freedom, love, the harvest, and forgiveness.  That’s a broad scope of consideration, but all of them are deeply connected.

As I read in Isaiah today, Isaiah 1:16-20 resonated deeply with my heart.   In verse 16, he says, “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean…”   That is physically possible but spiritually impossible.   

The following directive is possible, yet only with divine help.  “Put away the evil doings from before your eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do good: seek justice, do good to the oppressed, plead for the fatherless, plead for the widows.”   There are righteous actions we can and should do.  That suggests that the first part is connected to the second part, and by moving toward God, He moves toward us.

Verse 18 gripped my heart with the traditional understanding, and something else exploded in my heart and mind.  “Come now, let us reason (examine the facts) together, says the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be like wool.”   This is the fruit of forgiveness!

Then, something smacked me like a crushing hammer.  Forgiveness is given.   Forgiveness is a two-way street, given and received.  Forgiveness is never earned or deserved, nor can it be demanded by man.  We can’t make God or others forgive us.  We can only confess and repent, asking for it.   At that point, it is out of our hands.  We move from there to demonstrating righteousness, being forgiven by God, even if not by man.

In Isaiah 1:19-20, we see the fruit and reward of repentance, as well as the grace of forgiveness.  “If you are willing (living vv. 16-27, embracing v.18) and obedient, you SHALL (not maybe) eat the good of the land.  (Enjoy the grace of God in life).  BUT if you refuse and rebel (both fail to repent and obey and fail to forgive others), you SHALL be devoured with the sword (external judgment and internally impoverished spiritually); for the mouth of the LORD has spoken it.”

Our objective must be purity of heart.  We must search our hearts and lay everything before God, allowing Him to purge from us known and secret sins.  We determine to live righteously and always forgive others, JUST AS we are forgiven by God.

Nothing is more important than a clean heart!   Nothing can justify the reason for sin!  Nothing can excuse sin!   ONLY God’s grace can wipe the slate of life clean and give us a new start.   Men may not forgive us.  That would prove to be painful and could have devastating consequences for us, but if we have God’s forgiveness, we have true freedom.   

Peace with God is more essential than favor with people and hiding from the shame caused by our sins.  Confess and forsake sin and then live in His righteousness!  If the Son sets us free, we are truly free!

Lord, wash us and make us white as snow!  

2 Corinthians 6:2 – “At the acceptable time I have listened to you and on the Day of Salvation I helped you.  BEHOLD NOW is the acceptable time; BEHOLD NOW is the Day of Salvation.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, a question arose inside.  “Why do we focus on secondary things more than the essential things?”    Believe me, I do not consider salvation a secondary thing.   That is not what I’m talking about.

But what do I mean by secondary things?   It involves more than I can article in a short post.   We tend to be intrigued by eschatological prognostications but give too little concern and attention to our eternal souls.   We run to those who claim insight rather than to the LORD, who is the only source of life.

I am not saying eschatology is unimportant and worthy of study, but it must be secondary to the condition of our inner self, our spiritual condition.

That is what makes 2 Corinthians 6:2 so essential and vital.   We may decipher all the events and even seasons of eschatology, yet remain spiritually deficient, and our knowledge will torment us through eternity.   Remember what Jesus said to the rejected group who had done exploits?   I never knew you.   

Our spiritual condition is the number one concern.  Spreading the gospel is of the utmost urgency.  Knowing what’s coming is essential because it helps us convey the message with urgency; however, unless we are in right standing, it is futile.

In 2 Corinthians 6, Paul said several things that intrigued me and have prompted me to consider them more deeply.   His focus was on the heart’s condition and spirituality.  He said we are to manifest ‘unhypocritical love.’    Pure love is ONLY found in Agape.   It is only found in Christ.  It cannot be manufactured.

Then he said, “We are to utilize the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left.”   Righteousness is not simply doing the right things, but the outworking or demonstrations of a right heart in practice.  It is being right first!

Then he said that we are not restrained by others but by our own affections.  That is intriguing.  No other human can hinder me if my heart is wholly Christ’s.  I am restrained for good or bad by the condition of my own heart.

Therefore, the most important thing for us is our spiritual condition.  Being wholly His is not just the starting place; it is vital every step of the way.   Understanding all mysteries and having the latest and most significant revelation is rain on a tin barn if our hearts are deficient.

We can only give what we have.   We only have what we have received.  We can’t lead others to a life we do not have.   What I’m hearing today is, “First things first!”    First, the personal relationship!  Today is the only day we are assured of, so do not delay; begin today to give God access to all our hearts!  Out of that will flow the amazing promise of life and blessing.

Remember that Christ IN us produces our hope, and AS Jesus is In This Present World.  Therefore, the question is “Are we?”   Victory beyond imagination is open to us.  Let’s press in.

LORD, help us not to get sidetracked but to stay focused on what You consider most important!

1 Corinthians 15:10 – “By the grace of God, I am what I am.”

As I prayed, read, and meditated on the Word of God today, a question arose that challenged me.  It emerged from Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 15:10.   The question that comes to mind is: “Is that a testimony or accusation of blame toward God?”   

• If a person is living contrary to God’s purpose. 
• If they are engulfed in gender confusion, homosexuality, promiscuity, addiction, idolatry, etc.
• Can they say, “God made me this way?”
• That would be blaming God for our failures.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if Anyone is IN Christ, he is a New Creation, the old things have passed away; Behold new things have come.”   In that condition and experience, we can say, “I am what I am by the grace of God.”   If we are living contrary to His precepts and in violation of His explicit directives, we dare not blame God for our failures.

Submission to God brings peace.   Some people believe that if they encounter any difficulty or opposition, it means they are not in God’s will, or it is a sign that they are not good enough.   Although none are ever good enough, opposition is not always, and perhaps not even usually, an indication of missing God’s will.

1 Corinthians 16:9, Paul makes a revelatory statement.  “A wide and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” God’s doors always seem to have opposition, and the greater the door, the more pronounced the opposition.

It is as we persevere in trials, press forward in the face of opposition, and are continually transformed that we become His ministers to others. 2 Corinthians 4:3-5 reveals that God’s comfort in trials enables us to be a channel of grace and comfort to others in their trials.

For the believer, we are what we have become by the grace of God.   Just remember that you are a work in progress.   You are pressing in.  You are growing.  You are becoming.  You are being transformed.  You are being made whole and complete.

Your part, and my part, is obedience!   So, look at where you are and be grateful, but determine that you will press in deeper, no matter what the opposition or temptation may be.

Victory is ours, and out of our victory, we lead others to victory.   What we are now is not what we will be, but it is not what we were.   We are free to become free!

May your day be prosperous, and may you become all God says you are!

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 – “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.  ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, my mind was abuzz with thoughts I was seeing and hearing.   From Leviticus in the revealing of the atoning of the blood to the anointing of the oil to 1 Corinthians in the power and purpose of the Holy Spirit, I am in awe.

The blood covers our thoughts, labors, and lives.   The oil is equally applied to all.   Without the blood and the oil, it is IMPOSSIBLE to become and be who we are destined to be.   That makes the fullness of the Holy Spirit all the more vital.

In 1 Corinthians 10, we are introduced to an incredible promise and provision.  “NO TEMPTATION (how many?) has OVERTAKEN you but such as is common (experienced by everyone) to man, BUT GOD is faithful, who WILL NOT allow you to be tempted BEYOND what you are able (to endure), but with the temptation WILL PROVIDE the way of escape also, SO THAT you WILL BE ABLE to endure it.”    There are many elements embodied in that, but suffice it to say that God promised to keep us in temptation if we look to Him rather than at the temptation.

The communion ceremony is revelatory about the Body.  We focus on Jesus and us, but Jesus focuses on the Body.   All members of the human body work together and support one another.  It can be no different in the Body of Christ.  If we can’t get along here, how can we expect to spend eternity together?

The Gifts of the Spirit are for edification (enlargement, development, equipping, and expansion) of the Body.   In 1 Corinthians 13, we encounter Agape in function and the revelation that Agape will outlast Gifts and is more important.  The argument that the Gifts of the Spirit are not for today comes from a misunderstanding.  In verses 9-10 – “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect is come, the partial will be done away.”

Read verses 11-13.    “Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.   Now I know in part, but then I will fully know, just as I also have been fully known.”

Notice the “Now” and “Then.”   This is not about when the canonized Bible comes, but about the eternal kingdom that comes; the partial will be consumed by the complete.

The Word edifies includes the meaning of enlarging or creating a greater capacity to receive.    So, in 1 Corinthians 14:4, “One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but the one who prophesies edifies the church.”

We edify ourselves to edify others.   That is Body Ministry.   All is done out of love and the building up of the Body as a whole, a unit, a family, and an army.  We have the atoning blood, the anointing oil, and the dispensed gifts enabling us to become and be who and what we were created to be.

I desire to receive His fullness, empty out all self, and pursue His purposes now!  I cannot do that without the blood, the oil, and the gifts.  More LORD, more!

LORD, fill us with You!   Enable us to Live Christ In us!