Matt 28:20 – “…I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” NASB

I am extracting a small portion of a verse here.  I want to use, for emphasis, some of the last words that Jesus said to the disciples after His resurrection and before His final ascension.  Last words, when known to be last words, are always important because they usually convey the speaker’s desire. 

Jesus’ words here are essential because He was commissioning the disciples to go out and make disciples of all nations, teaching them His commandments.  He knew, as He had already told them, “In the world, you will have trouble.”  Therefore, it was essential to convey that He would always be with them to the end.  That is also important to us because we are partakers of the same commission and grace that brought them Salvation.

We have experienced times when we felt like giving up or at least giving up the particular struggle we were engaged in.  There may have been times when we did.  Yet, if we keep this promise in the forefront of our minds, we will find the words Paul in Galatians 6 germane. 

In verse nine, he told the Galatians, “…we shall reap if we faint not.”  If we do not give up or give in, there will be a “harvest.”  If we press on just a little further, there will be the rainbow, the light at the end of the tunnel, and the sound of jubilation that comes with victory.  Now is not the time to give up or give in.  Now is the time to press on because “Jesus is with us.”

He assured us that if He went away, He would send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to walk alongside us and be our “helper.”  We need to learn the ministry of the Holy Spirit and draw from His strength, allowing Him to operate freely in our lives and guide us through the corridors of time to the ultimate victory.  We need to allow Him to pray through us so that we can pray the mind of God.  We need Him to infuse His strength into our lives so that we, having done all, can stand no matter the opposition or obstacle.

If you receive comfort from anything I say, take comfort in this; “Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother and will NEVER EVER leave us or forsake us.”  You can take that to the bank and cash the check.  He has never made an idle promise, nor has He ever failed to keep a Covenant.  We may fail, but He will not.  We may give up, but He will not.  We may falter and grow weary, but He will not.  Therefore, take heart, lift up your eyes, and look to Him, the author and finisher of our faith.

As you enter this day, enter it with confidence!  Enter it knowing that YOU ARE NOT ALONE!  I pray that the Lord of Hosts will make His divine presence known to you on this day and guide each step you take, guarding your hearts and minds in His perfect Peace and Power! 

Blessings upon you abundantly!

Matthew 6:1 – “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise, you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.”  NASB

Most, if not all, of us know or have known of people who relished the spotlight and attention.  They did philanthropic deeds, put their best foot forward, and put on the dog (so to speak) when they knew they were being observed, but when no one was looking, they were quite different. 

I observed a professional athlete once who, when the cameras were on him, was all smiles and courteous, even signed an autograph or two.  But the moment the camera crew went to another location, he was rude, arrogant, and dismissive of anyone trying to get near him.  Another athlete in the same event continued talking to the spectators and fans for a full hour, signing autographs, and learning about the people.  One was all show but no substance; the other was genuine on or off camera.  I gained respect for one and lost all respect for the other.  I will not tell you who they were; it is not important what they did is.

In Christianity, the Lord Jesus advised that if we practice our righteousness or faux Christianity to be seen and lauded by men, we will be genuinely disappointed on that final day when we stand before God.  The words ‘well done, my good and faithful servant’ will not be heard.  Jesus said there would be no reward from the Father; the praise of men is all we will get in this life or the next.  You are what you are when no one is around.  It would be far better to be real, honest, and who you really are all the time.  That way, you never have to be afraid that someone will see or hear you out of character or costume.

That is a philosophy I adopted long ago for my life.  I am what I am at all times!  What you see is what you get.  I do not change when in the pulpit, sitting in the pew, at a party, prayer meeting, or in the woods hunting.  I am the same all the time.  That has not always been the case, and I would put on a mask when I went to church because I was the preacher and could not have problems, be down, disappointed, or ever battle depression. I was trying to be a spiritual Superman!  

That became so tiring that the Holy Spirit arrested me one day and said, “Stop being a Phoney!”  Of course, I protested and gave my well-rehearsed argument about why I had to be like I was, only to hear the Spirit of God say, “PHONEY! PHONEY! PHONEY!”  It took me a few encounters like that to fess up and repent.  From that day to this, I am what I am.  You either like me or you do not. 

One thing you will always find is that I am the same consistently.  I try to never wear a mask, hide behind some religious cliché, or perform.  It is too tiring and hard to remember how you are supposed to be at different times and occasions.  I just let the Holy Spirit reveal flaws and all that I am.  I have been happier that way and, frankly, more effective than ever in my labors for the Kingdom. 

I am not, and you are not a ‘Show Pony.’ We are real humans who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and have flaws and shortcomings.  We face problems like everyone else.  You fail at times, and you make mistakes.  Be real! Be who you are at the level you are spiritually.  You are a work in progress and never forget it.  Ultimately, people will appreciate your honesty, and while some super religious people may be turned off by how you live in the real world, they did the same to Jesus, so do not worry about it.

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