Each one is two

Before coming to Jesus and accepting Him as Savior your spirit man was dead, that's why Jesus said in John 3:3 "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God." You are made a new creature in Christ Jesus but your flesh did not change, so what was made new? Your spirit and because you received new life in the spirit you must also walk with Him in the spirit, for by this He works on changing your flesh so that it might reflect the new life inside of you! In this way others will know God's great gift and His gracious love for all of mankind. Paul talked about being a slave to sin and was disgusted by this when he said, "I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate." (Romans 7:15) but goes on to say, "So I am not the one doing wrong; it is the sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but can't." Was Paul just weak? No, listen Paul's life was broken and spent proclaiming Jesus to the world as God's Son and the only path to salvation, in spite of the many hardships his faith did not waver. In verse 22 Paul says, "I love God's law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin."

God's law was given so that we might know of our need for Him. So we come to Him for salvation through His Son Jesus, which was sacrificed for our sins so that we might have relationship, once again with the Father. Jesus now is alive and well praying for us as He sits at the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:9). This war that Paul spoke of between the spirit and the flesh will continue until we die or Jesus comes again but fear not your spirit is secure as long as you love God with all of your heart and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40). Hear this your flesh will continue to sin but your spirit must resist, therefore you must feed your spirit by prayer, study, and remaining hungry for righteousness. Remain faithful and God will work on your flesh. Do not become discouraged when you do that which you hate, like Paul you will come to know God's grace is sufficient for all of your needs and in the end stand victorious because of what Jesus has done!

I need you, Lord

God, you are my purpose and my light I pray that you keep my feet on the path you have set before me as I go throughout my day. Therefore, I will seek you in the morning, bless you with the words of my mouth, and by night trust in your sufficient grace.

Control, Second Thought

Control is central to being a Christian. Control is present in everyone's life but WHO is in control is what changes once you give your life to Jesus but even in doing this it is still so present in everyday living that it needs to be checked regularly, lest we are deceived. I will try to relay what I mean - it can be seen in the reasons why you labor as hard as you do on relationships. It can be felt when you get up in the morning to go to work or the in the reasons why you stay late to finish a project. You can sense it as a parent of teenagers. You know it is there when your mind fills with thoughts of what to do next? It's okay to admit it because it happens to everyone but as a follower of Christ we have been called to trust Him, obey His Word and utterly trust Him with our lives. I find that if I want to be in consistent communion with my Savior I must surrender control daily, for to keep it for myself is to push Him away. To know the importance of each decision yet not worry about it or get upset when things out my control change the route I have chosen. To do what is right then trust God to take care of the results.

Alright that's one side of control but it goes even deeper than that. Why do some Christians (usually older) feel that consumption of alcohol equals sin? In many cases it is because they have seen people lose control because of it – alcohol is in control. There are other reasons not to drink but drinking itself does not equal sin. We are given direction by God through Paul in Romans chapter 14. Look at this example: So as a Christian you drink wine with your wife at dinner. You don't get drunk, it doesn't control who you are, your wife is in agreement, your children are adults so you are not influencing minds too young to understand – conditions and attitudes are right but is God in control? What if He asked you to stop for an unknown period of time would you get upset or try to explain it away with your vast biblical knowledge? The very moment you do this you should know that you are holding onto control instead of giving it to God. To be clear I do not drink because that is my choice but not because I believe it is automatically sin. I do know this about my Savior He will give blessings and take them away all for the purpose of teaching me what holds true value. My eleven year old asked me the other day why do people fast; I told him it is to tell our flesh that it is not in control of our actions and to help us hear God's voice speak into our lives. Control saturates every area of our being. How often do you spend time thinking about buying something you would like to have? Do you control your thoughts, do they control you, or is God in control? While you are thinking about these things how difficult is it to hear God's voice? What's worse after buying it do you spend time wondering whether or not you should have? Sometimes God wants to bless us in a particular way but He knows whether through regret or greed or fear we will not enjoy it, we miss the purpose of the gift and therefore we are not ready to receive causing us to miss the blessings He intended and we walk away thinking it is not God's will, how sad.

We are also instructed throughout the Bible to maintain self-control - doing what is right when tempted to do otherwise. In this way we show that we belong to God and we trust Him to take care of the situation. Bottom line is this - we are all a work in progress, one day we can get it right and the next miss it completely. God gives us opportunity to put into practice that which we have learned, that's why we are to rejoice when going through tests - because we are growing in Him! Sometimes these tests come through blessings, more often through challenges but know this, His grace is there each time we need start again and He loves us more than we could ever imagine! Think about this today, who is in control of this life, we call ours? How we answer determines who we are and who we belong to.

Change

Help me to resist not your changes O Lord, even though the purpose is not always clear. I know that if you are taking the time to bring me through this change I need not worry about the purpose you have in mind but mine is to find the lesson in it and how it applies to my life. Help me to see myself through your eyes knowing that even though I am flawed you love me, even though my frame is weak you see great potential, and even though my best laid plans crumble in the fire you have called me by name. In spite of the pain that is caused by the removing of this hard outer crust I call humanity I ask for your help to stand and not run for I know not what will be left when you are finished but I know that it will be what you intended before I took control.

God's Goodness in the Morning

God thank you for reminding me of your goodness each morning, even when the night before my mind was filled with concerns. Lord only you know my heart and of the many things I seem to long for you are the only one I could not live without! So in the earliest part of my day remind me to exalt you in praises and worship and for a little while let my heart lead me into your presence before my day is filled with concerns of life once again. With each sound of praise that comes across my lips my heart is lightened and my spirit lifted and in those moments I am able to catch glimpses of your glory! Don't let me forget that you are with me throughout the day - as I work help me do it with one mind and an undistracted heart and teach me that you are with me when I come home and find people, who like me, get caught up in things of the day. Help me to lead my family by example, knowing what is right isn't nearly as important as doing what is right. For you give to each the opportunity to choose right or evil, what we do with it is up to us. Additionally, you give each of us great responsibility and you have placed within each one's reach the ability to do what has been asked of us but only with your help. If we live life without being stretched then somewhere along the way we've lost the sense of your leading and are no longer able to go where you would have us go unless you wake us. Knowing that I thank you for stretching me, making me aware, and not comparing me to others for the only standard that I have to meet is the one you set before me. Though others mean well, like me, they have enough trouble keeping their own feet on the path you place before them. Help them to be aware of their own spiritual condition before being so concerned about others. Those who think they know you challenge them and grow them so that instead of being a stumbling block they may become an instrument of your holiness.

Trusting God

(1Peter 1:8-9) "You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. (9) The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls."

Somehow we get it wrong saying, "God you first prove your self to me by doing ______ then I will trust you." Sometimes it turns out but what if it doesn't who then suffers loss? Is it not better to trust God knowing that He is good and true? Jesus told doubting Thomas the he believed because he seen Jesus' wounds but blessed are those who believe and have not seen (John 20:29)

Lord, help me to trust you more even when things look dim and without hope. I know because of your Word you are good and you are working things together to make me more like Jesus. Many times this molding comes in the way of storms and heart ache but even so I will trust you because you are my source of hope an peace. Thank you for not leaving me when I make bad decisions but instead you lift me up and help me stand once again - making me trust you more. In this way you build up in me your faith so that I might be shown faithful. In your Son's name Jesus I pray, amen.

Is God for me?

While walking through a valley so deep the sun only shows for a few hours each day one is faced with a question. To know that all things are possible for God is not hard to believe, likewise knowing that God has a purpose and that purpose will be accomplished is no stretch. I know that through circumstances He is shaping me and molding me like a potter molds the clay vessel on the pottery wheel but is it His purpose that my hopes be destroyed in the process? This question I come across in many different forms as I walk this path but at it’s base the question is this – is God for me? Will God not only rescue my soul but my emotional and psychological well being too or will I be brought low to the point I can do nothing but surrender? When He is finished with me will I still be me or someone else? Does God really care about the little things that I care about? Like Jacob I could wrestle with God but I haven’t the will and though I conform I am left pondering these things.

If God knows me intimately, like I know He does because He is the Creator of all life, then He must know what is best for me and though there are times the molding and reshaping is painful it is necessary. There comes a time in each person’s life where complete surrender is required and there each one comes face to face with this question – do I completely trust God with my life? Do I believe what He is making me to be is better than what I am? He gives me His Word so that I may know Him, how did He change those who followed before me? Is that someone I want to be? Paul, who was Saul was aware of how God changed him and he had such a great love for God he said this, “For to me, living means for Christ, and dying is even better.” (Philippians 1:21). He had one mind undivided by the things of this earth. As he faced death he knew crossing that threshold would only serve to take him home to see his Redeemer and if he was allowed to live it meant allowing God to live through him so that others may know the Lover of our souls also.

Ultimately I know God is for me and though I would choose a different path I also know my very sight is given to me by Him and without Him my eyes go dim and I am left standing in the dark. We cannot let anything hold us back from following our Lord and Savior though the enemy will lie continuously. Lord let us know your passion for us, let us understand if only a little what we mean to you. We have been alone for so long and You have been crying out for us, for you long to be with us, we are yours and You have given your Son so that like Paul we have a home to come home to. Thank you Father God for reassuring us as we take these steps in this deep valley.

Dying to self

How small is the world of one who has turned inward. Selfishness is never content, always wanting more, always falling short of God’s glory but when the eyes are upon God’s good faithfulness the boundaries that confine are loosed and the heart dances before the Lord like a young deer in the meadow. May the fire of the Lord consume the faithful and lead them into mercies and compassion that was before unknown so that their eyes may be opened. For the Lord reigns and mighty is His throne. Who can stand in His presence? What does selfishness profit the one who carries its weight? Can the treasures stored up by their hands compare with the peace and rest the Lord gives to the one who places Him first? The world teaches us to work for the things we want. Is success desired? Then work hard and maybe you will find it. The biggest problem with that ideal is that it works too often on a certain level. So we work to get more, if a little is good then more is better right? It is in the condition of the heart and the gaze of the eyes, for the more we set our eyes on lesser things the more the path leads away from the Lord until one day we find ourselves surrounded by the quicksand of want, in a world that does not reach beyond our own sight but God is faithful to clean the mud from our eyes and lift us out of the muck of our own desires. Dying to self is a daily cleansing, not a monthly or even weekly event. So Lord, bring us into your courts each day so that we may keep watch and run our race as you intended. For you have broken all that binds us, Lord we shout unto you for you have placed our feet on a solid rock!

A prayer

Lord, it is difficult for me to understand your great mercy. You restore those who walk upright before thee; the same who desire to please their God. You have given us the law so that we might know of our need for a Savior and you were faithful to give us your Son Jesus for that very purpose. So help us not to waist our time but to use it wisely, for the days of man are short and we have but one chance to live the life you intended. Lord, don’t let me blame you when I go through difficulties but help me to be thankful for walking with me and not leaving me alone. You know me inside and out and you see the fragility of my heart and you comfort me and reassure me so that I may follow in your footsteps. Thank you for loving me and for not letting go of my hand.

Advise of the wicked

(Psalms 1:1-3 NLT) “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”

Our motives are at least as important as our actions. Two men can do the same thing, one with a righteous motive and one with a wicked motive and only one be justified by God. When we feel compelled to take action it is good to examine the reasons why. Have you ever been corrected by someone placed over you who does it in such a way as to make himself look better? Take the same situation; have ever been corrected by someone who is sincere about seeing you do better? Which one was right? How did you feel after each situation? Which one made you want to work harder and which one hindered your work? Which one do you want to follow? This passage in Psalms is talking about taking a stand for righteousness, even if you’re the only one. This person’s strength is renewed by the Lord, bearing fruit and prospering in all they do not just because of his actions but his motives as well. The word “delight” gives insight to this person’s heart, he loves nothing more than to please God and God is faithful to bless His servant.

Faithful steps

Sometimes the smallest things have the greatest purpose. Doing what is right by loving your neighbor, helping without being asked, being thoughtful of other’s needs, in the same way reading scripture and practicing time alone with God through prayer and meditation, all these things impact your situation more than you realize. Why, because by doing these things you are saying, “God I trust you to take care of me.” You effectively place your life in God’s hands as you remain faithful to the things He has given you to do. Opposing that is a life that is stratagized, controlled, and well laid. This life can appear to be the very bases of success but inside there is a gaping hole because this man has set his life apart from God. You see God created everything.

(Psalms 89:11 NLT) “The heavens are Yours, and the earth is Yours; everything in the world is Yours--You created it all.”

Yes, the rich man, the self-made man has many resources he has laid up for himself but in comparison to what belongs to God it is nothing!

(Luke 12:13-20 NLT) “Then someone called from the crowd, "Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with me." Jesus replied, "Friend, who made Me a judge over you to decide such things as that?" Then He said, "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own." Then He told them a story: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, 'What should I do? I don't have room for all my crops.' Then he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I'll sit back and say to myself, "My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!"' "But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?'”

When we’re busy ourselves for the gain of riches we lose the essences of the very thing we are trying to improve upon. It’s a hunger that cannot be satisfied, meaning nothing we obtain will satisfy us for very long but God says, come and drink and thirst no more (John 4:14). He made us to have relationship with Him and nothing can replace that. In the act of laying down our concerns and coming to rest at the feet of Jesus something happens beyond our control – the blessings of God flow and these blessings cannot be measured!

Insight enough for Thankfulness

No matter what season we are going through in our life there is reason enough to show gratitude, for even in the valley God is with us. We are loved and protected even though we are not perfect; it was this way with Jacob. Though he tricked his brother and had to run away because of his brother’s great anger God loved Jacob and protected him. Jacob was over his household and this is what he told them,

(Genesis 35:3 NLT) “We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone."

Thankfulness is the response of a person who has insight into their own need for a Savior full of grace and mercy and it brings us into communion with the Father when we need Him most! Living with in a state of thankfulness is not just for the times when we are in the valley but mountaintops as well. Yes, there are times when Father God will lead us through the deep forest of faith where we are tested in order to bring us to the mountain of courage. Here He shows us a humble footpath leading upward and though it is treacherous at times we sense there is purpose in it and that we are not alone; we have come too far to turn back now. In this time the faith that was gained proves to be good and necessary, this experience too we will find is necessary for where He is leading us next but before that comes rest. As we reach the end of the footpath we come the summit of peace. In the awe of it all we look around, hardly able to believe this place exists. Then we look out over the valley where we once were and see evidence of God being with us. For many times we were close to pitfalls and snares that could not have been navigated without an experienced guide. At that moment it all comes together and all the questions why seem so small and remote. Looking the other direction we see places that we have not yet gone but somehow we know standing in this place we will endure whatever comes our way. Through it all what we are gaining a rich relationship and love with the One who guides us. All of this is possible because of a thankful heart!

(Colossians 2:7 NLT) “Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

Worship in Surrender

Lord, you have brought me to this place so that I may worship You. Sometimes this place is surrounded by storms, sometimes the path is treacherous, but this place is always filled with peace! Amazing as that is I know it’s not because of the space but because where You are is holy and because of You I find my only true rest. Like king David said, “For You are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.” In this place I can feel the passion of the Father’s heart for me, in this place the lies of the enemy dissolve and melts away and I am free to listen to Your instruction. Too many times I’ve tried to make it on my own and as many times I have missed the mark yet You wait for me and I know You long for me to lay it down so that I may know Your purpose.

Father teach me to pray, may my prayers be an extension of my heart and may my heart yield to the molding of the Master’s hand. Lord, at times I allow fear to control me but it’s then I realize my gaze is no longer where it should be... (Job 22:23-30 NLT) “If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored--so clean up your life. If you give up your lust for money and throw your precious gold into the river, the Almighty Himself will be your treasure. He will be your precious silver! "Then you will take delight in the Almighty and look up to God. You will pray to Him, and He will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows to Him. You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you. If people are in trouble and you say, 'Help them,' God will save them. Even sinners will be rescued; they will be rescued because your hands are pure." This advise was given by a well-meaning friend in time of trouble and though in the end the friend was rebuked what he spoke here is still true. How do I “clean up” my life? Surrender.

God you said that You would bless those who are poor and realize their need for You, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs! I understand now when Peter said, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” If I must be brought low so that You can lift me up then so be it. Who am I to argue with the One who gave me life? Surrender that comes in battle brings pain and suffering but surrendering in worship to the Lord God is sweeter than honey and brings new life and purpose! Today I will dwell in the house of the Lord and peace will be mine, not because of anything I have done but because of the treasure I have found in You, O Lord. Be blessed, for I am Yours!

No Idols

(Leviticus 19:4 NLT) "Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the LORD your God.”

God’s Word warns us not to make idols for ourselves many times and instantly my mind says, “Whew, I’m glad I don’t have to be concerned about that, after all there are no golden calves in my house or yard!” But what of those things in my heart or the things that fill my thoughts throughout the day? O, to be single minded and whole hearted in my following after the Lord, my God!

Do you ever wonder why it is so hard to concentrate on things that you know are important? I find most people, one time or another have put so many things on their plate they become distracted from their true purpose. Just as spending money indicates to true condition of our hearts, the way we spend our time tells of the thoughts we have filled our minds with. Here is a revealing question – with an honest heart can I say the way I spend my time (and money) is pleasing to my Heavenly Father? We all have times when the answer would be “no” but that’s not the end of the world it just means we need God to help us change, we’ve tried living life ourselves and it doesn’t go well without Him. Those who realize that and make the life-change to trusting God’s leading are blessed because the Holy Spirit has revealed what is right to them.

(Matthew 6:33 NLT) “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”

The Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32)

Father God does not cause bad things to happen because of one’s disobedience but rather it is the disobedience that because of the law of sowing and reaping trouble becomes the neighbor of the disobedient. However, Jehovah is a great God and His love is beyond comprehension. It is because of this great love for us that He is able to use that which the enemy has intended for destruction for our own good! Yes it was the prodigal son’s actions and the effects of which that brought him to the brink of destruction but it was also the very thing that allowed him to hear God’s Holy Spirit call him back to the Father because prior to that his heart was filled with pride, thinking he knew better than anyone else what was best for his own life. I hate to say it but we do the same with God. O, it starts out innocent enough you’ve had a hard day so you don’t read your Bible or you watch TV instead of invest time with you wife and children, honestly you’re looking for an easy way out, an escape but that is wrong. What makes it even worse are those who recognize your faults and are more than glad to point them out to you. Even worse than that are those who pretend to care but instead stir up trouble by making it their business to tell others how you don’t measure up, blind to their own shortcomings (Matthew 7:3). I believe this person has paid a great price and will not fully be aware of it until the end though its not because God isn’t speaking to them too. Things like this only push us further away, making us feel isolated and unforgivable but God has a plan and He is bigger than all of that. Ultimately, we too are turned back to the Father because of the desperation we face living in our own strength. In the act of coming home we find that God has been waiting and watching for our return and the first thing we see is Him running towards us with arms open wide!

Why is it wrong to look for an escape from a life that is difficult at times? Because the difficulties are there to point us towards God, so that we might trust Him and see His deliverance but by looking and finding an escape we short-circuit God’s plan for our lives. Yes life can be difficult but if we hold onto Him we have His promise that He is making us into something we cannot be on our own and that something has great purpose in God’s story!

Seeking God’s blessing in my life

As a modern day Christian often my mind is filled with thoughts about how I might be blessed by God. I know that often His blessings are impeded because of my attitude but it goes deeper than that. My actions and my will are many times selfish, instead of concerning myself with things that concern God. What would happen if God blessed my selfishness? Would I not become more selfish, turning more and more inward until thoughts of myself consumed me? Would that be good for me or does God have something else in mind? Though I don’t like to admit it struggles and heartache are paths that lead me back to the throne room of God and for me personally they are a reminder that God loves me too much to let me have my own way about things. Too many times I go around in circles because I refuse to make time to align myself with God’s heart. I believe there is a purpose in the things we go through, a purpose that is bigger than any individual – that is shown time and time again in the Bible but when that individual aligns him or herself with God’s will the blessings overflow in that person’s life – every time! Through out the Bible God purposed for His people (Israel) to display His power, glory, and love for mankind. Though as a whole they did not make the best example of what God’s presence in one’s life can do and seeing things from our vantage point, as we read about it in the Bible we can see how their own selfishness caused many hardships but God’s favor was still upon them in spite themselves and it is even upon them today, not because of what they have done but because of God’s Word to them. Through all that happened from the Old Testament to the New we now can share in that favor because of what Jesus did for us at the cross, if you accept Him, whether you are a Jew or not but still God’s purpose for His people (Israel) has not finished – there is more to come and once again we have a chance to be part of God’s plan for days ahead! Genesis 12:3 God told Abram (Abraham) that He would bless those that bless you and curse the one who curses you. And in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Today if I want more of God’s blessings then I should ask Him how I might bless His people, starting with those around me but never forgetting about Israel. Pray for them each morning and support ministries like International Fellowship of Christians and Jews http://www.ifcj.org and then pay attention to how God starts to change your life. Changes will start small - meaningless things become just that and our hearts begins to form after God’s own heart. As we are found faithful and obedient the changes become more profound and easily identified by those around us.

What a friend is meant to be

(Proverbs 27:17 MKJV) Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the face of his friend.

A few years ago I met a friend from school and many years before that both he and I graduated from high school, sigh. To my surprise the boy whom I once knew had matured and I sensed a hunger for the things of God in him, I guess in my mind he stayed the same all that time. I was delighted to see the change. Though the meeting was unexpected and of all places at the mall we both had other things to do but we talked for the better part of an hour as if that was our reason for being there. He asked me about Proverbs 27:17, I could tell it was something he put a lot of thought into prior to our encounter. It caught me off guard when he said iron doesn’t sharpen iron, as a matter of fact iron will dull iron. His point was well taken as I listened intently. At the time my only offering was that God’s Word was always true and full of purpose, if the purpose is not clear that doesn’t mean the purpose is not there or even incorrect but simply that we need His help understanding what was intended. That question wore on my mind for the next several days, eventually I forgot about it but God reminded me of it again this morning. Iron in the form of a sword was stronger than previous bronze swords. The iron sword could be made longer than before, required less maintenance, and stayed sharper longer but still in battle the sword became dull, especially when it hit another iron sword. Many times that seems to be what happens when two friends cannot agree. This is what confounded my friend that day and I could not deny the legitimacy of his question. What was missing was to follow that analogy through. If a sword becomes dull from battle what happens to it after the battle, before the next? The owner sharpens it! In the same way a wise person will listen to his friend, search his heart, and then go study – allowing the owner (God) to sharpen his understanding. The sharpening does not require being right either. The result is his life becomes better tuned to the Lord’s purpose, sharper and if he is truly wise this becoming sharper is not for the idea of being able to win the next disagreement but for the purpose of understanding God’s intent better so that he might make progress in becoming the person his Creator wants him to be!