EVERYBODY HAS FLAWS THEY CANNOT SEE…


Spiritual Blog - Blind

Ps 19:12-13 – “Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. 13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.”  NASU

 

Sometimes it takes more than prayer and personal introspection to discover flaws in our lives that others can see but we overlook.  It may take the willingness of a friend or someone who loves us to pull back the veil and help us see the beam that is in our own eyes.  Proverbs 27:6 declares, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], But kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda]”.  Amplified

If we are going to develop and grow spiritually to the place, position, and condition that God desires us to achieve we MUST discover those flaws often identified as “Blind Spots”.  Not only must we discover them, but we must address them and take corrective action to win victory over them and remove them from our lives.  That is not an easy assignment and often quite unpleasant.  Most of us, say “I’m human, I make mistakes” but admitting those mistakes is not something that comes naturally to most.  We would prefer to think that we are not flawed vessels or that we have no major flaws and our “blind spots” are only small token things that do not amount to much.  Those areas are often if not normally areas in which we believe we have no flaws because we cannot see them.  That’s why they are called “blind spots”.

In our development spiritually we need consistency, self-discipline, and must use our God-given ability to think and reason.  If we become blind followers of some leader or religion without using our ability to muse and meditate upon the word placing line upon line and precept upon precept we will be easy marks for deception.  It is thinking people that the devil has the most problem with.  I want to identify a few areas and ask a few questions which can lead to a more complete victory and an identification of possible problem areas.

I had a seasoned minister ask me, “Can you handle negative criticism?”  Before I had a chance to say, “Absolutely!”  He said, “No you cannot!”  I was somewhat offended and very surprised because I thought I was very good at handling “criticism” of any kind.  I thought, “You don’t know me that well, to make that judgment.”  The Holy Spirit helped me to realize that “few who are independent thinkers and have a call to leadership can handle negative criticism well.”  I know that some reading this are saying, “Well, I can!”  I won’t challenge that, you may well be able to, but I hope that if this is a blind spot in your life the Holy Spirit will help me help you to see that flaw or kink in your armor.  I know what it is like to be so severely criticized that you want to throw in the towel and quit.  Galatians 6:9 tells us that, “Be not weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.”  The Apostle Paul demonstrated the place we can reach, in Jesus, where we have the maturity and confidence to endure the hardship of negative criticism.  He never allowed it to blur his vision and continued to demonstrate love toward those throwing verbal or literal stones at him.  I recall, a lady in the congregation told me just prior to our pastoral election that I was the worst pastor she had ever had, then I received 100% of the vote.  I asked her about it because I knew she voted.  I asked why she voted for someone so inept as she viewed me.  She said, “Because everyone else believes you are the right man for the job.”  I took to heart her criticism and found that there were areas in which I needed to adjust my attitude as well as my actions.

It is often difficult to differentiate between constructive, biblical criticism which is for our good and destructive negative criticism which is of evil design and has the purpose of pushing us off track and dim our vision and focus.  Recognizing the difference is the key to handling genuine blind spots.  Both can be negative in their content, but one is constructive and the other destructive.

I want to address this more but will pause and wait until tomorrow to continue.  Until then, I pray that the LORD will enable you to be open to suggestions as to possible “blind spots” in your own life.  We can all see the flaws in others, but can we see our own flaws in a constructive manner and change?

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

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THE WAY TO THE TOP OR THE BOTTOM…


Spiritual Blog - Up or Down

James 4:1-10 – “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? 6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” NASU

 

In our spiritual walk, we are either moving upward toward Godliness or downward toward wickedness.  This pathway is not a level plane but an incline and to stop is to begin to move backward so there must always be forward progress and that means involvement and action on our part.  I am not suggesting in any way that we can or should try to “earn” our salvation but I am suggesting that our faith needs our works added to it for completion of our growth and development spiritually.

James identifies the reason for conflict in the church and that is “carnality” and “self”.  He powerfully identifies the root problem in numerous areas and that leads him to identify the reason that we are not getting our prayers answered as is seen in verse three.  He further informs us that if we are friends of this world which is hostile to God we are joining in that hostility.  He pointedly tells us that Pride is destructive and divisive and a characteristic that God rejects implicitly but to the humble God extends grace.   He then makes an impassioned plea that we submit to God and in doing so resist the devil and as a result the closer we get to God the further the devil flees because He knows the Power of God and fears God.  He calls on us to purify our hearts, cleanse our hands and stop being double-minded.  James clearly declares that if we submit ourselves to God in true humility He will exalt us.  So the way to the top or the bottom is found in this short passage.  We can continue to allow our own selfish desires to dominate or we can resign as the center of our universe and allow God to occupy that spot.  If we allow God top billing in our lives we will ascend to the Holy Hill of the Lord and be exalted.  If we continue to be the center of our universe we will descend to the bottom. The choice is truly ours.

So as you go through this day go through it with the realization that ascending or descending is your choice.  Choose to ascend by emptying yourself of self and allow God to be Number One in your heart, mind, soul, and spirit.  

God bless you abundantly as you go through this day!

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THE ‘IS-NESS OF GOD….


Spiritual Blog - God Is

Psalm 23 – “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.  2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.  3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.  6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD  forever.” NASU

 

I love this Psalm for many reasons and one is that it describes and depicts what I like to call the “is-ness” of God.  Consider to David begins the Psalm – The LORD IS….  He is, not will be, could be, and might be HE IS! Then David launches into a powerful discourse about WHAT and WHO GOD is to him personally and to you and me individually.

Because He IS my shepherd “want or a sense of neediness is banished.”  Because He IS my shepherd I am led to the quiet refreshing waters to restore my soul, directed to the lush green pastures for the sustenance of life that I so desperately need.  Because He IS my shepherd I am led into and kept on the path of righteousness.  No matter what I face the “is-ness” of God protects, defends, provides, and guide me.  Because He IS my shepherd “fear” is dismissed because of His presence.  His power sustains and comforts me.  A banquet is prepared for me while surrounded by a host of adversaries and my head is anointed with the Holy Oil of the Spirit of God and my cup overflows so that others are blessed in my being blessed.  Because He IS my shepherd the goodness and mercy of God follow me; like a newborn lamb follows its mother and I have permanent residence in God’s presence.

So when I read this Psalm I read of God’s IS-NESS and my heart leaps for joy because I know that HE IS and IS a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother and never leaves nor forsakes His children.  HE IS and because HE IS I have hope!

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

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SELF-EXALTATION HAS ITS OWN UNIQUE REWARD or RESULT….


Spiritual Blog - Self-Exaltation

Luke 14:11- “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  NASU

 

In this passage, Jesus was giving a parable to the guests and noticed that they were picking out places of honor for themselves.  He used the occasion to bring to light the fatal flaw in that tendency and thinking.  Sadly, many today are so driven to be recognized and esteemed that they exalt themselves.  Jesus reminded His audience of this by using the scenario of the guests being invited to a wedding feast.  He warned them not to take the place of honor because someone more distinguished and recognized than they might arrive and the host would embarrass them by asking them to move down to a lesser position.  The result would be such embarrassment that they would assume the lowest position in shame.  Public humiliation and self-pity would be the by-products of this.  He suggested that when invited, go and recline at the lowest place and the host would come and ask them to move it and the result would be recognized by everyone in the room rather than embarrassment and shame.

Jesus told them in verse 11 that Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and that is painful. I know I’ve tasted it.  He went on to declare that the one who humbles himself will be exalted and I’ve tasted that as well.  I like the feeling of the latter far better than the former.  We have all, at times felt more important than we are or should feel about ourselves and that is a dangerous mindset and attitude.  I am not suggesting self-flagellation but rather humbling ourselves in the sight of the Lord and allowing Him to cause us to be elevated or lifted up to the place He would desire.  You are not the focus of all things nor it is required that you be the center of attention.  You do not have to lead in every situation unless leading by example demonstrating humility is the leadership that you demonstrate.  If God wants you to be the head He will cause you to be promoted to that position.  If God wants you to develop humility, and He does,  then He may allow you to be given a lesser position without fanfare and notice.  Since it is HIS CHURCH that is being built the position is not what is important but obedience.  It is allowing God to place the gift required for the situation in the lead spot and placing you in the mix where you can best lend to the advancement of the Kingdom.

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

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CAN YOU PRAISE GOD TOO MUCH????


Spiritual Blog - Praise

Psalm 113:3 – “From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.”  NASU

I would contend that based on any reasonable understanding of this passage you cannot!  The Psalmist is addressing the work day not to exclude the night. He is suggesting, in my view, that we should make a conscious effort to Praise the Name of the Lord all the time and in all things.  Praise is a conscious choice and if we do not focus our hearts upon the Lord we will become too involved in the activities of life to offer genuine praise to the Lord of Hosts.

I find this passage to be in the same category as the directive of Paul in Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing.”  It may be impractical for us to engage in what most would consider prayer ‘without cessation’ but we can have an attitude of prayerfulness all the time.  Likewise, we can have an attitude of praise all the time without stopping what we are doing to do what most consider praise.  We pigeonhole and have predetermined ideas of what constitutes praise and prayer and fail to understand that God hears our hearts as well as our words spoken aloud.  God hears the thoughts in our minds, not just the words that pass our lips.  We can and should develop an attitude of gratitude in which we consistently and continually commune with the Lord and offer to Him praise and thanksgiving.  From the time we wake in the morning until we go to sleep at night, our heart should be praising and thanking God.

A minister holding a meeting for the church I was leading was asked how much he prayed and when he prayed.  He looked them squarely in the eye and said, “I am a walking prayer.”  They wanted him to be in the church for ‘x’ number of hours per day engaging in what they deemed to be prayer.  They had not learned that prayer is as much a condition and attitude of the heart as it is time spent on your knees or prostrate before the Lord crying out aloud.

So back to the question, “Can You Praise God Too Much?”  I would have to answer in this fashion, YES, IF you shut down everything you are responsible for to do what is commonly identified as Praise.  NO, IF you develop a mindset and attitude of praise in your heart and allow your entire being and life to become on continual praise to the Lord!  If you neglect your duties and responsibilities to engage in the religious activity called ‘praise’ then are you really praising the Lord?  If you fail to do what you know you are supposed to do are you bringing honor to His Name?  But, if your heart is filled with awe, love, and appreciation for Him at all times and out of that attitude you live, work, speak, and love then you cannot praise too much!

So as you go through this day go with a song in your heart and let your mind be filled with His awesomeness.  Let your heart strings be strummed by the Holy Spirit offering a sweet aroma to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

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

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FOR THE BIRDS?


Spiritual Blog - Ravens

Luke 12:24-25 – “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!” NASU

 

You’ve heard the saying, “This is for the birds” and it was meant to speak negatively about whatever was being discussed.  If we consider what God does for the birds and recognize that He values us more than the birds how can we not be lifted up in our spirits?  Of course, there are those today who believe that we are not more valuable than the fish, fowl, mammal, or vegetation life but clearly, Jesus did not agree with that and I’ll go with what Jesus said.

Consider the ravens they do not produce one thing to sustain their lives.  They make zero preparation for retirement and yet God takes care of them providing food.  We work laboriously to produce our sustenance either through gardens, labors, or something and spend a significant amount of our time thinking about and often worrying about “retirement.”  Jesus said to consider the ravens and told us what they did not do and how God took care of them.  I would suggest that while it is good to prepare for the “golden years” it is better to prepare for “eternity.”  I am not suggesting that you do as we used to sing at youth camp – “Here we sit like birds in a wilderness waiting to be fed” and thought it was very funny.  Life requires more than just sitting back and waiting on the provision from God.  If you do that you just may find that there is no provision.  Yet, if we follow the directive of our LORD in verse 31 – “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you” we will be on the right track.

I believe that we should be actively engaged in every facet of life but should always realize that we have a LIFE that is the sum of all the facets.  Our primary focus should be GOD and His Kingdom.  We should not spend our time fretting over what we are going to eat, drink, wear, or drive.  We should do what we know to do and be involved to change things wherever we can but the ultimate and primary focus of our hearts MUST BE God!  It is first the spiritual and then the natural in all things.

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

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MAKE THE CHOICE TO REJOICE…


Spiritual Blog - Rejoice

Psalm 95:1-2 – “O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.  2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.”  NASU

 

I love the Psalms for they are filled with wonderful spiritual nuggets that lift my spirit and elevate my view far above the turmoil of this life.  Today I have been struggling with what is happening in our world and the condition of the heart of man, as I see it.  Then in my reading, I turn to this Psalm and immediately I heard the Holy Spirit ask, “Are you going to just read it or do it?”  I made the Choice to Rejoice and my spirit is soaring!

Consider what he said: 

  1. Let us sing for joy to the LORD.  (A definite decision for us to do something.) 
  2. Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. (I realize that might not be dignified but I’ve been having a bit of a spell shouting to the Lord here alone in my house and feel good about it.)
  3. Let us come before His presence with Thanksgiving. (As I sang to the LORD and shouted to the LORD my heart was filled with thankfulness.)
  4. Let us shout joyfully to Him with Psalms.  (Yep that’s just what I did!)

 

You have at least two choices every day and in every situation.  You can turn it all inward and become depressed or you can look outward and upward and make the choice to rejoice.  I have done both in life and can testify that the latter is the better of the two choices.

So as you go through this day – Rejoice with singing to the LORD, shout to the LORD, come before Him with a THANKFUL HEART and just let go singing and shouting the Psalms you might just be amazed at how therapeutic that is.

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

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THE SPEAKING GOD….


Spiritual Blog - God Speaks

Genesis 1:1-3 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said…” NASU

 

If I counted correctly nine (9) times in Genesis 1 we find “Then God said…”  Nine times he spoke something into existence and almost that many times the Bible tells us that “God saw…”  In these two descriptions, we have a clear revelation that God is ALIVE, SEES, and SPEAKS.   Even in the New Testament we find the words of Jesus in John 10:27 where He declared that His sheep ‘HEAR’ His voice.  Yet, many today look at you as if you fell out of a well if you say, “God told me” or “God said to me.”  Can I ask one simple question, “When did God stop speaking?” 

Jesus told the disciples that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter would come and He would teach them all that Jesus had said.  I don’t know how He was to teach but one of the most used methods of teaching is SPEAKING and I do believe that the Holy Spirit speaks to people today.  I am not telling you that I hear audible voices but I hear God clearly in my heart and know that I am hearing God and not just me or something or someone else.  I have learned the voice of Jesus and the voice of the Spirit of God.  Any voice that contradicts Scripture is immediately rejected but when God speaks and I know it is God, I LISTEN!

Who would you rather teach you what is in the book, the author or a commentator about what the author meant?  Who would you rather instruct, you in life the one who sees the end from the beginning or man who sees the beginning from the end?  Who would you rather guide your life, the one who created all things or someone who has limited experience as do all humans?  If God is the creator of all things, and Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent why do we relegate Him to speaking only through the Bible or Preachers?  I do not suggest and would reject any notion that God would say anything contradictory to the written Word of God.  But, as Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice and follow Me.”

I desire fellowship with God and when I have fellowship with any human being there is some talking that takes place, so why would it be different with God?  In my prayer time I talk and I listen.  Sometimes I hear that still small voice in my deep inner man and sometimes I hear a much bolder voice in my heart but I HEAR GOD!  You HEAR GOD and probably much more than you think you do.  I content that God is “always speaking” but we are not “always listening” so we need to learn to listen more and we need to expect to hear more.

As you go through this day go through it expecting to hear God speak to you in guidance, counseling, and comfort.  He wants to communicate with you and will guide you through the maze of life.  Blessings as you go through your day!

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FORGET DIGNIFIED I NEED A MIRACLE…


Spiritual Blog - Miracles

Luke 18:35-43 – “As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36 Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. 37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, 41 “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”  43 Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.”  NASU

 

I have had people sternly rebuke me for not being “dignified in church” and even had one person tell me that emotion had no place in a worship service.  Bartimaeus, the blind man, had people around him trying to force him to follow proper decorum and be proper but he would have none of it.  He had heard of Jesus and when they told him that this miracle worker was coming by he immediately begin to make a scene and got loud trying to get Jesus’ attention.  Oh, how we need to allow ourselves to lose our rigidity and get God’s attention in our time of need.  He was successful and when Jesus stopped and addressed him with the question, “What do you want Me to do for you?”  Bartimaeus unlike the lame man at the pool of Bethesda was specific and clear about what he wanted.  He said, “I want to regain my sight!”  Jesus received that as an expression of faith and declared “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”  Bartimaeus went from there seeing again!

Personally, I feel like David when he danced before the ark of God and his wife criticized him from not being dignified declared, “I will be more vile (undignified) and will be base in my own sight…”  He was unmoved because of his love and appreciation for what God had done and meant to him.  There are times when we need to stop worrying about being dignified, proper, or following some man-made rules of how to act in God’s presence and determine that we are going to “touch the hem of His garment”.  I guess it depends on how desperate we are and how much we desire the miracle as to how much we are willing to become a spectacle before God.  When I need the touch of God I do not care what anyone around me thinks I want God to touch me.  If that means crying loudly in public, I will.  If that means dancing as David did, I will.  If that means acting as Bartimaeus, I will.

When we need a miracle that only God can provide, receiving His touch should be our number one priority not how people perceive us!  Know what you want and be willing to reach out for it.  Jesus is passing by and it only takes a touch of His hand or a word from His lips to turn your mourning into dancing.  I’m not telling you that you have to have major outward demonstrations to receive from God, only that receiving from Him and touching Him should be your focus not people’s opinion of you.

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

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THINKING OF OUR MORTALITY….


Spiritual Blog - Mortality

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.” NASU

 

When I was young in my teens and even in my twenties (after I returned from Vietnam) I never thought about my mortality.  I was ten feet tall and bulletproof, at least that is how I lived.  As I had children of my own, lost my grandfather and then my father I began to realize that I’m just passing through this life and will one day pass from this life.  Some people resist making arrangements in advance for their funeral thinking it too morbid and some have told me that they don’t want to invite “bad karma” by doing so.  The Bible clearly tells us that it is appointed unto men “once to die and then the judgment.”  We WILL all depart this world via death should Jesus tarry His coming.

Paul addresses the reality of losing loved ones and friends in this passage and it has long been a comfort to me and an encouragement.  He addresses the fact of our mortality and the Promise of the Lord to return for us.  He identifies the scene of the Lord’s coming for those who are alive and remain.  He tells us that the Lord will bring back those who have preceded us and as He descends from heaven He will give a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God and at that time the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then those of us who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and that will begin our eternity with God.  He concludes by saying, “Comfort one another with these words.”

Mortality is a reality that none of us can avoid.  You are not invincible in your mortal flesh.  In reality, once you are born you begin the process of dying and you cannot change that.  You cannot take enough HGH or anti-aging creams, rubs, or pills to avoid the absolute eventuality of the end of your mortal existence on this planet.  IT WILL HAPPEN and there is nothing that any of us can do to stop it. What we can do is prepare for it spiritually and if you so choose financially for those you leave behind.  I have had friends who completely planned their memorial services, picked out their burial plot, and purchased their casket.  They had determined what clothes they would wear and everything was settled long before they departed.  Most of the loved ones in those situations have said to me they appreciated it but some have said they felt restricted in what they could do and the honor they could pay because of it.  That is a family thing and I won’t touch it but spiritually preparation is not an option it is a requirement.  So, I do not hesitate to remind you that you are MORTAL and you should begin thinking about that reality today.  Today is the day of salvation!

May God be with you as you embark on today’s leg of life’s journey! 

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