Job 38:1-2 – “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” NASB

It has always been amusing to listen to and watch the ‘pseudo-intellectuals’ attempt to explain GOD and the Infinite.  I say ‘pseudo’ because that is all it amounts to compared to the Infinite Wisdom and Knowledge of God.  God demonstrated His impatience with the one-upmanship of Job and his friends in trying to prove their rightness and righteousness while appearing more knowledgeable than their fellows.  God also demonstrated His exquisite sense of humor in His questions to Job in this Chapter.

Consider the questions:

• Where were you when I (God) laid the earth’s foundation?
• Who sets its measurements?
• Who stretched the line on it?
• On what were its bases sunk?
• Who laid its cornerstone?
• Who enclosed the seas with doors?
• Have you ever commanded the morning?
• What is the way to the abode of light?
• Where does darkness reside?
• Have you ever entered the storehouses of the snow or hail?
• How about the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed or the place where it is scattered over the earth?
• Have you ever cut a channel for the torrents of rain or created a path for a thunderstorm?
• Does the rain have a father, and who fathers the dew?
• From whose womb does ice come, and who gives birth to the frost?
• Can you cause the constellations to appear in their seasons?
• Does nature report to you?

These are just a few of the questions God asked Job in Chapters 38-39; in Chapter 40, He asked – “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?  Let him who accuses God answer him!”

Job immediately knew he was in trouble.  Job understood that he was finite, and God was infinite.  He knew that his knowledge was limited, and God’s was unlimited. He knew he was a creation and God was creator.  Job knew that although what befell him was not of his own making, he needed the mercy of God and, as a flawed human being, needed forgiveness and mercy.  Sadly, some never seem to understand and continue to live lives of ‘self-justification’ rather than appealing to the mercy of God.

When I become so keenly aware of the presence of God that I can almost hold it in my hands, I have a deep sense of awe and know that I am in the presence of the one who is Infinite, Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent.  God Knows!  God Sees!  God Hears!  Nothing is hidden from Him, so when I come into His presence, I seek to ensure there is no pretense, only honesty.  That being said, I desire to live each day that way, free of pretense and dependent upon God.

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

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 – “Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55 ” O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O  DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” NASB

There is so much that I would like to say, and I realize that there is not the time or space to do so.  Therefore, I will focus my attention on the title thought of ‘mortal putting on immortality.’  The Bible declares in Hebrews 9:27 that every person who lives upon this earth has an appointment that is inescapable with death. Yet, in Corinthians, Paul reveals something he calls a ‘mystery’: some will escape this inevitability and leave this world without the natural process we call death, which the Bible calls sleep. 

Paul speaks of an event or time when those who are followers of Christ alive on planet Earth at this juncture in time will be changed instantaneously when God’s trumpet sounds and the dead are raised.  I will not get into a debate about the timing of this; instead, I focus on the fact of it. 

At this event, the apostle Paul tells his hearers to solidify their hope and confidence in the Promises of God and Eternity.  He identifies this as a complete obliteration of the pain and sting of death.  It is identified as a source of inspiration and hope because our labor has not been in vain and encourages us to continue laboring until He returns.

Paul tells us that flesh and blood or the natural man in his natural state cannot inherit the Kingdom of God because these temples of clay are perishable. Still, there will come a day when the imperishable (souls) of men and women will put on the imperishable and transition from the temporal to the eternal.  I believe that as a literal fact in Scripture and rest my hope on the sure promise of resurrection or this translation, whichever my state is at that time.

Most of us have loved ones who have preceded us into eternity and have experienced the ‘sting of death’ in the sense of the loneliness that accompanies losing a loved one.  We have experienced the seeming ‘victory of death’ in that it took from us someone we treasured.  Even when we know in our hearts that they are in the presence of the Lord, the loss is still painful.  But, one day, one glorious day, We Will Be Changed!  One day our Mortal will put on Immortality!   That will be a glorious day!

God bless you as you go through your day!

Luke 12:22-32 – “And He said to His disciples, ” For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.  23 “For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.  24 “Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!  25 “And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span?  26 “If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?  27 “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.  28 “But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith!  29 “And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.  30 “For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.  31 “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.  32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”  NASB

Recently I had a conversation with a person I care about deeply.  They were struggling with the condition of things in government, the state of the economy, and the future.  They were wringing their hands and lamenting that the future was so dim and dismal that they were despairing of life.  This person is a Christian, albeit, at that moment, their faith was in another dimension, not on the promises of our Lord.

I shared with them this passage, which they were very familiar with, and said, “This is why I refuse to worry about life.” Our Lord Jesus said, “DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR LIFE….”

Do not fret over what you are going to eat, drink, or wear, and in the context of that truth, where you will live.  He illustrated the birds of the air, the flowers of the field, and the fact that God cares for them the way He does.  He also cautioned against worry, saying that we cannot add even one hour to our lifespan through it, and we now know through medical science that we can shorten our lifespan by it. 

Jesus spoke the familiar words of verse 33 what we are ‘not to seek’ and what we ‘are to seek.’  He concluded the statement by saying, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”  In that Kingdom is the King, and with the King are all the resources we could ever need.

If I worry about life, I am not placing my faith and confidence in God.  I am not suggesting that we make no preparation for our latter years or that we nonchalantly go through our days with no labor or effort to earn a living.  No, that would be presumptuous. Instead, I am saying that once we have done all we know to do, then we Trust and Rest in the Promises of God and take Him at His word. 

He said, “Do Not Worry!”  I believe He meant what He said, so I choose not to worry!  I believe as David declared, “I was young, now I am old, and I have not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging for bread.”  God has promised to take care of us, and He will.

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

Psalm 3:3-6 – “But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. 4 I was crying to the LORD with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. 5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about.”  NASB

Someone recently said something to me that I have had hundreds of times, “Growing old is not for sissies.”  I responded, “Life is not always easy, but worth it.”  The person I was talking to said, “True, if…”  I waited, and they said no more.  Before I could ask what, the if was, the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart, “If” is Me; the If is God!”

I have often thought about life and living.  As a minister and having served as a pastor of congregations, it has been my joy and sorrow to deal with people in varying situations and stages of life.  Joy to see the work of God in bringing them to peace and victory, and sorry when I could not help them find the solace and peace they craved. 

In life, we encounter difficulties. That statement makes me Mr. Obvious, but as simplistic and broad as it is, it is true.  None of us are immune from problems nor exempt from enemies who desire to reduce us to nothingness.  Jesus declared as much in the Gospels.  However, He also said that we were not to fear or fret because we could live in the confidence that our Heavenly Father desires to ‘give us the kingdom.’  Jesus promised to bring us abundant life and make life worth living.  That is a tremendous comfort to me.

Amid difficulties, the Psalmist declared, “Lord, you are a shield about me.”   In Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, the word shield is protection but one of the imageries was that of the ‘hide of a crocodile.’  I laughed and rejoiced when I read that.  Ancient civilizations have historically viewed the crocodile’s hide as impenetrable.  That is the clear message of the Psalmist, “God, you are like the hide of a crocodile, impenetrable, in your protective covering.”  That is enough to make me want to shout, Hallelujah!  Well, here goes, Hallelujah!

In the Book of Job, when the devil appeared before the Throne of God, God baited him with Job, and the devil’s objection was, “But you have a hedge or a shield about him.”  God did not deny that.  In Zechariah 2:5, God said, “For I, declared the Lord, will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.”  That was His promise for Jerusalem, and I believe His desire and promise for each of us.  He is our shield, buckler, glory, and the giver and sustainer of life.  We do not have to fear what is outside when we fear, reverentially, God and serve Him.  That is the “If” of my friend’s statement. 

Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”  Hell is not God’s desire for us but Heaven and Life.  Jesus did not come to destroy but to bring Life.  Therefore, when facing difficulty, disappointment, and even depression, look upward and rejoice because our God is “A Shield About Us!”  And if God is for us, it does not matter who is against us; they are no match for Him. No problem, disease, difficulty, person, or devil in hell is a match for Him!  

Put on the whole armor of God and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you how to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.  Allow the Spirit of God to enable you to pull down strongholds.  Allow the Life of God to flow richly in your hearts and minds; as you do, you will discover that Life is worth the effort!

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

Matthew 5:13-16 – “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.  14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  NKJV

I realize that Paul appealed to the Church in Corinth in 1 Corinthians 1:10 that they ‘all speak the same thing, be without division, and joined in the same mind and judgment.’  However, that does not negate the truth that we were all Born to be Different!  None of us are the same; each of us is unique and has a particular purpose in the Kingdom of God. 

Jesus said that if salt loses its ability to season, it has no purpose.  He said a light that does not illuminate has no purpose.  Likewise, a voice that is not heard or does not cry out has no purpose.  We become like trees in the orchard that produce no fruit, and after time we are only taking up space, space that a fruit-bearing tree could occupy. 

You do not have to preach in a pulpit or have some spell-binding testimony to be a witness for the Lord.  You are salt and light and can impact the world you live in and should.  Your presence should bring seasoning to your environment and impact lives. 

I knew a man who never preached a sermon or did any great exploits and never accomplished incredible feats during his lifetime.  However, at his funeral, there were scores of people from what many would call the other side of the tracks present.  One after the other echoed their eternal gratefulness for this man.  He had impacted their lives simply by his life!  He lived before them more than he said to them the gospel.  They testified that his compassion and consistency slowly broke down the walls of resistance they had built up in their lives.  His example of salt and light drew them into the Kingdom.  He never tooted his horn or proclaimed what he was doing; He Just Did It!

I have had the privilege of preaching to large and small crowds, and that has been a thrill to be so used of God, but the most important thing is not how much or how often I have preached but how I have lived.  How has my life impacted others?  How has my example been seen by others?  I pray that my life has been ‘salt’ and ‘light’ for those I have influenced.  I pray that I have touched some for the good of the gospel.

Do not think that you have to be a great orator or have a large following or platform from which to speak. Live the Christian Life and allow your life to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ in this present world. 

God bless you as you go through your day!

Acts 15:36-41 –“After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. 38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.” NASB

Those who have studied the Book of Acts will remember that this was not the only time the apostle Paul disagreed with another brother.  We are told that he ‘withstood Peter to his face’ over what he considered hypocrisy and seems to have been correct.  However, that did not end his relationship with Peter. 

In this account, the split in the team of Paul and Barnabas was so severe that Paul took another co-worker, Silas, and Barnabas took John Mark and separated.  Their disagreement was not in the foundational truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, but in how to walk out what they believed was their commission and purpose from the Lord.

I have some friends I love and respect who disagree with me on some aspects of how to accomplish what we believe to be our purpose from the Lord.  Sometimes we can fall into the trap of thinking that because we think something, that means it is the ‘only way’ or the ‘right way.’   If we allow that view to become our guide, we will think that our way is the only way, and anyone doing something different is riding 2^nd Class on the Gospel Train. 

There was a time in my life when I was like that. I was extremely dogmatic about not only what people should believe but how they should walk out their purpose and ministry.  I had a view and truly believed that I had heard God.   I could not fathom any other interpretation.  I had heard God for myself, but that did not mean I had heard Him for everyone else.

I have some dear Christian friends who have regularly censured or criticized my involvement in anything remotely political.  They do not necessarily tell me that to my face.  However, the things they say publicly and to others leave little doubt that my involvement was, at least, part of the reason for the statements, if not the reason. 

I take no offense to that because they love God dearly and want the best for the Body of Christ and me.  They genuinely believe that they are right and that I am wrong.  I am at peace with what I do and how I do it.  

I believe that God has directed me to speak to people about their spiritual condition and the condition of man reflected in the outworking of life as well as demonstrated in politics.  I believe God has called me to be a ‘watchman on the wall’ both to sound the alarm spiritually and warn of impending danger and evil in other areas of life. God seeks us to be discerning, not judgmentally critical. 

Hear me carefully.  What I am saying is that just because you do not agree with another brother or sister on how they perceive their path to walk out of their purpose does not mean you have to alienate or reject them.  If we agree on the core foundational truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, most other things can be worked around. 

I encourage you to realize that while God has a specific plan for each of our lives, He does not have a one size fits all plan.  He does not always give specific details on exactly how to walk out what he directs, so realize that each person is unique and how we walk out our ministry and purpose will likely be very different.

God bless you, and God bless America!

Proverbs 27:6 – “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” NASB

Yesterday I asked regarding ‘blind spots,’ and our Christian walk – “Are You Consistent?”  Today I want to ask more questions beginning with the following:

ARE YOU SELF-CONTROLLED?

Romans 8:28 (Phillips) – “Moreover we know that to those who love God, who are called according to His Plan, everything that happens fits into a pattern for good.”

This verse does not say that everything that happens is good.  It says that it will ultimately work for good. It focuses on the ‘finished product,’ not the ‘process’ and ‘incidences’ along the way. 

One of the most significant pieces of evidence of our walk in the Holy Spirit is the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ in our lives, and those include ‘self-control’ and ‘temperance.’  Have you ever asked yourself why manifesting a controlled life is a mark of distinction?’  What is ‘self-control’?  What happens when ‘self-control’ is taken to the extreme?

Self-control, referenced in the Bible, is the quality of abiding or resting in the Lord.  When our entire world is being torn apart, tensions and trials are raging, and men’s hearts are failing them for fear of what they see or perceive is happening or going to the Holy Spirit enables the believer to demonstrate a peace and tranquility that surpasses human understanding.  It is trust in God’s Promises and Resting in them. 

Stability is one of the reasons a leader or anyone needs to exhibit ‘self-control.’  People are looking for and longing for Stability and Reality in life.  When the storms of life rage, we need stability, which will come with ‘self-control’ or ‘Spirit Control.’

Remember Peter’s reminder of Jesus’ words in 1 Peter 5:7, where we are counseled to ‘cast all our cares or anxieties upon Him because He cares for us.’  Jesus said in Mathew 11:28-20that we can come to Him, and He will give us rest.  As believers, we need to ‘overwhelm’ the world with our calmness and tranquility in the midst of turmoil.

DO YOU THINK INDEPENDENTLY?

Palms 1:1 – “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!”

People who study such matters tell us that the ‘real key’ as to whether a person conforms to the pressure of the group or resists peer pressure is whether it comes from that person’s ‘inner personal convictions’ or the ‘external mores of his peer group.’  An individual with a strong, healthy ‘self-image’ and ‘confidence in God will more readily resist negative peer pressure than one who does not have those attributes.  It takes strength to say NO! 

Two groups cannot or do not ‘think for themselves’:  The Classic Conformist and the Classic Non-Conformist.  Some people have a ‘convoy mentality.’ Their life is lived by simply following the crowd’s directions, and we all know how dangerous that can be. 

In Psalms 1, three words must be considered: “Walk, Stand, Sit.”  This demonstrates a progression away from godly principles.  The Psalmist indicates that ‘walking, standing, and sitting’ are deliberate choices.  Once we have broken the first barrier of ‘walking,’ it is easier to feel comfortable ‘standing’ with sinners, and once we accept their mindset, we can easily and comfortably ‘sit’ with them.

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

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 – “And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.”  NKJV

Respect is to be earned, not demanded.  People say, “Don’t disrespect me,” as though they have an inherent right to be respected regardless of their disrespectful attitude or actions.  Everyone’s rights should be respected, but not everyone deserves respect.  This statement may cause some difficulty but an unruly child who rebels does not deserve respect.  A parent that berates their children is unfaithful to the marriage and family and fails to provide is not deserving of respect.  Their position is, but they are not.

When I acknowledged God’s call to the ministry and assumed my first assignment as pastor of a small rural congregation, I assumed that everyone would respect me because of the call of God.  Unfortunately, that utopian vision of the ministry was short-lived.  I discovered that the desire for power inherent in some people did not include healthy respectfulness.  We are commanded in Scripture to ‘respect’ spiritual leaders because of the Work they are to do.  Most who have served as pastors have heard, “What do you do all day?  Why do you need a day off?  It must be nice to have a job where you just read the Bible and pray all day.” 

Hebrews 13:17 instructs us to obey those who rule over us and be submissive.  Why?  They watch for our souls, and God holds them accountable for our condition and development.   I have participated in meetings where the leader would present ideas. On one occasion, the majority did not agree; they stated:  “We do not agree, but if you believe this is best and is in the best interest of all involved, we will support you as the leader.”  They were not being obsequious, for some were quite strong-willed individuals, but they were deferring to their leader because they respected his position and person.

HOW DO YOU EARN GENUINE RESPECT?

• Show Yourself Worthy.

One minister said, “I cannot stand in the pulpit and command the congregation to respect me.  It is earned by demeanor, by love, and by character.”  Character and integrity are foundational in respect.  That means we have to be attentive to small things and strive to be above reproach at all times and in all things.

• Respect Ourselves.

People truly do take their cues about respecting a leader from the leader him or herself.  I believe I am nothing in myself, but I can do all things through God, who strengthens me, and if God calls me, He is or has prepared me.  Therefore, my confidence is in God.  It is sometimes necessary to let people know what God has done through you without tooting your own horn. 

• Respect Others.

Respecting others for a pastor means learning and working diligently to address their needs.  Likewise, how you handle partiality reflects your respect for others.

• Confront Disrespectful Actions.

Remember Paul’s counsel to Titus, “Let no one despise you.”  I have found that if you overlook or ignore disrespect, it will be repeated and usually more prolific than before.  I am talking about genuinely disrespectful things.  I have experienced someone seeking to demean and disallow my authority and corrupt my responsibility to gain power.  I did not let those go without notice; each was handled differently, as the Holy Spirit directed.  I tried to be kind, gentle, and loving but firm enough that it would be understood that behavior that could disrupt the church could not be tolerated. 

I prefer to approach disrespect with a servant’s heart and the spirit of meekness toward the disrespectful person.  So, I tolerate it for a time, and once I have proved their spirit and it continues, I can then demonstrate mine, and on that strength, I can confront whatever is necessary with God’s authority behind me.

As with having friends, we must be friendly to gain respect; we must be respectful.  Respect is earned!   

God bless you as you go through your day!