Hosea 4:12 – “My people ask counsel of their own imagination, and their staff declares to them the directions…”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, the word ‘reconciliation’ kept coming to mind.  Sadly, there is an element or development in Christian circles that feels the purpose of believers is to expose every perceived error and destroy the errant ones. Is that reconciliation? Do we forget what we have been forgiven of?

Hosea 4:12 makes an interesting statement. “My people ask counsel of their own imagination, and their staff declares to them the directions…”   If we become so self-righteously pious that we believe we are beyond correction, we endanger ourselves spiritually.

Yes, we should hear from God personally, but he used a donkey to talk to Balaam and a rooster to talk to Peter.  How dare we think He cannot use others to speak words to us we have not yet heard.   Out of the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses, every word is confirmed.  Not every word is a God Word, but sometimes words are from Him.

2 Corinthians 2:6-7 reveals that correction (in the church) must flow from love, mercy, and forgiveness.   2 Corinthians 5:17-19 tells us that, as “New creations,” we are engaged in the ministry of reconciliation.

There are many fruit inspectors today and too few reconcilers. Galatians 6:1, “My brethren, if anyone be found at fault, you who are spiritual, restore him in a spirit of meekness; and be careful lest you also be tempted.”   The next verse says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

How can I be a “new creation,” manifest the heart of Jesus, and not have the heart of a reconciler?   Don’t be “mercy for me but justice for thee.”

LORD, help us to be Reconcilers!

1 Corinthians 13:1 – “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, I was drawn to the foundation of Christian living.   Yes, Jesus is the cornerstone.   However, there is something that serves as God’s glue, holding things together and keeping them in proper perspective.  That is LOVE!

I won’t get into it, but I saw some things in the Book of Daniel I had never considered.   It explained why I was drawn to pray about some geographical regions.   God is on the throne, so don’t let the turmoil trouble you.

But, back to Love!   In 1 Corinthians, much is said about spiritual gifts.   Gifts are graces from God and are for function, not recognition.   Anything that is not rooted in love and utilized for any purpose other than the advancement of God’s kingdom is flesh, not spirit.

1 Corinthians 13, if we read it addressing ourselves, not someone else, we have a measuring stick by which we can address our hearts and motives.  Paul’s motivation was love.  He was driven by his love for Jesus, and love compelled him to expend every ounce of energy for others.  Grace is love in action.

In 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul makes an interesting statement. “But by the grace of God, I am what I am.”   He was a grace-made man. “And His grace that is in me has not been in vain; FOR I labored more abundantly than them all, yet not I, but God’s grace that is within me.”   It was the labor of grace and the grace of labor.  Love compelled him to disregard himself and serve. In verse 31, he said, “I die daily.” Naturally, that is a given; spiritually, that is a choice!

The Love of God flows to us then through us! How is our love life?

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  ² He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water.  ³ He restores my strength.  He leads me down the right paths for the sake of his reputation.  ⁴ Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me.  ⁵ You prepare a feast before me in plain sight of my enemies.  You refresh my head with oil; my cup is completely full.  ⁶ Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days, and I will live in the Lord’s house for the rest of my life.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, something the Holy Spirit has quickened to my heart from Psalm 23 resonates powerfully with me.

David knew that a Relationship with God (The I AM that I AM) was the Final Truth!  It was not what was happening to him or around him, but GOD that was the Final Truth, and that was his Foundation!   In that moment, He could say – “These Circumstances are Bad, Really Bad.   BUT The LORD (The I AM) is My Shepherd; because of that, I SHALL NOT WANT! I am supplied within and without!”

Our Mistake is that too often we say – “The LORD is my Shepherd, BUT things are really Bad… Do you realize how BAD they are?”   It makes all the difference in the world which mindset we follow.

Hear me carefully – David did not deny reality!  He put his trust in his Shepherd.   If we truly BEHOLD the LORD, the I AM, then the most obvious statement is “I Shall Not Be In Want or Lack Anything!”

Can you see it?   It is learning to ‘Look Through’  rather than ‘Looking At’  the Problems.  David learned to Look Through His circumstances to God’s Reality. If we Look At our circumstances, we will crumble.  They will overcome us.

Please remember, we never deny our problems!   Instead, we Look Through them to the Greater Reality in the Promises and Provisions of God!

What are we looking at?  What are we dwelling on?  The problem or the problem solver? Jesus did not say in Matthew 6:33 – “Seek a solution to your problem first, and it will all be okay.”  No, He said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

The bottom line is our confidence in God’s integrity.  When we take what He promised and question the validity or possibility in our lives, we are questioning His Integrity.  We may say we are not, but our actions speak louder than our words! Our thinking will determine our doing, and our doing will reveal our confidence in God’s integrity!  He either is or is not our “Shepherd,” and if He is, then, “I shall now WANT (lack).”

Got any rivers you think are uncrossable?  Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through?  God specializes in things thought Impossible!  He will do for you what no other power can do!

Life is a choice, and life in Jesus is a choice! A life of victory and miracles is a choice that is developed in a state of consciousness of His presence and a total trust in His integrity!

This is your day to change from being a statistical pessimist to more than a conqueror! We are not what we think we are, but we are what we think (we become what we dwell on). What are you?

LORD, My Shepherd, I trust You!

Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, two thoughts impacted me.  Do not become distracted, and relationships.   Do not be distracted by what is happening in the world.  You cannot prevent it, and it is not the most important thing.  It is part of the birth pains of the finality of this phase of God’s eternal purpose.

If we become distracted by what’s happening politically, nationally, or internationally, we miss our opportunity and assignment.   Pay attention but keep the primary focus the main focus. 

God’s call and desire is unity in the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 1:10).  Sectarianism is not of God; it is a distraction.   The Cross is to be our focus, not trying to figure out all the chessboard pieces and moves in God’s Last Days chess match.  The work of the Cross opens the door to God’s grace and power.

Knowing who and what is next on the eschatological calendar will redeem no one; the Work of the Cross will. Knowing the timetable and next prophetic event won’t heal, deliver, and redeem, but the work of the Cross will.

Our most significant concern is not the movement of nations but the preaching of the Cross.

1 Corinthians 4:20 -“For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. “

• 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 tells us that heaven is beyond anything we can imagine, yet the Holy Spirit reveals it to our hearts.
• 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 reminds us that (in Christ) everything belongs to us!
• 1 Corinthians 4:20, that it is not position or knowledge but the power of God that is important.
• 1 Corinthians 7:19 reminds us that religious rituals or practices do not save, but obedience is God’s goal.

Our relationship with Jesus will carry us through the chaos of the eschatological events transpiring. Don’t get distracted. You have a mission and a commission. Your relationship with Jesus is the glue that holds your life together. The world does not need our insight. They need Jesus! We have Him, so let’s share, represent, and manifest Him. No distraction, but godly action is the word for today!

LORD, help us not be distracted by the distractions!

Romans 11:28-32 – “As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, ²⁹ for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. ³⁰ Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, ³¹ so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. ³² For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, I was reminded of God’s love for the nation of Israel and His desire for us to be transformed into one body in perfect unity. (Romans 11:19-32)

God’s desire for His people to become formed into one body with no middle wall of partition separating us.   He wants transformation into Him, which prevents conformation to the flesh and world (Romans 12:1-2).

In Romans 12:4-5, we are reminded that the Body of Christ has many different-looking and functioning parts, just as the human body does. But all for the purpose of health, life, and fluid function.

In Romans 12:6-8, we have a short list (enough to paint the picture) of Grace Gifts or Functions. In vv. 9-10, we have a picture of Agape in personal interaction.

Romans 12:11-16 gives us a pattern for life!  How we see others is filtered through the grid of how we see Jesus and ourselves.  If we are filled with ourselves, we cannot follow the directive of scripture regarding others. If we are dead to ourselves but alive to Him, we cannot disobey because Christ in us will respond as Christ Himself.   That includes making personal convictions universal laws. (Romans 14:13-19).

Romans 15:1 is arresting! “We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak and not seek to please ourselves.”   Unity cannot come if we make personal convictions universal laws. Judgmentalism divides, and a house divided against itself cannot stand. Being one with Jesus and one with the body opens the door for the power of God to flow freely.

Today is a day of revealing and release. Let’s move under the spout where the glory comes out!