TRUST – – Part 2…


Spiritual Blog - Trust

Psalms 56:3 – “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.”  NASU

Isaiah 12:2 – “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.”  NASU

Picking up where we left off I have found that there are five separate words translated TRUST in Scripture.  Let’s consider them:

  • Psalm 22:8 – – “He Trusted on the Lord.”  The word is [galal] = to roll.

It speaks of Christ in the hours of His crucifixion and David wrote, “He rolled Himself on the Lord.”  He TRUSTED and that is a picture of ‘complete confidence and dependence.’

  • Job 35:14 – – “Therefore trust thou in Him…”   The word is [chul] = to wait or stay upon.  It depicts confidence and patience.  Elihu said to Job – – ‘Wait for Him.’
  • Job 35:15 – – “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”

In answering his friends, Job used the Hebrew word for Hope – [yachal].  Even in the face of death Job would not give up his Hope, Confidence, and Trust in God.

  • Psalm 91:4 – – “He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust…”  The word is [chasah] = To flee for refuge.
  • The most frequently used word is [batach] = to confide in or lean upon.

Therefore, TRUST seems to be a rolling of our needs upon God followed by a patient waiting upon, Him to act and is hope even when things seem to be hopeless and means to flee to God and His promises for refuge when doubt and fear make a frontal assault.

We find that David and Isaiah are both correct!  Their difference is not in the fact that they trusted it is WHEN they trusted.  We all have TRUST inherent in our natures.  We could not live without it.  Consider the chair you are sitting in as you read this.  You trust it to hold you up and not let you crash to the floor.  You didn’t think about it you simply sat down in it demonstrating your trust!

The issue is not TRUST but the object of our TRUST.   2 Corinthians 1:9 advises that we are to trust God not self and 1 Timothy 6:17 warns not to trust riches but God.

Dwight L. Moody said:

  • Trust Self and you are doomed to disappointment.
  • Trust Friends and they will leave you.
  • Trust Money and you’ll have it taken away.
  • Trust Reputation and some slanderous tongue may blast it.
  • Trust God and you will never be confounded in time or eternity. 

Excellent advice!  We should TRUST God’s self-existence and eternality.  We can assuredly rest in his dependability and infallibility.  We can confidently depend upon His Omnipotence for you see God is not only ALIVE but ACTIVE!  His love, mercy, grace, and peace is extended to us and we can REST in Him.

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

 

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TRUST….


Spiritual Blog - Trust

Psalms 56:3 – “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.”  NASU

Isaiah 12:2 – “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.”  NASU

As I study Scripture I sometimes find statements by different people that seem diametrically opposite and yet are so intricately linked it is amazing.  I find these two passages fascinating.  David, the man God described as being ‘after His own heart’ and the prophet Isaiah who gave us a prophetic picture of the Messiah that is incredible both spoke about FEAR and TRUST.  Yet, it was David that said, “when I am afraid, I will trust’ and Isaiah that said, “I will trust and not be afraid.”  I would have thought it would be the exact opposite but both provide some valuable insight.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “All who get on board Heaven’s train will arrive in heaven, but those who join David in this incidence will ride third class and those who walk with Isaiah will ride first class.”  I didn’t say that Spurgeon did and it opens the door for us to examine FEAR and TRUST.   If you can accept it I suggest that ‘Trust is not a product of fear; it is a preventative.’

Let me give you a couple of illustrations I heard years ago that helped and help me.

There was an airliner flying in a terrible storm and the passengers began to panic in fear.  The stewardesses were reaching for airbags because terror had gripped all the passengers. Some cried, some cursed, and some prayed but everyone but one lady in first class was terror struck.  When asked why she was not fearful she replied, “My husband is the pilot of this plane and he is well qualified to get us to the airport.”  She trusted!

It is reported that Stonewall Jackson and his sister-in-law were in a small boat crossing the river below Niagara Falls and his sister-in-law became fearful and began questioning the ability and decisions of the boatswain.  Jackson informed her that unless she felt she was better qualified to handle the boat than the man she was to sit down and be quite.  He trusted!

            TRUST – – According to Webster’s is ‘assured reliance on the character, strength, or truth of someone or something and lists confidence and dependence as synonyms.’  Isaiah was saying, “I will have assured reliance on the character, strength, and truth of the Almighty and will not be afraid.”  Therefore, FAITH in the general usage of scripture is ‘trusting God’s testimony.’  It is ‘receiving all that God has revealed to us.’

FAITH is not an Old Testament word it is used only twice but TRUST is used over 140 times and yet Hebrews 11 credits many Old Testament characters with faith and lists them in Faith’s Hall of Fame.  They had ‘complete reliance’ on God and that affected their attitudes and actions demonstrating FAITH of the highest order.

I want to delve into this a little deeper and will pause now and pick this up on the ‘morrow.  Blessings as you go through your day!

 

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FRUSTRATION BECOMES VICTORY….


Spiritual Blog - Frustration

Habakkuk 1:1-4 – “The oracle which Habakkuk the prophet saw.  2 How long, O LORD, will I call for help, And You will not hear? I cry out to You, “Violence!” Yet You do not save.  3 Why do You make me see iniquity, And cause me to look on wickedness?  Yes, destruction and violence are before me;  Strife exists and contention arises.  4 Therefore the law is ignored And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted.”  NASU

 

Have you ever looked at what is happening in this world and wondered, “What is God doing?”  Have you ever been perplexed about injustice, war, murder, drunkenness, drug addiction, abortion, etc.?  Have you ever been deeply concerned because of the world you are living in?  THEN, let me introduce you to the prophet Habakkuk for he shared those sentiments and concerns.

Habakkuk lived about 600 BC in a time when the Jewish nation of Judah was declining at an alarming pace.  Injustice, immorality, and violence were prevalent like today’s world.  If you read the newspapers you realize that crime, sin, and injustice are rampant in our world.  Continually we have reports of ‘bad things,’ happening to ‘good people,’ and sometimes want to just throw up your hands and cry out, “Why isn’t God doing something?”  That is exactly how Habakkuk felt.  He was watching the disintegration of his nation a nation he loved.  He was in a position to see the enemy Babylon developing and becoming more and more of a threat.  His nation was oblivious to the danger reveling in ‘selfish absorption’ like today.

Jehoiakim was King in Judah and he had burned Jeremiah’s scroll.  As the Word of God was read to the king he took his knife and cut it into pieces then burned it.  This transpired at the time Nebuchadnezzar was about to take Judah captive.  Habakkuk saw this transpiring with a heart full of grief.  He could not believe that God was allowing this to transpire seemingly inactive.

Campbell Morgan said of this – – “Men of faith are always men who have to confront problems. Those who are not believers do not have to worry about these problems. If there is not God, then whatever transpired cannot be blamed on or attributed to Him, so why worry or fret.  War is war and crime is crime.  But those of us who have faith in God, who believe in Jesus Christ, have to wrestle with some very difficult problems.  How can a God of love permit those things to happen?  How can a God of justice and holiness not judge those who are committing such evil and heinous acts?”

The name Habakkuk means ‘to wrestle or to embrace’.  He certainly reached out to embrace God and without question wrestled with some very difficult problems in his day.  How do you explain evil in this world if we believe in a God of love, mercy, and justice?  Habakkuk did what many do today he tried to rationalize God for a human perspective and ultimately leveled three accusations toward God.

  1. He Accused God of Being INDIFFERENT – – (v.2)

          Basically saying, God, I’m praying but you are doing NOTHING!    Therefore he assumes that God is indifferent. 

  1. He Accused God of Being INACTIVE – – (vv.3-4)

          God answered him in verses 5-11 by telling him – I am working and in fact, I’m doing things so great and wonderful that you would not believe if you were told what they are.  He then acknowledged that He was going to use the Babylonians to chastise His people for their sin. 

  1. That Resulted in Him accusing God of being INCONSISTENT – – (vv. 12-17)

          How could a Holy God use a wicked nation like Babylon to chastise Israel?  Habakkuk faced a dilemma and became despondent, discouraged, and depressed.

             Before you criticize the prophet to vehemently realize that we sometimes fall into this trap and I’ve heard people say, “How long do I have to pray about this?”   I often have to deal with people questioning God over evil’s existence.  So what did Habakkuk do?  In Chapter Two we find him going to his ‘watchtower’ or place of prayer and there God opened His eyes and heart to see what was going on.  God gave Habakkuk three assurances that we need to hear and heed.  In Chapter 2:4 we find the promise of God’s Grace.  In Chapter 2:14 we find the promise of God’s Glory and in Chapter 2:20 we find God’s Government.  God tells the prophet, “I’m on the throne and I’m still God.”

So when the temptation to fret over wickedness in this world presses upon your mind lift up your eyes and lift up your heart knowing that God’s Grace is sufficient, His Glory will radiate, and His Government will rule.

            Blessings as you go through your day!

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WHATEVER HITS THE FAN…..


Spiritual Blog - Hits the Fan

Luke 13:1-5 – “Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate?  3 “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.  4 “Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem?  5 “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”  NASU

 

Whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed.  Life is not equal or always fair in the sense of our human understanding.  Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people.  We cannot control every event of life and accepting Jesus as our Savior and living an upright life WILL NOT make you immune to trouble and inequity.  It will give you a solace, and hope of eternity that is steadfast but will not eliminate all your problems in life.

If you live expecting all your troubles to disappear because you are a Christian you are going to be extremely disappointed and disillusioned.  James even advised that we were to ‘count it all joy’ when trouble comes and we are told not to consider the fiery trials that come our way ‘strange’ or ‘unusual’.  Trials in and of themselves are not necessarily good but all the events and experiences of life are ‘working together’ to mold us for good. It is the finished product that is in God’s heart, not the immediate or temporary.

If you are one given to asking, “Why me?” maybe you should begin asking, “Why not me?”  We have all experienced or witnessed good people facing bad things and bad people enjoying good things come their way.  Some people seem to be able to fall into cesspools and come out smelling like roses.  Stop trying to rationalize everything and turn your heart and mind to God.  Rejoice in His gift of salvation.  Be thankful for what you have and determine to live above and beyond all the negative becoming stronger and more resolute in your faith. There is not and will not be an ‘even distribution’ in life but there is UNCONDITIONAL LOVE that never ends.

May God be with you as you go through your day.  Be blessed! Be free!

 

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FINALITY, FUNCTION, AND FAITH….


Spiritual Blog - Life

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 – Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. 2 Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. 3 If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. 4 He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. 5 Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.  6 Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.”  NASU

             Too often people live as though our actions have little or no consequence and we have an endless amount of time on this earth.  Both assumptions are wrong!  Here in six short verses, a wealth of wisdom and a beautiful guide for life is presented.  Charity, caring, sharing, and compassion are not overlooked by God and as we extend our love and faith in true Christian Charity we find the Law of Sowing and Reaping coming into play in our lives.

Some things cannot be altered in life and words once released cannot be recalled.  The pain is sometimes permanent although they may be forgiven.  Yes, we can repent and be forgiven but some actions and words have a lasting consequence.  We need to always be careful what we say or do and realize it can and likely will have long-term consequences.

Timidity will keep us from action and in life if we stop moving we die.  Fear of failure when allowed to control guarantees failure.  If we do not attempt because of fear we will not enjoy the fruit of success.  Fear paralyzes!  Therefore be diligent as verse six declares and work early and late because you never know which effort will be the most effective or productive or if both may be.  If we continue to pursue the purposes of God in our lives we will open the door to success but if we allow fear to bring idleness we will surely fail.

My prayer for each of you is success.  I pray that God give you the courage and faith to venture into the unknown and unseen climbing to the pinnacle of accomplishment in the pursuit of God’s purposes!  May God be with you as you go through your day!  Blessings abundantly!

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THE HEART OF AN INTERCESSOR…


Spiritual Blog - Pray

Exodus 33:12-16 – “Then Moses said to the LORD, “See, You say to me, ‘ Bring up this people!’ But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me. Moreover, You have said, ‘I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ 13 “Now, therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people.” 14 And He said, ” My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then he said to Him, ” If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. 16 “For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?”  NASU

 

Every time I read this passage I am moved by the heart of Moses, the act of intercession, and the Promises of God.  The people had quickly moved into idolatry and the laughable excuse that Aaron made is indelibly imprinted on my mind.  “I just took the gold, threw it in the fire, and out came this golden calf.”  I wonder if he had been sniffing something stronger than incense when he said that?  But, that is another story for another time.  Moses realized the incredibly difficult task of keeping the entire nation focused on their purpose and committed to God.  He knew that he must have something more so that he could effectively lead the nation in the right path and reach the Place of Promise

Moses, in his intercession and appeal, reminded God of the process through which Israel was delivered from the bondage of Egypt.  Moses began, “LORD, you are the one responsible for them.  I didn’t do it on my own.  You said, bring this people out!”  Moses reminded God of his protests and that God has said, “I know you by name and you have found favor in my sight.”  Then he pleaded for mercy saying, “IF I have found favor in your sight, let me know your ways, so that I may find favor in your sight.”  He reminded God that Israel was His people because it was God who had redeemed them from bondage.  The heart of an intercessor always seeks more of God so that he/she can impart that to others and effectively pray from or with the heart of God.

God spoke to Moses and said, “My presence shall go with you and I will give you rest.”  That is the cry of my heart, GOD’S PRESENCE, and GOD’S REST.  It is only out of His presence and anointing that I can have any positive impact on others.  It is only out of His rest that I can walk in faith.  His rest brings peace and that peace allows my heart to focus on Him and His Promises without the turmoil of life blinding my upward vision.  Moses, I am sure was elated to hear that but his next statement drives home the importance of God’s Presence and Rest.  Moses said, “IF your presence does not go with us, don’t lead us from here.”  I love the old gospel song, “I won’t walk without Jesus, I won’t talk without Jesus; I refuse to live one day as before.  I won’t go without Jesus, Just ain’t so without Jesus; Everything that I would do, I just won’t do without the Lord.”  Without Him, we truly can do nothing.  Without Him, we surely fail.  But with Him, we are more than conquerors.

Moses was broken-hearted at the failure of his brother Aaron and the people.  He was filled with the fear and awe of God and knew that God’s anger, if not stayed, would consume the people.  Even with his disappointment over the sin of the people, Moses, the intercessor, went before the throne of heaven and pleaded for MORE of God.  More of God’s love.  More of God’s Person.  More of God’s Presence.  More of God’s Mercy.  He had the people on his heart and was so committed to interceding for them that He could say, “If you blot them out, blot me out too.”  That was a million miles from his desire but he was committed to standing in the gap and making up the hedge for those he had been charged with leading.  That kind of commitment is required in the effective and fervent prayers of intercession.

I am praying for the church, individuals within the church, and our nation.  The harvest is ripe and yet the laborers are too few.  There are many adversaries and I am praying for a great door to be open and a mighty move of the Holy Spirit bringing sweeping revival to the church and the nation.

Blessings as you enjoy this wonderful day in Jesus!

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HEARTBROKEN ENOUGH TO ACT….


Spiritual Blog - Heartbroken

Nehemiah 1:4 – “So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.”  NKJV

 

This verse is in reference to Nehemiah hearing the news about the disrepair of Jerusalem and it so broke his heart that it moved him to action.  In his situation it was action that could easily have cost him his life but he was so moved he could do nothing else.  That brings me to the thought that I want to address today.

When was the last time you were ‘so moved’ by the condition of our world, the church, or a life that it so moved you that ‘prayer’ and ‘fasting’ was the immediate response and then you moved into action with the guidance of the Holy Spirit?  Sadly, I hear many talking about the NEED for ‘renewal’, ‘restoration’, and/or ‘revival’ but I do not see many that are so heartbroken over the condition and the dying souls of men that they are driven into intercessory prayer and fasting.  Honestly, if it does not move us to the point that it breaks our hearts I doubt that we will give it much serious thought and as a result will not be compelled to do that which is needed to change the circumstances or situation.

I am reminded of the biblical record when Jesus came to Mary and Martha at their brother, Lazarus’ tomb.  Mary ran to Jesus weeping and whether it was intentional or not, leveled an accusation toward Him saying, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”  It was both a statement of faith and frustration.  He asked where they had buried Lazarus and as she led Him to the tomb Jesus wept.  He then moved into action that restored the life to Lazarus who had been dead three days.  A significant miracle by any standards!

I know of a man who is so easily touched by the Spirit of God that we will be in a public place sharing a meal or a thought and something will catch his eye and he will be in tears brokenhearted over the condition, situation, or life that he is observing.  He will then excuse himself and there is no need to ask for he is going to his prayer closet to intercede over whatever it was.  I’m told that many times, days later he testifies of something God has done in that very situation.  He becomes so brokenhearted that he acts in the most powerful way that we humans can act he reaches out to the Throne of Heaven.

If we truly believe that the church or our world is in need of ‘renewal’, ‘restoration’, and/or ‘revival’ why does it not crush our hearts?  I am not trying to be accusatory for I ask myself the same question and do not always like the answers I receive within my heart and mind.  God help us to never become so entangled with the affairs of this life that we lose contact with the Throne of Heaven and experience such a desensitization of our hearts that we are not shattered by the condition of the world.  Lord, I pray that you make our hearts so tender that we actually mourn over sin.

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

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SPIRITUAL SIGHT…


Spiritual Blog - Sight

John 5:19-21 – “Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.  20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.”  NKJV

 

Throughout the biblical record, we find case after case where a person of God did exploits and in each example, we find a linking thread in those cases of SEEING then DOING.  The idea presented by Jesus had been demonstrated in the Old Testament on numerous occasions and the emphasis of SPIRITUAL SIGHT cannot be overlooked.  Jesus SAW what the Father was doing and DID what He saw.  If Jesus is our example and through Him, we can do all things then we need to develop SPIRITUAL SIGHT and learn obedience in our doing.

We would do well to recall the words of our LORD in John 14:12, “…he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these will he do because I go to My Father.”   If we are to follow the pattern of our LORD then we will ONLY do what we SEE Him doing and ONLY say what we HEAR Him saying.  I won’t attempt to take the time to delve into a full discourse on either of those but suffice it to say that we must learn how to SEE with our spirits not just our natural eyes.  We must learn to LOOK THROUGH circumstances rather than at them.  We must learn to view life through the eyes of the Spirit of God not the eyes of flesh.  It is as we learn to SEE spiritually can we DO the exploits that God has designed and desired of us.

When I think back to the Twelve Spies Joshua sent into the Canaan and the Ten coming back having seen the bounty and beauty of the land were still bound by their natural sight and could only see the problem through the eyes of flesh.  Joshua and Caleb saw the same bounty and beauty but saw the problem as potential through the eyes of the Spirit or Faith.  The Ten saw GIANTS and themselves as GRASSHOPPERS, the Two saw through the eyes of the Spirit and saw VICTORY!  They all saw the Milk and Honey but the ten saw the PROBLEM and the two saw the PROVISION.  Joshua and Israel chose to believe the TWO, not the TEN.  Another indication that just because a majority wants something does not mean it is right or even desirable it just means they are a majority.  We either see with Spiritual Sight or Natural Sight and that is determined by the condition of our heart and relationship with God.  It is determined by our learned confidence in the Promises and Provisions of God and His Word.

Another example is seen in the life of Elisha, one of the most, if not the most powerful prophets of the Old Testament.  He was a thorn in the side of opposing kings and armies and would hear in his spirit what they planned then report it to his king and thwart their efforts.  This so disturbed the enemy kings they developed a plan to capture and eliminate Elisha.  As the enemy armies surrounded Elisha’s position his servant was terrified and ran to Elisha with the report, “Alas, my master!  What shall we do?”  Elisha was unmoved by the situation and said, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  The servant no doubt thought, “He has totally lost it now.  Can’t he see this massive host arrayed against us?”  Then Elisha prayed a unique prayer saying, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.”  God removed the spiritual blindness of the servant and he looked around and the mountain was filled with horses and chariots of fire.  It did not become full it was full!  They did not just show up as a result of Elisha’s prayer they were already there.  Elisha could see them and had calm confidence because of what he could see.

If we learn to SEE what God sees we will be able to DO what God does and become the instruments He desires to use in this present world!  Remember the words of 1 John 4:17, “…as He is, so are we in this world…”  How is he?  Where are we as He is?  He is Victor and we are to be as He is HERE AND NOW not in the sweet bye and bye.

So, I pray that God would open your eyes that you could begin to see what He sees and then do what He does, says what He says and be what He is in this present world.  God bless you as you go through this day!

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WHAT AM I LIVING FOR???


Spiritual Blog - Living For

Philippians 1:21 – “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”  NASU

There is a song “What Am I Living For” that comes to mind and the questions the singer asks are: “What Am I Living for if not for you?”  It then declares that nobody else will do and the object of affection is the total focus and desire.  I ask that regarding our spiritual lives?  What are we living for if not for Christ?  What are we long for if not for Christ?  If anything else will do then I would suggest that our lives come up short of the prize that God has set before us.

Steven J. Cole wrote in a blog post in 2013 asking my question and related a story from English history and lore.  It seems that a young man came to W.E. Gladstone when he was Prime Minister of England and said, “Mr. Gladstone, I would appreciate your giving me a few minutes in which I might lay before you my plans for the future.  I would like to study law.”  “Yes,” said the great statesman, “and then what?”  “Then, sir, I would like to gain entrance to the Bar of England.” “Yes, young man, and what then?”  “Then, sir, I hope to have a place in Parliament, in the House of Lords.”  “Yes, young man, what then?” pressed Gladstone.  “Then I hope to do great things for Britain.”  “Yes, young man, and what then?”  “Then, sir, I hope to retire and take life easy.”  “Yes, young man, and what then?” he tenaciously asked.  “Well, then, Mr. Gladstone, I suppose I will die.”  “Yes, young man, and what then?”  The young man hesitated and then said, “I never thought any further than that, sir.”  Looking at the young man sternly and steadily, Gladstone said, “Young man, you are a fool.  Go home and think life through!”  (Told by Leonard Griffith, This is Living [Abingdon Press], pp. 48, 49.)

What are we living for?  How much thought have you given to your life?  The past, present, future, and eternity must be brought into focus.  Paul addresses this issue in the text above saying, “to live is Christ…”  I am living to LIVE CHRIST!  I am living to MANIFEST CHRIST!  I am living to be an EPISTLE KNOWN AND READ OF MEN!  My focus is Christ!  My hope is Christ!  My life is Christ!  For in Him I live and move and have being!

If I am living primarily for me my focus is wrong.  If I am living primarily to have financial success my focus is wrong.  If I am living to advance a particular cause my focus is wrong.  Jesus instructed us in Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” NASU If I have God first in my life and am actively and diligently seeking Him then He will care for all else in my life.  I am LIVING TO LIVE CHRIST!

I do not want to be remembered for my activism, my speaking or writing, my accomplishments in life (whatever they might be).  I want to be remembered for LIVING CHRIST!  I want to be remembered as one who manifested and demonstrated Christ in my words and deeds.  I do not care if anyone remembers my name so long as they remember the Christ of and in my life.

May God be with you as you go through your day!  I encourage you to begin LIVING CHRIST!  Blessings!

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THE TOOL OF TEMPTATION – – Part 2…


Spiritual Blog - Temptation

James 1:1-8 – “James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.  2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”  NASU

 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” NASU

 

Picking up where we left off yesterday I must repeat something that many have heard me say, God’s ultimate desire for His children is ‘conformity’ with the Person & Image of Jesus Christ.  He wants us to have ‘full salvation’ and ‘complete deliverance’.  He wants us to enjoy and manifest His abundant provisions and to walk in victory PULLING DOWN STRONGHOLDS!

LIFE is a process from infancy, to adolescence, to adulthood.  Our spiritual life and walk involves numerous tests and various encounters which help to shape and develop our character.  They also provide a barometer by which we can identify where we are on the thermometer of life.   Hosea 4:6 – “My people perish for a lack of knowledge…”

That is applicable today even in the face of the expansion of knowledge exponentially almost daily on so many fronts.  If we do not know God’s will, we are incredibly unlikely to do God’s will.  If we do not understand what He is doing we may and likely will resist and even rebel rather than resting and learning.  BUT, if we understand the principles, then we know not only what to look for but what to do.  Victory comes in ‘understanding’ and ‘obedience’.

In the text above James tells us to ‘count it all joy when you encounter various trials (temptations)…’  Frankly, that is not only difficult it is impossible WITHOUT some understanding of the Purpose of Temptation in our lives.   Have you been tempted?  Have you or are you now facing a temptation?  Have you succumbed to temptation?  If you have you know the sense of guilt that frequently accompanies that stumble although some just shrug it off and declare ‘I’m only human.’

TEMPTATION is something that is ‘common to man.’  It does not matter how old or how young, how spiritual or carnal IT COMES!  I am reminded of a story I heard on this about a young man and the keys to the family car.

“Dad, while you were away I came very close to breaking my promise to you about not driving the car during your absence.  You left the keys on the kitchen counter and I carried them in my pocket for 3 days fighting temptation.  The father replied, “Son, there is nothing like temptation to show you what you WILL DO if you are given the opportunity.”

Temptation can be viewed from three standpoints!

SATAN’S – – He sees it as an opportunity to defeat God’s Purpose.  He can only succeed in tempting us in those areas in which we have something in common with him.  Jesus said in John 14:30 that the devil had NO CLAIM on Him or on us. 

MAN’S – – We see it as a severe test and an attempt to destroy our faith and commitment.  We view it as a totally BAD THING.  James 1:13-14 is inspirational if we will allow it to be and explains this perfectly.

 GOD’S – – It serves a valuable and vital service in the lives of men/women.  It reveals at least three things about us – – What we are.  Where we stand.  What we will be.

             TEMPTATION is a factor in both the psychological and spiritual growth process and each of us MUST go through the mountains and valleys of life if we are to become mature individuals capable of living a full, meaningful, and victorious life.  Therefore TEMPTATION’S real purpose is ‘always’ to trigger a choice and prove a definitive stand or action.  What is your choice?

            May God be with you as you go through your day and may your choices be inspired of the Holy Spirit.  BLESSINGS!

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