1 Samuel 15:17-19 – “And Samuel said, “Is it not true, though you were little in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORD anointed you king over Israel, 18 and the LORD sent you on a mission, and said,’ Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are exterminated.’ 19 “Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD, but rushed upon the spoil and did what was evil in the sight of the LORD?”  NASB

How we see ourselves is reflected in what we do.  The statement of Samuel to Saul is very interesting.  He spoke of a time when Saul was ‘little in his own eyes.’  That could be negative and speak of a person that is so defeated they do not think they can do anything.  It could also speak of a positive character trait where the person was humble and did not have an overinflated view of themselves.  I believe that Samuel was referring to the latter in Saul.  The fact that when Samuel came to publicly announce him as king he was hiding, and they had to bring him forth.

In Romans 12:3 we read the warning or directive of the apostle Paul that no believer should think of him or herself more highly than they ought, but to have a sober evaluation of who and what they are.  He addressed that again in Philippians 2:3 saying, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”  The apostle James spoke of this condition saying, “But He gives more grace.  Therefore, it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

I do not believe that Samuel, James, or the Paul was suggesting that a believer view themselves in a self-deprecating downward manner.  I believe they were saying that we should think of ourselves with an upward view.  By that I mean we should think of ourselves as highly as is proper in our calling.  We are ‘more than conquerors’ in Christ Jesus.  Jesus said in Mark 9:23, “…All things are possible to him who believes.” 

In Matthew 6:19-34, Jesus is giving some powerful life instructions to those following Him.  His message was pointing out the contrast between things of earth, and the things of the Kingdom of God.  He was encouraging them to make the right choice.  He was conveying the idea that heaven is not simply a place awaiting us when we die but it is more than that.   The Kingdom of Heaven is the realm of God’s presence, through His divine grace that every believer has access to now!

Paul’s words in Romans 12 need to be rehearsed, ‘Do not think of yourselves more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you’.  If we compare ourselves with others, we will develop a wrong view of ourselves and others.  Our only comparison is with Christ, not other people.  Long ago, I prayed and told the LORD that I did not desire to be an echo but wanted to be a voice. 

I was given some powerful advice by a seasoned elderly minister when I first acknowledged the call of God to preach.  He said, “Son, do not imitate anybody but Jesus.  Be who you are and use what God has given to you.  The Holy Spirit will develop the style God wants for you.”  I tried and failed numerous times but finally realized that the only way I was truly comfortable doing what I felt God had called me to do was to just be myself. 

I have had professors and other preachers tell me that I needed to be more this or that.  Some suggested more homiletical in style, others to be more expository, etc.  I tried three points and a poem and that did not work for me I felt constrained and my message felt canned, reheated, warmed over, and cold.  I tried various styles but when I finally realized if I was genuine in what I heard in my heart of hearts and spoke from my heart, God would bring about the desired results.  I did, I do, and He has, and He does.

I do not consider myself better than anyone but by the same token, I do not consider myself lesser.  It matters not if your gift and call are to nations or to a local congregation both are valuable to God.  It matters not if you are the CEO of a major corporation or an hourly worker, both are valuable.  There are parts of the human body that are more notable and visible than others, but all of the parts make up the whole and have an important role in the function of the body.  God created these bodies to function with some of the parts missing but He did not create worthless or unnecessary parts.  The optimum function requires all the parts to function as they were designed to function.  The same is true in the Kingdom. 

Do not think of yourself higher than you ought to think but do not think of yourself lesser either. 

God bless you as you enjoy this day in Him!

2 Samuel 22:1-4 – “And David spoke the words of this song to the LORD in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 And he said, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; 3 My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, Thou dost save me from violence. 4 “I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; And I am saved from my enemies.”  NASB

The Book of Samuel records one of the songs of David that reflects the Power of Praise and how much Praise was a part of the Life of David, the man God identified as being a man after His own heart.  David had been delivered from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul, his chief enemy.  As he mused on what had transpired, he was inspired to write this song of praise.  I will only use a portion of it but would like to call to our attention several things found in these few verses. 

David said, “The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer.”  The Rock is reflective of a foundation that is stable and sure.  The Fortress is a place of protection and Deliverer is expressive of power and might.  God is David and our sure foundation our place of protection and security and He has the Power to deliver.  He is our conqueror!

He reminded himself and all who would hear that our Rock (God) is a place of refuge.  I am reminded of Psalms 91 and Psalm 23 as I think of that.  He said that God was his shield and the horn of his salvation.  The shield speaks of protection from the arrows of the enemy and the horn of salvation speaks of the completion. He speaks of God being his savior!  Hallelujah!  That savior also rescues us from violence and those seeking our destruction, both human and demonic. 

Then he brings home the reality of the Power inherent in our Praise to God.  In Psalms 100:4 we are instructed to enter the gates of God with a thankful heart and the courts of God with praise.  We come with the High Praises of God in our mouths and those praises become a two-edged sword in our hands and in our mouths. 

In (v.4) we read, “I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; And I am saved from my enemies.”  Let me challenge you to break that down just a bit.  There can be no question of God’s worthiness of our praise.  In fact, our feeble attempts to magnify Him and properly honor him with our lips appear anemic.  However, David inserts something that we must not overlook.  He adds the word “and” after that declaration.  The “and” is the connector or the launching pad for an understanding of the inherent Power in Praise to God.  “And I am saved from my enemies.” 

It is as I praise God that there is a Power loosed in the heavenlies that frees the angelic hosts of Psalm 91 to move into action.  God is the deliverer from the snares of our enemies human and demonic.  He covers us with Himself and shields us from the attacks of forces seeking our destruction.  His presence banishes fear.  The angels are released to guard us in all our ways.  They bear us up in their hands so that we don’t even get stone bruises from the cobbled paths of life.  It is through God’s Power, Provision, and Protection that we enter into through Praise enables us to tread on the lions and cobras of life.

If we would learn the secret and benefit of Praise and from our hearts truly be thankful in everything and voice our thanksgiving and praise to God, we would move into a higher realm in life.  It is as we turn our focus inward and outward on a horizontal plane that we restrict ourselves from His person, presence, and power. As we lift up our eyes heavenward, we discover that we are able to view life through His eyes, and in that view, we find peace, confidence, and comfort.

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

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”  NKJV

Most of us are aware of the declaration of James that we are to rejoice in trials and few of us consider the benefits that come from our trials and tribulations.  I am not trying to advance a doctrine that encourages or desires trouble. God does not put sickness on your to teach you a lesson. What I am suggesting is that trouble is going to come and if we can embrace it keeping the faith there is a benefit to be gleaned.  God turns that meant for evil to our good when we allow Him to have full control.

Paul declares that our Heavenly Father is the Father of mercies and comfort!  Our Heavenly Father comforts us in All our tribulations with an objective in mind beyond enabling us to make it through the trial.  He comforts us so that we may be able to comfort others who are experiencing trials and tribulation. 

Therefore, when the enemy comes in like a flood and God raises up a standard against him and brings you through to the other side of the trial rejoice.  Rejoice in the deliverance and comfort of God and rejoice in the reality that because you have experienced you will be better able to comfort others facing trials.  A man or woman who has been through battle can comfort those enduring trials far better than one who has lived in an ivory tower with no difficulties. I am far more drawn to a person with a limp than a novice in a time of trouble.

We comfort others with the comfort we received from God.  We communicate His love, patience, longsuffering, guidance, wisdom, and mercy.  We testify of God’s keeping power. We testify of God’s undying love.  We testify of God’s fulfillment of His promise to never leave nor forsake us.  We are living epistles known and read among men examples of God’s love, grace, and power.

Therefore, next time the enemy targets you and it seems that everything that can go wrong does lift up your voice and your eyes and Rejoice!  Rejoice knowing that God will not fail and rejoice knowing that one day in the future you will be able to extend that comfort you are receiving from God to a brother or sister in this life.  Philippians 3speaks of the ‘power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.’  We want the resurrection power without the suffering.  We want the crown without the cross, but it will not come. 

I do not know what you are experiencing at this time but if you are suffering consider the additional benefit of that suffering that you will be able to comfort another along the way.  If there is a lesson to be learned in the trial diligently attend to it but above all rejoice in God’s provision and protection and rejoice in the joy that you will be able to be a helping hand to another along the journey.

God bless you as you go through this day!

John 14:6 – “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  NKJV

I know believers who are constantly seeking a “New Revelation.  I believe I understand what they are seeking, but I sometimes feel like the new pastor who went into a church and preached a masterpiece.  The next Sunday he preached the exact same sermon almost word for word.  He did the same every week for the next few weeks.  Finally, after many complaints from the congregation, the Deacons approached him and said, “Pastor, the message you have been preaching was a masterpiece the first time and okay the second but you need to get a new sermon.”  He looked at them and calmly said, “Do something with that one first.”  If we have a Bible filled with the written revelation of God, His Kingdom, and purposes should we not be about doing something with what we have before we try to find something no one else has found?

Jesus spoke the Gospel with extreme simplicity here and elsewhere in Scripture.  He gave four extremely simple but profound truths in this short verse which would be well to examine.  I will hit the high points for time and space will not permit (if I could) giving an exhaustive exegesis of this passage.  Consider the declaration of the LORD:

• I Am the Way.

Is that the route or path?  Remember our LORD declared in Matthew 7:14, “…straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life…”  In today’s politically correct world that strives for “tolerance” and “acceptance” of everyone and everything, this is anathema, but Jesus repeatedly declared, “I AM THE WAY…”  He did not say, “I am A way but THE way!”

• I Am the Truth.

When He stood before Pilate, the earthly potentate asked, “What is truth, but did not wait around for the real answer.”  I have heard some nationally known and recognized preachers declare that a person can be a participant of various religions and still make heaven following their beliefs.  That is totally contradictory to the Bible and I will stand with the Bible.  God does say, “Whosoever will let Him come…”  However, that coming must be to Christ and must include repentance of sin.  It is by Grace that we are saved, through faith and it is not earned.  Jesus is THE TRUTH!  He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.  He is the sacrifice for the sin of the world. 

• I Am the Life.

He is not speaking of natural life although that could be included for should God remove His finger from our lives we would cease as the notes on an organ once the finger is removed from the keys.  He is Eternal Life! 

• No one comes to the Father except through Me.

He is the Door to the sheepfold.  He is the gateway to the throne room of the Father.  He is our High Priest who makes intercession for us.  If NO ONE can access the Father except through Jesus what would make anyone declare that believing in Allah or Buda or any of the myriad of gods, man has concocted gain access?  The Gospel according to our LORD and His word is incredibly simple.  Jesus is our Hope!  Jesus is our Way, Truth, and Life.  Jesus is our only door to the Father and the only gate through which we can enter into eternal life.

            May the LORD richly bless you as you go through this day!

1 John 3:18 – “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” NKJV

If you have ever dealt with a person who demonstrated an obvious dislike for you, did things to hurt or hinder you, and spread rumors or half-truths about you but would publicly say, “I love you”, you will understand.  That is one scenario in which words do not match actions or attitudes and it is often painfully obvious.

Through the years of ministry, I have encountered marital situations where the marriage was hanging by a thread and both parties would tell the other, “I love you!”  I believe they believed what they were saying was true to the degree they understood the truth.  If a husband/wife verbally declares, “I love you,” but belittles the other, is unfaithful, fails to provide for the family as is needed their words are hollow.  I’ve observed parents telling their children, “We love you,” and then proceed to berate, belittle, badger, and torment them publicly and privately.  Their actions speak so loudly the words are muted.

I have worked in ministerial alliances where some within the group continually sought to drive wedges in efforts to build a coalition. They sought to elevate themselves to a position of prominence or the advancement of their personal objectives.  Honey would almost drip from their lips as they declared in group settings their love for those they were tearing down and those who had heard the words from both sides of their mouths knew the hypocrisy with which they spoke. 

LOVE is not simply verbal it is an action! If I love you, I will seek to do you harm.  I will not allow envy to shadow my view or relationship with you.  I will not self-promote or behave rudely.  I will not be self-serving or self-seeking.  I will not rejoice openly or in my heart when you experience setbacks or problems.  I will be patient, kind, gentle, trusting, and willing to help. I will do that which I can, to help you succeed even if it costs me.  I can declare how much I love the poor but if my effort is limited to words is that love?  LOVE is never passive and never without corresponding actions.  I would rather someone know my love by my actions rather than just hearing my words. 

A man or a woman that tells their spouse, “I love you,” then is unfaithful has rendered those words meaningless.  A person that says, “I love you”, but spreads gossip, rumors, and half-truths about another has transformed those words into meaninglessness.  Jesus said, there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for their friends.  I read in John 3:16 that “God loves the world!” I do not have to read far to see His corresponding actions that demonstrate that love.  When I read Job’s words that he made a “covenant with his eyes not to look on a woman with lust…” I understand that when he says to his wife, “I love you” he is committed to demonstrating that love.

I have had people tell me, “I love you,” and knew that it was incredibly superficial. They deemed those words the proper thing to say under the circumstances.  I have always resisted saying, “I love you,” unless I truly meant it.  Understand that I desire to Love Everyone and manifest the nature of my LORD in all that I do.  Do I succeed?  I wish but sadly, I am still pressing toward the mark and still find myself repenting.  I never want to allow my words to become superficial meaningless chatter but have them backed by the character of my heart.           

God bless you as you go through this day!

Mark 12:31 – “The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” NASB

It is very interesting to me that the Greek word used here for ‘love’ is (agapao) which comes from a word that means much and can be seen in contrast to (phileo) or brotherly love.  It is a deeper love than just a casual social appreciation of someone.  It was not (storge) which is a fondness through familiarity or (philia) which is friendship or (eros) the romantic attraction but (agape) which is unconditional love or a God-kind of love.

That being said, if everyone were to take this passage literally from a personal viewpoint regarding how they regard themselves the world would be in a world of hurt.  Why do I say that?  Because some people have anything but LOVE for themselves and then others have nothing but LOVE for themselves. 

Some have an unhealthy un-love, and some have an unhealthy love for themselves and to love others as they love themselves would be dangerous and difficult.  Yet, if we are ‘in Christ’ and His love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit and we do not think higher of ourselves than we should then we can love others in a wholesome and balance the way that produces a beautiful interaction and relationship.

Imagine a world where people viewed others through the eyes of the Spirit of God.  Imagine a world where people realized that we are all creations of the Father.  Imagine a world where people followed what is called the Golden Rule and truly reacted and responded to others like we desire to be treated.  I am convinced that we would find more peace than turmoil in our relationships. 

It is when we attempt to love others without first coming to grips with who we are and having the who we are settled in Christ we have difficulty.  For most of my life, I have heard people say, “You have to look out for old number one” to justify whatever it was that they did and the way they treated or took advantage of others.  That is not ‘loving your neighbor as yourself’ that is disregarding your neighbor for yourself.  It is contrary to what Jesus called the 2^nd Great Commandment of God.  If we get the 1^st one right the 2^nd one is easy but until we get the 1^st one right the 2^nd one is almost impossible.

I cannot love you on an equal plane with myself if I have not first learned to be comfortable with who I am in God.  It is only as I find myself in God and know that I can trust Him, that I can make myself vulnerable and love you as I do myself.  The self-defense part of our nature prevents that, and it is only as we move from the survival mode to a life hidden with Christ in God that we can move out of our inner sanctuary of self-protection and LOVE biblically.

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

Matthew 4:4 – “…It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'”  NASB

Did our Lord have anything to say on political matters during His time on earth?  That depends on whether you read His teachings for specific direct quotations regarding political matters or His implied statements in what He taught.

An example would be ‘fair wages’.   In Matthew 20 our Lord told of the conscientious vineyard owner who was concerned about his crops being harvested and hiring idle laborers.  He, at different times of the day, went to the marketplace and hired laborers.  At the end of the day, he took those he had hired last and paid them but when he came to those who had worked the full day he paid them the same amount and they were furious shouting and murmuring ‘unfair’ or in today’s world they would be calling for ‘wage and salary’ laws to be mandated to any employer. 

Notice what the business owner said, “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own?  Or is your eye envious because I am generous?” (v.15) Our Lord was, by telling this story, implying that it is the right and privilege of the laborer and the employer to come to an agreement as to wages and no outside entity should legislate differently.

The Bible speaks about caring for the poor, the widows, and orphans as well as giving a clear directive regarding laziness and idleness.  Therefore, indirectly, and directly He speaks of the entitlement world’ and gives a biblical directive on how we should operate regarding those in our family and communities.  He did not mention, nor did any of the New Testament writers, a government program of welfare but a personal and community one.  Jesus spoke of unjust weights and measures speaking of unjust trade and there was a prescription for each of those and it always came back to the church, the community, and the individual to police.

Jesus did say to Peter regarding the taxes that were mandated, “Render to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar and to God that which belongs to God.”  We are told to pray’ for those that rule over us.  Yet, our Bible speaks to every aspect of life and teaches that our lives should not and cannot be regulated or legislated into holiness or morality.  That is a matter of the heart not a matter of some man-made law. 

Of course, we need laws and yes mankind is morally bankrupt enough that we cannot be a law unto ourselves with regard to life and property.  But with regard to how we earn our livings, care for the needy, and do business we have a guidebook that is impeccable and if followed by individuals and the Church our world will dramatically turn from the present path of decadence and depravity toward a godly way.

Before you adamantly proclaim that Jesus was never involved in politics you might want to read what He taught and realize that He dealt with life and politics is a part of life.  I trust what Jesus said not what man thinks about what He said.           

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

Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.”  NASB

I have heard this passage used to decry the use of profanity, but I believe its reach is far beyond foul language.  Merriam-Webster defines ‘unwholesome’ as detrimental to physical, mental, or moral well-being.’  A sub-definition includes the idea of shady unwholesome dealings and loathsome.  Another dictionary renders it ‘not wholesome; unhealthy; deleterious to health or physical or moral well-being.  Not sound in health; unhealthy, especially in appearance.’ 

As believers and moral people, we should have as our objective to make our words those that lift up and inspire not tear down and deflate.  I pray with David, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14).

The writer of Proverbs declared, “Wholesome speech is a tree of life, but dishonest talk breaks the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4). The words of Titus 2:8 provide a needed reminder, “Use wholesome speech that cannot be condemned.  Then any opponent will be ashamed because he cannot say anything bad about us.”  Then Paul issues the wonderful declaration in Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].”

We need to be reminded of the words of Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequence of their words.”  The apostle James brought to light the incredible power of the tongue and its tendency to be unruly in James 3:6, “And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by hell (Gehenna).”

But if we are to have sanctified tongues more than self-control is required.  We must have right hearts.  Jesus reminded us in Matthew 12:34 that it is out of the ‘abundance of the heart’ that the words are presented.  David cried to the LORD in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”  The Psalmist declared in Psalms 26:2, “Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind.”  The heart is the key!

The apostle Paul instructed us in Romans 12:2 that we are not to be, conformed to this world: but transformed via the renewed mind.   David declared in Psalms 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”  Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks and what the mouth speaks first is filtered through the gate of the mind.   Paul made an amazing statement in Ephesians 4:23, “And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds…”

Many, if not most of the problems, in this present world have their root in an unsanctified heart, which produces an unsanctified mind from which an unsanctified tongue is allowed to spew forth its death, discord, and destruction.  If our hearts are sanctified, our minds will be renewed, and our tongues will be brought into captivity and we will demonstrate sanctified tongues.  Tongues that bless rather than curse are might weapons in the Kingdom of God.

I pray that each of us will seek the LORD and ask Him to sanctify our hearts and our minds and as He does the tongue will become sanctified and be a fountain of life not a cesspool of unwholesomeness.

God bless you as you pursue His Person, Peace, and Power.  Have a great day in Him!

Galatians 5:4 – “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”  NASB

Contrary to the opinion of some, you cannot earn your salvation.  I appreciate the desire to live holy, it is my desire as well.  The Bible makes it clear that holiness is God’s desire too. Well, it is more than a desire it is His requirement. (1 Peter 1:16; Leviticus 11:45, etc.).  In Hebrews 12:14 we read, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the LORD.”            

Purity is a big deal to God because He is Pure and has made the provision to enable us to live lives of consecration to Him.  Jesus made a statement in Matthew 5 that always causes me to meditate upon and examine my own heart and life.  He said in Matthew 5:20, “For I say to you that unless your righteousness far surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” 

I am concerned that sometimes, we believers, gravitate to legalism, and as did the Pharisees and develop our list of rules to demonstrate our holiness, righteousness, and purity through what we do.  If we trust our rules, our lists, and our prescribed way of living avoiding all the listed taboos and doing all the prescribed things we will move outside of God’s Grace to our own strength.  That will prove to be a colossal failure and incredible disappointment.

I was once a Pharisee of Pharisees!  I was not that way when I first became a Christian, but after a few years of ministry and the influence of some sectarian legalists, I became one.  I was miserable and made people around me miserable.  I judged everyone by their outward appearance and actions more than I sought to know their hearts.  I hung out the clothesline and took in the wash in many of my sermons.  I became quite adept at identifying all the wrongs and failed to mention all the right.  I saw few saved and had one church member tell me, “Pastor, nobody here today was lost but you made us all feel like the vilest of sinners.”

I am not shy about calling sin what it is, but many years ago, the Lord took me to the spiritual woodshed and changed my way of thinking about many things.  No, I did not abandon my core convictions and foundational beliefs.  Let me give you one example of my legalism and hypocrisy that the LORD spanked me good over.  I preached that it was a sin to work on Sunday.  Imagine that!  Yet, I would go out to lunch after service.  The Holy Spirit challenged me and asked, “If you believe it is a sin to work on Sunday, why do you create a need for someone to engage in what you are calling a sin?”  He then called me a hypocrite and I realized that I was.

I had a list of things that a Christian could not do.  I had a non-churchgoing man in my community invite me to do several things that were on my list and I told him no because it would violate my faith.  After he attempted to include me about a dozen times and I refused each time, he said, “What can you do other than eat and sleep?”  I had attempted to witness to him, and he visited the church on a couple of occasions.  After one service he asked, “Preacher, I have been here a couple of times and I know what you don’t believe, what do you believe?”  That was all the Holy Spirit needed to get my attention.

I believe, as the declaration of 2 Corinthians 6:17 states, we are to come out from among them and be separate.  However, I believe that does not mean isolation from the world it means to become insulated by the peace of God and live in such a manner that God’s love is demonstrated.  Jesus said that we are to be the light of the world.  He said that we are to be salt and light.  I am convinced that God intends for believers to influence their surroundings and world rather than to be influenced by the world.  We are to be agents of change and advocates for the Kingdom of God.

For years, my focus has been on the Love, Grace, Mercy, and Peace of God.  I am a strong advocate of Covenant Relationships and believe that God is a Covenant making and Covenant keeping God.  I have ceased trying to clean the fish before I catch them.  I have learned that God can change behavior to His liking in a moment whereas I may coerce the desired behavior, but the heart has not been changed. 

Holiness and Righteousness are not a list of rules kept but a condition of the heart.  The Pharisees kept the rules, but their hearts were far from God.  God’s desire is for us to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength.  If our hearts are right our behavior will become right and we will not need a list of rules.

Someone asked what can you do?   I usually say, “Anything I want, but there are some things I don’t want to do because I know they would not reflect properly on God and would disappoint Him.”  I want the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart to be pleasing and acceptable to the Father.  I want to be light that draws to Him!

God bless you as you walk in His peace and allow Him to be Who He is through you!