HE DID NOT SAY MAYBE…

Spiritual Blog - Faithful

1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” NKJV

Let me say at the very outset of this devotional I believe that repentance is required for salvation. I also understand the word repent to mean to go in the opposite direction doing a 180 degree turn in our lives. Unlike what I heard a preacher say once in talking about repentance, “You have to do a 360-degree turn.” I had had three observations as I heard that statement. First, I was totally convinced he simply misspoke. Second, if you do a 360-degree turn you come back to where you were and there is no change. Third, the number of people that shouted Amen amazed me.

I occasionally hear preaching that seems to suggest that salvation is Jesus and… On occasions in discussing salvation with believers, they seem to add something to the work of Christ on the Cross and present a pathway to salvation that requires more than grace through repentance and faith. When Jesus was on the Cross He declared, “IT IS FINISHED or COMPLETE.” I must ask how complete is complete? It is not Jesus AND anything it is Grace! By grace, we are saved through faith. It is a free gift of God in response to our repentance and believing. John’s word in John 3:16 proclaims loudly that WHOSOEVER can be and is saved through faith.

Repentance is not simply acknowledging that we have been exposed or confession alone. It is a change of heart and a response to sin through recognition that we have missed God’s mark. If one is more concerned with the punishment than the sin an attitude of true repentance is unlikely. Man’s depraved nature is usually susceptible to the wiles of the devil and if we confessed due to fear of punishment or as a result of exposure we are open to the lie that maybe next time we won’t get caught. Our hearts were not broken by sin and our view of sin was not God’s view but man’s view. In that scenario, it is questionable if repentance was anything more than an admission of failure but not a change of mind toward the behavior or condition.

Without straining at gnats and swallowing camels I stand firm on the belief that if we confess (repent) of our sins God forgives. I am totally secure in my confidence that if we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that God raised Him from the dead we will be saved. I am anchored in my hope that if we repent we will turn from our sin and they will be blotted out. I believe that if we draw near to God He will draw near to us. I believe that when God’s conviction of sin smites our heart and we come face to face with the realization sin is an affront to God and separates us from His fellowship we can, should and hopefully will repent and receive.

Jesus is the way, truth, and life and has opened the door to eternal life. The simple prescription is repent which involves confession and belief. He has extended His Grace to whosoever will and it is not maybe He will forgive but HE WILL FORGIVE! If the strings of your heart are being tugged by the Holy Spirit about anything please do not resist His nudging. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory and Jesus promised that if we come to Him he will not cast us away.

God bless you as you go through this beautiful day!

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THE IMPOTENT GOD OF MODERN RELIGION…

Spiritual Blog - Man

1 Corinthians 4:20 – “For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power.” NASU

We are told in the Hebrews 13:8 that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” If that is true then I must ask, “If not now, when?” If we cannot have what they had in the Old and New Testament times, why not? If we cannot be the Church described in the Gospels and the Book of Acts today, why not? If we cannot expect the miraculous today, why not? When did God become impotent? When did God become dependent on the arm of flesh and the technology and medicine of modern times? When did God cease to be the God of the Bible and the Keeper of His Covenants? I am not trying to make anyone mad, but I am very serious in my pursuit of the answer to the question, “If not now, when?” and “If not now, why not?

There are countless passages from the Bible that declare the Greatness, Glory, Majesty, and Power of God. There are also multiple passages that describe His goodness and desire to bless and care for His children. With all the biblical evidence that He is The Living God and Eternal, how did we arrive at the place of modern religion where God suddenly became impotent? In 2 Samuel 22:33 we read, “For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God is my strong fortress, and He makes my way perfect.” In 2 Chronicles 20:6, Jehoshaphat raised his voice in supplication to God and said, “…O LORD God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.” How did God become impotent?

When I read 1 Corinthians 4:20, I stand in awe and feel a sense of remorse that I do not see what the Bible describes as the norm for God and the believers. It says, “For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s Power.” We read in the Old Testament of the many miraculous acts of God and hear God’s own declaration that He is our healer, deliverer, protector, provider, and guide. He is THE LIVING GOD! He created this world and the entire universe with the Word of His Power. He created man from the dust of the earth and breathed the Life of God into him, making him a living soul. He delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage with incredible miracles, signs, and wonders. He sustained them in the wilderness, opened the red sea and the Jordan river. From Genesis to Revelation He is the God of Miracles!

In the New Testament, we find Jesus living a sinless life as man and for man. We find Him going to the Cross to offer Himself a Sacrifice for Whosoever would come and receive His Grace. He rose from the dead, has now ascended to the Right Hand of the Throne of God making intercession for us and His promises and provisions are more than a little amazing. Paul was captivated by the Mightiness and Eternality of God. He comprehended God’s desire for us to participate in the enforcement of the Victory Jesus won at Calvary and wrote in Ephesians 1:17-18, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints…”

If he had stopped there that would be amazing but he continued saying, “…and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at the His right hand in the heavenly places, far above principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” (vv.18-21)

Jesus declared in Matthew 28:18 that ALL AUTHORITY had been given to Him. All authority in both heaven and earth. Then He commissioned and commanded His followers which cannot be relegated to those disciples only but to all who believe in all ages, to Go into the nations of the world and make disciples teaching them to observe ALL that He commanded. He promised to never leave or forsake them. In Mark 16 we have the repeat of that directive with an addendum that believers would have accompanying signs. Among other things they had power over the devil and demons and could heal the sick by the laying on of their hands and faith.

The Bible declares that Jesus came for the express purpose of “Destroying the Works of the Devil.” Has that fully transpired? Is the devil still doing his dirty devious deeds? Is there still a need for the miraculous power, presence, and person of God in this world? I hope you said, Yes!

In Ephesians 4 we are informed that God has given gifts to the Church for the purpose of equipping believers to do the “work of ministry”. He gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers for spiritual service and ministry. He gave them to build up the Body of Christ UNTIL we all attain the ‘unity of the faith’ and of the ‘knowledge of the Son of God’ and until we become ‘mature to the measure and stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.’

The Bible speaks of the part being done away as including knowledge when that which is perfect has come. I must ask if that is speaking of the Bible canonized why do we still have the imperfect, the devil still roaring about, knowledge still increasing, and unity not achieved in the Body of Christ?

Why did Jesus instruct us to pray in Matthew 6:9-13 to pray for the Kingdom of God to come to the Earth and the will of God to be done ON EARTH as it is in heaven if that was not possible. Why did He tell us in Matthew 6:33 to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?” Why did He say that because He was going to the Father His followers, including us, would both do the works He did and greater works?

In 1 John 4:17 we are informed that “as Jesus is, so are we in this world.” How is He? Is He still God? Is He still longsuffering? Is He still the Mighty God, the Living God? Is He still the same yesterday, today, and forever? When did He become impotent and bound by the doctrines of man relegated to operating within the parameters and confines of modern science, medicine, technology, or economics? We sometimes pray for God’s guidance but not His manifestation of Power in the miraculous, why? We sometimes expect God to help us financially but not in healing and deliverance, why?

The God I met in the Bible and at that kitchen table in Palestine, Texas 50 years ago is not Impotent but the same yesterday, today, and forever and He does not change nor, does he fail to keep His word. My God is not Impotent! That is not to say that I have attained the place of faith or spiritual maturity that I see the Power of God as I believe is possible as frequently as I believe He desires, but as Paul said, “I am pressing toward the mark.”

God bless you as you step into the presence of God and experience the Mightiness of God! Have a fantastic day!

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GOD’S PERPETUAL PROVISIONS PROMISE… (Part Two)

Spiritual Blog - Provisoin

Matthew 6:19-34

I won’t repost the entire passage as it was given in full in yesterday’s devotional. Please reread it as we continue our journey in this consideration and pursuit of God’s revelatory truth. We have been discussing Evidence that God occupies the Top Place in our lives and Evidence that He does not. In that, I mentioned the order and emphasis that our Lord placed on this truth in His discourse. Let’s begin that consideration.

It is God first and everything else follows. He has instructed us to reject or refuse some things and receive, embrace, and pursue others. He has given some specific actions to be taken and explains the Principles and Precepts of His teaching as well as the dangers and then explored the Victory that has been given and is to be won!

In (vv.19-20) He gives us the Order of Priorities in Life. The focus is not your wealth or possessions (remember the Rich Ruler in the Parable of Luke 12). He was at ease in his possessions and made plans to expand his wealth and God said, “You fool! This very night your soul is required of you, and how who will own what you have prepared?” The message is clear – God must be First!

In (v.21) Jesus explains the commandment. What is most important to us will be the most sought after by us. What is most important to us will hold our attention, love, loyalty and draw from our energy and resources.

In (vv.22-23) He gives the results of our priorities and actions. Then in (v.24), we find the choice that each person must make. It is God or the world. When I hear people claim to be self-made people I chuckle because we have nothing that God did not give us if you dig to the bottom of everything. He gave us the ability, and, in that ability, we gain what we have. Without His gift to us, we would have nothing and could do nothing.

In (v.25) He says a most interesting thing that brings it all into focus powerfully. He said, “For this reason…” For this reason, do the following is a clear message and liberating truth. It is the Total Commitment of the Total Man. That condition and position, free us from Fear, Worry, Carnal Lusts, and for God’s Purposes and Assignment.

In (v.30) we are instructed to consider God’s amazing provision and supply. In (v.32) we are exhorted to resist worldliness and in (v.33) He gives us the solution or pathway to the Place of Perpetual Provision in Him. We are to Seek First God’s Kingdom and Righteousness and when we do He will Provide EVERYTHING! Jesus said in Luke 12:32 that it is our Father’s pleasure to give us the Kingdom! What more could we ask? We have Grace and Peace as well as Provision, Promise, His Person, and Power. Hallelujah!

God wants us to seek that which He wants to give. He places desires in our hearts, providing we seek His face, invest ourselves in prayer and His word and then delights in fulfilling those desires in our lives. God wants to supply and equip us for service and life. He wants us to walk in Power, enjoy His Presence, and Manifest Him to the World.

What is the challenge? Make God Number One in Our Lives. When He is, there will be tangible evidence that He occupies that position as well as tangible evidence if He does not. God wants us to have His Best! Never, be guilty of making God an also-ran in your life. Never make God your balm to soothe a guilty conscience. Never make God your supermarket, genie, or candy store to provide for your whims. Never relegate God to the status of being your Santa Claus. Never relegate Him to being one in our list of gods. Make Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords in our lives. Honor and recognize Him as Lord of All, the Messiah.

To some, it would almost appear that God has died, but I’m here to tell you that He is very much Alive! God bless you as you enjoy this day, and may the Living God become very much alive and evidenced in your life and labors!

Have a Great Day!

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GOD’S PERPETUAL PROVISIONS PROMISE…

Spiritual Blog - Provision

Matthew 6:19-34 – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 ” The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

24 ” No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

25 ” For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 ” Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” NASU

I would not have to make any remarks in this devotional for those verses say it all eloquently. However, I believe that the Bible is a Book of Precepts, Principles, and Promises. In this passage, spoken in the heart of the ‘Sermon on the Mount’, Jesus gives His answer to Life. He opens the door and reveals a beautiful truth regarding His Love and Concern for each of us who follow Him. He exposes the sham and fallacy of seeking anything above Him or other than Him.

The Principle and Message are vividly clear and not to be misunderstood. The Principle taught throughout the Bible is “God Must Be Lord of All or He Is Not Lord at All.” That truth glows brightly in this text.

We find in Deuteronomy 5:7 – “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” Then in Matthew 22:37 – “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God will all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind.” In Luke 10:27 the words of Jesus ring loudly, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” That is revealing and powerful for the honest and open heart.

THE CLEAR PRECEPT – – God Must Occupy the Top Place in Our Lives.

His character, nature, justice, love, mercy, grace, and righteousness will allow nothing less. There can never be co-habitation between the Spirit of God and the spirit of the world or the devil. There is clear evidence when God is occupying the Top Place in our lives and that is found in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Obedience, we are told, is better than sacrifice. We are admonished to Love God will our Entire Being, Heart, Mind, Soul, Spirit, and Strength. If we love Him, we do everything within our power to walk in obedience.

In 1 John 2:15 we are instructed to “Do not love the world nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” That is incredibly definitive, and some would call it black and white with no gray. Evidence that God does not occupy the Top Spot in our lives is revealed in “not loving God with our all.” It is revealed in “loving the world” its offerings, pleasures, and treasures. When we allow the world to increase in our hearts God decreases and John the Baptist said beautifully, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

I want to address the order and emphasis of our Lord in this passage but will pause here and pick this up in another devotional. Until then, may the rich and bountiful blessings of the LORD be yours.

I pray that this day will be rich and rewarding!

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BECOMING PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT… (Part Three)

Spiritual Blog - Different

Matthew 5:38-48 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ 39 “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41 “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 ” Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

43 ” You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 “If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” NASU

In answering the question, “What is different or distinctive in Christians?” we have turned to the Early Church to examine their distinctiveness. The first area or characteristic in them was their Devotion to or Specialization in Brotherliness. They Loved!

Another characteristic found in them was that they not only wanted to follow Jesus they wanted to reproduce and manifest Him. Their mission, desire, and objective were to inform everyone about Jesus and Salvation. They wanted to introduce everyone to Jesus and help them experience this Grace. They wanted to include everyone so that people would become the Body of Christ not divided or sectarian.

That objective was incredibly costly. Not so much in terms of money but in what it cost them personally. There is a wide gate and an easy way that leads to death, but the path Jesus wants for us is narrow and defined. It is living differently. It involves a level of self-denial and cross-bearing. There is no cheap or easy way to live this life. But the rewards are incredible.

The Goal of Reproducing Christ in this world is a top priority of the Father. The early church was motivated to follow God fully and completely regardless of what they faced or encountered. I know many believers, even some preachers, who have the idea that Christians are to be pampered and should enjoy trouble-free lives. I’ve been told, in the time of trouble, that if I was in the will of God there would be no trouble.

If the early church is an example and pattern for today that theory is blown out of the water. They were Stoned (not high on drugs but pelted with rocks). Some were sawn asunder (ropes and horses pulling them apart). They were tempted and tried, slain by the sword, and beheaded. Persecution was their cup, trials, and troubles a regular part of their lives.

The difference – They were not stopped by this but continued to proclaim the Gospel in the Name and in Honor of the Lord Jesus! They never prayed for escape but for the opportunity to take the Gospel to whomever, wherever, and whenever. If you will recall their prayer in Acts 4:29, “Lord, behold their threatenings…” Who was threatening them? The same people who crucified Jesus! They faced real danger, but their prayer was, “Grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence…” AMAZING! They wanted to manifest and reproduce Jesus in the lives of others and were not interested in ease but Revival.

That is the way of Christ. It is never self-preservation but the perpetuation of the Message of Hope in the Gospel. They experienced difficulty, but they had something others did not have – Joy & Peace! They were so joyous that the town folks accused them of tipping the bottle and being drunk. They were full of wine but not that which comes out of a bottle it was the New Wine of the Holy Spirit. They were intoxicated with God and never got sober! This New Wine flowed out of their innermost being and became a river of Life spilling out to whoever would hear and obey.

The apostle Paul had a very hard life as a believer. He went to the whipping post so often his body must have been one massive scar. His own testimony declared that he suffered the loss of all things, yet He lived richly. Nothing could rob him or them of their joy and radiance. A radiance and joy that is available today. Jesus is truly the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The Christian in fellowship with Jesus possesses all that makes life worthwhile in both time and eternity. If you are not a Christian, receive Him today. If you do not have what I’ve been describing and want it, seek His face. He cares for you and invites you to COME. I pray daily, “Lord your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth and in my life as it is in heaven.”

God bless you as you walk in His fullness and enjoy this wonderful day!

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BECOMING PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT… (Part Two)

Spiritual Blog - Different

Let’s take up the question we concluded in the last devotional, “What is Distinctive about Genuine Christianity?” I mentioned that if we are to find any helpful answers and come to some concrete conclusions regarding that question we must look at the Early Church or the Early Christians.

One of the distinctive things I immediately see in them was that they “Specialized in Brotherliness.” By that, I mean that they out-loved their pagan neighbors. They practiced what Jesus taught in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 ” By this, all men will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.” He echoed that in John 15:12 and John 15:17. Our Lord spoke about Love in such a way that His followers knew it was the telling evidence of their salvation. I am never more disturbed than when I see or hear believers blasting other believers rather than loving them. Love covers a multitude of sins and if we learn to love and practice loving we will find common ground as believers. No, I did not say compromise your convictions but let Love rule the heart and thereby the actions and relationships.

They were taught by our Lord that Love was the mark which identified them as Christians and the distinction was that if a person did not love they were not to be identified as followers of Christ. I know that there is not a more powerful influence in the world than Love! No wonder, the apostle Paul prayed for the Thessalonians believer in 1 Thessalonians 3:12 that God would cause them to increase and abound in love for one another and for all people. He witnessed the fact that they were doing just that. In Hebrews 13:1 the plea is to “let brotherly love continue.” Then the incredibly powerful and arresting words of John in 1 John 3:14 reminds us, “We know we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren. He that does not love his brother abides in death.” How could that be any clearer? Love drew people to Christ and the Church and still does!

Another distinctive characteristic of the Early Church was the Loved Outsiders. The words of Jesus in verse 43 of our text highlights this requirement and objective of our Lord for us. In Matthew 19:19 we are told to love our neighbor as ourselves and that is repeated in Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31; Romans 13:9; and Galatians 5:14, leaving us with a clear understanding that this is not optional. In Romans 13:10 we find, “Love works no ill to his neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the Law.”

Love bridged the gaps and divides. Our world today is incredibly divided on many fronts. The chasms that divide us are deep and wide and that is also evidenced in the world of Christianity. There are gaps to be bridged between men, between races, social classes, political ideologies, and doctrinal differences. The early church’s uniqueness and distinctive characteristic were that they love every Human Soul!

They even loved their enemies. How we need that message today. There is something in the unregenerate heart that not only does not love it does not want to love those perceived as an enemy. I heard a preacher say of another preacher, “I could not love him, even if I wanted to.” What? Even if you wanted to? That means you have chosen to hate and refuse to extend forgiveness and love. That is completely other than Christlike.

If modern day Christians loved as the Bible directs us to love our world would be evangelized by now. The Bible through the words of Jesus tells us that we are to “Love our enemies.” The staggering and sobering reality is that if we do not then we are not identified as Christians by the Bible. Protest if you please, but I do not want to stand before God at the end of my journey and try to explain why I did not love. You are never asked to endorse sinful or vile lifestyles. You are never asked to condone sin, but you are commanded to Love.

Jesus practiced what He preached. Remember His prayer on the Cross, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.” I remind you of Stephen when he was being stoned and prayed, “Lord, do not lay this sin to their charge.” True Christian Love loves those of like precious faith, Christians or the brethren. We love those not in the Body of Christ and we love our enemies and we Love God!

I will pause again here and address this a little further in another devotional. May God bless you richly as you enjoy the day He has made and given to us to enjoy!

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BECOMING PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT…

Spiritual Blog - INfluence

Consider the last portion of verse 47 – “what more are you doing than others?” I am always amazed at how Jesus waded through the veneer and superficial and aimed at the heart of the matter in His dealings with people. He continually displayed the ability to penetrate the hardest of hearts with His searching, penetrating and probing questions and statements.

In the passage of our text we get a glimpse of how He looked at love and the actions of the world He challenged His followers with the incredible question of verse 47 – “What more are you doing than others?” He reminded them and us that if we love only those who love us and only do for those who can repay or reciprocate, “What are we doing more than others?” As I like to phrase it, “How are we different from the world?” The implied truth is that as a follower of Jesus, a Christian we are expected to do more!

As I study the life of Jesus, in the New Testament, and His disciples I quickly realize that they were different. They did more than others! The practiced what He preached and lived the precepts of God’s Word demonstrating God’s Grace and Love. There was a marked difference between the followers of Christ and those in the world. They were different. Not because of how they dressed or what they did not do, but what they did.

I challenge you to remember that our Lord Jesus came to earth at a cost to Himself beyond our ability to comprehend or understand. He came to do something for us that we could never do for ourselves. It was, as the Bible declared, “for the Joy that was set before Him” that He came. He endured the Cross, despising the shame because His mission was the Redemption of mankind. I must ask, “What difference has the Cross made in you?” I remember after being saved a few weeks some people that I worked with said, “You are different.” I did not beat them over the head with the Bible, but my personality, my character, and my view of life had changed. I was a New Person and they noticed.

It is evident from the Bible that Christians are different and if you allow me to suggest, special. The question that must be asked is “What makes Christians different and/or special?” If there was nothing different or special about the followers of Christ, then our testimony would be powerless and our lives meaningless. If there is no difference, then our Christianity is valueless and disappointing to us and God.

It is extremely clear that the difference between a Christian and a person who is not is pronounced and visible in our world as it was in that day. Our society has been so leavened by the teachings of Christianity that there are those who are yet unsaved who are “Christian in some of their attitudes.” But, even in light of that reality, there is something distinctively different in those who know Jesus as Savior and those who do not.

Let me give you an illustration that I heard decades ago. There was a young girl in India and her impression of Christians is particularly germane and powerful. She was asked to describe a Christian and she said, “The people who are different.” They could be taken in a myriad of directions but Christianity, to her, made people different in a positive way. Just as there is a difference between the person who is saved and the one lost there is a kinship between believers. Genuine Christians are more alike than any group in the world. I realize that our sectarian and denominational divides often place believers at odds with each other but if we take that which makes us the same and strip away our man-made differences we are very much alike. The more we become like Him the less our man-made differences matter and separate.

I will conclude with a question that will lead me into the next devotional. “What is Distinctive About Genuine Christianity?” I believe that to have any hope of answering that question and avoiding legalism or sectarianism we must turn to the Early Church and study them. I have said for years that if we want what they had we must do what they did, and I will add, be what they were.

I will pause here and address this further in another devotional. May God bless you richly as you enjoy this beautiful day He has given us.

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IF WE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD – What Do They See? (Part Three)

Spiritual Blog - Light

Matthew 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” NASU

We have considered this matter of being the Light of the World and addressed the matter of the Purpose of Light and the reality that our daily lives must be rooted and grounded in God and His word. We also considered the need for our testimony to have its foundation and basis Jesus and the Bible. Today I want us to take one more step into this subject and hopefully bring everything together so that you can be even more inspired to be the Light of the World.

OUR LOYALTIES SHOULD BE FOUND FIRMLY FIXED IN HIM.

The Bible tells us that a double-minded man is unstable in everything. It is my conviction that the Will of God is the most important thing we can know and pursue in life. I do not believe the Will of God is mysterious or complicated. It is my conviction that God wants us to know His will for our lives and places desires and interests in our hearts that reveal to us our purpose. I believe that in His Will one finds fulfillment and contentment like in nothing else. If you hate what you do, you probably are not pursuing the Purpose of God for your life.

God’s Will should always be superimposed over our wills. Jesus said, in the Garden, “Not as I will but Your will be done.” God’s Purpose is more important than our personal or selfish desires. We are to be faithful to God in times of plenty and in times of lack. We are to be faithful in times of ease and times of turmoil and trouble. We are to be faithful in victory and in defeat. We express to others our true feelings and view of God through our faithfulness or unfaithfulness.

Jesus said, “You are the Light of the World.” He did not say, “Maybe, you can become the Light of the World.” He said YOU ARE! You are emanating some kind of image and projection to those around you, what are you projecting? What kind of light are you? What kind of light am I?

Let me tie all that we have been saying for the past couple of days together in this way and hopefully encourage you. Dare to step out of the traditional mold and seek Him first and foremost. Become willing to be Light. Become willing to risk standing on His Promises. Allow the Holy Spirit to transform your Life into a radiant light that penetrates the darkness and points to the Cross.

I pray that each of us will allow the Holy Spirit to enable us to become people whose lives, loyalties, labors, and testimonies produce the light needed to point others to Jesus. I pray that we will allow the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts to produce, in us, a life that expresses a total commitment to God. May we never be self-willed and self-centered but totally devoted to our Lord!

As believers, as Christians, we are the Light of the World. Our lives are to be filled with the Light of God pointing to His Love, Mercy, and Grace. When others see us, What Do They See? Where would our light lead them if they followed us? May the Lord help each of us to seek to be Lights of Love and Life shining into this darkened world!

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

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IF WE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD – What Do They See? (Part Two)

Spiritual Blog - Light

Yesterday we began addressing the issue of being the Light of the World and addressed, in brief, the question of “What is the Purpose of Light?” Today I want us to take another step or leap into this topic and address a few more thoughts regarding this reality. If we are the Light of the World, then:

OUR LIVES SHOULD REVEAL JESUS CLEARLY.

I would suggest that is not possible without daily and regular communion with Him in prayer, meditation, and studying the Word of God. We cannot know someone we spend no time with. I believe that for us to know the heart and mind of God it is imperative that we spend time with Him. We do that by prayer and studying the Word of God. We then meditate upon what we have read and what we have prayed and allowed the Holy Spirit to communicate His heart to us. You cannot give what you do not have, and you cannot be light if you have no light within.

Additionally, I suggest that unless our daily activities are in harmony with His Word we well convey an image of God that is contradictory to the Bible and contrary to His revealed person. When people interact with us or observe our lives (light) do they see evidence of a genuine New Creation or an Imitation? In 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 we find, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” Friedrich Nietzsche the German philosopher said, “If you want me to believe in your Redeemer, you are going to have to look a lot more redeemed.” That statement or challenge should be taken to heart by all who follow Christ. Do we give evidence of our redemption?

Do they see the Living Savior in our lives or simply a set of doctrinal or sectarian rules and regulations? Does the life and love of our Savior emanate from us and capture their hearts and attention? If we live as Pharisees and Sectarians we will be repulsive to those in the darkness but if the Life and Love of God emanate from us in our actions, words, deeds, and lives we will be like honey to flies and a flame to moths. Jesus said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to Me.”

If we are the Light of the World how much darkness do, we dispel?

OUR TESTIMONY SHOULD HAVE ITS CORE AND FOUNDATION IN HIM.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 that our prime responsibility and objective was to “Seek God first and foremost.” In 1 John 3:8 we are told that the express purpose of Jesus was to “Destroy the works of the devil.” Jesus said told us that the works that He did we would do and greater works than those because He would go to the Father. He has, so are we doing what He did and even greater works? How much light do we give the world?

If we acknowledge Him as supreme above all things and bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, we can project the Light of God’s Love so that “every knee will bow to Him.” Our lives should be rooted and grounded in God’s World and saturated with Love. Love, the Bible tells us, “covers a multitude of sins.” The profession of our faith must be able to stand the examination of our lives. Our walk and our talk must be consistent. So again, I ask, if we are the Light of the World, how much light do they see?

I will pause again here and address this in brief tomorrow. But until then remember you are the Light of the World and what people see in you is a reflection upon our Lord Jesus Christ so be careful how you walk and talk.

God bless you as you enjoy this marvelous day He has given us!

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IF WE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD – What Do They See?

Spiritual Blog - Light

That is a question I heard in my spirit while praying years ago. When we begin to think about this statement of Jesus, “You are the light of the world” what comes to mind? For me, it is arresting and quite staggering. It imposes upon my heart and mind, a reality that is inescapable. We are being watched and we are representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is imperative that we manifest Him and become sources of light that draws and points to Him.

Years ago, someone said to me, “You are the only Bible some will ever read.” They also said, “If you were on trial for being a Christian would they find enough evidence to convict you?” Both questions drove home the point of this verse. I am to be the Light of the World, so what do those seeing my light see?

If we are the Light of the World that suggests that something is emanating from us and the light that shines forth from within us through us must be light that points to God. Some may never read the Bible and therefore we become the source of their perception of God and Christianity. We are light, but what kind of light? We do give a testimony, but what kind of testimony? If we are the Light of the World, how much light do we give off and how much do we have?

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIGHT?

One of the purposes of light it to penetrate the darkness and illuminate. It is to reveal what is hidden. It is to give comfort and hope for traversing the path we are seeking to trod. We should understand that without God, man is lost and hopeless. He is without light. He lives in spiritual darkness until the Light of God comes and reveals the truth and thereby shows him a better way, no the Only Way to Life!

Another reality is that those of us who have accepted Jesus as our personal savior have been led by the light to the Light of His Word into Spiritual Freedom. We, therefore, are possessors of light and as God’s flashlights we are to shine into the darkness of this world and reveal Him to the lost. We have the Hope of Salvation and the Light in us reveals Him and in Him there is life.

Our lives should point to or manifest the True Light (Jesus) so people can come to true freedom in salvation. Light is to be a signal or a warning of danger and of safety. Our lives could truly be compared to the little lights in God’s Lighthouse warning of danger and demonstrating the Safety that is in Him. We are not to be guides of blindness but of light. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” and He said, “I am the Light of the World.” Here he tells us that His Light in us makes us extensions of His Lighthouse! So, again, what Light do they see in you and me?

Let me end this portion of this discussion with three questions.

Can they (the lost) see God in our daily actions?
Is He (Jesus) manifest in my conversation and life?
Is He (Jesus) projected by my attitudes, seen in my convictions, and the center of my life-view and world-view?

If we are the Light of the World, how much light do they have?

I want to pause here and discuss this more tomorrow but until then, remember you are the Light of the World so Let Jesus Shine Through You!

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

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