Psalm 115:16 –  “The heavens are the heavens of Yahweh, but the earth He has given to the sons of men.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, a single word kept echoing in my heart and mind – “Character.”

Psalm 115:16 fascinates me.  “The heavens are the heavens of Yahweh, but the earth He has given to the sons of men.”  Some make that an environmental mandate, focusing on issues such as global warming and climate change.   I suggest being good stewards of the planet is wise and necessary, but something larger is at stake.  

In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam the Garden and used the word “subdue” in His instructions regarding the planet and its creatures.   People are our focus, not just the terrestrial ball upon which we live.

But that is not my thought today.  Psalm 119 always challenges me.

Psalm 119:9-11 The question was about young men staying pure.  The young are driven by passion and raging hormones.  The Word (precepts) of God is an anchor.

Psalm 119:27 – “Make me understand the way of Your precepts so that I will muse on Your wondrous deeds.”   The way?   In this context, the way refers to character.  God’s and what is produced in us.  The precepts (Word) of God produce in us the character of God.

In verse 33, we realize that character becomes our anchor.   In verses 57-59, we see the incredible power and value of that character-producing word, which transforms us.

Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The Revelation of God’s character and nature transforms us with illuminated truth.  Verse 130 says, “The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”   We can never be the manifestation of Jesus without being transformed by His word.

Romans 13 calls upon us to awaken not just because time is short and it is the Last Days, but because it is our last days (brevity of life).   The world needs God, but will never receive Him unless we become transformed by the character of God.  

The Word is not to be studied for information but for transformation.  Not for revelation but application.  The precepts of God will always challenge the flesh.  Character is not a status reached; it is an experience encountered.  It is an anchor that will not fail.

Psalm 119:89 – “FOREVER, O Yahweh, Your Word stands firm in heaven.” Notice it says Forever!

Father, help us to embrace and be transformed by Your Character!

1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 –  ^“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.  ¹⁵ See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.  ¹⁶ Always rejoice, ¹⁷ constantly pray, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks.  For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  ¹⁹ Do not extinguish the Spirit.  ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt.  ²¹ But examine all things; hold fast to what is good.  ²² Stay away from every form of evil.”

Deuteronomy 16 and beyond reveal that we should keep in the forefront of our minds that God does not acknowledge blemished sacrifices.   We never come before Him empty-handed.  Not that we attempt to bribe or earn anything, but that when we come before Him, we give our best to Him: our best prayer, best song, best attitude.  We give Him ourselves.

That attitude and lifestyle are then manifested in Paul’s teaching in 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22.  I call that Lifestyle Christianity.  Verse 14 is powerful, misunderstood, and neglected today.   Paul urged them to do these 4 things.  The urging is strong, indicating it is so essential that it is a matter of life and death.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 – “Admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”

• Admonish (noutheteo) – direct face-to-face confrontation and exhortation to change.   

The word ‘uruly’ includes idleness and laziness.   It indicates the adaptation of ungodly lifestyles.  We are urged to show the biblical and practical principles of responsibility and godliness. 

• Encourage (paramutheo) – display of emotional empathy for those who are losing hope.  

It even includes the feeble-minded.   Those who are in no condition to press on.  Discouraged and deceived.  Lift them up by word and deed in a demonstrated life.  Show them the biblical life!

• Help (antcheo) – lift up.  This could be physical, emotional, or spiritual.  

It is to be a helping hand and meet the revealed need that is in your power to fulfill.

• Patience with everyone demonstrates Christlikeness.

Simply, we do not ignore, justify, or reward idleness, laziness, or corruption.  We face to face it with the truth in love. We demonstrate perseverance to encourage and lend a hand in lifting up the fallen and needy, in a Christlike manner, with a spirit of patience, remembering our own forgiveness.

How is that given power?   Note verses 16-22.    

• We are to rejoice always, perpetually, and faithfully pray.  
• We are to have a continuous attitude of gratitude.   
• We are to be open and yielded to the guidance and correction of the Holy Spirit.  
• We are to expect God to speak and examine our hearts and motives.  
• We are to reject evil and even the appearance of evil.  
• We must not let the flesh have any place to operate.  
• We are to give God our best!

If our first look is upward (to God) and our second outward (to others), then we can look inward with peace and honesty and receive God’s sanctification, provision, and preservation.   Lifestyle Christianity is our call, and it has great rewards.

May the LORD enable us to begin living the Life of Jesus here on Earth!

Ecclesiastes 11:3  – “…if a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, the thought of “Life Lived” filled my thoughts.    Pilate said about the inscription he had placed over the Cross of Jesus, “What I have written, I have written.”  

Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 11:3, “…if a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be.”   Life lived can’t be unlived.   Once life is lived, that defines its eternity.  Changes must be made NOW!

In Ecclesiastes 9:11, Solomon offered a powerful revelation we all need.  The race is not to the swift.  Although the speedy in a natural competition do win, in the race of life, just going fast does not equate to victory.   In nature, in the spiritual realm, and in life, the strongest do not always win the battle.  Timing, planning, strategy, and opportunity are mitigating factors.

He concluded, saying, “…because time and chance happen to them all.” Does God’s plan depend on random chance?   Heaven forbid!   The word time (Hebrew) is season.  The Hebrew word translated as “chance” is actually used in 1 Kings 5:4 to mean “misfortune.”    Seasons of life come to all.   Misfortune is a common occurrence in life.  We get one chance, in the sense of one lifetime, to get things right.

Peter said in 2 Peter 1:10 – “Be diligent; for through your good deeds, you make your calling and election sure; and when you do these things, you shall never fall.” What things?

Go back to verses 2-9.   It is knowing Jesus intimately.  It is the precious promises that enable us to partake of His divine nature, escaping corruption.   It is faith that perseveres with virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and Agape.  It is full surrender to God.   

Ecclesiastes 11:10 – “Therefore remove (something we do) anger from your heart…”    How?   Replace thoughts focused on self with thoughts focused on God and His Kingdom.  “…AND, put away evil from your flesh…”

Lest anyone think I mean willpower, I mean “grace” acted on.  Demonstrated grace through right actions enables us to be clouds full of rain rather than rainless clouds.  It enables us to maintain integrity and even have lost integrity restored through repentance and diligent pursuit of righteousness.

We can help each other.   If we love, we seek restoration, not exposure.  If we love, we forgive rather than judge condemningly.   Our goal is peace with all and to be found “without spot or blemish.” 2 Peter 3:14.

Life is lived, and the way it ends defines its eternity.  We have the grace to live, the grace to forgive, and the grace to rebuild.  We are our brother’s keeper and cells in the body.  Life is more than what we do or who we are.  It is also the outflow to other members of the body.  Life is for living, and living is for life!  Let Jesus live His life in us, through us, and by us.  What is your life?

May the Lord bless and keep you is my prayer!

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 – ^“Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!  ⁵ You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength.^”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, I was moved by several realities and spiritual directives.   In Deuteronomy 6:5, we have the command with promise about LOVING GOD.  The only acceptable love is Consuming Love.   ALL the heart, ALL the emotions, and ALL the strength.  Body, soul, and spirit are passionately devoted and submitted to God.

If we live with Consuming Love for God, we discover His purposes and benefit from His discipline.   Deuteronomy 8:3 reveals that every trial contains a revelation.   Their hunger and the manna were not only to meet a physical need but also to provide the revelation that “man does not live by bread alone, but by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh.”    Where have we heard that?

God always gives us a choice.  Deuteronomy 11:26-28, He set before them two paths.  Always a choice!

Colossians 1 reveals that in Christ, we have access to God’s fullness, enabling us to know His will and benefit from His wisdom and knowledge.  Imagine having a database of unlimited information operating inside you!   You do in Christ!   

We are enabled to live lives that produce spiritual fruit and are continually being expanded into the full knowledge of God.  We possess divine strength, enabling us to remain steadfast, patient, and continuously filled with joy and gratitude.  We have been rescued from satanic authority and transferred into God’s kingdom, redeemed, and made whole.

We embrace the revelation that Christ in us is our hope!   IN US, through us, with us, and by us, but first and foremost, IN US!

Colossians 2 contains the complete revelation of our BLESSING in Jesus.  Everything is in and by Him. EVERYTHING!  We are rooted (planted) in Jesus and built up (developed) in Him in Faith.

In Colossians 2:14-15, we have the revelation that enables us to truly live.  All the charges of the devil about us and our failures were nailed to the Cross.  In Jesus and His sacrifice, WE ARE FREE!   We can declare the revelation of Paul in Romans 8:1 – “Therefore, there is NOW no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”    The Cross wiped out the charges.  Our lives, past, present, and future, are HIDDEN with Christ in God.

IF we will give God our ALL, He will provide us with His ALL, and His ALL is far more than our ALL.   I surrender ALL, and in surrendering my ALL, I get His ALL.  How could we not trade our puny, limited, flawed ALL for His flawless ALL?

Today is the greatest time ever to be alive!  Let’s not waste this opportunity.   If you could trade a beat-up old Honda for a Rolls-Royce free and clear, would you?  That is a weak comparison of what we trade spiritually, but it makes the point.  God’s ALL for our ALL.

May our Love for the LORD grow exponentially daily!

Philippians 3:12-16 – “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule; let us be of the same mind.” NKJV

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was reminded of something the LORD had spoken to my heart years ago.  Always remember that you are a ‘Work in Progress,’ not the ‘Finished Product.’ There have been times when it has been quite a challenge for me personally, and in my dealings with others.  We all want perfection or completion NOW! God is a God of the NOW, but does not always do things in our NOW!

As I mused on this passage, I realized several songs filled my consciousness.   Unfortunately, some of them highlight or justify our humanness and sinfulness rather than focus on His perfection, promise, and purpose for us and in us.

Paul understood that he was not perfect, but that did not prevent him from striving for that lofty goal.  He was driven by the ambition and desire to fully apprehend and comprehend the Lord Jesus Christ in His fullness.  We would do well to adopt Paul’s manner of life and worldview.

He Acknowledged His Deficiency.   He had not arrived at the state of spiritual perfection. He knew he would make mistakes and possibly hurt others, but he kept pressing forward.

He Had a Clear Objective.   He sought spiritual perfection. He was not expecting to suddenly become perfect when he got to heaven, but to manifest Jesus now in this life on earth.

He Got His Thinking Right.   He said, “This one thing I do…”   What thing?  “I Forget those things that are behind (the past life), and I Reach for those things that are to be attained. I Press Toward the Mark.”   That’s the key – He invested everything to become what God said he was!

He Walked or Lived What He Had Learned in Christ. He encouraged others to walk fully in the level of light they had attained. We should never try to walk in the light of another, but in the level of light we have attained in Jesus. We never expect others to be exactly like us in our thoughts, beliefs, gifts, abilities, or commitments. We embrace the reality that we are individual cells within the same body, and all are needed.

None of us has arrived, but all of us can be who God has designed and desired us to be! All of us can manifest Jesus! All of us can proclaim the gospel. We can all live as overcomers and be lights shining in the darkness.

Therefore, as we go through this day and every day, let’s embrace the lessons of that day. Let’s learn from our mistakes and victories. Let’s embrace this truth – “I Can Do ALL THINGS through Christ Who strengthens me!” How many things? ALL THINGS! Nothing is impossible with God, and nothing is impossible for us as we live in Him, and He lives in us!

May your day progress to perfection!