Spiritual

SOUNDING THE ALARM…


Spiritual Blog - Horses

Jeremiah 12:5 – “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you,  tThen how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?”  NKJV

 

As I was lying in bed and thinking about America, the world, predictions of the Anti-Christ being revealed and the Coming of the Lord, this is what I heard in my spirit.  I sensed that the Spirit of God was giving me instructions and warning concerning our political, social, economic, and moral climate in this nation and in much of the world.

Some things have recently transpired on the political scene that causes jubilation in the hearts of some and deep consternation and even fear in others.  What has been transpiring in the primaries politically could be compared to running with footmen or infantry.  This is true in the social climate, economics, religiously, and even on a moral front.  What we have been facing, while troubling and, at times, extremely difficult and taxing is FOOTMEN.  The mounted troops, armored forces or big guns have not been rolled out and if we are wearied to the point of throwing in the towel running with the footmen that are problematic.

The Lord asked through the prophet, “If this has caused you such consternation and despair that you are weary, what will you do when it gets really bad?”  How will you “mount up with wings as the eagles?  How will you run and not be weary?  How will you walk and not faint?”  How, if you are wearied by these small arms attacks?  How will you “having done all to stand, stand, therefore?” How, if you are wearied by the little foxes that spoil the vine.  If we are wearied and put into despair in a time of peace where we face little or no persecution contend when the enemy comes in like a flood with the heavy artillery?  We read in Proverbs 24:10, “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”  In verse 19 of that chapter, we find, “Do not fret because of evildoers, or be envious of the wicked; for there will be no future for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.”

The issue is whom or what do we place our trust.  If we trust our ability, natural weapons, natural wisdom rather than placing our complete confidence and reliance on the LORD we are subject to weariness and despair.  However, if we remember that God is God we can run through a troop and leap over a wall knowing that in Christ we can do all things and that our God NEVER fails.

I know the Spirit of God was addressing both the current condition and giving me a warning about what is to come in this nation.  Darkness is beginning to cover the land and there are sinister forces at work to “fundamentally transform” this nation into something other than a nation whose God is the LORD and one who has as their motto and guide, “In God we trust.”  The erosion of morality, the move toward political correctness and tolerance at the expense of biblical conviction is an epidemic.  What we have seen thus far is the tip of the iceberg and “perilous times” are coming to our nation.  The question is not will it come but what will be the condition of our hearts when it comes.

I want to be one who is not wearied by running with the footmen and one who can contend with horses able to mount up with the wings of eagles, run and not be weary and walk and not faint.  I pray that the LORD of Hosts instills in each heart a holy boldness and confidence to STAND after having done all to stand.

God bless you richly is my prayer and lead you forth from victory to victory in Christ!

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UNDERSTANDING OUR ROLE AND GODS…


Spiritual Blog - House

Psalm 127:1-2 – “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.”  NKJV

 

Through my years of Christian ministry and service, I have heard the statement, “doing a work for God” used and even “growing a church for Jesus” as though we were the ones building the church or doing the work independently of God.  I know that was not the heart of what was being said but in a very real way it detracts from the reality of the roles of man and God in the Kingdom Purposes.

If you remember in Matthew 16 when Jesus questioned the disciples as to who the people thought He (Jesus) was and then Peter’s response when they were asked, “Who do you say I am.”  Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  Jesus responded to that revelation saying, “…upon this rock (truth) I will build My church; and the gates (powers) of hell will not overpower it.”  The thing we MUST always keep in mind is it is HIS CHURCH and HE IS THE BUILDER.  That makes the statement of the Psalmist even more powerful when He declares that UNLESS the Lord builds the house it is an exercise in futility to attempt to do so.  That UNLESS the Lord guards the city the watchmen waste their time watching and warning of danger.  It is FUTILE to worry and fret over life’s problems and obstacles because UNLESS God is on the Throne of our lives we can change nothing.  But, when we know He is Building, Watching, Guarding, and Guiding we can sleep the sleep of peace.

Many have become frustrated over the lack of growth in a local congregation and pastors have resigned or been shown the door thinking that if they just had the right program or personality they would have the dynamic growth equated with success.  Could it be that they were not allowing God to build the house in His way and time?  Could it be that the purpose of God was not or is not to make every local church a mega-church?  Could it be that our definition of success, often defined in numbers and dollars is not God’s definition?

I truly believe that God has called me to be a “Watchman on the Walls” spiritually for our nation but I waste my time if that conviction is not coupled with the confidence that God is the one truly watching and I am just echoing or reporting what He is saying, seeing, and revealing.  I truly believe that God calls people to lead congregations and far too often that individual departs that local community before the time of God’s choosing because of a failure to fully grasp that building the church is not man’s responsibility but is the work of Christ Jesus our Lord through the Holy Spirit.  Yes, He inspires men and women, programs, pathways, and endeavors but at the end of the day IT IS HIS CHURCH and He is the BUILDER.

             Our nation is experiencing dark days and will likely experience even darker days in the months to come and we can lament over the problems, conditions, attitudes, and direction and we should be grieved and pray.  But, unless we couple our lamentations with confidence that God is the one truly guarding the city or nation we err and become troubled in heart, mind, and soul needlessly.  Without God, we can do nothing but with God we can do all things!  There is not mountain too high, no river too wide no problem too great, or enemy too powerful that He cannot handle.  Therefore, if we can come to grips with our role as messengers, representatives, and manifestations of Him and His purposes and His as the Builder and Guard we will find the peace that passes understanding and enjoy the success He has purposed.  Never deem success in number, noses, or dollars but look for the depth of spiritual commitment in lives being impacted for God’s Kingdom.  I am not making an excuse for no progress but suggesting that we look to the source not try to be the source.

            God bless you as you go through this day in Him!

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LORD, DO SOMETHING… No, You Do Something…


Spiritual Blog - Do Something

Matthew 14:13-16 – “When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. 15 When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”

 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” NKJV

 

How many times have we cried out in despair, “Lord, do something…”  Virtually every time we face a crisis or a problem of any proportion we resort to pleading for God to “do something.”  The disciples were no different than we and they saw the problem but were still deeply entrenched in their humanity which was more dependent on the arm of flesh than the power of God, so they saw a situation that could only be resolved by Jesus instructing the crowd to disperse, thus relieving them of any responsibility.  Even when I don’t hear it I see it in the attitude and action, “It’s not my problem” with regard to many problems involving the welfare of others.

I can visualize the look on their faces when they made their petition to Jesus asking Him to disperse the crowd and hearing something completely opposite of their expectation.  Jesus said, “They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat.”  He knew, they recognized Him as the Messiah, the Son of God, and had witnessed Him perform miracles.  He had been teaching them as is later fully revealed, “The works that I do shall you do also…”  Remember the storm on the sea and when He quieted the storm He chided them for “smallness of faith?”  Remember when Peter walked on the water and began to sink?  Jesus referred to his “weakness of faith.”  Time and again, He had demonstrated what He would later detail, that He had power over all the power of the enemy and the power He had he was depositing in His followers.  They heard it but had not yet come to fully believe or apply it to their own lives and situations.  He was still visibly present with them, so they were comfortable “letting Jesus do it.”  No stress and no pressure on them.

Jesus was having none of it and when they complained that they only had “five loaves and two fish” He said, “Bring them to Me.”  If nothing is impossible with God and nothing is, then the object lesson He would provide would be etched in their minds eyes for the rest of their lives.  He was not simply suspending the natural law but was reinforcing His teaching to them and building their faith that when He was no longer with them in the flesh, they could as Peter would later do in Acts at the Gate Beautiful, “such as I have I give you.” 

There is a time to call out for God to intervene and a time to take what He has given and step up to the plate for your turn at bat and hit it out of the park.  If we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us then what obstacle is too great and what seeming impossibility is not possible?  There are and will be times when we cry out to the Lord, “Jesus, do something” He will say, “No, you do something with what I have given you.”

I challenge you to step out of the boat and begin walking on the water of life.  Dare to dream.  Dare to challenge the impossible with the possibility of God.  Dare to be “Christ in you the hope of glory.”  Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world.  All things are possible with God.

            Blessings as you embark on your daily journey of faith!

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HOW CAN WE WALK RIGHTLY BEFORE GOD???


Spiritual Blog - Purity

Psalm 119:9-16 – “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your  word.  10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your  commandments!  11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.            12 Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes. 13 With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. 16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.”  NKJV

 

I find it interesting that the word translated “way” is [‘Orach], which signifies a track, or a rut like that which is made by the wheel of a cart or chariot.  This is another reason to reach people as early as possible in their life for God.  It identifies that the young do not have a broad beaten path but if allowed to continue with a polluted mind through sin will be exposed to sinful pollutants that will destroy mind, body, and soul.  So, how can a young man cleanse his life path?

  • Take Heed to God’s Word.

He is to examine his path or life course against the Word of God and realize the impurity of his thoughts and deeds.  He has to allow the Holy Spirit to place a guard on his mind and mouth and steer him away from impurity. 

  • Seek God with a Whole Heart.

His prayer should always be for God to keep him on the path of Righteousness.

  • Hiding the Word of God in the Heart.

Why?  Among other reasons so that he will not sin against God.  He must move the Word of God from his Bible into his heart so that it becomes one with him.  He must allow the Word of Christ to dwell in him richly to prevent him from being so easily beset by the temptations of life. 

  • Become a Student of God’s Word.

They word is truth, O Lord. 

  • Become a Person of Praise.

Realizing that true wealth and happiness is not in possessions but the Person of Christ.  That true fulfillment is in knowing God’s precepts and following His principles in daily life. 

  • Constantly Allow the Holy Spirit to Remind of God’s Person, Position, Purpose, Power, and Precepts.

Meditating on the Word day and night and becoming so full of God that when people see and hear us they see and hear God in a very real sense.  The old adage, “We are the only Bible some people will ever read.  What is the Gospel according to us or our lives, words and deeds?”  

How can we walk rightly before God?  Allow the Holy Spirit to Guard and Guide us and become so immersed in the Word that it becomes part of our very lives and nature.

God bless you as you go through this day in Him!

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THE BLESSED MAN…


Spiritual Blog - Blessed

Psalm 112:1-10 – Praise the LORD!

 Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments.

 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. 4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 5 A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.  6 Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.  7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.  8 His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies. 

9 He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor. 10 The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked shall perish.”  NKJV

 

I fully realize that using an entire Psalm affords far more material than a single devotional can accommodate but the point I hope to make is the “Far Reaching Blessings of Righteousness.”   The first verse characterizes this person in a two-fold description.  He “fears” the LORD and “delights” in God’s commandments.  This is an individual who is “in love” with God and so deeply committed to His word, will, and way that his ever-present desire is to do that which God desires.  His desire is given over to God’s desire and done so joyously.  It is not enough to express love for God we must be obedient to Him and obey His commandments.  It is one thing to obey a directive from anyone under coercion but quite another to do so out of love and with delight.  Therefore, this Psalm is speaking of the individual who not only “fears” God but He “loves” God enough that it is his delight and joy to be obedient and keep God’s commandments.

What does that kind of heart, mind, attitude, and action produce?  Let’s consider them briefly as we skim over the incredible nuggets of spiritual meat to be mined in further consideration.

  • His Descendants will be Mighty on Earth.
  • The Generation of the Upright will be Blessed.
  • Wealth and Riches will be in his House.
  • His Righteousness Endures Forever.
  • He will have the Light of Truth as His Guide.
  • He is Gracious, Compassionate, and Righteous.
  • He will deal with others Graciously and be Charitable, not Greedy.
  • He will be Discrete.
  • He will not be Shaken because of God’s Presence, Purpose, and Power.
  • He will leave a Legacy of Righteousness.
  • He will not walk in Fear.
  • His Heart will be Steadfast with Faith and Confidence in God.
  • He will see His Enemies Fall.
  • He will remember the Poor.
  • He will have Honor.
  • His State will Grieve the Wicked and will cause the downfall of the wicked plans and desires.

 

That is simply an overview not a dissertation on the finer points but consider the “Far-Reaching Benefits of Righteousness.”  It not only impacts the individual but their posterity and entire generations within his/her sphere of influence are impacted positively.  What a legacy to leave behind.

God bless you as you go through this wonderful day in Him!

 

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FLYING BY THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS…


Spiritual Blog - Wing it

Psalm 81:10 – “I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.”  NKJV

 

I sat a listened to a group of preachers, rail against anyone who went to the pulpit with notes.  In their view, this was a lack of faith in God, and would result in nothing more than canned preaching with no life.  I held my tongue, knowing that I believe in PREPARATION and although I do not always have notes with me, I have my notes written in my heart and head from the hours of prayer and preparation.  One of them, a very devoted man, said, “I just open my mouth and God fills it.”  I wanted to say, “Yeah, and sometimes He fills it with flies.”  Another quoted, 2 Timothy 4:2 saying, “I am instant in season and out of season.  I just open my mouth and let ‘er rip.”  Hey, I’ve heard him preach some powerful messages that were definitely God-inspired and very anointed so I’m not attacking him, just questioning the mentality, some develop that PREPARATION and STUDY are not necessary for spiritual things and for that matter in life.

I have had well-meaning believers decry financial planning and making preparations for the golden years of life and retirement saying, “But My God shall supply all my needs…” or “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and all these things will be added to you.”  Some even used the directive of our Lord to His disciples as He sent them out in Luke 10:4 and their view was that if you prepared ahead of time you were small in faith and if we were “good Christians” we would go with no plan or preparation and God would provide and guide.  He can, He will, and He does, but dare we ignore the many other passages that tell us to “study, prepare, and count the costs?”

I am reminded of the situation when Ahimaaz begged Joab to let him run with news to David.  Joab instructed him to turn aside and sent the Cushite instead.  Ahimaaz would not be deterred and continued to pester Joab until he said, “Run!”  He took off like the wind and outran the Cushite and when he got to David and the King inquired what the news was, he had nothing of significance to say.  He had run without the message and without preparation and all his effort was of no value.

Ecclesiastes does tell us there is a time for everything and we are reminded that God will never leave us nor forsake us.  We are taught in Scripture that the Holy Spirit will teach us all the things of Christ.  We know from God’s word that we are more than conquerors through Jesus.  However, to assume that we can go forth without preparation is to be presumptuous and that is a dangerous place to find ourselves.  There is a time, when our previous preparation, study, and prayer will have to suffice and in that moment,God will give us what we need to say. There is a time when, what God wants is immediate and there is not the time to make financial preparation and we must trust Him for the provision, and in those times He will send the ravens if necessary to provide.

I have witnessed churches who are in a survival mode just winging it having no plan and making no preparations.  I am not saying that we plan to the point of trusting our plan rather than God but as in the case of Israel in 2 Kings 3 where Elijah the prophet instructed them to dig ditches and when Israel viewed the prepared ditches there was water but when the enemy viewed the same ditches they saw blood and thought Israel and their coalition had turned on each other and rushed forward without caution to their destruction.  Preparation precedes blessing and having a life or ministry that is spur of the moment, winging it, and flying by the seat of one’s pants will frequently if not usually result in disaster.

            God bless you as you go through this day!

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JUST DO THE RIGHT THING…


Spiritual Blog - Right Thing

James 4:17 – “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”  NKJV

 

Every time I hear someone say, “Do the right thing” the question comes to mind, “What is the right thing?”  Sometimes, that is such an ambiguous statement that without clarification and more detail it would be impossible to determine what it actually is or what should be done.  But, in business, I heard it repeated every day and when I asked for more detail was treated as though I were a leper, antagonist, and someone to be treated with disdain.  I said to a high-ranking company official once, “Our policy and statement is ‘Do the right thing’ but what do we do if what I think is the ‘right thing’ and what you think is the ‘right thing’ are different?”  He paused a moment and said, “That could be a problem.”  Absolutely, so how do we determine what the “Right Thing” is?  I believe there are more answers than I can adequately address but want to give you something I believe will help.

  • THE RIGHT THING should be rooted in “Common Sense”.

What makes sense and will not do harm to anyone but will provide a pathway to the resolution of problems or potential problems?  What is logical and ethical?  The problem is, too often, people want a script to detail what is to be done, when it is to be done, and how it is to be done, rather than THINKING.  Most things in life are not “black and white” but have varying “shades of gray”.  Of course, there are some things that are absolutes and there is not variance but in many cases there is more than one way to solve the problem and doing the RIGHT THING is thinking through the possibilities and finding the one that offers the best good for all concerned.

  • THE RIGHT THING must be rooted in “Biblical Principles”.

Biblical Principles are or should be the basis of or moral and ethical standards.  The “WWJD” motto is applicable and when we truly discover what Jesus would do we find surprises along the way.  There is a time for “tough love” and requires us to “hold accountable” various actions and lifestyles.  There is a time for “mercy” and “second chances” which may be a fourth or fifth chance but is based on the situation and the condition of the heart.  What is the RIGHT THING biblically?  It is following God’s principles which always has as its ultimate objective reconciliation and restoration.  It matters not if it is business, social, relational, or spiritual the basic principles apply.  We are to be people of LOVE, not HATE. 

Spiritual Blog - Right and Hard

Doing THE RIGHT THING does not always present itself with crystal clarity and may require us to THINK through the situation but ultimately our decision and action must be rooted in the principles of God’s Word.  I had a person who reported to me once faced with a situation where they could allow a variation in the declared rules or they could go by the letter of the law, so to speak.  They came to me with the dilemma and I said, “Just Do the Right Thing.”  That person looked at me perplexed and asked, “But what is the right thing?  What is right for the customer or the company?”  We took the time to evaluate the situation, determine the options, and using common sense and biblical principles arrive at an option that would offer both the company and customer a reasonable outcome.  It was not easy and required explanation to superiors but it was THE RIGHT THING.  It was one of those cases I had addressed to the high-level company official earlier, “Whose definition of THE RIGHT THING should we go by?”  At the end of the day, I suggest that you be led by your conscience and be at peace that you have DONE THE RIGHT THING.

God bless you as you go through this day!

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QUESTIONING GOD…


Spiritual Blog - Questioning

Job 13:15-19 – “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him. 16 He also shall be my salvation, For a hypocrite could not come before Him. 17 Listen carefully to my speech, And to my declaration with your ears. 18 See now, I have prepared my case, I know that I shall be vindicated. 19 Who is he who will contend with me?  If now I hold my tongue, I perish.”  NKJV

 

I ask questions, it is my nature when I do not understand because without understanding I cannot form a right opinion, make a right judgment, and pursue a right course.  I have even “questioned” God.  Please understand it was not questioning His existence, sovereignty, integrity or power, it was out of a NEED TO KNOW or know more fully and completely.  There have been times when He answered me and times when he remained silent and allowed me to struggle with the question.

 

I shared that reality with a congregation and some thought I had committed unpardonable blasphemy.  Their attitude was, how dare anyone question God!  The real issue, to me, is not questioning God but how, why, and/or what we question.  What is our reason and what is our question?  If it is a genuine desire for clarification, not a challenge to His supremacy I believe it is not only acceptable but worthwhile.  If it is questioning Him as God then it is not only foolish but dangerous.  Habakkuk questioned God’s timing and it is interesting that God did not rebuke him for the question but patiently and gently answered the prophet.  King Saul questioned God in 1 Samuel 28 and God was silent, not answering his questions.  In one case it was a need for clarification not self-serving and in the other quite the opposite.

Likewise, if I do not understand I cannot truly trust and as Hebrews 11:6 declares, “…without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe He is and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  Questioning God is not, in and of itself, wrong and you should not feel guilty when you have questions.  I was cautious in questioning my earthly father but dared to, at times.  I was usually careful to be sure he knew I was not questioning his authority or edict but my question was so I would better understand.  There were times he answered me in detail and I was able to see the bigger picture and other times, he simply said, “Just do it.”  I accepted both and do the same with God.  There are times when we must simply obey without full clarification and other times when He will give us more information and often in those cases we will be asked to pass that along to others with similar questions.

Gideon, a man mightily used of God in his battle with the Midianites had a myriad of questions when the angel issued God’s call.  Gideon’s concerns did bring into question God’s goodness, power, and promises but the heart of why he was asking is clear as well, at least to me.  Gideon was not convinced he had heard God correctly and his questions were more about Gideon’s perceived ability than God’s power.  Gideon was making a mistake we often make, he was focusing on self and how he could carry out the directive.  It is not us but God that is the source of strength, ability, and wisdom to carry out the directive it is “in” and “from” God.  Gideon’s questions went beyond that of most and out of his questioning came “fleeces” which are often direct challenges to God but ultimately his questions became assurances and he followed through with God’s purposes.

If you have questions, God already knows so why pretend?  Which would be better, having questions and resisting or finding answers and fully committing to the assignment?  If my children or any person whom I exercised authority or oversight had questions I would far rather they asked than half-heartedly followed my request or instructions.  If they KNOW they can more readily OBEY and IMPLEMENT.

            God bless you as you go through this wonderful day in Christ!

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MAKING DEALS WITH GOD???


Spiritual Blog - Deal

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 – “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed — 5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.”  NKJV

 

Have you ever attempted to bargain with God to get something you wanted?  Most have, even if we are hesitant to admit it.  It is utter foolishness to do so, but most continue to do so not realizing that the attempt to “bargain” relegates God to the status of a pagan god in a very real sense.  The followers of those gods and/or religions believe that it is through their sacrificial offerings they move the heart and hand of their god, thus effecting a bargain, negotiation, or deal to get what they want.

I have heard people promise incredible things to God, “if only” He would do what they were asking and then when time to pay the vow comes, they renege realizing the incredibleness of how their mouth overloaded their lives.  Remember Psalm 50, God speaks through the Psalmist declaring that He will not be negotiated with and does not need our petty offerings because He owns it all, created it all, and Lord of it all.  I have heard teenagers promise God incredible things “if only” He would cause that special guy or girl to notice, like, and/or love them.  I’ve heard incredible promises “if only” God would grant a petition such as a raise, a new house, a new car, a new job, healing, etc. I prayed with a man once who was facing some legal issues and he prayed, “Lord if you will keep me out of jail I’ll give 50% of all future income to you.”  He didn’t go to jail and did not keep his promise and over time lost everything he had.  It is far better to make no promises than to make a promise and fail to keep it, to God or anyone.

Let me take you to a passage that illustrates powerfully the fallacy and foolishness of trying to “bargain” with God and making “rash or foolish vows.”  You will probably remember the story in Judges where Jephthah was about to engage the Ammonites in battle and in Judges 11:30 he made an incredible vow to God saying, “If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”  That is incredibly stupid and opens the door to an act that is totally foreign to the biblical teaching and God’s nature.  But, the vow or bargaining chip was pushed to the center of the negotiating table.

Although I am 100% convinced that God’s response had nothing to do with the bargain Jephthah attempt to make, he defeated the Ammonites.  In that sense, God kept His end of the bargain and when Jephthah returned home jubilant over the victory we find… “…who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of tambourines!  She was an only child.  Except for her, he had neither son nor daughter.  When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, ‘Oh! My daughter!  You have made me miserable and wretched because I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break.”   See the problem?

A sidebar that must not be missed is found in his reaction.  Notice the emphasis.  He says, “Oh! My daughter!  YOU have made me miserable and wretched…”  He does not take responsibility for the foolishness of his vow and attempted bargain with God but blames her.  Isn’t that the way we do it too often?  We make a vow to God or attempt to “cut a deal” and when the payment is greater than we realized we seek to blame someone or something else.  I can only imagine that he thought what would come out to meet him would be livestock, and that reveals the fallacy of the attempt to “bargain with God”. 

A vow such as this is rooted in “distrust” not “faith”.  It is relegating God to the level of man and a false belief that we can “buy” what we want from Him.  The end of that mentality would be attempting to “purchase” or “earn” our salvation and we know from Scripture that is impossible.  Rather than attempt to bribe or bargain God with our petty offerings, why not roll all our care on Him knowing He cares for us?  Why not rely on His faithfulness to never leave us nor forsake us?  Why not simply trust Him and know that even if we do not receive that for which we desire He will still lead and guide us in the paths of life and toward the ultimate prize.

But, if you are foolish enough to vow a vow to God and what you asked becomes reality, PAY YOUR VOW.  May the Lord bless you, guarding and guiding you through your daily journey.

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TROUBLING QUESTION In A Parable…


Spiritual Blog - Faith

Luke 18:1-8 – “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.  3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’  4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man,  5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'”

 6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.  7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?  8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” NKJV

 

I am a firm believer that we should not take isolated passages without considering the context and use them as a proof-text to validate your belief or argument.  In “studying ourselves to be approved” we should always be seekers of truth, God’s truth.  Too often the Bible is used to validate what we want to believe or what we have been taught to believe rather than finding the truth and adapting our lives to that truth.  The question of Jesus in this parable has troubled me for a long time, and in some ways, still does.  “…nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

If I allow this Scripture to become an isolated statement or question with no regard for the context and that which He had just spoken, I could conclude that He is talking about His return and that many would have drifted away from Him and are no longer followers of the faith.  But, I must ask, is that all He is saying?  Consider the situation He has presented.  It is a judge who did not fear God who heard the case of a widow.  Her persistence and presentation of her cause troubled him and because he didn’t want to have this issue become a persistent problem he ruled in her favor.  Jesus then informed those listening that God would avenge his children who continually intercede before His throne.  Then He gives this perplexing question of verse 8.

Clarke’s commentary suggests that this is not speaking of saving faith but fidelity, suggesting that it is referring to people doing right and maintaining right relationships.  The idea is that of the parable of the talents and the master returning requiring each of the servants to give an account.  This thought suggests that when Jesus returns He will not find a church that is putting its trust in Him but one that is compromised relying on the world system and following the world’s philosophy and manner of interpersonal relationships and business relationships.  He will find the world lacking fidelity, thus the answer to His question.  It is a sad reality that some if not many in today’s Christian world are more concerned about making sure they do not lose what they have on this earth rather than “seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.”

The first words of this passage grip my heart when I read it, “…men ought always to pray and not lose heart…”  Then he presented the parable of the judge and widow.  That suggests, to me, that He is focusing on the End Times and the Difficulty of the Age and how people will deal with people where authorities will be uncaring and unfeeling, not fearing God but doing the expedient rather than just what is right.  A clear focus is on the problems His followers will face and thus the need to be in continual prayer, holding confidence that God will never forget us.  It is an encouragement to not just do right but be right in our lives and relationships.  Thus, at least one question would be, “When the Son of Man comes will He find us faithfully executing His purpose, maintaining our integrity, and doing and being right?”  Will He find that on earth when He comes?  The answer is yes and no.  It is my plea and prayer that we are in the YES and make our journey through this life with the understanding that we are just passing through and this world is not our final home.

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

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