Genesis 3:1-5 – “Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”  2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'”  4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  NKJV

             The serpent’s challenge to whether Adam & Eve would die is often viewed by detractors as proof that the Bible is false for they argue Adam & Eve ‘did not die’ after eating from the forbidden tree.  Was he right or was he wrong?  In some measures both but ultimately wrong!  Let me explain what I mean.

            I believe that in the Garden Adam & Eve would have lived forever in their natural state had they not ‘sinned’.  Sin brought death to the human race both physically and spiritually and although they did not die immediately physically the process began but spiritually death was immediate.  They lost their innocence, learned fear and shame, and their fellowship with God was immediately altered.  In a very real sense THEY DIED upon disobeying and in their actions they, by an act of rebellion, shifted the center of their universe from God to self and in so doing came under the domain of darkness or the ‘god of this world’.  It was a failed attempt of the devil to overthrow God and failed as miserably as his first attempt that got him thrown out of heaven.

            Obedience, confidence, and trust were the issues and they failed on all points.  The serpent appealed to their egos as he apparently managed to do with one-third of the angelic creation and once the lust for immortality and becoming a little god was birthed destruction was imminent.  There was nothing magical in the fruit of the tree, in my view and could have been an instruction not to cross a particular stream at a particular place.  Its purpose was for testing obedience and once they allowed self to move to the center then their eyes were opened to evil and that always tends to blind or block out good if nurtured.  It is not that evil is more powerful than good but it appeals to the flesh so powerfully that the mind seeks it out, justifies it, reconciles it, and adopts it calling it good.

             Thorough the years I have person after person tell me all the things the devil had been saying to them that were causing them problems and bringing temptation.  My question has always been the same, “Why are you listening to him?”  The Bible says he is a LIAR and the truth is not in him.  The Bible says that he is a DECEIVER and comes as an angel of light.  The Bible identifies him as opposite of everything good so why would you spend any time listening to him?  Why would you listen to his false promises?  WHY?   Instead go to the source of Life and read His words allowing them to feed your soul, build up your spiritual immune system, and equip you for dealing with the diabolical deeds of darkness.

            The devil always presents an element of truth wrapped in his lie so that he can trip you up.  Reject anything and everything he says, impresses upon you or brings into your path.  Jesus said, “My sheep know my voice and follow Me.”  Learn His voice!

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

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

             I have preached from this text many times and each time I read the first words of the sentence number one I have the same reaction.   Are you kidding me?  I am supposed to not just count it JOY but ALL JOY when I have trials, tests, and troubles!  Seriously?   YES!!!!   There is a parallel study in the Book of James that reveals the characteristics of the twelve sons of Jacob and it is powerful but that for another time.  Here I focus on the question, “Has James lost his mind or is this truth that really works?”  Well, I have proven this in my life so I can testify that it worked for me and works for me.

             James identified an important factor that too often we, as believers, want to avoid, TESTING or the testing of our faith.  Faith is not really faith unless and until it has passed testing.  It is more theory than faith because ‘biblical faith’ is rock solid, unmovable and sure.  It is convinced with conviction!  James gives us some important aspects and results when we follow the prescription and learn the JOY of REJOICING!

            Tests of faith produces PATIENCE and who among us could not use more patience?  But it is not just patience as in tolerance but patience as in willingness to WAIT ON GOD.  It is learning this biblical patience that we reach a place that our faith is as granite and our confidence in God absolute that we WAIT and in waiting we lack nothing.  James then seems to shift gears but it is all connected for he said, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…”  Do you need wisdom in any area?  Ask.  However many of us need wisdom in waiting because we are normally an impatient people living in a microwave world of instant everything. 

            James also tells us that our waiting and asking is to be done without wavering.  We cannot be double-minded or vacillate back and forth for in that condition faith cannot live and will wither into nothingness or blind hope not assured confidence.  It is learning to find reasons to rejoice no matter the situation and knowing that this temporary problem, setback or obstacle is just that TEMPORARY.  It is as we learn to WAIT that we walk with a new boldness in our Christian life and demonstrate to the world that not only do we trust God but that our God lives!

            So as you encounter setbacks, problems, obstacles, and delays COUNT IT ALL JOY!  Then rest in your confidence and as the Holy Spirit teaches you the art of waiting watch your faith soar, your confidence climb, and your life changes!

             Blessings as you go through your day!

Hebrews 13:5-6 – “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”   6 So we may boldly say:

 “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”   NKJV

            Frequently in reading Scripture I find something that speaks to me a different way that it had in the past and this passage is one of those.  I have read this many times and each time I focused on the absence of fear when walking with God.  As I read this again there were words that flooded my heart and mind – ‘Contentment’ and ‘Courage’.

            The apostle, as was his pattern, charged those listening to live without ‘covetousness’ and to live in ‘contentment’.  I believe that he understood something that we have missed too often that COVETOUSNESS is one of, if not the biggest problems in believers lives.  I believe that virtually all the other commandments have their beginning in that little self-centered, green-eyed monster and as we give way to it in our lives we find ourselves succumbing to numerous other failures in life and character.

            His encouragement and qualifier for living a life of CONTENTMENT was God’s Promise, “I will NEVER leave your nor forsake you.”  If I truly believe God’s Promise then I can be absolutely ‘content’ in whatever state I find myself because I know as David declared, “I was young and now I am old and I have not seen the righteous forsake nor his seed begging for bread.”   We can take the many promises of provision including, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory.”  The question is not God’s ability but our confidence in His Word.  So, if I believe God then CONTENTMENT is a natural by-product of that trust and I do not have to look with envy or covetousness toward anyone or anything after all My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He owns the hills.  There is NOTHING impossible with Him and I am His therefore I trust, relax and rest in confident contentment.

            The apostle did not stop there but identified that out of our contentment we can make a bold declaration that since God is my provider, my helper, my teacher, my guide, and my protector – I WILL NOT FEAR.  My life then will be lived without fear of man or anything because what can mortal man do to me?  He may take away my possessions but God can and will provide.  He may take away my physical freedom but I’m free in spirit and can never be enslaved even if I am imprisoned.  He may take away my life but my life is not dependent on how long I draw breath on planet earth for I am an eternal creation and should they snuff out my physical life I simply transition to ETERNAL LIFE.   What can man do to me?   Much but nothing in comparison to what God can do for me. 

            So as you go through this day ask the Holy Spirit to help you TRUST the Promises of God so you can truly live in CONTENTMENT and COURAGE.   God bless you as you go through your day!

Proverbs 21:23 – “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.”  NKJV

            I often have people quote this to me and demand that it means only the spiritual man but I would challenge you to examine the word translated ‘soul’ in the Hebrew.  It is nephesh and literally means a breathing creature and would include (any appetite, body, desire, etc.).  If you follow that it means if we ‘guard’ keep our ‘elephant mouths’ from overloading our lives we will avoid unnecessary troubles and problems that result.

             How many issues can you think of in your life were the result of a ‘rash’ or ‘harsh’ word spoken?  Probably many!  The Bible teaches us to guard our hearts because everything flows from it.  No wonder the Bible says that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  Is it not sensible that we should ask the Holy Spirit to help us ‘bridle’ our tongues?  The tongue is a small member but capable of causing more trouble than you can easily get out of.

            Yet if we take that to the spiritual we also realize that if we are hasty with our words making vows and promises to God that we cannot or do not keep it brings trouble to our lives.  I would suggest that it is possible to talk oneself into such negativity by allowing unbridled and unfiltered words to flow that we plunge into depression, doubt, fear, and faithlessness.  Words are important and they are powerful.  Not just the words we hear but the ones we speak.  Words have meaning and if God did not consider them important He would not have placed so many references in the Bible about the tongue and what we speak.

             We have all witnessed the disruption through words and sadly words cannot be retrieved once uttered.  They can be repented of and attempted retraction but once released they are forever there and can be incredible weapons of the enemy against our souls or lives.  While I understand that we will never be successful in preventing all such words from coming forth we can continually seek the assistance of the Holy Spirit in ‘guarding our mouths and tongues’ that we speak words of life not death.  You may be one that takes pride in ‘telling it like it is’ but I would pray that you will learn to ‘season your words’ with an understanding that just being brutal is not always the best approach.  I dare say you do not like it when someone gives back in kind.

             So as you go through your day let your words be yes and amen and allow the Holy Spirit to put a few seconds delay on your lips before you speak.  God bless you richly and may He empower you to fulfill your dreams and desires!  Blessings!

Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God…”  NKJV

             I do not normally like to take isolated portions of scripture and build a message or even a devotional but I feel compelled to do just that today.  In the first four words of Genesis 1:1 we find the very best place and the only logical place to start in our consideration of life and anything that it affords – – “In the beginning GOD…”

             I know that some who claim to be atheists or agnostics rail at that and are offended by the mention of God and some insist that we cannot know or be sure.  I knew a guy in Vietnam who would vehemently attack anyone who even mentioned God and on one occasion when it appeared that he might be about to meet death began to whimper and called out to God.  Sadly, none of us were equipped to help him spiritually and I do not know if that was a life changing experience for him or not but I have never forgotten the event. 

            I grew up believing God existed but did not grow up serving God and there is a vast difference.  After Vietnam my dissatisfaction with life continued to grow and in Palestine, Texas a couple of families were nudged by the Holy Spirit to make my salvation a matter of intercession.  They slowly erased all my excuses, demonstrated no ill feelings at my verbal abuse and rejection, and showed me love and compassion when I gave them no reason to do so.  The people of that little church had something I knew I did not have but I resisted strongly.  Finally through a series of events upon receiving a note from one of them suggesting that I read a particular passage of Scripture my world changed about midnight on a Saturday night sitting at the kitchen table.  Prior to that night I had come under such conviction that I knew I was lost and going to hell if my life did not change but the devil had me convinced I had done too much and was doomed.  That passage from Proverbs 3:5-6 was the catalyst that God used to penetrate my wrong thinking and bring me to freedom spiritually and I WAS SAVED.  I did not have to tell people there was a change they knew it.  I did tell them but people would come to me that knew nothing and ask, ‘What happened?  You are not the same.”

            When I finally began at the beginning I found LIFE and HOPE.  I had to begin with God.  I am so incredibly thankful that He spared me through Vietnam and allowed me to live long enough to come to a full knowledge of Him and receive His grace and mercy.  I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to share my experience and the love of God with countless people that I knew and influenced during my life before SALVATION.  I am thankful for the years of walking with the Lord and would not take anything for my journey.  He has demonstrated His faithfulness even in my unfaithfulness and failures.  NO, when I think of Life I can only think of THE BEGINNING and that beginning is GOD.

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

Acts 2:46-47 – “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” NKJV

            I know you are wondering what part of this I’m calling revolutionary.  Well….  Notice the first few words, “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple….”   They got along in Church!  Wow!  Sadly, I have seen more than ‘infighting’  than I would like to remember within the local congregation where people were jockeying for position and control.  I have watched as churches split over internal disagreements that could have and should have been solved by biblical principles.  I have watched as those outside the faith were so alienated by this type of attitude and activity that the church virtually lost its witness in the community and become a clique rather than a church.  But, I have also seen churches that were so harmonious that they touched their communities powerfully and impacted the lives of members in a positive and dynamic fashion.

            Imagine this fledgling entity called The Church after Jesus’ ascension having such unity that they could meet together DAILY and still get along, be in one accord, and press toward the common goal.  They fellowshipped and that is not just getting together for a social event but a blending of lives, hearts, minds, and faith.  They were people of simplicity, gratitude, and praise and as a result they had a dynamic impact upon their community.  I suggest that we would have like results if we had like minds as they.

            I have no problem with people having different ideas on many things within the church but to allow it to become a wedge that divides is not a good thing.  I’m not talking about compromising your convictions or winking at sin and disreputable behavior.  I’m talking about power struggles, positions and titles being allowed to become more important than the purpose for which the church was originated.  Notice the last sentence where we see the LORD adding to the church DAILY those who were being saved.  That says something about their daily lives and witness. 

            Some have the idea that you have to be in the church building to get saved but you don’t have to be in a hospital to get sick or well and you do not have to be in a mortuary to die.  If the church were unified in purpose and touching its community as these we would find that Sunday morning was less of a preaching service and more of a reporting service of what transpired during the week.  I’m not against preaching.  I am for reaching our communities DAILY.

             So as you consider the church and examine the early church, allow the Holy Spirit to mold your thinking so that your prime objective is the central purpose of God.  May the Lord be with you and bless you as you go through your day!

1 Timothy 2:1-7 – “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle — I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying — a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”  NKJV

Frequently I will have someone castigate me because I am involved in the world of politics and am a preacher.  I have been told that I cannot have a dissenting view or expression concerning those in leadership because God said we were to submit and pray for them.  He did both, in a measure, and to fully dissect that would take more time and space than we have for this devotional.  But, I want to take this passage and make a statement that I hope will help in understanding ‘life’ and how ‘life’ touches all dimensions of our world.

The apostle Paul instructed his son in the faith, Timothy and anyone who would hear to ‘make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks for ALL MEN (women included).’  He did not stop there he included kings and all who are in authority, “that….”  There was an objective, ‘that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.’  This was an objective not a conditional promise that if we do this that will be our lot.  No it was an expression that we have a responsibility and duty to pray for those who have authority that they might walk after God’s will following His precepts and thereby a condition exist that we could live peaceably in godliness and reverence.  Hopefully you realize that this is sometimes not the outcome in life?

The ultimate objective in Paul’s message was SALVATION!  When those in authority reject or disregard God’s word and precepts there will be no peace or tranquility and we who live in those situations, seeking to live godly reverent lives will face severe persecution as the Bible warned and has been evidenced in human history.

If you take Paul’s instruction to the full you will find that just uttering a quite prayer for the leaders falls far short of the directive.  The instruction is ‘supplications’ [petitions], prayers [indicates our worship of God and even oratory in public], intercessions [interview and pleas] are to be offered.  We must also not omit the ‘giving of thanks’ for ALL MEN not just the leaders and realize that it is God’s desire not for us to become mere puppets to human despots but that we pray for their enlightenment and their salvation.

I have no desire to be political in this devotional only to say, LIFE is LIFE and involves EVERYTHING you face and that touches you and your family.  So if LIFE is important and valuable is it not worth engaging in ‘supplication, prayer and intercession’?  I pray for the leaders of my nation and my world that they SEE THE LIGHT of God’s Word and allow Him to become LORD of their lives.  My prayer is not one of concession but intercession battling hell for their souls and the lives they affect in their execution of their authority so that we might realize the objective of ‘peaceable lives in godliness and reverence’ that the Gospel could be preached freely to all in peace.

So as you consider your world, social, material, political, and spiritual ask God to guide you in your response to Paul’s declaration and direction.  May God be with you as you go through your day!

Galatians 6:14-15 – “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.” NKJV

Not long ago I was in a meeting where ministers gathered and discussed the works they were leading.  I heard words like ‘the work I have built’, ‘my church’, and ‘my ministry’.  Almost every statement contained the word “I”, “My”, or “Me” and my heart was grieved.  Even as those leading the meeting began to introduce and recognize some of the prominent people, there was praise and recognition of what each one had built or the work they were doing.  What they meant, I am certain, was not to be disrespectful to the Holy Spirit but what I heard was ‘flesh’ and ‘boasting in the flesh’.  I fully understand the human element in the work of God on earth and that God uses people but for me it runs deeper.

When I was lead pastor in congregations I would sometimes be guilty of referring to the local congregation as ‘my church’ and frequently the Holy Spirit would bring conviction to my heart and I would in sincere repentance correct myself and say, ‘The Lord’s Church that I am charged with providing human leadership.’  I never want to ‘boast’ in the flesh because there is nothing in the flesh to boast about.  Were it not for Calvary I would be nothing and it is only through the Work of the Cross that I have life and that life more abundant.

I have an ego like everyone else and continually ask the Lord through the Holy Spirit to keep it in check.  Flattery can shipwreck virtually anyone and a man of God once stood before me and warned that I was falling prey to ‘flattery’ and at first I was angered by that suggestion but as I weighed it in my spirit I realized he was correct.  The church was doing well, people were giving me accolades and I was being recognized by others outside the church and was, without being aware becoming a little full of myself.  God engineered a series of events that brought me back to reality and reminded me of how dependent I was and am upon Him and instead of wringing my hands and lamenting I rejoiced as I recognized the work of the Holy Spirit.  Victory came as did my deliverance from ‘flattering tongues’.  Understand I’m not talking about giving people compliments I’m talking about flattery.  I’m talking about allowing the accolades of man shift your view of total dependence upon the Lord to your accomplishments.

The old song with the words ‘without Him I could do nothing’ is appropriate here.  Jesus said, “I (Jesus) will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  I’m just a laborer together with Him.  Any gift or ability I have is directly from Him and I am and will always be TOTALLY DEPENDENT on Him for all that I am, doing, or hope to be or do.

I hear people in today’s world talk about ME (self) and it bothers me so naturally when I hear people in the faith talk about ME (self) it bothers me even more because we know better.  Some believe that God gives the inherent ability and then just leaves it all to us and others believe that He micromanages everything in our lives.  Regardless of what you believe tell me what do you have that you did not receive as a result of His work in your life?

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

Joshua 6:20 – “So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.”  NKJV

I have heard this story related and people read it somewhat nonchalantly without even a raised eyebrow or question mark in their eyes but I don’t.   I have never read this story without a pause in my reading and thinking.  I do not pause in the fact that the Hebrews took the city.  I do not pause in the method of God for victory – SHOUTING and BLOWING the trumpets.  No!  I pause at the few words, ‘the wall fell down flat.’  

Stop and consider what happened here what happened.  The mound or ‘tell’ of Jericho was surrounded by a great earthen rampart, or embankment, with a stone retaining wall at its base.  That wall was 12-15’ tall and on top of that was a mud brick wall about 6’ thick and 20-26’ tall.  At the crest of the embankment was a similar mud brick wall shoes base as roughly 46’ above the ground level outside the retaining wall and loomed high above the Israelites as they marched day after day.  All that ‘fell down flat’ and the Israelites charged in without hindrance.

But there is more!  When I was in Israel a number of years ago we came to the city and the guide informed us that archaeological evidence had found what appeared to be a discrepancy between the Biblical timeline and where the artifacts were found from the ruins of the walls.  But, as I’ve studied it I have discovered that the Hebrew statement that the walls ‘fell down flat’ carries the suggestion that it ‘fell beneath itself’ which could mean that God pushed the walls into the ground.  I am not saying that is what happened but I do know that this is a major miracle to have the walls ‘flat’ when there would have or should have been an incredible amount of rubble which would have caused significant difficulty for the Israelites to simply rush in.

Archaeologists have also found a section of the wall standing with houses attached and that could well be where Rahab’s house was.  This would be another significant miracle.  What we have in the defeat of Jericho is one miracle after another and that is God’s method of operation.  He is not bound by the Laws of Nature or our frailty HE IS GOD! 

So, I do not know what you need in your life and labors but we are serving a God who can do anything and will do anything to provide you your needed miracle.  So as you go through your day go knowing that OUR GOD is a MIRACLE WORKING GOD.

            Blessings!

Proverbs 27:1 – “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”  NKJV

The gospel song “I don’t know about tomorrow but I know who holds my hand” has been on my heart and mind for days.  Most of us make plans for the future and sometimes we talk about what we are going to do in the days ahead.  We should take to heart this passage and the wise words of wisdom offered in James 4:13-17 where the apostle instructs us not to boast about the future as though it were dependent upon us.  Our lives are like a vapor and as Job declared we are of few days and our days are filled with difficulty.

So, although we cannot know what tomorrow holds we can know who holds tomorrow and that is the most important thing.  An important truth in this is doing daily what we know we should and doing it.  It is living life to the full in obedience to the directive of Scripture and the Spirit of God.  It is walking with a clear conscience.  It is savoring each moment of this fleeting thing called life.

I have had people say to me, “I wish I knew what tomorrow holds” and each time I have suggested that rather than focusing on ‘knowing the unknown’ it is more important to know the one who ‘controls the unknown’.  If I know God and trust Him then tomorrow will take care of itself and I do not have to spend one second fretting over it.  God’s promise is that He will NEVER leave us nor will He forsake us and when I read such passages as Psalm 91 I face all my tomorrows and today’s issues with complete confidence that I am sheltered safe in the arms of God and that provides perfect peace.

I wake up each day with the declaration, ‘this is the day the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it” and then get out of bed and prepare to experience the day.  I do not endure life I live it.  I do not cope I enjoy life.  My shepherd leads me through all things and to all things and I have complete confidence in His ability to keep me and navigate the troubled waters of life.

So as you go into this new day go with a renewed confidence that God is there with you every step of the way and no matter what comes HE IS THERE!   If He is there you have no reason to be anything but thankful, joyous, and anticipatory of the unfolding of this day!

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