James 1:2-8 – “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”  NKJV

Let me ask, “How many of you have been tempted?”  “How many have been tempted in any area and failed or succumbed to the temptation?”  I am sure everyone has, and when that resulted, you were probably flooded with guilt, or you shrugged it off, saying, ‘Well, I’m only human.’

TEMPTATION is something that every human being encounters.   It does not respect age, gender, position, or ethnicity.  There is nothing we can do to prevent temptation from attempting to rear its head, and that head is sometimes quite ugly.  It Just Comes! 

I have used an illustration about a teenager being left alone at home for years.  The car was in the driveway, and the keys were in a bowl on the kitchen counter.  Temptation!  The young man said, “Dad, while you were away, I came awfully close to breaking my promise that I would not drive the car.  You left the keys on the kitchen counter, and I even carried them in my pocket for three days fighting temptation.”  The father responded, “Son, there is nothing like temptation to show you what you will do if given the opportunity.” 

Temptation can be viewed from several perspectives, and we usually view it from only one, the negative.

TEMPTATION, from the devil’s perspective, is an opportunity to defeat the purpose of God.  Truthfully, he can only succeed in tempting us in those areas if we have something in common.  In John 14:30, Jesus told the disciples that the devil was coming, but he had no claim on Jesus.  Jesus said to them that there was nothing in Him that belonged to the devil; therefore, the devil had no power over Jesus.

TEMPTATION, from man’s perspective, is a severe test and an attempt to destroy faith and commitment.  Man views it as a Bad Thing!  Man sees temptation only in the light of it, pulling and tugging at his own evil thoughts, bents, and wishes.  James 1:13-15 declares, “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” 

TEMPTATION, from God’s perspective, is that it can be and often is a valuable and vital service in the lives of men.  It shows three things about us:  what we are, where we stand, and what we will be in the future. 

TEMPTATION is a factor in the psychological and spiritual growth process that every human being must go through ‘IF’ to become mature individuals capable of living a full, meaningful, and victorious life.  In that light, Temptation’s real purpose is always to trigger a choice and provoke a definitive stand or action!  Consider the illustration of the teenager and the car keys again, if you will.

The keys presented a temptation that forced him to make an exceedingly difficult but vital decision.  He had to obey or disobey.  To disobey would be committing irresponsibility, making it easier to do similar things in the future.  To obey would help create a pattern for mature and wise decisions in the future and make it easier to resist temptation and produce victory and liberty. 

TEMPTATION could be called a dividing line between innocence and awareness.  Temptations come and always present a lesson to be learned.  Our choices in temptation demonstrate whether the lesson has been learned or must be repeated, “The Wilderness Principle.”  How many times did Israel take another lap around the mountain?

For example, we teach children not to cross the street alone, but temptation comes into play the moment the child has the opportunity to disobey.  There is no one around to see, the street beckons and promises intriguing adventure.  The response to temptation will determine if the child can be trusted to play near the street or if more supervision and training are required.  Thus, how we face temptation affects every area of our personal life.

May the Lord help us to realize and learn the lessons rather than becoming stuck in an almost perpetual process of repeating or “making laps around the mountain.” 

God bless you richly as you face today with confidence and boldness in Jesus!

James 1:2-8 – “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”  NKJV

Another passage I suggest reading is 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”  I have learned and believe there are explicit promises in God’s word that we can expect as a part of our Spiritual Inheritance in Jesus.

            GUIDANCE – – The Holy Spirit will guide us into all Truth. (John 16:13)

            INSTRUCTION – – The Holy Spirit will teach us God’s Truth.  (John 16:13)

            PROVISION – – God will supply all our needs. (Philippians 4:19)

            COMFORT – – We will never be left comfortless. (John 14:18)

            DEFENSE – – The Battle is not ours, but God’s. (2 Chronicles 20:15)

We are told that when we do not know how to pray as we should, the Holy Spirit will make intercession for and through us.  God’s word informs us that people are defeated and destroyed because of a lack of knowledge or understanding.  We have the incredible promise that ‘IF’ we walk in the Light as He is the Light, we can ask what we will and expect an answer. 

The Bible teaches that it is imperative that both the motive and request are wholesome and pure.  If we ask anything According to His Will, the Bible informs us that it is Done!  Therefore, it is imperative for us to know:

• The Will of God.
• The Principles by Which He Works.   
• What God Desires to do IN us.

That is no small undertaking and, without His help, impossible!  One principle that affects us greatly in our walk and warfare and is often overlooked or wholly misunderstood is Temptation!  I refer to it as the “Wilderness Principle,” and in that, we must become aware of the following:

• The Purpose or Work of Temptation.
• How To Receive God’s Promises.     
• How to Stand Steadfast in the Midst of a Problem.
• How to Enter into God’s Provisions.

Again, no small undertaking and without God’s help, impossible!   The Bible teaches that God’s desire for us is conformity with the Person and Image of Christ Jesus our Lord.  He wants us to know, enjoy, and live what I would call Full Salvation and Complete Deliverance!  He wants us to enjoy His Abundant Provisions daily and continually walk in Victory, pulling down strongholds. 

Life is a process that begins in infancy, progresses through adolescence, and to fullness in adulthood.  Our Spiritual Life and Walk involves numerous tests and encounters that help develop our character and give us a mark, a barometer, and an identity point that enables us to recognize where we stand spiritually.

Hosea 4:6 informs us, “My people perish for a lack of knowledge….”  That is a powerful truth, for if we do not Know God’s Will, we cannot DO God’s Will.  If we do not understand what He is doing, we may resist and rebel when we should be resting and learning.  But, if we understand the Principles of God, we know what to look for and what to do.  Victory comes from understanding and obedience. 

Thus, James’ exhortation to “…count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations….”  Honestly, that is not difficult. It is impossible without some understanding of the Purpose of Temptation in our lives and without the careful guidance and assistance of the Holy Spirit.

I dare not stop there but will pause in this devotional and pick up in the next more on Temptation’s Purpose and Function in the believer’s life.   

God bless you richly as you embark on this leg of Life’s Journey. 

Philippians 2:1-11 – “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  NKJV

We talked about Humility and the Submissive Mind, but another characteristic of the Person of Joy is…

• He Serves Others – – [Philippians 2:7].

If we think of others only abstractly, that is inadequate and will not produce Joy or Victory.  We must get down to the nitty-gritty of service!   I heard about a famous philosopher who wrote volumes about educating and training children but neglected his own.  It was easy for him to love children abstractly, but he failed when it came to the practical.  Jesus not only thought of others, but he also served.

It is reported that General George B. McClellan was put in charge of the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War mainly because public opinion was on his side.  He fancied himself a great military leader and enjoyed hearing the platitudes and accolades when people called him a “Young Napoleon.”  Yet, history reveals that his performance was far less than spectacular, and President Lincoln commissioned him General-In-Chief hoping for some positive action; but McClellan still procrastinated. 

On one occasion, President Lincoln and two of his aides visited McClellan only to find that he was absent from his post to attend a wedding.  They waited for over an hour for the General to return, and when he did, he failed to acknowledge the presence of the President and went upstairs and did not return to see the President. 

Half an hour later, President Lincoln sent the servant up to advise the General that he and the others were waiting, only to be informed that the General had gone to bed and could not be disturbed.  The men with President Lincoln were irate, but Mr. Lincoln simply got up and went home, saying, “This is not the time of making points of etiquette and personal dignity.  I would hold McClellan’s horse if only he will bring us success.”  That is a demonstration of an attitude of humility that is worthy of note.

• He Sacrifices – – [Philippians 2:8].

Many people are willing to serve so long as it does not cost them anything.  However, when the price becomes large, they quickly lose interest.  Jesus, we are told in verse 8, “became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross.”  Jesus did not die as a martyr but as savior. 

Dr. J.H. Jowett said, “Ministry that costs nothing accomplishes nothing.”  Someone said, “If there is to be blessing, there must be bleeding.”  I heard of a missionary to Brazil that as he made through the markets during a religious festival, noticed a booth with a large sign above it – “Cheap Crosses” and thought to himself, “That is what many Christians are looking for.  Our Lord’s Cross was not cheap, so why should mine be so.”

• He Glorifies God in All Things and at All Times – – [Philippians 2:9-11].

Our ministry and labor are not a competition with each other, but for the glory of God, and if we are truly doing what we do for His glory, we care not who gets the credit or recognition.

1 Peter 5:6 declares, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”  Remember, Joseph served for 13 years before God promoted him to second in command in Egypt, and David was anointed King as a child but endured years of hardship before he occupied the throne.  There is incredible Joy in the person of a Submissive Mind because his Joy comes out of service to God and others.  Real Joy comes from Glorying God in Who We Are and What We Do!

God bless you richly is my prayer and desire!

Philippians 2:1-11 – “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  NKJV

Let us consider the Submissive Mind.  Contrary to what some seem to think, this does not mean that the believer is to live at the beck and call of everybody else or that they are a religious doormat to be walked on.  Some try to gain friends and maintain church unity by “giving in” to everyone else’s whims. That is not what Paul is teaching!  Paul gives some definitive and clear examples of a person exhibiting a “Submissive Mind.”

Jesus Christ – – [vv. 1-11], Paul himself – – [vv. 12-18], Timothy – – [vv.19-24], and Epaphroditus – – [vv. 25-30].  Clearly, the greatest example is Jesus.  In Christ Jesus, we find the four primary characteristics of a person who has a Submissive Mind and one in whom is Abundant Joy.

• He Thinks of Others Above Himself – – [Philippians 2:5-6].

Having the mind of Christ means having the attitude of Jesus.  Our attitude should be the same as that of our Lord Jesus Christ.  [v. 5 NIV].  I have often used the thought that “Attitude determines outlook, and outlook determines outcome.”  When Paul speaks of the “form of God,” he is not talking about a particular human shape but rather the “outward expression of the inward nature.”  He is talking about God’s nature and character, not some physical condition.

Jesus needed nothing, and we find our LORD repeatedly demonstrated that He did not think of Himself but was constantly focused on the needs of others.  His outlook (Attitude) was that of unselfish concern for others.  The mind or attitude of Christ says, “I cannot keep my privileges for myself; I must use them for others; and to do this, I will gladly lay them aside and pay whatever price is necessary.”

A Good Illustration:

A reporter interviewed a successful job counselor who had placed hundreds of workers in their vocations.  When asked what the secret of his success was, the counselor said, “If you want to find out what a worker is really like, don’t give him responsibilities; give him privileges.  Most people can handle responsibilities if you pay them enough, but it takes a real leader to handle privileges.  A true leader will use his privileges to help others and build the organization; a lesser man will use the privileges to promote himself.”  Jesus used His heavenly privileges for the sake of others, “Whosever will….”  You and Me!

A contrast worthy of consideration is the attitudes of Jesus, Lucifer, and Adam, as seen in Isaiah 14:12-15 and Genesis 3:1-7. 

• Lucifer was once one of the highest-ranking angelic beings and had a position near the Throne of God.  [Ezekiel 28:11-19]. 

But he was not content with his position and wanted more for himself.   He wanted to be “on the throne,” not just “near the throne.”  Thus, we find the proclamation; I Will…

• Jesus projected the attitude of submissiveness. 

In His declarations and actions, we hear. They Will, not My Will.  Lucifer was not satisfied with being a creature. He wanted to be a creator.  Jesus was the creator but willingly became the creature.  The Humility of Jesus is a powerful rebuke to the Selfishness of the devil.  The devil was not satisfied to be a rebel but sought to enlist others.

• In the Garden of Eden with Adam & Eve, we find something worthy of note.

Adam had all he needed in the Garden and God.  He was the “king” of God’s creation on earth.  Satan advanced the idea, “You shall be as God, ” which triggered the selfishness in Adam & Eve, and they rebelled.  Man deliberately reached for something beyond his reach and, as a result, plunged the entire race into sin and death.  Adam & Eve thought only of themselves, whereas Jesus always thought of others. 

That is a clear picture of Humility and Submissiveness of Mind and a source of Joy unspeakable and full of Glory.  I need to add more, so we will look more deeply at this subject in the next devotional. 

God bless you is my prayer and desire!

Philippians 2:1-11 – “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  NKJV

Years ago, I saw a comic strip where the main character said, “I love mankind; it’s people that I can’t stand.”  I have witnessed and heard people declare that someone robbed them of their joy through the years.  Frankly, that is not possible, but people play a significant role in ‘stealing’ our joy. 

In Philippians 1:15-18 Paul addressed various people and actions and how that affected others.  He was facing some incredible times of difficulty, and the church in Philippi was genuinely concerned for his welfare.  Epaphroditus brought a generous gift and tremendous encouragement to Paul’s heart but also bad news of the division in the church. There was a double threat; false teachers had come in from the outside, spreading false doctrines and personal and theological disagreement among the people. 

Paul knew something that is sometimes missed in today’s Christian world: Unity and Uniformity are different.  True spiritual unity comes from within.  It is a heart matter, whereas uniformity is the result of pressure from without.  That is why Paul took the action or made the declaration he did in Philippians 2:1-4.

This message was to believers and should have been a source of encouragement to work toward Unity and Love rather than Division and Rivalry.  Paul seemed to say, “Your disagreements reveal a spiritual problem in the fellowship.  Rules and threats will not resolve it; it will be resolved when your hearts are right with Christ and each other.”  Paul attempted to help them see that the Basic or Root of their problem and difficulty was “Selfishness” and the root of selfishness was “Pride.” There can be No Joy in the life of a believer who elevates himself above others!

If there is a Secret to Joy despite circumstances, it is that we must attain “Singleness of Mind.”  The Secret to having Joy despite people is developing a “Submissive Mind.”  Philippians 2:3 declares, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”  Paul’s Epistle to the Church at Philippi reflects Christ First in Chapter One and Others Next in Chapter Two.  We see Paul the soul winner in Chapter One become Paul the Servant in Chapter Two.

I am convinced that too many believers fail to grasp what the Bible is talking about with it speaks of Humility.  The humble person does not think badly of himself or put himself down; he does not think of himself at all.  It is Christ first, and others next, and the self is pushed so far in the background that it virtually does not exist. 

Andrew Murray defined humility as being “that Grace, that when you know you have it, you have lost it.”  The truly humble person knows and accepts himself (Romans 12:3).  He yields himself to our LORD as a servant. He desires God to use him in whatever capacity He chooses for the glory of God and the benefit of the Kingdom of God. 

Many have discovered there is virtually no greater Joy than serving others and seeing them become victorious in life.  I believe it is when our eyes shift from self to God and then to others that the door to Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory opens mightily.

I have only begun to scratch the surface and have laid a simple foundation for next time as we delve deeper into the thought of Having Abundant Joy in Life!   

God bless you richly as you travel today’s journey.

1 Corinthians 1:10-17 – “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. 16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.”  NASB

Most of the time, I am okay with people following different elements within the Body of Christ as their primary worship center or foundation of faith and practice!  Sometimes I wonder how the heart of God is grieved when we separate, alienate, and seek to annihilate others from differing denominations over schisms and points of faith because we believe that we and we alone are right.  They are not only wrong but heretical in their beliefs.

I do not expect everyone to believe exactly what I believe.  I do ask that we faithfully and open-heartedly consider what the Bible teaches.  I ask that we allow the Word of God to be the true and final interpreter of God’s tenets and truths. 

Paul exhorted the Church in Corinth along these lines, urging them to settle differences and move away from divisions and schisms.  Those were not only points of disagreement but points of separation damaging the efforts of the fledgling Church of Jesus Christ.  He reviewed his list of people identifying with a particular personality as their argument and basis for their rightness.  That is no different from the hordes of people who not just proudly but divisively declare, “I’m this or that” regarding a particular denomination or non-denominational denomination.

Several years ago, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, saying, “You are too exclusive and not open to some outside your group or groups, and I want to use them to speak to you.”  I had attended conferences and meetings where men and women spoke, and I had been severely criticized for being in gross error. 

The Holy Spirit instructed me to Listen and that I would discover more to applaud than criticize.  One of the main speakers preached a message that stirred my heart greatly. I developed a series from his message.   God used him to speak the truth to my heart in a very real way, which changed my outlook on many things.  The church he was leading and a part of was putting the principles of the gospel into practice, and while I still do not agree with all he taught or teaches, I will allow the Holy Spirit to speak to me through whatever means He chooses.

I realize that some will say that I am compromising my faith.  I hope that is incorrect.  I do not excuse or wink at sin nor sit in cowardly silence when I hear what I believe to be heresy.  I seek to address the matter with the one teaching the doctrine and with those I have influence or responsibility.  I seek to separate the message from the messenger and identify what I believe the Bible says while refusing to focus on personality.  If that is compromise, then I guess I am guilty, but in my desire to do what the Spirit of God instructed me, I will follow this practice and ask you to disagree disagreeably if you choose.

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

Job 38:1-2 – “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” NASB

It has always been amusing to listen to and watch the ‘pseudo-intellectuals’ attempt to explain GOD and the Infinite.  I say ‘pseudo’ because that is all it amounts to compared to the Infinite Wisdom and Knowledge of God.  God demonstrated His impatience with the one-upmanship of Job and his friends in trying to prove their rightness and righteousness while appearing more knowledgeable than their fellows.  God also demonstrated His exquisite sense of humor in His questions to Job in this Chapter.

Consider the questions:

• Where were you when I (God) laid the earth’s foundation?
• Who sets its measurements?
• Who stretched the line on it?
• On what were its bases sunk?
• Who laid its cornerstone?
• Who enclosed the seas with doors?
• Have you ever commanded the morning?
• What is the way to the abode of light?
• Where does darkness reside?
• Have you ever entered the storehouses of the snow or hail?
• How about the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed or the place where it is scattered over the earth?
• Have you ever cut a channel for the torrents of rain or created a path for a thunderstorm?
• Does the rain have a father, and who fathers the dew?
• From whose womb does ice come, and who gives birth to the frost?
• Can you cause the constellations to appear in their seasons?
• Does nature report to you?

These are just a few of the questions God asked Job in Chapters 38-39; in Chapter 40, He asked – “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?  Let him who accuses God answer him!”

Job immediately knew he was in trouble.  Job understood that he was finite, and God was infinite.  He knew that his knowledge was limited, and God’s was unlimited. He knew he was a creation and God was creator.  Job knew that although what befell him was not of his own making, he needed the mercy of God and, as a flawed human being, needed forgiveness and mercy.  Sadly, some never seem to understand and continue to live lives of ‘self-justification’ rather than appealing to the mercy of God.

When I become so keenly aware of the presence of God that I can almost hold it in my hands, I have a deep sense of awe and know that I am in the presence of the one who is Infinite, Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent.  God Knows!  God Sees!  God Hears!  Nothing is hidden from Him, so when I come into His presence, I seek to ensure there is no pretense, only honesty.  That being said, I desire to live each day that way, free of pretense and dependent upon God.

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

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 – “Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55 ” O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O  DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” NASB

There is so much that I would like to say, and I realize that there is not the time or space to do so.  Therefore, I will focus my attention on the title thought of ‘mortal putting on immortality.’  The Bible declares in Hebrews 9:27 that every person who lives upon this earth has an appointment that is inescapable with death. Yet, in Corinthians, Paul reveals something he calls a ‘mystery’: some will escape this inevitability and leave this world without the natural process we call death, which the Bible calls sleep. 

Paul speaks of an event or time when those who are followers of Christ alive on planet Earth at this juncture in time will be changed instantaneously when God’s trumpet sounds and the dead are raised.  I will not get into a debate about the timing of this; instead, I focus on the fact of it. 

At this event, the apostle Paul tells his hearers to solidify their hope and confidence in the Promises of God and Eternity.  He identifies this as a complete obliteration of the pain and sting of death.  It is identified as a source of inspiration and hope because our labor has not been in vain and encourages us to continue laboring until He returns.

Paul tells us that flesh and blood or the natural man in his natural state cannot inherit the Kingdom of God because these temples of clay are perishable. Still, there will come a day when the imperishable (souls) of men and women will put on the imperishable and transition from the temporal to the eternal.  I believe that as a literal fact in Scripture and rest my hope on the sure promise of resurrection or this translation, whichever my state is at that time.

Most of us have loved ones who have preceded us into eternity and have experienced the ‘sting of death’ in the sense of the loneliness that accompanies losing a loved one.  We have experienced the seeming ‘victory of death’ in that it took from us someone we treasured.  Even when we know in our hearts that they are in the presence of the Lord, the loss is still painful.  But, one day, one glorious day, We Will Be Changed!  One day our Mortal will put on Immortality!   That will be a glorious day!

God bless you as you go through your day!

Luke 12:22-32 – “And He said to His disciples, ” For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.  23 “For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.  24 “Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!  25 “And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span?  26 “If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?  27 “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.  28 “But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith!  29 “And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.  30 “For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.  31 “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.  32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”  NASB

Recently I had a conversation with a person I care about deeply.  They were struggling with the condition of things in government, the state of the economy, and the future.  They were wringing their hands and lamenting that the future was so dim and dismal that they were despairing of life.  This person is a Christian, albeit, at that moment, their faith was in another dimension, not on the promises of our Lord.

I shared with them this passage, which they were very familiar with, and said, “This is why I refuse to worry about life.” Our Lord Jesus said, “DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR LIFE….”

Do not fret over what you are going to eat, drink, or wear, and in the context of that truth, where you will live.  He illustrated the birds of the air, the flowers of the field, and the fact that God cares for them the way He does.  He also cautioned against worry, saying that we cannot add even one hour to our lifespan through it, and we now know through medical science that we can shorten our lifespan by it. 

Jesus spoke the familiar words of verse 33 what we are ‘not to seek’ and what we ‘are to seek.’  He concluded the statement by saying, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”  In that Kingdom is the King, and with the King are all the resources we could ever need.

If I worry about life, I am not placing my faith and confidence in God.  I am not suggesting that we make no preparation for our latter years or that we nonchalantly go through our days with no labor or effort to earn a living.  No, that would be presumptuous. Instead, I am saying that once we have done all we know to do, then we Trust and Rest in the Promises of God and take Him at His word. 

He said, “Do Not Worry!”  I believe He meant what He said, so I choose not to worry!  I believe as David declared, “I was young, now I am old, and I have not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging for bread.”  God has promised to take care of us, and He will.

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

Psalm 3:3-6 – “But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. 4 I was crying to the LORD with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. 5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about.”  NASB

Someone recently said something to me that I have had hundreds of times, “Growing old is not for sissies.”  I responded, “Life is not always easy, but worth it.”  The person I was talking to said, “True, if…”  I waited, and they said no more.  Before I could ask what, the if was, the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart, “If” is Me; the If is God!”

I have often thought about life and living.  As a minister and having served as a pastor of congregations, it has been my joy and sorrow to deal with people in varying situations and stages of life.  Joy to see the work of God in bringing them to peace and victory, and sorry when I could not help them find the solace and peace they craved. 

In life, we encounter difficulties. That statement makes me Mr. Obvious, but as simplistic and broad as it is, it is true.  None of us are immune from problems nor exempt from enemies who desire to reduce us to nothingness.  Jesus declared as much in the Gospels.  However, He also said that we were not to fear or fret because we could live in the confidence that our Heavenly Father desires to ‘give us the kingdom.’  Jesus promised to bring us abundant life and make life worth living.  That is a tremendous comfort to me.

Amid difficulties, the Psalmist declared, “Lord, you are a shield about me.”   In Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, the word shield is protection but one of the imageries was that of the ‘hide of a crocodile.’  I laughed and rejoiced when I read that.  Ancient civilizations have historically viewed the crocodile’s hide as impenetrable.  That is the clear message of the Psalmist, “God, you are like the hide of a crocodile, impenetrable, in your protective covering.”  That is enough to make me want to shout, Hallelujah!  Well, here goes, Hallelujah!

In the Book of Job, when the devil appeared before the Throne of God, God baited him with Job, and the devil’s objection was, “But you have a hedge or a shield about him.”  God did not deny that.  In Zechariah 2:5, God said, “For I, declared the Lord, will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.”  That was His promise for Jerusalem, and I believe His desire and promise for each of us.  He is our shield, buckler, glory, and the giver and sustainer of life.  We do not have to fear what is outside when we fear, reverentially, God and serve Him.  That is the “If” of my friend’s statement. 

Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”  Hell is not God’s desire for us but Heaven and Life.  Jesus did not come to destroy but to bring Life.  Therefore, when facing difficulty, disappointment, and even depression, look upward and rejoice because our God is “A Shield About Us!”  And if God is for us, it does not matter who is against us; they are no match for Him. No problem, disease, difficulty, person, or devil in hell is a match for Him!  

Put on the whole armor of God and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you how to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.  Allow the Spirit of God to enable you to pull down strongholds.  Allow the Life of God to flow richly in your hearts and minds; as you do, you will discover that Life is worth the effort!

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