THE LIVING DEAD…


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Ephesians 2:1-10 – “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  NASU

 

No, I am not talking about Zombies, although that might be a somewhat accurate description of a person’s life outside of Christ.  I am talking about being alive in the sense of having a heartbeat, brainwave function, and breathing if we can call that living.  It is living but it is not life!  I well remember when I was counted among the LIVING DEAD and am so thankful that the Lord sought me out and encouraged people to persist in their pursuit of me.  I am thankful for people who faithfully prayed for me and then respond in love offering the encouragement and eventually the simple message that penetrated my rigid exterior and crushed my heart for God.

Paul told the Ephesian Christians you were once among the LIVING DEAD.   You were DEAD in your trespasses and sins, living your sinful lifestyles and pursuing your death lives.  You were manipulated, influenced, and to a great degree controlled by the prince of the power of the air, the devil.  You lived in the grip of your own fleshly lusts, indulging yourselves in the desires of the flesh and mind.  You were children of wrath, filled with hate and bitterness, envy and greed.  BUT NOW, God’s incredible mercy and grace penetrated that veneer and veil that covered your blinded eyes and you were set free.  You are no longer among the LIVING DEAD but are alive in Christ and are THE LIVING!

The translation out of the kingdom of darkness and the recreation of our spirit-being or soul was an act of God’s Grace.  He resurrected us from the LIVING DEAD and made us alive in Christ and now He has given us a seat at the Master’s Table and we are ‘seated with Christ’ in the heavenly places. This is not the result of any deed we have done to EARN IT but by His incredible mercy and grace.  I had someone say recently, “I am longing for the resurrection from the dead.”  I understood and do not disagree or disparage their sentiment but I said, “I have already been resurrected from the dead.”  No, I have not attained the final resurrection but have experienced the spiritual resurrection from the LIVING DEAD.  I am now ALIVE in CHRIST.  Yet, it is not I that lives it is Christ living in me!  Hallelujah!

The door has been opened and the invitation extended for WHOSOEVER WILL to come and drink of the Living Waters, receive the forgiveness of sin, and be BORN AGAIN.  God loves us so much that He was, is, and will always be unwilling to leave us hopeless and helpless trapped in the state of the LIVING DEAD.  In Christ Jesus, we are ALIVE!  Now, we enter into the Abundant Life that Jesus came to bring and give!

            God, bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in the LORD!

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TAKING GOD’S WORD TO A HEATHEN LEADER or UNBELIEVING PERSON OF AUTHORITY…


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Daniel 2:19-23 – “Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; 20 Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. 21 “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding. 22 “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him. 23 “To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for You have given me wisdom and power; even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, for You have made known to us the king’s matter.”  NASU

 

We are not living under an authoritarian monarch in 2016 America but imagine being a citizen or a captive or slave in such a nation.  Daniel and the Jews had been taken captive by Babylon.  King Nebuchadnezzar was a terror and like most Despots, if he wanted an answer, failure to provide the desired answer or solution could and likely would result in death.  God began to trouble Nebuchadnezzar with dreams and in his perplexity, he demanded of his magicians, conjurers, sorcerers and the Chaldeans to interpret the dreams.  The Chaldeans made a reasonable request asking the king to tell them the dream and they would interpret.  God, moved on Nebuchadnezzar, and the king insisted that the interpreters give him both the dream and the interpretation.  That would require the supernatural beyond their magic arts and was the only way Nebuchadnezzar would accept the answer.  Those practitioners of the black arts could not and that resulted in a decree from the king to slay them.

Daniel became aware of the situation and called his three Hebrew friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah and organized a prayer meeting.  In the night, God opened Daniel’s spiritual eyes and gave him a dream or a vision explaining the dream and the meaning.  I love the prayer of Daniel.  He did not go to prayer simply pleading for the lives of those affected but focused on honoring God.  He began praying, “Let the name of God be blessed…”  He also acknowledged that God was the true source of wisdom and power.  He acknowledged that God had the power to reveal the hidden things knowing what is in the darkness and in the light.  He expressed his thankfulness for God having given him wisdom and understanding as well as favor.  Then he rejoiced in the reality that God had granted him the petition of he and his three friends so that lives could be spared and God’s purposes could be carried out.

I wonder how we would react to such a decree were it to happen in our nation today?  Would we have the courage and boldness to stand before a Despot and tell him what Daniel told him?  Remember, if you are wrong or if what you say is not acceptable to the tyrant your days on earth not only numbered but over.  Would we have the courage and faith to stand on what we had seen and heard in our dream or vision?

In the aftermath of Daniel’s interpretation rather than turning his heart to God, King Nebuchadnezzar became more filled with himself and erected a giant image of gold and demanded worship from everyone.  Failure to bow when the trumpet sounded meant immediate execution.  Everyone, even many of the Jews in captivity sought self-preservation and bowed.  Three refused.  Those three were contemporaries of Daniel were none other than Hananiah, Misael, and Azariah.  Of course, the Bible identifies them, in this situation, by their new Babylonian name.  That was, in my view, for the purpose of identifying the mindset of the Babylonians and the king.  He recognized no god other than himself and to identify them by their Hebrew names would have been to recognize the God of the Jews.  They refused and, through their refusal, took their message from God to the king, he was furious and caused the furnace to become so hot that those who cast them in were immediately consumed by the heat.  Then, the king, to his amazement looked into the furnace and did not see three, he saw four men walking in the fire unhurt.

Daniel’s demonstration of the supernatural, and acknowledgment that his ability to interpret the king’s dream was from God did not sufficiently impact the king.  But, now, this miracle coupled with Daniel’s supernatural revelation gripped his heart and he acknowledged God!  That resulted because four men were willing to pray, exercise faith, and stand staunchly for their faith and in their commitment.

It is my prayer that God would raise up Daniel’s, Hananiah’s, Mishael’s, and Azariah’s in our present time and that we become men and women so committed to God and His word that we are willing to die rather than compromise our commitment.

            God, bless you richly as you embark on this leg of life’s journey today!

 

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REDEMPTION – It Is Not Earned, It is Received…


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Galatians 2:15-21 – “We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. 17 “But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! 18 “For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 “For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. 20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21 “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  NASU

 

The apostle Paul formerly Saul of Tarsus, was a Jew of the Jews, a Pharisee of the Pharisees, a rigid and devoted keeper of the Law BEFORE his encounter on the Damascus Road and his conversion.  This man, speaks eloquently, thoughtfully, forcefully, and clearly to the truth that Righteousness, Salvation, Redemption cannot be earned, is not acquired through works of keeping certain rules and regulations it is BY FAITH and RECEIVED.

Paul addresses the reality, that no man or woman is JUSTIFIED by the works of the Law.  Man’s redemption is the Gift of God and is experienced and entered, into BY FAITH in Jesus Christ.  Paul addressed to the Galatians and all who would come afterward, including you and me, that if we seek to be JUSTIFIED by what we do, our religious observances, and attempting to keep the Law we fail.  All, have sinned and come short of the glory of God.  He addressed the reality that the Work of Christ on the Cross opened the door to salvation and that through keeping the Law no person is justified.  His warning was that they not revert to attempting to earn righteousness and redemption through the practice of the Law but receive Grace through Faith.

He makes an incredible statement that can only be understood by faith, “I have been crucified with Christ…”  Had Paul been placed on the Cross with Jesus?  NO!  He had died to self through repentance and by faith received Christ into his heart in the New Birth.  He then says, “…it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”  That’s the key!  Jesus, through faith now lives in our hearts and the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts through Him.  He then explains how this is possible, “…the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  That’s it!  That’s the secret!  We are not IN Christ and He is IN us and now lives His life in and through us.  We are not just representing Him we are manifesting Him.  Then Paul makes a powerful statement in v 21, “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  THAT IS POWERFUL!

If it is Christ and anything, Jesus’ death was meaningless.  If we can earn salvation by any effort of our own, Jesus’ death was meaningless.  If we gain entrance into the Kingdom of God by our keeping of the Law or any acts of piousness, Jesus’ death was meaningless.  No person could be saved had Jesus not gone to the cross.  Jesus was our substitute and the sacrifice that paid the penalty of sin by the human race.  He satisfied the demands of divine justice and shed His blood for the redemption of sin.  Without the Cross, there is no redemption.  Therefore, please never try to earn your redemption, that is impossible.  “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth, he confesses, resulting in salvation.  For the Scripture says, WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the Same LORD is LORD of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”  (Romans 10:9-13).

You cannot earn redemption, you do not deserve it, and you cannot do enough works to become justified.  IT IS BY GRACE THAT YOU ARE SAVED, THROUGH FAITH, NOT OF WORKS LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST!  If you do not know Him, please call upon Him, in faith, and receive Redemption!

Blessings as you embark on today’s leg of your life’s journey!

 

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THANKSGIVING IS FOR GIVING THANKS…


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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  NASU

  

Today is Thanksgiving Day and many focus on time off from work, food, football, family gathers, and more.  Thanksgiving Day was instituted for the purpose of “Giving Thanks” and “Being Thankful”.  It was to be a day of reflection and declaring our appreciation for what we have.  I’m not sure that is the case in the majority of homes in America or even the world for that matter.  It, too often, is a football watching marathon and a food consumption binge rather than a time of setting aside a portion of our day to Reflect on that for which we should be Thankful.

I would like to challenge you to consider what you should be thankful for.  You may be experiencing incredibly difficult times, materially, socially, relationally, economically, spiritually, or physically but rather than focus on your problem focus on your blessings.  If you are so deep in despair that you can see nothing for which to be thankful, it is imperative that you shift your focus from within to without.  Have you received Christ as your Savior?  If so, no matter what you are now experiencing, you have much for which to be thankful.  You have Eternal Life and is that not worth more than anything else?

I would challenge you to gather your family, preferably before your meal or your football watching marathon and collectively reflect on your blessings.  The Psalmist entreated us to, “Enter His (God’s) gates with thanksgiving and His (God’s) courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him, bless His name.”  (104:4).  Let the reality of what you have received from Him resonated and pulsate in your heart and mind and join David, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trust in Him, and I am helped; therefore, my heart exults, and my with my song I shall thank Him.”  (Psalm 28:7).  Let the cry of the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:6-7 reverberate through your being, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

I read a prayer recently that speaks volumes to my heart on this day:

“Oh Heavenly Father:

           We thank you for food and remember the hungry.

            We thank you for health and remember the sick.

            We thank you for friends and remember the friendless.

            We thank you for freedom and remember those in bondage.

            May these remembrances stir us to service, that Your Gifts to us

            may be used in service to others.           

            Amen!”

             I am thankful that I live in a Free Nation.  I am thankful that I am reasonably healthy.  I am thankful that I have a dry bed to sleep in, a warm house to live in, clothes, to wear, food to eat, a car to drive, and can enjoy the fruit of my labors in peace.  I am thankful that I have received forgiveness for my sin and that out of that freedom of forgiveness I can forgive.  I am thankful for life now on earth and life that is to come for all eternity with God, in heaven. Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul!

God, bless you as you enjoy this THANKSGIVING DAY and make it a DAY OF THANKSGIVING.

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THE LOST VOICE IN TODAY’S CHURCH…


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Ezekiel 2:1-7 – “Then He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet that I may speak with you!” 2 As He spoke to me the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet; and I heard Him speaking to me. 3 Then He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. 4 “I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ 5 “As for them, whether they listen or not — for they are a rebellious house — they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 “And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house. 7 “But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.”  NASU

 

I have found times in my life when the LORD instructed me to deliver a message that I knew would not be well received by my audience.  It was not pleasantries or platitudes but a challenge from the Spirit of God over a condition or a call to action.  Ezekiel was called of God and his assignment was not an enviable one for anyone who wants peace and has even a smidgen of love in their hearts for people.  God told Ezekiel that He was sending the prophet to a rebellious people, a stubborn people who were obstinate.  Does that sound like an assignment you’d relish being given?  Not me!  I know what it is like to stand in the middle of the proverbial stream and everyone wanting to go with the current and the Spirit of God having me declare, “NO!  Not that way this way.”  Going against the current is not the easy path and will meet much resistance and opposition but if that is what God says, that is what God wants, and the prize is not downstream but up.

Then God tells him, “neither fear them nor their words…”  Okay, God, I have learned from experience and from reading your word that when you say DO NOT FEAR there is something to fear.  There is something that potentially can do harm.  There is something I will face that will be difficult and might make me want to concede and go with the flow.  LORD, when you so “do not fear,” my flesh says, “be afraid, be very afraid.”   If he had simply said, DO NOT FEAR it might not be so bad but he goes on to say, “…though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions…”  WHAT?  Wait a minute God that sounds like severe persecution and physical as well as spiritual pain.  It’s about that time, we begin to say, “Lord, I’m not qualified…”  We try to pull a Moses on God and offer our excuses as to why we cannot fulfill His commission.  However, God will not be deterred and we might have a Jonah experience and our only deliverance and theirs is for us to OBEY.

There is a truth in God that would behoove us to consider.  If God tells us to WARN people it is our responsibility to give that warning often in tears.  It is not our responsibility to make them repent.  That is totally and completely their decision and choice.  But, if we fail to warn them and fail to sound the alarm then we become guilty of their failure.  We are messengers, He is God of the message!  We convey the message and He brings conviction to the heart.  Today’s church has largely lost the voice and office of the prophet of God declaring God’s “Thus Says the Lord.”  When the Church goes silent evil prevails and I am praying for the voice of God to be heard loudly in our churches again so that we might hear His still small voice saying, “This is the way walk in it.” 

God help us to return to You so that You might return to us and restore us!  Abundant Blessing is my desire and prayer for each of your lives.

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AN IRREFUTABLE PRINCIPLE FROM GOD’S WORD…


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2 Corinthians 9:6-11 – “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written,“HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.” 10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.”  NASU

 

There are several things I wish to address in this devotional other than specifically the “Law of Sowing and Reaping”.  That law is emphasized in v 6 but the expansion upon that principle by the apostle Paul in the next verses is vitally important for our consideration.  Let’s consider the principles, promises, and potential of Paul’s declaration.

This giving or sowing is to be done uncoerced and out of a reasoned decision of the giver or sower.  The need is presented, prayer offered, and a decision or desire expressed based on what the heart longs to do not through shame or coercion.  If we give grudgingly but out of a sense that we must do so to either put a salve on our conscience or for appearance it is a waste of time as far as any benefit spiritually or naturally we will receive.  God is moved not by what is in the hand but what is in the heart.  If a gift is not joyfully given from one’s free will it is not a gift in the truest sense but an attempt to buy or earn something.  There is no reward for that.

The promise found here is that when the giving is completely a result of the free choice and done cheerfully out of a heart overflowing with love and compassion, God makes ALL GRACE abound to the giver.  That grace produces some specific happenings, one of which is the giver will have ALL SUFFICIENCY in EVERYTHING and have an ABUNDANCE or overflow enabling them to give to EVERY GOOD CAUSE they encounter.  That is an incredible promise and potential.  How would you like to be in a position where you had overage that would allow you to give to whatever good cause you encountered?   The verse quoted by the apostle is from Psalm 112:9 and is an incredible promise of the LORD.  It not only indicates a return on your giving but God’s viewing your stewardship as righteousness.

The explanation of the apostle Paul in vv 10-11 is encouraging and inspiring.  Paul reminds us of God’s ownership of everything in the world.  He highlights the truth that God is the one who supplies the seed for sowing and gives the increase of harvest.  God takes our gift(s) and enriches our lives in every way enabling us to become givers or sowers with even more liberality and that ability and liberality produce a sense of gratitude and thanksgiving to God.  Thus, giving becomes worship to God and enriches our lives in more than material possessions.  Remember the words of Jesus in Luke 6:38, “Give and IT shall be given to you.  Good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 

What we give determines what we receive for it will be IN KIND.  How much we give determines the return for it is MORE than we have sown.  Our sowing determines future harvest in our lives and what we give determines the kinds of harvest.  We reap WHAT we sow, MORE than we sow, and LATER than we sow.  But REAP WE WILL either good or bad.  This is an irrefutable principle and law of God and when we realize that through our giving we impact our lives in more than just money we have found the truth that can liberate us and propel us into God’s kind of liberality in sowing and reaping.

God, bless you as you enjoy this day the LORD has given us to live.

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UNITY IN CHRISTIANITY, A Requirement for Worldwide Revival…


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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 in 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.”  NASU

 

Please understand that I am not saying we all must have exactly the same preferences in life or even in church but we MUST all agree on the foundational principles and truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.  This is His Church not a following of particular doctrinal view or personalities.  The message of the Church is Jesus and the Cross not our pet doctrinal points.

The Early Church had divisions and those in positions of authority and leadership in this movement, such as Paul, felt compelled to address those divisions and remind everyone that the message was Jesus not personalities or particular sectarian doctrinal views or pursuits.  He made the plea for them to lay aside differences and become of ‘one mind’ and ‘one judgment.’  It is incredibly easy to be swayed by personalities in life and the church is no exception.  There were those who were saying, “I follow the teachings of Paul, or I follow Peter, and some said I’m a Christ follower.”  The latter statement is wonderful if it is not the type of thing that I have observed in the modern world of Christendom where even the name of our organization, fellowship, sect, or church is divisive and suggestive that “Only We Have the Truth.”  Paul reminded, them that they were not and should not be baptized in his (Paul’s) name.  He had not been crucified for them and Christ was not divided into various sects, groups, or camps that excluded others and divided believers.

Paul’s purpose and our purpose is to Preach Christ, deliver the Gospel in word and deed and in so doing ensure that the Cross of Christ would not be made void.  Jesus said, “If I am lifted up, I will draw all men unto Me.”  That was a clear reference to the Cross but it should also serve as a reminder that if we LIFT HIM UP in our lives and preaching the Holy Spirit will empower those lives and words to draw people to Jesus.  When the world sees a divided Christianity, it is not impressed.  They do not care when we say, “I Love You.”  It is when we demonstrate a unity, commonness of purpose, and commitment to our Lord Jesus and an acceptance of each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.  In our dog eat dog world that impacts them because they cannot understand that kind of unity and love.  It is other than what they know and is used to and tugs at their hearts.

God is sending a revival, renewal, and restoration to our world and those that experience it will be those who follow the directives of the Word of God and walk in Unity with Christ and Unity with Each Other.  We will cease to be a divided body but become a unified body.  As the Unified Body of Christ, we can impact the world.  As the Fragmented Body of Christ, we will turn the world off.  Which do you think is God’s desire?

God, bless you as you embark on today’s leg of life’s journey.

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THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR SIN and VIOLATING GOD’S PRECEPTS…


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Romans 1:18-32 – “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 

24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

 26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

 28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are  gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”  NASU

 

Let me declare emphatically that God LOVES ALL PEOPLE even those in sin but He is also a just and righteous God and will not excuse, overlook, or justify sin.  This passage is clearly an indictment on the lifestyle of homosexuality but it is much more than that.  The words of the apostle Paul through the Holy Spirit are a clear indication that God’s anger burns against ungodliness and unrighteousness, but is white hot toward those who ‘suppress the truth’ walking or living in a state of unrighteousness.  He makes clear that God created people to be a people of righteousness, and godliness.  His wrath is directed at those who create idols to replace the Living God and commit abominable acts.  The revelation of the apostle Paul is that God, over time, will ‘give them over’ to their lusts and impurity of heart, bringing, in a real sense, a curse physically.

With regard, to sexual sins, the text and context found here indicate that homosexuality is more than simply a choice, and is assuredly not simply a genetic matter.  Its root is found in vv. 18-25 if you will consider them.  Paul declares in v 26, “for this reason…”  For the aforementioned reasons, God ‘gave them over’ to degrading passions…  God is not to blame as some would argue, but He finally reached a place in his longsuffering that He said, “Okay, if that’s what you want, that’s what you have but there is a serious and severe consequence.”  He then addresses the matter of homosexuality.

Then in v 28, He begins a clear explanation of the consequences.  They “did not see fit’ to acknowledge God any longer.  The result was a ‘depraved mind’ which propelled them into the darkness of their choices.  The result was a heart and mind filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, hatred for God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient, lacking understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful.  If that was not bad enough consider v. 32, “and though they know the ordinance of God, that those who practices such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same thing, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”  What an indictment on a society that rejects God’s basic principles of behavior.

            We are not haters of people but haters of sin.  We want to see people delivered from the power of darkness and the corruption and vileness of sin, regardless of what that sin might be.  We want to see everyone come to repentance and receive the forgiveness of sin and experience the New Birth.  We should all pray the prayer of David in Psalm 51:8-12 -“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.9Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.11Cast me not away from your presence; and take not your holy Spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of your salvation; and uphold me with your free spirit.”

Let’s pray that the Lord of Harvest sent forth laborers into His harvest.  God, bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Jesus!

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NEVER LET FEAR OF MAN SILENCE YOUR WITNESS…


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Acts 18:9-11 – “And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city.”   NASU

 

In this present hour, I am amazed at how many in Christian leadership have become silent on many things.  I’m not sure of all the reasons but am fully cognizant of the reality that many are willingly silent and I am keenly aware of the result of that silence.  This is a devotional and not an attempt to make a political statement but regardless of what the issue before us, if we are charged with caring for the flock of God dare we not sound the alarm or declare God’s purpose and principles?  How can we stand before God and explain why we opted to remain silent on those areas in which God’s heart, word, precepts, and principles were violated, ignored, or trampled underfoot?  How can we stand before our people and explain to them why we have been silent?

We would not be silent when it comes to your own children if we saw them heading for difficulty, trouble, or disaster. We love them too much to remain silent.  Do we not love people enough to take a position that might be viewed negatively by human authorities and those opposed to God and His purposes?  Do we not believe that God’s Word is true and that God is the Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent Creator of all things?  If we do, then we must realize that we have a mandate from Him to “Sound the Alarm” when the alarm needs to be sounded.  Is God not God over all matters of life?  Does God not have authority in both spiritual matters and political matters?

Paul was undergoing some severe trials and facing incredible persecution including the threat of death and this vision indicates there was trepidation in his heart.  When God comes to anyone as He did with Joshua and says, “Do not be afraid” there is fear lurking or attempting to take root in the heart and mind.  When God says, “Do not be silent” He means “Do not be silent” but proclaim that which is true and right.  We have a mission and a commission to take the message of the Gospel to the entire world.  We are also charged with sounding the alarm when danger is present or possible. 

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I speak to the under-shepherds watching over local flocks of God’s sheep, this is a love and obedience matter.  Your silence is, at times, disobedience and could be viewed as a lack of love.  A lack of love for the flock and a lack of love for the LORD!  Before, you become angry with me to consider how God and people might view your silence.  If your child was about to step into a busy street and you sat silently watching that act would that be a demonstration of love?  If you could give a word of advice to another and you failed to do so, do you suppose they would look back on that event and say, “I’m so glad you loved me enough to be silent?”  NO, they would wonder if you loved them as much as you said you did.

Christians, we have the benefit of God’s Truth revealed to our hearts and we are responsible for our handling and distributing that truth.  We can fear man or we can demonstrate confidence in God.  Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:26-29 – “Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.  27 ” What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.  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.” NASU

May the Lord be with you as you experience the Holy Boldness to say that which needs to be said on all matters of life for God and good.   Blessings!

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LOVE TRULY MAKES EVERYTHING WORK… (Part Three)


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Ephesians 4:15-16 – “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”  NASU

 

God has an end game or purpose for all He has and is doing in and through  His children, the Body of Christ.  LOVE is not just a major factor it is the central element in the purposes of God.  Paul wrote to the Philippians saying, “This I pray.  That your Agape (God’s Nature) may abound still more and more…”  The word abound indicates overflow.  Paul is saying, “I am praying for you that there will be such a surge within you, that you spill over in your Agape!”  He says in all “knowledge / discernment”.  If we consider the context, which we must, we find that he is praying that they and we grow in our knowledge of how to live with each other.  How the world needs that!  We need constant surges of power and need to be empowered by the Spirit of God from whom that Agape flows and overflows from us to our fellow man and to all in the Body of Christ.

Until we are overflowing in Love the Gifts of the Spirit cannot function to their perfection and in their designed purpose.  It is because I love you that I see the need in you and I realize that I need a gift to meet that need so I can help you.  That is Body Ministry.  Paul’s words to the Thessalonians about increasing and abounding in love is interesting.  The word “increase” is a banking term.  You put money in and it accrues interest and there is more than when you began.  The word “abound” implies a desire that there will be more and more and in those moments of need there will be a supernatural surge of Agape and the need supplied.

For example, we do not always need the ability to forgive but when we meet people who are mean-spirited, evil, and with words or deeds seek to harm us, THEN we need the power to forgive.  We need a surge of Agape to enable us to forgive!  I heard an illustration that is apropos here and germane to our discussion.  Suppose you were sitting in a field under a shade tree, enjoying the beauty of God’s creation and you were almost nodding off in wonderful peace. Suddenly you hear the snort of a raging bull and he begins to charge at you.  You have a surge of energy rush through your being and you run faster than you have ever run and leap over the fence higher than you have ever leaped.  Can you always do that?  Obviously not, but that surge of energy and power enabled you at the moment, of need.  That is Agape overflowing to enable you to BE!

Before we focus on loving the world I suggest we focus on loving each other in the Body of Christ.  Jesus said, “By this, shall all men know that you are My disciples, that you have love for ONE ANOTHER…”  Until we get that right we will be like rain on a tin roof trying to love the world.  You can rest assured that the world is not impressed when we say, “I love you.”  They just don’t care!  But, when they see a group of people professing to be followers of Christ demonstrating Agape to each other, they take notice and they are frequently impressed enough to check us out.  I recall when I was lost and the one thing that kept drawing me back and puzzled me was the love I sense and saw in the people in that little church in Palestine, Texas.  I could not shake the drawing power of Love.

Let me suggest that when any cell in the Body of Christ ministers to another cell it is truly ministering to itself.  Also, every time you serve one another you are directly serving Jesus!  “In as much as you have done it to one of the least of these… you have done it unto Me.”  We need to learn to become ‘supply routes’ ministering to others.  Agape refuses to be rejected.  It is love for the long haul.  It is not fickle and is not conditional.  When you encounter someone, who is difficult to love and you feel no compassion for them you love and forgive!  Agape is not based on feeling or emotion.  Yet, those feelings of resentment rising within your being and you struggle.  You resist and reject them, but if you think you are somehow going to be rid of them completely, think again.  That is a battle you will have until the resurrection so the key is not trying to never have them but allowing the Agape of God to overpower and overrule them.  Remember we are told that Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are…  He was tempted but He did not sin or succumb to those temptations or feelings.

Never let the devil enslave you to a mental image that if you ever have negative feelings or thoughts you are somehow a failure as a Christian.  Simply remind him of the Cross and come boldly before God’s throne and receive that surge of Agape so you can forgive and banish those thoughts and feelings.  You have not arrived but you are pressing toward the mark and you will reap in due season if you do not quit.  We need to learn to look ‘into’ people rather than ‘at’ them.  Jesus never saw a prostitute or tax collector; He saw a person.  He saw their need never the package they were wrapped up in.  Out of or in and through Love the Body is build up!

God help us to become a fully functioning cell in the Body of Christ through which the power surges of Agape can flow to other cells and strengthen feeble hands and lift them up.  Blessings as you embark on this leg of life’s journey!

 

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