Spiritual

THE ISSUE OF ABIDING…


John 15:7 – “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.”  NASB

There are verses in the Bible that are problematic.  Not that they are problems concerning the truth but a problem of them being a normal manifestation in our lives.  This is one of those passages.  There are four things specifically listed in this passage that must be considered when seeking to understand and implement this directive, challenge, and promise into our lives individually and collectively.

There is that dastardly word “if” at the beginning and virtually any time we find “if” there is a potential problem because there is a condition attached to the promise.  Usually, it is an “if” followed by a “then”.  In those we find God telling us that “if” you will, “then” I will do this or that.  I ask you to join me in seeking to become the people who enjoy the fulfillment of the promise in this passage.

Imagine living in such a manner that whatever you wish for, hope for, long for, or ask God for is yours.  Of course, there must be a significant discussion because a blanket promise to give whatever we wish is easily problematic.  It goes without saying or should that if our requests or wishes are contrary to the heart and nature of God and violate the moral principles of the Bible, we dare not expect to receive those things from Him.  He will never violate His character or disregard His Word. 

Nevertheless, the promise is there and if it is there, it has potential.  God does not speak flippantly or make idle promises.  We could spend hours on just that thought and walk through a myriad of scripture verses detailing God’s attitude toward His Word.  That would be beneficial but due to time and space, we must resist the urge to do so. 

The Four Specific Statements or Parts of this Promise are Abiding in Him, His Words Abiding in us, The Desires of our hearts, and the Promise to Grant those Desires.  How many can say, “I get whatever I ask from God all the time?” 

I hope that no one said that, but some may, and I hope you are factually correct.  I will leave that assertion to you and God to sort out, but I confess that I am not there.  I have served God in ministry for 50 years now and I’m still striving to enter that state of relationship.  Maybe that makes me weak and speaks ill of me, but it is an honest confession and statement of reality.  Therefore, I continue to press toward the mark and seek the prize of this promise.

IF YOU ABIDE IN ME…

What does it mean to Abide in Christ?  When we turn to the Greek, we discover that the word “abide” is the Greek word ‘meno’ which simply means to stay in a given place, state, relation, or expectancy.  It conveys the idea of enduring, tarrying, standing, or living in that place or state. 

If Christ is ‘abiding’ in me then He is living in me constantly.  Once we have accepted Jesus as our Savior that is a factual reality.  He is ‘abiding’ in us but what about us ‘abiding’ in Him.  Before you split hairs doctrinally and take some sectarian argument as your foundation, I ask you to examine with me some considerations.

Are we always ‘abiding’ in Him?  Do we stay with Him and keep Him as the center of our universe and lives?  Are we living, daily, continually, in the state of Matthew 6:33 where we ‘seek Him first’?  He is in us but are we mentally, emotionally, and relationally abiding in Him all the time? 

We know that we can produce no fruit aside from the vine and He is the vine.  He cannot be a part-time LORD.  We cannot be divided in our devotion.  We cannot be double-minded holding to the flesh, the world, and God at the same time.  We are to ‘abide’ in Him.  He is our dwelling place.

Consider Psalm 91:9 – “Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place…”  In Psalms 90:1 – “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.”   In Acts 17:28 we discover, that “in Him, we live and move and exist.”  In Psalms 27:4 we read, “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that I will seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” 

I personally believe that abiding in Him is impossible aside from the infilling of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  He promises to fill us and once He has, how do we stay full?  Ephesians 5:17-20 gives understanding.  It is by verbalizing the Word of God especially the Psalms, singing hymns, spiritual songs, singing to Him, and expressing our gratitude.  We are exhorted in Philippians 4:8 to focus on His Truth and meditate on His truth, right things, and things that uplift.  It is not simply the power of positive thinking but thinking rightly and truly we become what we behold or what holds our hearts.

So, I ask, “Are we abiding in Him?”  That abiding is to be 24/7/365.  It is not living a compartmentalized life where we have a business life, a social life, a family life, a church life, and a devotional life.  It is being and functioning in Him, through Him, for Him, and doing all that we do as an act of worship unto Him.  It is being totally surrendered to Him at all times and in all things.  There is no vacation from Abiding!

If we don’t get the 1st part of the equation right, there is no 2nd, 3rd, or 4th.  I heard it said, and I agree “If God is 1st there is no 2nd because if He is 1st all else falls into place.”  I have barely scratched the surface and must deal beyond this long but brief devotional.  I hope you will stay with me as we examine this Promise, Challenge, Directive, and Command in the following devotionals.

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

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MAKE LIFE COUNT – Part Two…


Hebrews 12:1-2 – “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  NASB

In the last devotional we discussed the challenge or instruction written in the Book of Hebrews to Christians who were struggling with their new life and dealing with its difficulties.  The challenge was, “Let Us Run.”  Today, I would like for us to consider How we are to Run that Race.

We are to Run Stripped of Every Handicap.  That sounds elementary and complex.  How and What is he talking about?  It is our objective to win the race or finish the course and therefore want nothing to hinder our speed or impede our journey, right? There are some things that must be done and things that must be considered.

If we expect to run this race successfully it is imperative that we Put Aside Sin, Every Sin.  I call to your remembrance the story of Samson.  He was a match for every difficulty and situation until he broke his vows and then he was like everybody else and easily defeated. 

Not only are we to put aside every Sin but every Weight.  What is the difference?  A weight is something that is not, in itself, sinful but if we allow it to continue will become sinful through wrong use.  I believe there is a biblical test for everything. 

One simple question that we should ask in every situation is, “Does this help or hinder me in running this Christian Race?”  I read an account was a crow was caught in a river by a young boy without any special equipment.  The crow had gotten its toe caught in a mussel shell that was lodged between some rocks and could not fly away.  The mussel shell or trap did not kill the crow.  It did not break his wings so that he could not fly but made his movement difficult if not impossible and allowed him to be captured.  Do not allow the weights of life to impede your progress, cast all your care on Jesus!

A third thing that we need to consider in this challenge is not only are we to run and remove all hindrances, but we are to run with Patience.  That is possibly the most difficult of all.  This Christian Life or Race is not a sprint it is a marathon.  Sadly, some lose patience because they face opposition.  Opposition is to be expected. The Bible warned that if we serve God, we will face persecution.  Most of us face little if any and nothing compared to what they faced in the days of the writing of the Bible.

Patience is urged because believers have no right to lose heart considering what Jesus did and is doing.  In a very real sense, suffering as a mark of sonship.  Not that we should seek suffering but if we suffer for our faith that is not a bad thing and God takes note of it in giving us strength and protection.

Finally, we are to Run Looking to Jesus.  The literal translation is that we are to run looking away from everything but Jesus.  I like that.  He is our Source.  He is our Example.  He is our Constant Help in the Time of Need.  We can make our lives count for Jesus if we will follow the prescription of the writer of Hebrews.

Remember, we have a Great Cloud of Witnesses.  We have Jesus as our Constant Source of Help, Supply, and Strength.  We have the Guidance and Provision of the Word, the Covenant, and the Promises of the Word of God to help us Stand and Grow in Grace.

May the LORD help you as you ‘strive’ to enter in and run this race with patience and unencumbered by weights and sins. 

Have a fantastic day in Him!

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MAKE LIFE COUNT…


Hebrews 12:1-2 – “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  NASB

The writer, in this passage, was writing to a group of Jewish Christians. They were discovering that their new life was not a life of ease.  They have found this new way most difficult and filled with persecution and drama.  They have, apparently, grown discouraged, and some have begun to think that their conversion was a mistake.  It seems that some were wondering if possibly they should renounce their Christian faith as sheer futility and return to their old way of Judaism. 

This letter was a letter to encourage them.  Here the writer reminded them that God is LORD of All.  He reminded them that the death of Jesus was not in vain.  He urged them to hold fast to their profession of faith and warned against falling short of the Grace of God.  He then called to the witness stand those patriarchs from the previous chapter to testify of the value, strength, beauty, and power of faith.  His encouragement was, “Do not lose heart or courage!  Lay aside every weight and run with patience the race that is set before you.”  He gave them some helpful, insightful, and definitive instructions for living the Christian Life at any time and in any place. 

He began a treatise and discourse on How the Father through Jesus and the Holy Spirit could make their lives count.  Let’s consider some of his instructions.

His first directive was, “Let us Run.”  Simple right?  Hardly and just saying that is insufficient to convey the message.  His message revealed the truth that the Christian walk is a strenuous life. It is exacting and is certainly not a game.  He makes no appeal to cowardice or slothfulness and he avoids and evades no issue.  All is on the table in his discussion with these believers.

He warned them that being a Christian means there will be Conflict.  There will be both an inner and outer struggle.  Being a Christian means Growth and Maturity.  It requires daily involvement and investment.  It demands accountability for actions.  It requires obedience but God has provided both the armament and tools with which we can survive and thrive. 

He reminds them and us that we are in a war, but it is a spiritual war, not a flesh war.  Jesus said, in Matthew 7:14, “Straight is the gate and narrow the way, which leads to life, and few there be that find it.”  Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:24, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” 

Jesus said that we were to “strive to enter…”  That is an interesting choice of words.  The word strive conveys the idea of struggle and is a very muscular word, not a soft effeminate one. It is active not passive.  This Christian way is difficult but if we take His Yoke on us it becomes easy because we are going in His Strength and His Power, not ours. 

The directive or challenge is, “Let us Run!”  Let us give it all we have.  Let us be ready for the marathon rather than the sprint.  Let’s run with the finish line in mind, not the starting gate.  I want to address this a bit more so we will pick up here in the next devotional and consider How we are to Run this Race.   

May God bless you richly as you run today’s leg of your spiritual race.  Have a fantastic day!

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WHICH ONE ARE YOU? – – Part Two


Hebrews 9:27-28 – “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”  NASB

We have addressed being Unconcerned About Death, Life, and Eternity now let’s move on to a second classification being Uncertain about Death, Life, and Eternity.  In Mark 10:17 we read, “And as He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and began asking Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”   Sadly, far too many, and one would be too many, do not know the way to Eternal Life.

There are those who Hope but are not Sure.  1 John 2:3 declares, “And by this, we know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments.”  To the Uncertain I say, you can know about your eternity, God’s plan includes you.  It is a matter of Trust.  It is a matter of faith or believing what He has said and promised in His word.  I believe that we can Know that we are Saved and have the confidence of the writers of the New Testament and the Early Church.

Someone asked Martin Luther, “Do you feel that you have been forgiven?”  He said, “No, but I am sure there is a God in heaven.”  He said, “Feelings come, and feelings go, and feelings are frequently deceiving.  My warrant is the Word of God, naught else is worth believing.  Though all my heart should feel condemned for want of some sweet token, there is One greater than my heart Whose Word cannot be broken.  I’ll Trust in God’s unchanging Word till soul and body sever; for though all things shall pass away His Word shall stand forever!”   Hallelujah! 

Years ago, in a revival meeting, a penitent woman came forward seeking salvation. The evangelist quoted to her the assurance of Isaiah 53:6 and let her simply take God at His Word and instructed her to depend on Jesus for her salvation.  She went home rejoicing, but the next morning came downstairs with tears in her eyes.  Her son asked, “Mother what is troubling you?”  She said, “Last night I felt so saved, but not now, it all seems like a dream, I am afraid that I have been deceived.”  Her son said, “But mother, get your Bible and read Isaiah 53:6 again.”  She did, and read, “The LORD laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”  Her son asked, “Is that verse still there?”  She said, “Yes, it is.”  He reminded her, “Then, according to God, your sins were laid on Jesus and you no longer have them.”  She saw the reality of that truth and set her heart to Trusting God not Feelings.

Another story that I will share is about a boy of about ten years of age being examined for membership in his church.  He told of his sense of guilt and was asked, “What did you do when you felt yourself a sinner?”  His eyes brightened and he said, “I went to Jesus and told Him how sinful I was and how sorry I was and asked Him to forgive me.”  One of his questioners asked, “And do you hope that Jesus heard you and forgave you?”  He said, “I don’t hope that He did I know that He did.”  

The oldest member of the panel peered over his glasses and said, “You to say that you KNOW that Jesus forgave you of your sins.”  The boy said, “Yes sir, I know.”  The man attempting to correct him said, “Don’t you mean you hope He has.”  The boy said, “No Sir!  I don’t hope He has, I KNOW He has!”  The man asked, “And just how do you Know?”  Every eye was on the lad and not a person spoke a word.  He looked at them with tears in his eyes and said, “I Know He has because He said He would!”  We need to Trust and Obey!

The Word of God gives instruction as to How to be Saved.  The Holy Spirit convicts of Sin and points to the Savior.  The Blood of Jesus is a cleansing agent as well as the full payment for our iniquity and sin.  And the clincher is, He Said He Would!

1 Corinthians 15:54 reminds us that “…death is swallowed up in victory…”  There may not be a tomorrow for me or you on this earth.  Today may be all we have in the flesh.  But, I have more than tomorrow on earth, I have the assurance in my soul and a Savior to which I can turn and hold.  My Anchor Holds because my anchor is Jesus!  Heaven awaits those who believe and have received His Pardon.

We can be Unconcerned in the sense that we do not fear death, or we can be unconcerned because we do not know the truth.  We can remove the Uncertainty thorough the Word and Promises of God.  Jesus said, “You shall know the Truth and the Truth will make you free!”  

May the blessings of the LORD be yours on this beautiful day!

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WHICH ONE ARE YOU?


Hebrews 9:27-28 – “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”  NASB

I have no desire to be morbid, but I want to discuss a subject that few relish talking about – Death!  That is a subject that carries a heavy weight of morbidity to most people.  Most leave it undiscussed and consider it an off-limits topic. It is not the normal table discussion at the evening meal or in a social gathering.  There have been very few times that I have had someone say, “Let’s talk about death.”  Most people fear death and somehow seem to believe that by not talking about it they can avoid it and that omission allows them to fare better day to day.

In this text, we are brought face to face with the sobering reality that life for everyone is, at best, temporary!  Job address it saying in 14:1, “Man that is born of woman is of few days…”  The brevity of life is all around is.  Death comes to one and all without respect to person, position, or anything else.  The sobering reality is Everyone Is Going to Die it is just a matter of how and when.

Because of that fact we need to take a sober look into the future beyond the grave and face reality and eternity.  How do we do that?  I want to offer you several possibilities and you determine, which one you are or which category you find yourself.  My purpose is to benefit not to bring morbidity or make your fear worse.

We can face death Unconcerned.  By that, I mean, some simply do not care.  They don’t care about life and have no thought of death.  Some of that is based on what they believe and some out of a misguided view of their own mortality. 

I have dealt with many who believe they have plenty of time.  I have even dealt with some who insist that a loving God would never send them to hell, so there is no reason for them to have any concern about how they live.  I have encountered those that believe there is nothing beyond this present life so why be concerned?  I even had a person tell me that Eternity is temporary so why worry about it at all?  Temporary Eternity is assuredly an oxymoron. Then there are those who believe that they are ‘good people’ and as good as the next fellow so they are okay.  In that they are Unconcerned.

There is great folly in being Unconcerned about Life, Death, and Eternity.  James 4:14 tells us, “Whereas you know now that shall be on the morrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.”  This life that we enjoy on planet earth is too brief for us to spend all our energy on it with no regard for eternity.  I remind you of the Illustration of Jesus in Luke 12:20 of the Rich Man and His bigger barns.  His plans were ended abruptly, and His eternity began immediately.  His focus was on the wrong things.

The Fruit of being Unconcerned is expressed in Proverbs 29:1 – “He that being often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”  Being Unconcerned about your Eternity opens the door to eternal doom. 

To the Unconcerned, I say:  “Prove to me the surety of more time.  Prove to me the fallacy of heaven and hell.  Prove to me that no God exists and there is nothing beyond the grave.” Before you argue that I must prove to you the reality of those things I say the following:

If I am wrong about God, heaven, and hell, and there is truly nothing beyond the grave, I have lost nothing in living my life according to the principles of God’s Word.  I have a rich and rewarding life, wonderful friends, a loving and beautiful family, and the contentment and joy of doing good and what is morally right.  But, because I am right and there is a God, heaven, a hell, and eternity beyond the grave, you stand to lose everything eternally if you take the position of the Unconcerned.  There is too much at stake to be Unconcerned about Life, Death, and Eternity.

I want to address this further but will pause now and take this up in the next devotional.  May the rich and bountiful blessings of the Living Lord be yours on this and every day!

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GOD’S KIND OF MAN – Part Two…


2 Timothy 4:7-8 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  NASB

Not only did Paul Fight as is revealed in his life and emphasized in his declaration, “I have fought a good fight,” but he also “Finished his course.”  It is one thing to begin good but in the final analysis, it is not how we begin but how we finish that matters most. 

Paul knew that if there was a Beginning there must be an End.  His starting point was not his training in Judaism but The Cross.  He understood the principle and truth of Grace that Salvation cannot be earned or bought it is a Gift of God.  Paul’s life was rooted and grounded in the Truth of a song that we used to sing in church.  Jesus’ Blood Can Make the Vilest Sinner Clean.  Hallelujah!

Paul understood something that we need to develop an understanding of and confidence in.  That to Run this Race we must be Equipped!  Some scoff at me when I tell them that it is imperative that they put on the whole armor of God daily.  But God has given that armament with purpose.  It wasn’t so Christians could do some little exercise at the beginning of their day.  It was for understanding, protection, and enablement that we could and would pull down strongholds. 

Athletes learn early in their quest to be the best that the right equipment is mandatory.  They also learn that proper training and exercise are essential.  A part that some miss is the importance of diet.  It is vital that we maintain a proper and healthy diet.  No, I’m not talking about natural food but spiritual food.  We are what we eat in a very real sense.  If I have a steady diet of the Word of God and drink of the Spirit of God, I will find that I am spiritually healthy.  If I miss meals and am helter-skelter in my approach to the things of God, I will be weak and easily defeated.  Being properly Equipped is Vital.

To Finish the Race or the Course it is vital that we have a vision of the Finish Line.  If we see the Finish, we will no longer fear death.  It is in viewing the Finish the Prize that we are striving for that we are encouraged and emboldened and given a reason to persevere.  When I consider or contrast Eternity with God to Eternity without Him, I am motivated to Fight the Good Fight and to Strive to Finish the Course.

Those two things, Fighting the Good Fight and Finishing the Course are incredibly important but do not overshadow the third part of the equation.  Paul said, “I have kept the faith.”  In all his trials, struggles, difficulties, and even defeats he never lost confidence in God. 

When doubt raised its ugly head, he resisted and encouraged himself in the LORD.  He had come to the place that he was content in anything and everything because things were not his source, and ease not his objective but God was.  He did not count his earthly life as the most important but his eternity and the eternity of others of paramount importance.  He truly saw death as a promotion and gain.  That takes all the sting out of death and removes its power to cause fear and torment in the heart and mind. 

He was not a bench warmer, he was a starter in the game of life!  He fully comprehended that his labor, his efforts, his investment in others were not in vain.  He believed, as should we, that God has a purpose and a plan for each of us.  He believed, as should we, that God’s Word never returns void but achieves its purpose.

Paul fully embraced the truth that there is Nothing Impossible with God!  In that confidence, he believed that because he was “in Christ” nothing was impossible to him either.  He never allowed himself to think otherwise and we would be behooved to do the same.  He addressed that confidence in 2 Timothy 1:12 saying, “…I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted Him until that day.”  That is the view of victory!

Paul affirmed in his life and acknowledged here that there was more to life awaiting him after his physical departure from earth.  He said, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.”  (v.8).  John echoed that sentiment saying that “every man that has that hope in him purifies himself even as Jesus is pure.”

Someone said the church is looking for better methods, but God is looking for better people.  That is a powerful truth.  God is looking for Warriors, not Spectators.  He is looking for Finishers, not simply Starters.  He is looking for those who will Keep the Faith until the End.  Can He find what He is seeking in you and in me?

God bless you as you enjoy this day in Jesus!

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GOD’S KIND OF MAN…


2 Timothy 4:7-8 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  NASB

I sometimes have people challenge me saying, “Oh, brother don’t fight.”  Some believe that if we do the right things to appease and attract the world they will come to the LORD and accept us.  I am convinced that the only method that works is “The Word of God!”  It is the Word of God empowered by the Spirit of God that brings conviction to hearts and the right instruction for life.  If we live Redeemed lives and they see the change in us, they will be moved and not by our trying to be like them.  The devil is not interested in coexistence only dominance and defeat.

I appreciate the apostle Paul and consider him one of the New Testament men that it could rightly be said, that he was a man after God’s own heart.  His declaration in this passage is definitive, “I have fought a good fight.”  That suggests several things that negate the idea that we are to be passivist in our Christianity. 

He Saw a Need to Fight!  He fought for Freedom and throughout human history men have given their lives for the cause of freedom.  America is no exception, we have our heroic patriots.  Paul fought for Survival and sought to prevent people from being destroyed by the devil.  He fought for Love.  We may see no reason for some fights but fighting for or out of love is an integral part of our Christian experience. 

He Saw Who He Was Fighting!  Too often we fight the wrong things, and in that process find ourselves fighting against the Spirit of God.  Napoleon called China a sleeping giant and the devil calls the church the same thing.  Paul was fighting against Sin. 

He waged war with Self, and it was a daily struggle.  He waged war with the devil, the accuser of the brethren, our adversary.  He knew why he was fighting and with whom he was fighting.  He recognized that the Christian’s War is not with men but with the powers of darkness.  It is not a natural but a spiritual war and therefore cannot be fought using natural means. 

He Knew How to Fight!  I am distressed from time to time with believers who do not know how to fight.  They have adopted such a passivist mentality that fighting is foreign to them and they continually get assaulted by the powers of darkness thinking it is normal.  They view their defeat as somehow spiritual and a sign of their piousness.

We have weapons of war that are mighty through God and it is imperative that we learn how to use them.  The most powerful weapon in our arsenal is “The Word of God!”  That Word is God’s liberating truth and is powerful enough to pull down strongholds and set captives free.  However, that Sword of the Word will never become effective if it is not seasoned with Prayer, led by the Spirit of God and wielded with purpose and confidence or faith. 

One more thing I want you to reflect on is the reality that Paul Fought he did not theorize but He Fought!  Sin was dirty and deadly in the view of the apostle and he considered the devil his mortal enemy not simply some nuisance.  He knew no compromise and practiced what he preached.  He was instant in season and out of season.  He stayed on the firing line of the battlefront.  He was always conscious of and studied the schemes and devices of the devil that he might better overcome and teach others the art of overcoming.  He knew that sin and the devil take no holidays, so he was invested in his commitment to Christ 24/7/365.

I want to address a couple more things but will pause here and pick this up again in the next devotional but until then I pray that the LORD will challenge you to become a Fighter for His Kingdom and Purposes.

May this day be filled with His wonder and you find perfect peace in all that you do.  Have a blessed day!

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SOMETHING BETTER THAN MONEY…


2 Timothy 2:15-19 – “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and thus they upset the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness.” NASB

1 Corinthians 8:3 – “but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.”  NASB

It means something to be known.  We have all heard the saying, “It is not what you know, but who you know that counts.”  There is truth in that and that is not to diminish knowing but emphasizes the importance of being known.  Being known can save us from tremendous hassle, confusion, and difficulty.  It frequently opens doors that would otherwise be closed.  It affords privileges that would not be realized in virtually every sector of life and society. 

If the President of the United States, no matter who that president was, knew me it would open doors for me.  If the president were my father, the considerations would be even greater.  Being known is often more important than wealth, ability, or experience.  It is a prize to be desired.

The world strives for recognition, but the most important recognition is to be ‘known of God.’  The text that we used states that “the LORD knows them that are His.”  He knows us through our need of Him.  He knows us by the love we bear toward Him.  He knows us by the trust that we place in Him.  He knows us by the work we do for, with, and through Him. 

According to the Bible, there is a record in heaven of every detail of our lives and “God knows.”  That can be incredibly comforting or tormenting, but it is a fact that “God knows.”  It is my conviction that being known of God is more valuable than anything that we can have, experience, or possess. 

Being Know of God Affords Us His Protection.  I love the Psalms and in 34:7 we read, “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them.”  2 Chronicles 16:9 assures us that, “the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the whole earth that He may show Himself strong to those whose heart is completely His.”  In Psalms 125:2 we hear the guarantee that God is protecting us unceasingly.  He is our fortress, our hiding place, our refuge as Psalms 91 declares.  He protects as a mother hen would her chicks and even more powerfully and diligently.

Being Know of God Affords Us Access to Heaven’s Resources.  He has invited us to enter the storehouse of heaven and receive whatever we need whenever we need it.  We have an open requisition with God.  We are sons and daughters, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus.  The Blessings of Abraham belong to us.  That’s His Promises.

Studying the Word of God brings light so that we can rightly handle it, discover the truths contained therein and enjoy the promises and provisions provided.  As we become one with the Word, we discover that God is faithful and the comfort we have in knowing that “God knows those that are His.”

But, for that to be of any value to me I must – Know God!  I must – Study His Word.  I must – Apply the Truths of that Word to my life.  As I become aware of and assured that God knows me as His child I can rest in His Provision, enjoy His Peace, and receive His Power in my life.  Being known of God is more valuable than anything we could possess. 

Too many make Christianity far more difficult that God intended.  If we can grasp the truth and receive the assurance that “God knows them that are His” we can follow the directive of Jesus and “Come to Him.”  We can “take His yoke upon us and rest.”  We can relax and not live fearful and fretful that we might mess up.  God is far more interested in providing for us than punishing us.

What do you need today?  The provision is in your relationship with Him. 

God bless you as you embark on today’s leg of your life’s journey.

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THIS IS MY GOD – Part Three


Philippians 4:19 – “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”  NASB

As we discussed in the previous devotionals, I would like to consider the word “shall” and “supply” and see what we can discover from it as we review the incredibleness of this Promise.

The word “shall” is too definitive to ever let us down.  It is concrete.  Remember, the apostle Paul knew what it was like to be completely spent and exhaustingly tired in Christian service.  He knew what it was like to have his godliness and sincerity repaid by anger and hate.  He knew what it was like when those who had formally been liberal givers stopped giving.  Some sought to suppress him, but he was not one penny poorer, but richer, because of this promise.  “My God shall supply all your need.”  He believed it and lived it and it was a source of inspiration in his life and ministry.

God’s supply is more sure than any human bank.  I remember a humorous story about a woman who found herself penniless and without food.  She prayed for God to supply a loaf of bread for her.  Some lads, who frequently mocked her, overheard her prayer and decided to tease her.  They bought a loaf of bread and threw it down her chimney. She rejoiced and praised God for the bread. The boys knocked on her door and laughed at her saying, “It was us, we sent the bread, not God.”  She said, “Boys, you just don’t understand.  Don’t think for a minute that God did not send it.  He let the devil bring it to me.”  My God Shall…

The word supply in this promise literally means to fulfill.  The more recent versions read: “My God shall fulfill every need of yours.”  Our need is like an empty vessel, and God’s supply is that which fills the vessel to the brim and runs it over.  Remember the account in 1 Kings 4 with the widow and her cruise of oil?  God’s supply is complete and only limited by our vessels.

There is incredible completeness in the Promise.  God fills “all our needs.”  Not some of them, but all of them.  That covers a vast amount of territory. What is left out of that promise?  Nothing!  All means All and covers All!  It does not matter if it is the needs of the physical body, the mind, the soul, the spirit, or our families.  It covers past, present, and future.  It meets the needs as parents, grandparents, siblings, husbands or wives.  It covers EVERYTHING!  “All Your Need!”

God Will Provide!  Do not try to determine how He will fulfill that promise and throw a monkey wrench in the mix.  Just let God be God and if He has to send ravens with food, He will.  In some way or other the Lord will provide:  It may not by my way but in His own way, He will provide!

Consider the Measure of the Promise.  “My God shall supply All your needs according to His Riches.”  Not your ability, but His.  We cannot conceive of the true vastness of God’s riches.  He owns it all and can call for it anytime He pleases.  The supply is not simply “out of” His riches but “according to” His riches. 

Let me illustrate this with this story.  There was a man who had a net worth of $10 million and saw a poor relative one day.  He asked the poor man, “How are you doing?”  The poor man said, “Not good, I’m destitute and don’t know where to turn.”  The rich man said, “That’s too bad, I want to help so here’s fifty-cents.”  Fifty-cents?  He could have given him thousands and not missed it, but he gave fifty-cents.  He gave “out of” not “according to” his riches.

In 1 Kings 10, we have the story of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.  In the thirteenth verse we read, “King Solomon gave unto the Queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, besides that which Solomon gave to her from his royal bounty.  I want you to see three things in this.  Solomon gave whatsoever she asked.  He gave, all her desire and that which He gave her was from his royal bounty.”

In Ephesians 3:20-21 we see the same three-fold measure.  All that we ask.  All that we think.  Exceeding abundantly above.  “My God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches…”  Not according to your ability but His ability.  The root of this and the anchor is that if we are “in Christ” we have His sure promises.  It is important and imperative that we Trust His Promise and Trust Him. He has promised to Forgive us all our sins, Love us unconditionally, Guide us fully, Protect us completely, and Provide for us without measure. 

God bless you as you move forward in your journey in Him!

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THIS IS MY GOD – Part Two…


Philippians 4:19 – “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”  NASB

In the last devotional we consider the assurance found in this passage and today I would like for us to look at the Promise contained therein.  In order to reach the objective of discovering the full impact of this truth I suggest we consider the parallel and contrast contained therein.

Paul said to the Philippians, “You have supplied my need: God shall supply yours.”  He said, “You have supplied one of my needs: God will supply all of yours.”  He said, “You have supplied me out of your poverty:  God will supply you out of His riches.”  He said, “You sent your gift by Epaphroditus, a true servant of Jesus: God will supply all your need by Jesus Himself.”  That is incredible!  Who received the greater blessing? 

Jesus said, “If you give a cup of cold water in the name of an apostle you will not lose your reward.”  We must never forget the truth that our gift does not buy from or obligate God.  He obligates Himself.  The Promises of God are sure and certain.  The Promise is incredible – “All Your Needs Supplied.”  But that is not the end, those needs are supplied by Jesus Himself, the giver and sustainer of life.  Hallelujah!

I like building things and seeing them take shape and come together.  I ask that you consider the construction of this Promise.  Everything in it gathers around one verb, “supply” and amplifies it.  I suggest that there is a seven-fold perfection of supply seen here.  I hope that gets your attention.

The Source of the Supply is My God!  The Certainty of the Supply is Shall!  The Fulness of the Supply is Fulfill!  The Extent of the Supply is All Your Needs!  The Measure of the Supply is According to His Riches!  The Storehouse of the Supply is In Glory!  The Medium of the Supply is In Christ Jesus! 

God will never fail, and we have no reason to fear.  No Christian need to ever beg bread based on that Promise.  We are unkind to ourselves and dishonoring to God when we allow our fears to torment us.  That is not His Promise and He has not given the spirit of fear but the spirit of peace.

Let me give you a simple exercise and something to consider:

The Bank is My God.  The Check is Shall Supply.  The Amount is All Your Need.  The Capital is His Riches.  The Bank Address is In Glory.  The Signature is By Christ Jesus.  With all that, what remains for us to do?  Yes, there is something that we must do to receive this.  It is not automatic.  We must put our signature on the check and endorse it.  No check will receive payment until it is endorsed.  Therefore, sign it by faith and receive the supply.  It is God’s Promise to you!

I would like to dissect the word in the Promise “shall” but will do so in the next devotional and hope that it resonates and provides understanding, challenge, and benefit.  Until then, may the LORD be with you in all you do.

Have a great day in Jesus!

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